Minutes of
the Stevens Point PTSA Meeting
May 21, 2001
Minutes:
approved.
Correspondence: none of significance.
Treasurer’s Report: postponed until the next quarterly meeting.
Discussion of County Board spending and budget
process: Clem Hintz, presented
on this topic. The county board consists of 29 supervisors, elected for two
years. They control a $63 million dollar budget. They have a community
meeting structure involving 29 committees, including agricultural extension,
finance, capitol improvements, etc. Offices are on the third floor of the
county/city building. Clem discussed examples of how decisions are made.
Members voiced concerns about how the school district’s
budget has been hit hard, technology hasn’t been embraced and per pupil
spending is significantly below the state average. Small municipalities are
competing for tax dollars and this is occurring at a time when we need more
cooperation between the county and municipalities.
Mr. Hintz responded that the county’s expenditures are
rising faster than the rate of inflation, due to union contract settlements,
health insurance and other obligations. He stressed that the Co. holds
spending down as much as they can. Al Flanders raised the question of
overall tax burdens, particularly the jail, built and paid for a number of
years ago and yet there is still taxation.
After considerable debate and discussion, President
Bill Hettler summarized that we, as a school community, are not alone. As
the county struggles to fill it’s ranks, so does the school board.
Other Business: Bill asked us for a moment of
silence in memory of Scott Schultz, Stevens Point School Board member, who
recently passed away. Scott was in frequent
dialogue with members of our group on matters of importance to parents and
community members alike.
PTO Incorporation and Tax Liability Issues:
Paula Bell shared information on incorporation. She stated that if
your organization grosses over $25,000 it needs to be incorporated, using a
501C3 – tax exempt Federal IRS code. The process took Bannach’s PTO over a
year to complete. There is a $500 fee.
Election of Officers:
The following were elected with
unanimous votes as officers for the 2001 – 2002 school year:
President: Bill Hettler
Vice President: Renae Schiebley
Treasurer: Linda Greene
Secretary: Michele Bjella
PTSA communications: Renae suggested that the
board agenda be put out on the website in order to inform and reach a wider
audience.
Parent Involvement:
Standards for parent involvement from the Annual PTA conference were
shared. Our PTSA board could consider forming a subcommittee on parent
involvement. It would begin with meeting with Emery Babcock to pilot the
parent participation program ,educating parents on ways to be effective.
Future Stevens Point School Board Meetings:
There was discussion about PTSA members continuing to cover school
board meetings over the summer.
Meeting adjourned
approximately 8:45 PM.
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