January 13, 2011 Minutes

FOSB Board Meeting Minutes –

1/13/2011

Attendees:

Jane Davies (MS Chair), Jodee Reed, Jean Lehman, Suzanne Waller, Keith McLaren, Rolf Sonnerup, Caitlin Racey, Susan Motte, Jodi Russell, Katherine Ropp, Caleb Banta-Green, Sam Star, Jessica Phillips, Marian Wagner, Renee Gersdorf-Duncan, Dorothy Jacobsen, Melanie Shelton, Jane Hewey

Chair’s Report:

  • Passed December minutes.
  • Seeking volunteers to help with recruiting, especially with middle school and the roles identified are photographer, graphic designer, PTA outreach to incoming elementary schools, display case and hall “spiffing up”.  Goal is to increase recruiting efforts to increase enrollment.  Tours:  Feb 8th   (elementary) Feb 10th (middle school) and Mar 8th   (elementary) Mar 10th (middle school) and Mar 15th  (E) and 17th (M).
  • Elementary treasurer position is open and we are seeking a volunteer for that position.  It’s a good job for getting a sense of what is going on in the school.  Also, we are looking for a middle school co-chair for the 2011-12 school year as this is Jane’s last year.
  • Katherine is moving to other volunteer fundraising role with Jodi Russell, so the legislative liaison is open. 
  • Jan 15th, 9-11, Michael DeBell has open coffee time to ask questions at Café Appassionato.
  • Spoke about Bulletin and best ways to distribute information and the difficulty of disseminating information. Tentative plans for chairs, volunteer coordinators and principal to talk about ways to improve communication in general.
  • We need to replace emergency supplies because food and water are expired.  Keith is working on quantifying what we need.
  • Bulk of meeting time then was dedicated to new fundraising committee headed by Jodi Russell and Katherine Ropp.

Secretary’s Report:

  • December minutes posted and passed.

Principal’s Report:

  • Open house tours are announced. 
  • District Zone crew is at school for a few evenings doing general maintenance on the building working through backlog of maintenance requests.
  • The superintendent has recommend to include in the budget the proposed K-8 funding changes which include full-time librarians, new formula for discretionary funding and several adjustments. These are seen as adjustments to the model as opposed to increases.  It isn’t know yet if all or some of the recommendations will be able to be funded.  The Chairs or legislative liaison will push a letter writing campaign in the coming month to support adjustments. Math night is coming up on January, Thursday 27th, 2011; this may get changed based on WEP make-up day occurring January 27th, 2011.  Evening will be about how math is taught and how parents can help students at home and also provide an opportunity to ask questions about math at Salmon Bay.

Volunteer’s Report:

  • Jessica:  WEP is going well!!  Lots of volunteers, which is awesome and really helps it go well.  Megan is back!

Treasurer’s Report:

  • We are seeking an elementary school treasurer.  Contact Kelly Bryant if you are interested.

Additional Reports:

  • There was a comment that it would be good to add to last month’s minutes the strength of opinion from teachers communicated in support of PE, full time librarian, volunteer coordinator and art.
  • Fundraising Committee:  Jodi Russell and Katherine Ropp have started fundraising committee to support additional fundraising efforts (additional to direct giving and auction, but also in support of the direct giving and auction) as needed, which came from discussions in budget committee.
    • We know we have said that we don’t turn to children for the fundraising.  Should we stick to that?
    • Could we have calendar of when it makes sense to ask middle school and elementary school families that doesn’t conflict with times that families are giving money at other times.
    • Could we inspire donating by saying FOSB has all donated; or could we say a grade has all donated; …
    • Could we have fund raisers in classes to raise money for camp (like car washes where kids are together having fun) – could we give teachers and classes freedom to come up with their own ideas?
    • Talked about having a post-auction event to clear auction left over. 
    • Talked about having donation box out at events, especially when there is something given, like dinner as extra way to gain $$$.
    • Other ideas discussed were jogathon, beach clean-up, and tree sales, geranium/plant sales, carnivals can be a fun way to have fun and raise $$$$ …
    • Nice to have budget shown to parents and testimonials in bulletin, so people understand need for $$$$.
    • Nice to go beyond parents to community and grandparents, aunts, uncles, so same pockets aren’t tapped …
    • Question about whether winter enrichment and camp is too expensive and also see that it is a really valuable part of our program for middle schoolers.
  • Alternative Education Committee:  Caleb distributed and outlined the updated Parent Alternative School Evaluation Survey; which has been created in a way that is easy to complete and gives a good overview of how we’re doing based on our vision.  Next goal is to figure out how to maximize response rate, so we have a good overview.
  • Legislative Committee: The geo-zones have been shifted and we have 412 students in our geo-zone. 
  • Katherine Ropp reported on project that is recruiting schools to participate in reducing car idle time – briefly discussed if we should do this.  Also, February 21st, there is a March on Olympia event organized by the WA state PTA in support of education spending.  We are hoping to find a parent to organize a group of Salmon Bay families to attend.
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Submitted by Susan Motte on Sat, 01/15/2011 - 12:15pm