Christ the King-PTO

CKS PTO Board Meeting

MINUTES

May 13, 2015, 6:30 p.m.     

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­­­­­­People in attendance: Katherine Marsella (President), Katie Nunn (Vice President), Mary Ann Lickteig (Secretary), Angela Pohlen (Principal), Odile Steel (Associate Principal), Jon Hughes (Development Director), Amy Langevin, Justin Kelley, Debbie Beer, Alexis Segrue-Handy, Earl Handy, Melissa Holzman, Max Holzman, Mary Farley, Michele Doyle, Toni Sneddon, Lorin Holmes

Meeting started at 6:41 p.m.

1. Opening Prayer

2. Accept April PTO Minutes — Katherine Marsella moved to accept; Katie Nunn seconded; minutes were accepted.

3. Treasurer’s Report/Review of Year’s Events and Budgetary Achievements

a. Katherine reported that, so far this year, PTO events have raised about $54,000 — $4,000 more than our $50,000 budget — with Spring Challenge still to come.

b. The golf tournament brought in about $9,500; the Genevieve’s/Red Barn sale raised about $7,000; Cabaret/Silent Auction had its best year ever, raising $28,500 and the Christmas Extravaganza raised about $3,400. The Barnes & Noble Book Fair raised $4,300 and Popcorn Friday raised $1,074.

c. School and parish administrators are working to align PTO books with those of the parish.

4. Public Comment

a. Mary Farley said that Teacher Appreciation Week was stellar. Angela Pohlen added that events were well-received. Katherine thanked coordinator Toni Sneddon.

b. Later in the meeting, people discussed community building ideas, which include: sub sandwich and board game nights, roller skating in the gym, bingo and concert with dinner in the park.

c. We discussed moving Christmas Extravaganza from Saturday and Sunday to Thursday and Friday evenings. We discussed selling take-and-bake pizzas there.

d. Lorin Holmes suggested a parent appreciation for parents who volunteer more than 150 hours a year. Angela said that administrators hope to do that during Catholic Schools Week next year.

5. New Business

a. State of the School Address

1. Angela reported that, as of Monday, May 11, enrollment for the fall is 243, which is exactly what we have right now. Grades 1, 3 and 5 have waiting lists and Pre-K has just one opening. Last year at this time, enrollment for 2014-15 was 215. Our maximum enrollment is 275 and ideal is 265.

2. Schoolwide initiatives and achievements since 2013 include:

i. New phone system, which has speakers in halls and bathrooms and a 911 system that allows emergency personnel to know which room a call comes from.

ii. New student information system is about to launch. It will streamline updates, improve online grade keeping and provide an online parent directory.

iii. Strategic plan and task forces

iv. Over $65,000 in increased teacher compensation

v. Addition of a school mascot

vi. Uniform additions — plaid options and P.E. uniforms

vii. Student Council-sponsored events

viii. Rebranding — logo and web site

ix. Increased overall AC

x. Tarrant Initiative

xi. Excellence in Education Foundation revitalization

xii. Leadership Team

xiii. Merit Pay

xiv. Classroom grades through 8th grade

xv. Increased art position to full-time

xvi. P.A.L.s program

xvii. Lobby renovation

xviii. Half of the new gym roof is in place and the rest will be finished in June.

xix. CH2 After-school program and director

xx. National junior honor society has been added to middle school.

xxi. Hiring for next year is finished.

b. Introduce candidates for PTO vice president and treasurer — The nomination deadline was extended to May 13. Katherine said that there was one nominee for each position so there will be no election. Justin Kelley, father of a kindergartner, will be vice president and Melissa McFarland, a Bridge parent, will be treasurer.

1. Justin introduced himself and said that he has spent the last 20 years in retail management where he led teams and developed revenue streams. He said he sees PTO as the voice of parents and thinks that the PTO is obligated to make itself available. He would like to get more parents engaged and wants to look for ways to diversify revenue streams to reduced our reliance on parents and alumni.

2. Melissa McFarland was unable to attend the meeting.

6. New Business

a. Spring Challenge Update

1. Money is rolling in; no numbers yet.

2. Entertainment is lined up.

3. T shirts are ordered.

4. Parent Tracey Quinn, who runs the lunch room, will run the barbecue.

b. Art Show-Panera Fund Raiser Update — The events are scheduled for May 21. The Panera on Shelburne Road will give CKS a portion of profits between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. if customers bring in a flyer. This prompted discussion of other fund-raising opportunities:

1. An Amazon program is being researched.

2. Coupon books

3. Box Tops and the Box Tops program that gives schools money if they use a Box Tops portal to shop at several online stores.

c. Teacher Appreciation Week Report — Covered during Public Comment period.

d. School Board Report — The School Board did not meet this month.

Meeting adjourned at 7:44 p.m.