Bromwell PTA

Board Meeting

1/10/17 Meeting Minutes

I. The meeting was called to order at approximately 8:37 a.m.

a. In attendance were:

Sarah Hall, PTA President

Becky O’Connor, PTA Fundraising

Eric Butz, PTA Treasurer

Amy DeCamillis, PTA Community

Holly Wells, PTA Secretary

Amy Green, Principal

Brooke Goudy, Teacher Liason

II. Treasurer’s Update

a.  No real events to report

III. Principal’s Report

a.  There are viable candidates for the 2 long term sub positions that need to be filled and interviews will be held on 1/18

b.  The 2017-2018 budget is due on 1/19. Amy has been participating in webinars with Tom on budgeting and conducting discussions with staff on future needs that will impact the budget.

IV. Fundraising Update

a.  The Halcyon is confirmed to host the auction on April 7. They will offer discounts of $199 per night for Bromwell families using the hotel. Jamie has looked into different bidding platforms but has determined the one used previously is the best option. There is still no acquistions head so all acquisitions are going through Jamie. The PTA will give a ballpark financial goal to the committee.

V. Community Updates

a.  Erin Sorce is working with Hill to determine a new date for Screenagers as the orginal date could not be accommodated.

b.  Multi Cultural night is in progress and is set for 1/26. 1st and 2nd graders will perform. There will a professional performance on 1/27 during school. The potluck portion may be eliminated this year but still being determined.

c.  Holiday shopping days hosted by A Line Boutique and Molly and Scout were poorly attended. They may still participate in the auction and host future shopping events. Nest wants to do a shopping day with a Bromwell promotion in March.

VI. President’s Update

a.  The technology order was completed by Keith in December and Sarah was able to distribute to the staff, all of whom were extremely grateful. Stickers were placed on each item indicating the computer was purchased with Paddle Raiser money from the 2016 auction.

b.  Quite a few grant requests have come in. Almost have of the budgeted grant money has been used. All of the requests have been for more utilitarian needs versus educational bells and whistles. The hope is that all of the utilitarian needs will be met this year and in the future grant money can be used for direct educational purposes. It is viewed that the current requests are a direct result of historic DPS requests that have not been fulfilled. Mr R has requested book shelves. Sarah will circle back with Mr R to determine if it is feasible to fulfill part of the request now for the worst shelves and address the remaining shelves at a later date.

c.  The principal search is not underway yet and it has been communicated that it won’t start until February. The issue was raised that Bromwell has known it needed a new principal since last May and why is there still no activity. There is concern that all of the best candidates may be gone by the time the job is posted.

d.  The issue of creating a Bromwell Mission/Vision statement was raised by Sarah. All agreed that it is critical to take a stab at creating a mission statement so that it is available for the principal search. A cross section of Bromwell parents will be asked to contribute thoughts on a mission statement as well as all staff members. The results will be narrowed down to three or four different mission statements that then the entire school community can vote on.

e.  Brooke presented Mr R’s report on playground safety concerns and findings. It was agreed that the remedy to the concerns should be met by DPS and that it is out of the scope of the PTA. It was suggested that, in the interim, perhaps a few more signs noting the law and fines that apply, be strategically placed around the school. Monitoring the grounds for enforcement though is difficult.

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 10:30 a.m.