BSPTO Meeting Minutes

Date: 6/5/18

Kimberly Hawk called the meeting at 7:00PM.

The May 2018 minutes were reviewed. Kimberly Hawk made a motion to approve the minutes. Motion to approve: Christina Griffith

Seconded by Jen Larsen. Minutes approved.

In Attendance:

Board Members: Kimberly Hawk, Jen Larsen, Christina Griffith, Dana Strand, Becca Crossman, Randell Pelak, Pam Haugen

Parents/Community: Katie Hickenbottom, Angie Hamilton, Randy Hamilton, Jamie Pelak, Grant Low, Afsana Hussain, Christina Oakleaf, Mark Oakleaf, Liz Moody, Amy Merilatt, Benita Yost, Anjana Nair, Frank Remund

Principal/Teachers: Casey Lange

Principal’s Report: Casey Lange

  1. SBAC is finished on Friday. Mr. Lange met with the BSD Cabinet to discuss ways to make the school district run smoother, i.e., the FIP process for improvements to the school. Mr. Lange was told that there are some small hangups due to a few vacant positions, and that the district is working to fill these positions.
  2. Mr. Lange wanted to extend appreciation to the parent community for their support of the teachers and administration.

President’s Report: Kimberly Hawk

  1. Bobcat Blast Recap – Total funds raised were $50,233. Thank you to all the volunteers that helped with the event. Kim thanked Mr. Lange for being in the dunk tank as a grand prize for the kids.
  2. Read-a-thon (presented by Jen Larsen) – The Read-a-thon is in the fall, but since a budget is needed, Jen presented the read-a-thon budget proposal tonight. Devon Ervin, Angie Hamilton, and Jen are on the Read-a-thon Committee. The books used as prizes are purchased from the Scholastic Warehouse Sale. It was agreed upon previously that the school’s Scholastic dollars would be exchanged for Cash ($1000 cash from PTO for $3000 Scholastic dollars from school). Jen mentioned that there is an RFF for this, to be voted on later in the meeting.
  3. Walk/Bike/Bus/Wheel Event (presented by Jen Larsen) – The Walk/Bike/Bus/Wheel to school contest was a success. The majority of children participated. 275 students reported participating more than 11 days; 150 more than 20 days. There were also a significant number of students that walked/biked to school, but chose not to document. The result of the high participation was a noticeable reduction in car traffic in the morning. There were a total of 78 grand prizes, which will be presented to the students on Thursday 6/7 from 1:30-2:30. Grand prizes included helmets, scooters, 14 high quality bike bells, 42 t shirts, and 3 flashing lights for front/back of bike.There were 280 prizes for all kids participating at 11 days or more.

Vice President’s Report: Dana Strand

  1. Family Dance Recap – Family dance was a great success. Over 100 families signed in, and everyone seemed to have a great time.
  2. Dessert Day Out –This month’s fundraiser will be a dessert day out at Menchie’s. It will take place all day Friday 6/15, and Menchies will give back 20%. A flyer is not needed; just mention the Bethany School fundraiser when paying.

Treasurer’s Report: Pam Haugan:

Total funds in cash: $112,674

Fundraiser Reserve: $14,200

Operating budget: $6,340

Allocated funds (promised, not yet paid): approx. $11,571

General fund: $65,674

Capital Improvement Fund: $12,815

Garden Fund: $2,074

The Jog-A-Thon made $50,233. There is a little more money coming in from the last of fundraising. Twenty percent will be going towards Capital Improvements Fund.

The 2018-2019 budget was presented. The proposed budget is a 2% increase from last year, totaling $36,035. Kimberly Hawk called for a vote to approve the 2018-2019 budget as presented. Jen Larsen made motion. Randy Hamilton seconded. Motion passed.

There was 12Requests for Funds (RFF), totaling $32,985.

  1. Jen Larsen presented RFF to approve $1400 for Readathon fundraising budget. The Read-a-thon is the PTO’s fall fundraiser. The goal for the fall fundraiser is set at $21,000. The $1,400 requested will be going towards prizes, including bookmarks, books, Kindle Fires, and a popsicle party.Budget passed.
  2. Kim Hawk presented an RFF for $180 to provide updated office supplies for the workroom for volunteer/workroom use. The funds would be used to replace current office equipment that is no longer easy to use, due to gradual wear and tear. The $180 requested would provide 5 new staplers and 4 pencil sharpeners.Motion approved unanimously.
  3. Kim Hawk presented an RFF for $295 for a bobcat mascot uniform. The mascot would increase enthusiasm for kids and would be used during the Back to School Night, the Variety Show, various assemblies, and at the Jog A Thon.Motion passed, not unanimous.
  4. Mr. Lange presented an RFF from Honey Brimble and Alison Burton for $180 to get a new license for Rosetta Stone. The Rosetta Stone program provides extra help for ESL students and can be installed on multiple computers. There was concern that the cost may be too low for a multi user license, however Mr. Lange stated that Ms. Brimble had reached out to the company to confirm the cost.Motion passed unanimously.
  5. Mr. Lange presented an RFF for up to $8000 for office remodel/upgrade. Last year’s RFF was denied due to large amount ($13K was requested) and other requests for funds that had been presented taking priority. The current office furniture is a hodgepodge of items put together over the year. The proposed $8,000 would be combined with $8,000 from the school’s operating budget to update the office with more modern, more efficient furniture. If passed, the remodel would most likely take place over the winter break, due to the plumbing upgrades being completed over the summer.Motion passed, not unanimous.
  6. Mr. Lange presented an RFF for up to $7500 for grades 3,4 and 5 students for book projects (estimated cost of $35 per kid).In this book program, teachers select books for the students to read as a group. In the books, students, highlight passages, notate, and add questions. They have meaningful discussions on these books, and have projects based on these books. The kids each get to keep their books once the book has been read. Mr. Plunkett had mentioned to Mr. Lange that the English Language scores had increased in SBAC testing since implementing the book projects.Motion passed unaimously.
  7. Mr. Lange presented request from 1st and 2nd grade teachers for $1,250 for cubbies for backpacks. Similar to kinder/5th grades. Currently, they have Rubbermaid bins outside the classroom, and are requesting the cubbies for a more organized way for the kids to put away their coats and backpacks. The cubbies would be purchased from Ikea. Motion approved unanimously.
  8. Mr. Lange presented RFF for food trays – up to $2100. The new food trays have deeper wells, which will replace some of the paper boats used in serving lunch to the students. The trays will fit in new dishwasher. The cost is $7 per tray. Mr. Lange is requesting funds up to $2100, in order to purchase enough trays for the 300 kids eating on a busy lunch day.Motion approved unanimously.
  9. Mr. Lange presented RFF for $1000 for Mystery Science renewal. This program is engaging for students, guides students through various science lessons, and creates opportunities for thinking and cognitive growth.Motion passed, 1 more information requested.
  10. Mr. Lange presented RFF for Gaga pit. The Gaga pit has been discussed in previous PTO meetings. Mr. Stoller has made makeshift Gaga pits, but this RFF would provide a permanent arena. Cost for structure would be $1,235, and the structure would be ADA accessible. The district has mentioned that they would pay for installation of the Gaga pit.Motion passed, 1 request for more information.
  11. Mr. Lange presented RFF for PE for $1850 PE Supplies, including pinnies, wristbands, pedometers, and pedometer storage sleeves. The pinnies would be used to help easily divide students into teams when playing various sports and games, while the pedometers would be used to assess students’ fitness levels. Mr. Roshak statedthat theseitems would be for the next school year.Motion passed unanimously.
  12. Mr. Lange presented an RFF for $7995for an all school art project to celebrate school’s diversity. Project would be fused glass and would be hung from the ceiling in front of the glass windows at the back of the lobby. Included in the price is an art project for each student to create a fused glass suncatcher.Motion passed by one vote. While the motion did pass, Jen Larsen suggested that Mr. Lange invite the artist to present the project at a future PTO meeting.

Green Team: Dana Strand & Angie Hamilton

  1. May Field Trip to Northwest Children’s Outreach. The kids had a great experience and were humbled creating care packages for children in need.
  2. Parents were planning on a tree planting event in May, but it was canceled due to poor weather.
  3. Parent Green Team is doing a school supplies and battery drive. School supplies will be donated to Camp Achieve for the summer. The collection bins will be in the lobby.
  4. Student Green Team June meeting will beon Tuesday 6/12. They’ll be outdoors doing on a mosaic project with the donated bottle caps. The bottle caps will be arranged into a mosaic on donated plywood and screwed into the sides of the garden boxes

Open Forum

  1. Dana Strand brought up the 5th grade party. She wanted to know if the funds required for the party exceed the budget, if more funds could be allocated. It was suggested that she request a small donation from the 5th grade parents to fund the party.
  2. Angie Hamilton asked for an update on the teacher roster. Mr. Lange provided the following information:
  3. Kindergarten – Mrs. George, Mrs. Fisher, and Mrs. Nelson
  4. Grade 1 – Mrs. Cartmill, Ms. Katie Gettling, Ms. Springer
  5. Grade 2 – Mrs. Sullivan, Mr. Kelley, Mrs. Canton, Mrs. Sheehan

Grade 3 – Ms. ErinGettling, Mr. Plunkett,Ms. Kester

Grade 4 – Mrs. GaRey, Mr. Crnich, Mr. Cushman

Grade 5 – Mrs. Hoppenrath, Ms. Lukins, and Mr. Stewart

The plan for next year is for all kids to be in the building and not be in the portables.

  1. Christina Oakleaf wanted to know how Bethany can become more STEM friendly, such as implementing robotics programs and coding modules. Mr. Lange mentioned that Ms. Honey had been to a conference that promoted coding and she was excited to bring some of the programs she learned to the school. He is working with Ms. Honey to see how the programs can be implemented with the school’s current technology and resources.
  2. Amy Merilatt mentioned that the BoxTops party will be on Friday 6/8. 11,202 pieces were collected, totaling $1120. Mrs. Varadi’s class won the contest for the year. The Chick-fil-A cow will be present for their party.
  3. Grant Low brought up that he lives right across the street. He wanted to thank the PTO for the flashing lights. He mentioned that the footpath on Madras St. There are roots from neighbor’s tree is breaking up asphalt on the path. His neighbor mentioned that the path was asked to be put in by the school. Grant wanted to know if the PTO would consider funding re-paving the pathway.
  4. Kim Hawk wanted to thank the board for their dedication to the school, and said that great things have been accomplished this year.

Adjournment

Meeting adjourned by Kimberly Hawk at 8:47 PM.

Minutes were taken and submitted by Becca Crossman.