Christ the King-PTO

CKS PTO Board Meeting

MINUTES

February 20, 2014, 6 p.m.

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People in attendance: Katherine Marsella (President), Kathy Mumma (Vice President), Mary Ann Lickteig (Secretary), Tara Banks (Treasurer), Tracey Whitney (Administrative Representative), Jon Hughes (Advancement Director), Angela Pohlen (Principal), Odile Steel (Associate Principal), Debbie Byrne, Ryan Lyford, Traci Griffith, Max Herman, Sara Kruk, Tracy Towers, Robin Webb

Meeting started at 6:05 p.m.

1. Opening Prayer

2. Accept minutes from January meeting -- Katherine Marsella moved to accept, Tracey Whitney seconded. Minutes were accepted.

3. Public Comment -- Traci Griffith expressed appreciation for the PTO’s efforts.

4. Treasurer’s Report -- Tara Banks

a. All PTO events so far have exceeded goals.

b. Our two biggest fundraisers -- Cabaret/Silent Auction and Spring Challenge -- are still to come.

c. The amount brought in by Popcorn Friday, $794, may change.

d. The financial report is attached.

5. New Business

a. Principal’s Report -- Angela Pohlen

1. Registration/Mandatory Volunteer Hours

The letter inviting families to register for next year will go out Feb. 21. Tuition is going up 5 percent, or about $200 per year, to generate increased revenue to raise teachers’ salaries. No student will be turned away for inability to pay. The Excellence in Education Foundation will help fund other teacher retention programs, such as a merit pay process.

New next year will be a pastor verification form. Because we are keeping three levels of tuition -- in-parish; Catholic, belonging to another parish; and non-Catholic -- we want to verify that those getting lower tuition for belonging to a parish actually belong to the parish they claim.

Also new next year, CKS will ask families to commit to 25 hours of volunteer time per family, per year. Families can opt out for $250. Volunteering builds community, helps keep tuition down and sends a message to our children that school matters to all of us.

2. Hour of Code

Students in grades 3-8 are involved in this national program that teaches

computer coding. We plan to integrate this into tech curriculum next year.

3. Common Core

Angela likes this skill-based curriculum, which we have adopted and

integrated into language arts and math and partially into science and social studies. Unlike public schools, we are freer to teach to the student, not to the test. Terra Nova, the assessment test CKS has used for some 20 years, is being adapted to Common Core.

4. Mascot

The school community is voting among five choices: Cardinals, Lions,

Saints, Fishers and Bishops. Voting ends Feb. 21, and the winning mascot will be revealed at a pep rally.

5. Possible Uniform Additions

We are adding to, not changing, our uniform. Angela is talking to two or

three companies. Possibilities include plaid and a cardigan for girls as well as P.E. uniforms and spirit gear.

b. School Board Report -- Tara Banks

Next year’s budget is being written. Fr. Rick O’Donnell is open to ideas to

celebrate CKS’s 75th anniversary next year. Fr. Dallas St. Peter has moved into the rectory at Christ the King. Other topics: registration packets, tuition increase, pastor verification forms and volunteer hours.

c. Barnes & Noble Book Fair Update -- Katherine Marsella

We have secured the same weekend -- the second Saturday in December -- for the 2014 book fair. Our goal is to get $10,000 in sales, netting CKS 20 percent of those sales.

6. Old Business

a. Cabaret/Silent Auction Update -- Katherine Marsella

Tracey Whitney reported that the event has been moved from March 28 and 29 to April 11 anad 12 because at least two CKS basketball teams will be going to the CYO regional tournament the original weekend. Tickets will be sold in advance; the event sells out.

Jon Hughes said that auction donations are coming in.

b. Spring Challenge Update -- Kathy Mumma

Calahan Park’s upper field can’t be used so we are researching other options, including using Calahan’s lower field.

c. Parent Social Update -- Katherine Marsella

The event date is May 3. Katherine is checking into venues. The plan is to offer food, a DJ and raffle prizes in this community builder.

d. Volunteer for School Board Meetings

The schedule: March: Kathy Mumma, April: Katherine Marsella, May: Tara Banks, June: Mary Ann Lickteig

e. Catholic Schools Week Report -- Angela Pohlen

Great feedback from kids and teachers.

Meeting adjourned at about 7:15 p.m.