In attendance were Kim Calbert, Laura Wiles, Tara Stanislaus, Shelley Maddox, Jenn Powell, Joe Lamendola, Shelly Capps, Elisa Graves, Amy Winebright, Jamie Imber, Jenni Oaks, Valerie Lemak, Bristelle McCullough, Kim Flasch, Natsha Famiglietti, Mindy Smith, Susan Haley, April Braun, Brie Marek, Suzy Aubert, Elizabeth Wood, Tamara Kumar, Janine Wilson, Erica Rorer and Keegan Luedecke. I. Call to Order Tara Stanislaus, President, called the meeting to order at 1:39 p.m. II. Consent Agenda The February meeting minutes were presented for review. Joe Lamendola made a motion to approve the minutes and Elisa Graves seconded. The motion was passed. III. Teacher s Report: Vanessa Malone All of the coffee drinkers would like to thank the PTO for the coffee that is provided in the Teacher s Lounge. Vanessa thanked the PTO for the weather station and for the book sets. Regarding the upcoming STAAR tests, the teachers would like for everyone to know that they do not teach to the test, rather they teach what skills the kids need and hope they apply what has been learned when taking the tests. IV. Treasurer s Report Kim Calbert presented the Treasurer s Report and supporting documents. She noted that we have received 3 sponsorships for the Mustang Derby and we also received a big check from Randalls for the Good Neighbor Program, $1215.65, as well as deposits from McDonald s for Family Night and Spirit Wear orders. Kim also discussed that a 2 nd grade request from last month needs to be amended because the bill was higher than the requested amount. The old amount was $311.04 and new amount is $347.52 leaving a difference of $36.48. April Braun made a motion to approve the new amount and Elisa Graves seconded. The motion passed. Page 1 of 5
A. Teacher Wish Lists 1. 4 th Grade Field Trip Transportation $1000.00: 4 th grade is requesting bus transportation for 2 field trips (1) State Capitol and (2) Bob Bullock Museum. They have not taken any other field trips this year. This amount is within their budget and has been approved by Mr. Hicks. Jenn Powell made a motion to approve the request and Shelley Maddox seconded. The motion was approved. 2. GT / Discovery Program Field Trip Transportation $900.00: Mr. Seabolt would like to take one chartered bus to the GT Austin Architectural Photography field trip. This amount is within his budget and has been approved by Mr. Hicks. Jamie Imber made a motion to approve the request and Joe Lamendola seconded. The motion was approved. 3. 1 st Grade Scholastic News Subscription $479.00: 1 st grade would like to purchase 5 class sets of Scholastic News materials for next school year. This is a common practice to purchase Scholastic News a year ahead. The money will be paid from their next year s budget but it has to be approved now so they can place the order. This amount is within their budget and the request has been approved by Mr. Hicks. April Braun made a motion to approve the request and Jamie Imber seconded. The motion was passed. 4. 1 st Grade Supplies for ABC Days $480.00: 1 st grade would like to purchase various supplies for all 5 classes to use for ABC Days. This is a project using themed days with curriculum- based instruction to the keep the students engaged the last 26 days of school. This amount is within their budget and the request has been approved by Mr. Hicks. Janine Wilson made a motion to approve the request and April Braun seconded. The motion was passed. 5. 5 th Grade Field Trip Transportation $150.00: 5 th grade has already taken a trip to LTHS to see the Hello Dolly musical. Keegan Luedecke mentioned that this request is after- the- fact because they received notice of the event only 2 days prior. This amount is within their budget and the request has been approved by Mr. Hicks. Kim Flasch made a motion to approve the request and Elisa Graves seconded. The motion was passed. 6. Sam Hicks Lab Coast $160.00: Mr. Hicks would like to purchase lab coats for teachers to wear on Science Days. This amount is within his budget. Joe Lamendola made a motion to approve the request and Kim Flasch seconded. The motion was passed. 7. IST $430.02: IST would like to purchase paper and copying supplies from Office Depot, including 2 printer cartridges for their HP printer. This amount is within their budget and the request has been approved by Mr. Hicks. Susan Haley made a motion to approve the request and Shelley Maddox seconded. The motion was passed. 8. Kindergarten Field Trip Transportation $475.00: Kindergarten has requested bus transportation to Austin Science and Nature Center and Zilker Park. This amount is within their budget and the request has been approved by Mr. Hicks. Valerie Lemak made a motion to approve the request and Mindy Smith seconded. The motion was passed. Page 2 of 5
9. Art Various Supplies $955.00: The Art Department would like to purchase (125) 18x24 canvas boards, Black Gesso, and metallic acrylic paint to be used for a 5 th grade project. This amount is within their budget and the request has been approved by Mr. Hicks. ** The Board has already approved this request so they could place the order in time. The motion was passed. 10. 2 nd Grade Pioneer Living Museum $650.00: 2 nd grade would like to host their annual Pioneer Living Museum in April. This amount is within their budget and the request has been approved by Mr. Hicks. Shelley Maddox made a motion to approve the request and Shelly Capps seconded. The motion was passed. 11. 3 rd Grade Mentoring Minds (Reading and Math) $3,131.70; 5 th Grade Mentoring Minds (Science and Math) $3,372.60: 3 rd grade and 5 th grade would like to purchase the Mentoring Minds programs for next school year. This amount is within each of their budgets and has been approved by Mr. Hicks. There was a question about the high cost for these programs and how valuable they are. Keegan Luedecke, 3 rd grade teacher, explained that it is a very complex and rigorous program that is an excellent resource for STAAR preparation. It was used this year and the teachers love it. Unfortunately, it is a workbook format and must be to be re- ordered every year. Tara explained that it was purchased this year for 3 rd - 5 th grades using funds from our carryover money from last year, however, she suggested that we table the vote on this request until after the Mustang Derby in April so we can see how much money is raised. Joe Lamendola made a motion to wait until the May meeting to vote on these two requests and Kim Calbert seconded. The motion to wait was approved. V. Principal s Report: Mr. Hicks is at an off- site meeting so there was not a principal s report. VI. Old Business A. Programs Shelley Maddox announced that Kinder 101 will be held on May 1 st, 9:00 10:00. She has met with her committee and they are planning a fun time for the incoming kinders. There will be speakers, tours given by the Kardivas, and a scavenger hunt. Refreshments and a pre- school area will be provided. Flyers will be distributed at local pre- schools and at Kinder Registration. B. Outdoor Classroom Tara reported that she has met with the landscape architect and talked with Jim Ratcliff, giving him all of the information the district asked for regarding construction of the Outdoor Classroom. She and Mr. Hicks have not heard back from him. We would like to get an answer Page 3 of 5
about any financial help the district will be providing so that we can proceed with a ribbon cutting and the first phase of construction. She will update us at the next meeting. VII. New Business A. PTO Board Nominations Tara presented the Slate of Officers that will be voted on at the April meeting. They are as follows: President Joe Lamendola 1 st Vice President, Aide to President Tami Gonzalez 2 nd Vice President, Volunteer Coordinator Jenn Powell 3 rd Vice President, Fundraising Coordinator Mindy Smith 4 th Vice President, Programs Coordinator Deepti Ailawadhi Secretary Laura Wiles Treasurer Kim Calbert B. By- Laws Amendment Tara announced 2 new Board positions that are being proposed: K 2 nd Representative and 3 rd 5 th Representative. The purpose of these positions is to work closely with the lead teachers and the PTO Board to eliminate a communication gap. The By- Laws will need to be amended to reflect these new positions so copies of the rewritten sections were provided to attendees. Voting on the amendment will take place at the April meeting and a special election will be held later in April to fill the positions. C. Volunteers Jenn Powell said that she is putting together a list of committee chairperson vacancies for next school year and she expects there will be a lot of openings to fill. She will put a list on the website after Spring Break. D. Spirit Wear Shelly Capps announced that we are looking for a new vendor for next year s Spirit Wear. Jamie Imber requested that we include a smaller youth size for younger siblings. E. Family Night Bristelle McCullough reported there was a good turnout at the Movie Night and everyone had a great time. She reminded everyone that the Family Picnic will be on June 2 nd. Page 4 of 5
F. Mustang Derby We still need sponsors and items for both the Live and Silent Auctions. VIII. Adjournment Tara adjourned the meeting at 2:42. Page 5 of 5