Adhoc Parent Meeting Organized by PTSA Members
National Wellness Institute Board Room
2-13-04
DRAFT

Present:  David Chan, Agnes Chan, Renae Sheibley, Mark Ptak, Michelle Bjella, Susan Morrison, Andy Scott, Kari Prokop, Julie Schneider, Steve Bjella, Bill Hettler, Matt Hellbrand, Maggie ?, Carol Weston, and Su Wong 

This meeting was initiated because of shared concerns among different parent groups regarding the proposed 2004 – 2005 budget cuts.  There was no formal agenda for this meeting, but the following issues guided the discussion: 

1. Respond to the superintendent’s request for information and/or questions on the proposed budget reductions.

2. Determine if there are suggestions for alternate reductions the parents would like to submit to the administration/school board.

3. Find out what day and time works best for the majority of parents for meeting with Superintendent Schuler next week.  Dave Schuler requested a chance to meet with interested parents to discuss the issue of referenda.

4. Decide if the parents attending various meetings, who have not joined the PTSA this year, want to utilize the umbrella network/web system/listserve of the PTSA or remain independent.

5. Solicit potential officers for the remainder of this school year and next year.

The school board voted on Monday, February 9th to postpone the vote on the budget reduction to the March 8th  meeting. 

Action:  Michele Bjella will compile a listing of district meetings between now and the March 8th school board meeting and send out to parents on our email list. These will also be posted on our web site. Parents need to be in attendance at these upcoming meetings.  When the information is distributed, respond back  to let others know which meetings you’ll cover.

We need to convey the message that parents are engaged and concerned with the proposed budget cuts. 

Structure
Discussion considered whether to attempt to bring the separate parent groups under the umbrella of the PTSA.  Benefits of coming together: 

• Strong, unified voice

• Ability to utilize PTSA web page

• Ability to utilize file sharing and/or listserve

• Recognized as a child centered organization  (Slogan ...  Children First)

• Ability to create resolutions

Action: Those present decided to utilize the structure of the PTSA to become a more effective parent group. Susan Morrison and Michele Bjella agreed to become officers for the PTSA.  Any other parent interested in being considered for an officer role for the remainder of this year and next year can notify Carol Weston, chair of the Nomination Committee.

Current PTSA membership stands at 32.  Current proposed officers are Bill Hettler, Ed Morganroth, Michele Bjella and Susan Morrison.

Action: Parents are asked to recruit as many other parents as possible join the PTSA  to increase our strengthen.  Susan will put together a draft flyer outlining the need for parents to join the PTSA.  Carol  will take what Susan puts together and create it electronically. 

The PTSA will have subcommittee of parents working on different issue, i.e. small class sizes at elementary schools, G/T programming needs for students, and district budget review.  Parents can work on issues that are of personal importance/interest to them, but information and action within these sub groups will be shared with the greater PTSA network to insure a larger informed parent / community base for action.

The PTSA web site, email, listserve, public folders and general meetings will be used to keep members informed.

District Budget Issues
Budget reductions were reviewed by the group.  The reductions were grouped according to whether or not they impacted students/classes directly and/or curriculum verses support services. (Note: handout used during the meeting omitted the public information position which adds a further reduction of $50,000 in the support services column and changes the reduction to secondary teaching to $550,000. Also, the athletic reduction was moved to the Student/Classroom Centered Reductions column.)

Third Friday in September Enrollment 2003

Proposed District Budget Reductions 2004 - 2005

Proposed Budget Reductions 2004 - 2005 by Category

Action: Parents present endorsed a recommendation of utilizing the reserve funds for a large percentage  of budget cuts and encouraged a capital and travel freeze for next year.   

On August 26, 2002 the school board and Superintendent Schuler are on record and voted to approve utilization of 1.5 million dollars in reserve funds to cover budget shortfalls. As far as we can tell, these reserve funds were never utilized.  

http://www.pcgazette.com/news/2002/aug02/school8-30.htm 

Parents agreed that it was important to delay continued reductions in the student services/curriculum for next year in order to provide time for: 

• Recommendations from 6-12 review committee

• District presentation of planned reductions for the next three years if additional funding through referenda is not sought

• Use of survey or focus groups to determine community commitment to supporting the schools

• Exploration of referenda design and timing

Action: Parents will review DRAFT listing of questions and other options for budget reductions and get back to Carol on recommended changes by Monday. Bill will create a DRAFT cover letter to accompany our listing of questions/suggestions.  These draft documents will be posted on the web site and sent out to members present for review. After review, the documents will be distributed to board members, Superintendent Schuler and the news media.

Action: Michele will contact the teacher’s union to inform them of our activity.

Action: Renae will contact the Stevens Point Journal to inform them of our action and request coverage.

Action: Bill will contact the Gazette to inform them of our action and request coverage.

Action:  Carol will compile listing of all budget cuts these past 7 years.

Action: The majority of parents could meet with Superintendent Schuler on Friday, February 27 at 2:00p.m.  to discuss referenda.  Bill will contact the superintendent’s office to notify him of the meeting date.

Next meeting of the PTSA is Tuesday, March 2nd, 7:00 p.m.  at Roosevelt School.  Michele will contact Roosevelt to reserve the IMC. A draft of revised bylaws will be posted and distributed prior to that meeting. It is our hope to maximize parent involvement by using technologic advances and the high degree of saturation of connectivity among parents in our school district. (Our bylaws must be resubmitted to the State PTA office by October of 2005.)

Meeting adjourned at 2:40 p.m.

Submitted by Carol Weston, designated secretary for the meeting.