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Issaquah High School

PTSA Board Meeting

September 10, 2004

 

The meeting was called to order at 9:35 a.m. by President Mary Lou Pauly in the library.

Introductions were made.

 

Secretary’s Report:

The minutes of the June meeting were unavailable, but will be at the October meeting.

 

Treasurer’s Report:

Karen May reported the cash on hand as of 8/27/04 was $49,969.99.

 

President’s Report:

Mary Lou acknowledged the work done by PTSA volunteers on registration days, registration packets, staff luncheon and the summer retreat.

Each chairperson was asked to check their name on the PTSA roster for the appropriate co-president to contact if needed.

IHS PTSA will be using parliamentary procedure for votes on all significant issues. The majority of business items will be discussed with a general consensus being accepted for decision making purposes. A unanimous position is not required for decision making and a diversity of opinions is encouraged.

The agenda will be e-mailed before each meeting. Only a few copies will be available at the meetings.

The special funding request form has been changed to reflect the guidelines for evaluating grant requests, approved by last year’s PTSA. It is available on the website and in the PTSA box in the office.

There will be a video introduction on Curriculum Night this year, rather than having all parents meet in the gym. Help is needed at the PTSA table that night.

PTA & The Law Class will be held at Bellevue High on October 12th.

Oct. 21st is the Issaquah Schools Foundation Luncheon and anyone interested in being a table captain should contact Nancy or Mary Lou.

 

Principal’s Report:

Paula Phelps acknowledged and thanked the board for the registration help and staff luncheon. There are 1609 students this year, including Running Start.

The Link Program and crew have made a positive change in the start of the school year for new students.

Healthy Youth Survey is coming in Oct. Postcards will be sent to parents with information.

Paula explained the roles and responsibilities of the various administrative team members.

Parking update: the central office is monitoring the situation. Parent comments should be sent to Mary Waggoner at the District.

Paula outlined her goals and objectives for the HIS campus and wants IHS to move from being a “great” to an “outstanding” school by being “intentional and deliberate” in what we do. Her goals are student achievement and student improvement.

 

Staff Report:

Susan Graham and Shannon Ellis reported that school is off to a good start and the staff is positive about the school year.

 

Site Council Report:

Thereasa Robinson reported that there is a Site Council information page on the school webpage. If you have input for Site Council you can do it online. They are working on a sports mission statement.

 

Legislation Report:

Nancy Campi reported that Initiative I-884 Education Trust Fund would be on the ballot this year, and asked whether this PTSA would be interested in making an official endorsement for it. Speakers will be invited next meeting to present the for and against arguments for the initiative. 

 

Attendees were asked to complete a survey ranking legislative issues in order of priority. Deborah Parsons will be representing this PTSA at Legislative Assembly.

 

Vice President Reports:

Membership Report:

There are 994 PTSA members as of registration. Kim Michael is our new registrar.

Fundraising:

Pass the Hat total was $20,124 after registration.

Volunteers:

Susan Balkman reported that there are e-mail lists of volunteers for each school activity available.

9th Grade Campus:

Mike Gallagher will be our guest speaker today. He will be speaking about the 9th grade campus.

College Prep Classes/Tests:

Jiff Searing reported that this fall we will be having a 2 session NJMS prep class for the first time. It’s for juniors only. He has had an overwhelming response of 60 kids, plus a waiting list. Also, there will be two 6-week sessions of SAT readiness classes; one in Feb. and one in April. The PTSA will also sponsor practice tests, being offered this year by Kaplan Testing. Fees for the tests will cover miscellaneous administrative and janitorial costs.

Newsletter:

Susan Hegedus reported that Monday is the deadline for the October 1st newsletter. Every Department will have a headline or “bullet” for people to go to on the website. We will eventually get rid of the newsletter. The goal is to have new information on the website the first of every month. Soon you can access grades, tests, etc.

 

Unfinished Business:

Internal Audit: An internal audit committee met in August for the final audit of 2003/2004 school year.

Special Funding Requests: Barb Cowen reported that the sound system in the gym needs replacing. Paula Phelps, the bookkeeper, and the Booster Club have all discussed replacing it. The PTSA will be asked to contribute. The total cost estimate was $15,000 last spring. The new system would have to be purchased keeping in mind that a major renovation is scheduled for the school in the next few years. If approved, purchase and installation would be immediate.

 

New Business:

Goal Setting for 2004/2005: There was a discussion of the goals developed at the August PTSA retreat. Jo-Ellen Smith suggested putting them into one sentence. At the end of the discussion the sentence was revised to state: “Reinforce the effectiveness of PTSA programs with intentional and deliberate communications with parents, teachers, staff and students.”

Marianne Kersten suggested adding a second goal: “Encourage the identification of pathways for parents to increase involvement, decision making, etc. in the building.”

These will be discussed further at the next meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:09 a.m. The next meeting will be October 15, 2004.