PTSA -

PTO Council

The PTO Council was formed in 1986 by a group of parents of elementary school students. Their purpose was to improve communication between parent groups at the elementary schools and to establish a stronger, uniformed parent voice to speak out on school issues in the Stevens Point School District. For a time the PTSA and PTO Council meetings were held at the same time and place. As the PTSA evolved as a city-wide parents organization with representation from a high percentage of all schools, the members of the PTO Council decided to merge their organization into the PTSA. The PTO Council in many ways was a contributor to the evolution of the Stevens Point PTSA.

Members of the 1998 - 1999 PTO Council were:

Bannach Sandy VonHoldt	Jackson Pam Fleishauer	Jefferson Judy Pflugradt	Kennedy	Madison Kris Reineck
McDill Jill Giddings	McKinley Sheryl Curtis and Marilyn Cornwell	Plover/ Whiting	Roosevelt Karen Henneghan	Washington Carol Weston

A Brief History of the PTO Council

Nov. 4, 1986 Letter sent to all PTO presidents asking to form an association of PTOs in community to facilitate communication between schools and have more Voice at BOE meetings. Letter sent by Carol McCarrier, Ron Witt, and Jan Carter.

Nov. 19, 1986 First organizational meeting held. Fund raisers a main issue discussed and The idea of surveying parents to find out their concerns/interests. Dec. 3, 1986 At the second meeting set these possible goals: 1) serve as forum for sharing ideas, 2) as a group we shall become educated on school issues, and 3) take stands on controversial school issues.

Jan. 14, 1987 Superintendent Dwight Stevens attended meeting. He said he supports the concept of this group and encouraged the Council to belong to the National PTA. He discussed the grade alignment and space shortages and class size. He also explained the state mandate for Gifted and Talented Programs, increase in Home Schooling and teacher transfers.

Feb. 4, 1987 PTO Council members asked to serve on District Committees and to attend BOE meetings. Each school was asked to contribute $20 to the Council.

March 25, 1987 Business Director, Bill Palmer, was a quest speaker. He talked about the school budget.

April 21, 1987 Meeting focused on bylaw development.

May, 19, 1987 Bylaws were accepted. Officers were elected: President – Ron Witt Vice – Mary Mosier Sec – Anne Graham Treas. – Betty Perkofski

Oct. 5, 1987 Decided to not get a tax #. Opted on a opening a checking account to avoid the need to get a tax excempt number. Issues brought up were recreation department using schools for free, teacher interns, PTO spending money on school supplies.

Dec. 1, 1987 Developed resolution on use of interns in school district:

want a written policy on use of interns and suggests load at 30 – 50% of regular teacher

if teaching load above 50%, not to include in staffing factor ratios

orientation of interns begin a minimum of 4 months before employment

have designated support personal for intern

Feb. 4, 1988 Council’s stand on interns caused misunderstanding and miscommunication between BOE and administration. Council concerned about its reputation. Council decided:

ask to give report at BOE meetings

individual schools could invite BOE members to meetings

send minutes to administration and BOE

stressed importance of group to attend BOE meetings

invite more administration to meetings

write letter of thanks to BOE and administration when job well done

Decided to send letter to BOE still asking for;

screening, training, orientation occur several months before employment and interns given lighter loads

March 2, 1988 Dr. Stevens reported on administration view on teacher transfer and Governor’s budget proposal and impact on our district.

April 12, 1988 Issue discussed was school bus safety

May 17, 1988 Issues discussed were PTO meetings attendance and parent involvement in schools, discipline techniques.

Aug. 30, 1988 Issues - PTO expenditures for school supplies, and PTO fund-raisers

March 14, 1989 Issues- coconut/palm oil in school lunches and computer purchases funded by PTOs.

April 11, 1988 Gail Wald guest to speak about food service

May 23, 1989 Issue – increasing number of aids on playgrounds

Aug. 29, 1989 Mimi Johnson from BOE, assigned to PTO Council. Mike bubla explained intern policy now in place. Questioned raised has Council become too political?

Sept. 19, 1989 Guest Cindy Schmitz, Co. Nurses, explained the Teen Pregnancy Prevention program. Also a speaker on the new library.

Nov. 21, 1989 Mike Bubla spoke on the Indian Culture Program

Jan. 16, 1990 Speaker from Worzella presented on the AODA books printed by Worzellas that have been donated to the elementary schools. Asked for Council endorsement of books.

Feb. 20, 1990 BOE Mimi Johnson spoke on grade realignment. Bill Palmer spoke on district’s tax rate.

March 13, 1990 Emery Babcock spoke on trends in education.

April 16, 1990 Guest speaker on Artist in Resident program

Sept. 4, 1990 Issue was the lack of computers at elementary schools. Debbie Wilz assigned as BOE liaison.

Sept. 25, 1990 Guest speaker Jim Nicewander on transportation

Oct. 16, 1990 Bill Palmer guest speaker. Council express concern on elimination of computer funding for grade schools

Nov. 20, 1990 Guest speaker BOE President. Gave a overview of state of the district. Emerson/Jefferson announced it’s withdrawal from Council. Council decided to write a letter to the PTO and Principal.

Dec. 5, 1990 Speaker Ms. Meyerhofer on Sister City and the food lift planned.

Jan. 15, 1991 Speaker Meyerhofer gave a report on food lift. Deb Wilz, BOE liaison, reported the BOE is requesting PTOs to have matching funds on playground purchases. BOE is also developing an improvement fund and elementary schools will receive $20,000 for improvements.

Feb. 19, 1991 Deb Wilz reported BOE is setting $33,000 for elementary school improvements, with $10,000 for Artist in Resident. Council expressed it is still concerned on lack of computer spending for grade schools.

April 23, 1991 True Colors workshop. BOE has approved a $10 activity fee. Council expressed concern over this. Council wondered what impact this would have on PTO fundraising.

August 27, 1991 Council encouraged PTO to watch for impact on fundraising from $10 activity fee. Formation of computer committee from Council to attend Finance Meetings of BOE. Need to get computers in grade schools.

Sept. 17, 1991 Speaker, Greg Chelcun spoke on teacher contracts.

Oct. 15, 1991 BOE Finance Committee decided to allocate $300,000 for computers at secondary and elementary schools.. Plan is to have 15 computers in labs at each grade school. Council concerned computers not getting enough funding.

Jan. 21, 1992 Guest speaker Bob Strack up dated Council on computers in district.

Feb. 18, 1992 Health Department spoke on AIDS testing.

April 28, 1992 Henry St. Maurice from UWSP spoke on the intern program.

Nov. 16, 1993 Speaker Bob Strack reported on district computer utilization.

Feb. 16, 1994 Speaker Gene LaRose provided program on grade school emergency drill policy. BOE liaison Joan Piedmont spoke on Village Partnership Program.

April 19, 1994 Sally Ellenboe from Boston School Forrest spoke on the Fund Drive. Carol Weston, from Washington School spoke on the analysis of school lunch.

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