Orchard Ridge Elementary
PTO Board Meeting
May 13, 2003
Lisa Kornetsky
Catherine McKenzie
Mike Hertting
Heather Renken
Don Crary
Michele Hughes
Claudia Blum
Kim Kanous
Ann O’Rourke
Additionally, 25 parents participated in the program meeting regarding the budget.
April Minutes
The Board approved the April minutes.
The PTO would still like to organize a Parent Volunteer Day. Lisa Kornetsky thought it would be best for this event to take place in August right before school starts, since the resource materials for the book room had not arrived yet.
The PTO discussed whether or not we should hold a pledge drive this spring asking parents to donate money to ORE. Lisa Kornetsky and other parents felt that it might not be a good idea to pursue a fundraiser at this time since the referendum will be voted on soon. The PTO Board agreed that spring was not a good time to pursue the fundraiser.
Ken Krattiger, President of Profit Services, gave a presentation to the PTO regarding fundraising. He indicated that the school would receive 50% of the profits this year and 55% next year if we signed up with Profit Services for two years. There is a $1,000 signing bonus if we sign up early. His product is guaranteed 100 percent.
Teacher Appreciation
Dr. Hertting thanked the PTO for the great teacher appreciation luncheon, as did Claudia Blum and Don Crary. They felt that the teachers all enjoyed it.
Heather Renken took the initiative to put together thank you cards and obtain Pizza Uno $5.00 gift certificates for parent volunteers this year.
The Board briefly discussed Board officers. We still need to find one co-president and two vice-presidents, although several individuals are considering vice-president positions. The treasurer and secretary positions have been filled.
Dr. Hertting reported that the fans for the remaining classrooms without fans have been purchased.
sThe business meeting was closeds
Parents viewed a video from the MMSD regarding the upcoming referendum. Since 1993, MMSD has been under a revenue cap. This has ultimately cost the schools 25 million dollars. The proposed referendum asks school district voters to increase the revenue caps for one year only by $12,300,000. The teacher contract was settled since the referendum was finalized. Thus, if the revenue is passed only 9.6 million dollars will be needed. If the referendum passes the average home owner with a $190,000 home would pay an additional $195 for one year.
Dr. Hertting discussed the impact proposed budget plans may have on ORE. Last month Dr. Hertting discussed the budget implications if the referendum does not pass, and the school does not receive supplemental funding. This week he discussed two additional budget scenarios.
Under scenario Number 2, the referendum or the $233 per pupil increase occurs. In that case we will increase some additional psychologist and special education hours.
Under scenario Number 3, both the referendum and the $233 per pupil increase occurs. If scenario 2 or 3 occurs, 2nd and 3rd graders will have half of their days divided by three teachers instead of two. Reading and math will be split between three teachers. Thus, for half of the day the students will have classes of 15 students, more like a Sage school.