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Draft Minutes of October 5, 2009

                                PTA Council of Howard County

                                General Membership Meeting

                                 Minutes of October 5, 2009 

Meeting was called to order by President, John Hannay at 7:36 PM.

The minutes from the 9/8/09 meeting were discussed, voted and approved as is.

The PTA mission was read by the Waterloo delegate. Six guests were introduced for tonight’s meeting, Mr. Jim Taylor, Vice President MD PTA Council, Mary Jo Neil, National PTA member at large (past Council and state president),  Mr. Ken Roey, and Ms. Chaas, HCPSS, Ms. Tina Maddox, Principal Homewood School and Ms. Jill Donnelly, Special Education Teacher, Homewood School.

Treasurer’s Report – The PTA treasurer submitted the report which was read by John Hannay and filed into the records. No questions were raised on the treasurer’s report.

BOE Report: Ms. Patricia Gordon reported her discussion with John Hannay about other BOE members coming to the PTACHC monthly meetings and she did speak with several members. Ms. Sandy French will come and speak to the PTACHC on 11/2. Another BOE member is scheduled to attend the PTACHC December, 2009 meeting.

Ms. Gordon reported on the October is Parent Involvement Month  kick off at Talbot Springs ES on 10/05/09, it was a terrific celebration and both mother’s and father’s were present along with the Maryland State Superintendant, Dr. Nancy Grasmick.

Ms. Gordon also discussed Maryland State DOE will reduce the budget to the Counties by an (est) 10% The MD DOE may also transfer part of the teacher’s retirement back to the counties, to pay for, this is under discussion and the MD State allotment for maintenance of effort will be cut back so that local jurisdictions may need to cut back their maintenance of effort.

Office of Superintendent Report: Ms. Patti Caplan mentioned next year’s school calendar committee is and has been meeting. There is a discussion about whether to begin school earlier, i.e., 2 weeks before labor date but the kids would get out earlier. Parent comments/input are welcomed and encouraged. Enrollment is up, greater than anticipated but the budget remains the same.

Regarding the budget it is $1m less than last year. BOE looking to make a 10% reduction for next year but this reduction would not be felt in the classroom.

Frequently asked questions regarding updates for influenza can be found on the HPCSS and MD DOE web sites and the CDC web site.

MD PTA Report: Tom Comeau, PTACHC representative to the MD PTA introduced Mr. Jim Taylor, Vice President, MD PTA Council. Mr. Taylor described the packet each PTA President should have received for the MD PTA convention. There will be training for treasurer’s in Harford County, 10/21/09, more information regarding this training can be found on the MD PTA web site. There will be 5 specific items the MD PTA will be expecting each local PTA be sure they have completed, (1) Bylaws; (2) Membership; (3) Incorporation; (4) 990; (5) insurance.

There is an opening on the MD PTA for a Treasurer for the next year. Nomination packets are due by 10/25/09.

HCPSS Recycling Program:  Mr. Ken Roey, HCPSS introduced Ms. Olivia Claus, HCPSS, who reported on the school system’s efforts to curb the amount of trash disposed and efforts to encourage more recycling. Areas such as, energy/utilities; custodial staff/overtime and recycling and/or reduce trash can be controlled. Parents can be instrumental by scheduling after school activities when there are other activities going on to conserve, not use the facilities on week ends to cut back, this would reduce not only energy but the amount of overtime the county pays to custodial staff who must open the buildings and stay until the activity is over.

 HCPSS is using the same contractor as the County for their trash and recycling, using a single contractor saves money. The more schools recycle the County can collect more revenue. Recycling posters have been made and distributed within the county for each school. These posters show what and how items can be recycled versus being thrown out as trash. HCPSS has developed a web site for community information and to find out more ways to recycle. Ms. Alicia Moore,

Howard County Government, in charge of the recycling effort within the County will come to any school requesting more information and ways to recycle and save money by not discarding more trash than needed.

Adopt Homewood School: Principal Tina Maddox and Jill Donnelly, Teacher, discussed ways local PTA’s can continue to help and support Homewood. The Homewood staff/teachers really enjoy their jobs and appreciate all the local PTA’s have and continue to do in support of Homewood. This year they would like to recognize all of the teachers/staff. To accomplish this, the wish list for this year includes, PTA sponsored lunches/breakfasts; mailbox treats; gift cards; funds for staff appreciation. These are just some idea’s, they are open to other suggestions but truly thank each and every local PTA for their support.

 Executive VP Report: Cindy Haller introduced the new chair for the Curriculum Committee – Michael Ratcliffe.

 Corresponding Secretary, Mollie Shea discussed the Board Watch program, encouraging delegates to sign up to attend a BOE session and report on it. This can also be accomplished via Comcast 95 or Verizon 42 or watching it via the internet. A list of BOE sessions was discussed and those interested in attending need to contact Jane Holcomb @ ptachc@gmail.com

 VP of Issues Report: Terri Chiu discussed the upcoming Cultural Proficiency training scheduled for 10/16 and 11/6 you must attend both days and there are still slots open for those interested. Please contact Jane @ PTA council via email ptachc@gmail.com.

 Bylaws Amendment: A motion was made and seconded to approve the change to the PTACHC bylaws as proposed at last month’s general meeting. 

ARTICLE VIII BOARD OF DIRECTORS  SECTION  3   The members of the board of directors shall be the filled positions of the following:

                                a. the elected officers

b. the chairs of standing committees or Should the chair of a standing committee be unable to attend any board of directors meeting they can designate another member of their committee to represent and vote for the committee by providing prior notice to the president." 

c. the immediate past president of the PTACHC during the first six months after she/he vacates the Presidency, as a non-voting ex-officio member;

                           d. a student member who shall be an 11^th or 12^th grade student selected by the Howard County Association of Student Councils.

  Approved

 Committee Reports:

Curriculum – no report

Family Involvement – Nehemiah Spence (nspence@gpsonline.com) discussed the coat drive, bring your gently used and/or new coats to the next PTA meeting on 11/2 for collection. Volunteers are needed to help sort.  Please contact Jane @ ptachc@gmail.com.

 Sharing session @Faulkner Ridge Center on Oct 29th @7:00 PM. Topics for the sharing session; After Prom, Family Involvement and PTA presidents

Come ready to share your ideas.

 Legislative – Faenita Dilworth is seeking members.  If you are interested please contact Jane @ ptachc@gmail.com

 Reflections –3 great introduction sessions on Reflections was held in September with 38 people attending. For those schools who have NOT acknowledged who will chair their Reflections Program this year please contact Danielle Hilliard ASAP.  It is the plan to send out a last request to all principals, local presidents for those schools later today to ask them to participate.  Finally if chairs have any questions they should email me at dphilliard@comcast.net. Thank you and think “Beauty Is….” 

 Safety – Marjorie Anderson is recruiting, if you are interested, please contact Jane @ptachc@gmail.com.

 Project Safe After Prom – Lin Guba said all 12 HS will be receiving funds from the recently received grant money. On 10/29/09 After Prom Chairs from each HS will gather to discuss lessons learned and share what works. A Yahoo group has been created for the After Prom Chairs to keep in touch and discuss ideas. All but 4 high schools have signed up.

 Scholarships – No report

 Wellness – Brian Meshkin reported:

1. Established School Food Work Group – outlet for collecting concerns, ideas and suggestions to improve the school food program (creating a new facebook group attached to existing page)
2. Clinical Volunteer Corps – recruited 106 volunteers (57% lay volunteer, 43% licensed medical professional) for flu vaccination administration support
3. Continuing visits to local PTAs

Brian Meshkin and Lisa Regnante proposed a  Resolution of the PTA Council of Howard County in support of the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act.   Approved as written. 

Brian offered that someone from the committee would visit any PTA to discuss ideas/projects that are being done in other schools with regard to health/wellness.

Meeting Adjourned at 9:30 PM

Minutes submitted by Mollie Shea, Corresponding Secretary