Somers
High School PTSA
General
Membership Meeting
February 12, 2009
Present: Dr.
Maynard Suffredini (special guest speaker), Gary Cotzin, Jean Mandirola, Laura
Braica, Nora Kopec, Amy Kalish, Sharon Heller, Rachel Medrek, Angela
Roy-O’Brien, James Folger, Janet Shlafstein, Jen Griger, Scott Speight,
Michelle Lippe, Michelle Thompson, Mitch Nadeau, Melanie Nadeau, Rose Zachary,
Martha Barry-Plotkin, Sue Peck, Pam Blauvelt, Pete Blauvelt, Sue Cormier, Karen
Jones, Spiro Uyar
I. Meeting
called to order: 7:02 p.m. by Jean Mandirola.
II. Special
Guest Speaker
Dr.
Maynard Suffredini spoke about the school budget. Some of the key points included:
§
State
funding is down--$1.1 mil less for next year.
§
In
the past we paid 70% for state police coverage, next year we will pay 100%.
§
Stimulus
package is being worked on—possibly money will come back to the states.
§
Most
towns including Somers are cutting their budgets in order to get to a
level-funded budget.
§
The
proposal given was not a wage cut, but a wage freeze in lieu of layoffs.
III. Treasurer’s
Report: Kathy Brewer not present.
IV. Approval
of Minutes:
Minutes
reviewed and approved without any changes from meeting. Motion made to accept minutes made by Laura
Braica, seconded by Nora Kopec. Unanimously approved.
V. Principal’s
Report: presented by Gary Cotzin
§
We
should be in good shape to run our electives program despite teacher cuts.
§
Work
is being done to provide a “parent portal” where parents can check students’
grades, attendance, etc. online.
§
VI. Correspondence:
We
received two PTA letters, one which outlined services available and member
dues, and another inviting members to nominate an honoree for the Spirit of PTA
Award. PTA scholarship forms have been
forwarded to the CCC.
VII. Board
Members’ Reports:
Ø Membership
– Nora
·
Presently
have 102 members thanks to our last email effort which now qualifies us to make
available the Nutmeg Scholarship to a deserving senior.
·
Nora
will be in touch with Kathy Brewer so she can send out a check to PTA for our
additional members.
Ø Safe
Grad – presented by Jean (Karyn not present)
·
The
next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 3, in the
·
Information
will be sent home with April report cards.
·
The
final date has not been determined until we are sure that all snow days have
been accounted for.
Ø Scholarship
Fund – presented by Jean
·
Letters went out to businesses in mid-January
for donations.
·
We
have $275 so far.
·
Trish
Olynciw asked about timing of thank-you notes.
It was decided they should be sent out as donations come in.
Ø Staff
Appreciation – presented by Sue Peck
·
Sue
will email anyone interested to see how they would like to be involved and will
update the PTSA.
·
She
will also talk to Kathy about any money questions.
·
Sue
mentioned she had some extra book bags that could possibly be used in a raffle.
·
Jean
& Laura reminded everyone that we currently budget $500 for staff
appreciation.
Ø Parent
Directory – presented by Jean
·
The
parent directory email will be going out soon.
Ø Fundraising
v Mohegan
Sun bus trip
The
trip was successful – over $2,000 was made.
v Variety
Show – Jean
Trying
for Friday, March 20 – depends on basketball schedule. It may be Thursday, March 19, instead. We are also waiting to hear if we can get
some ice cream cups donated by Friendly Ice Cream.
v Clothing
Drive -- Jean
The
company we are using for this is
v Salute
to Seniors Diplomas – Gail
Last
year the mailing cost 60 cents each. We
will weigh again this year and possibly look at the weight of the paper used to
cut down on the cost.
VIII. Old
Business:
v
Increasing PTSA membership dues
We
are still considering raising dues to $10.
v
Recruitment of 2009/2010 board members
Still
looking for interested members for next year.
IX. Meeting
Adjourned: 8:57 p.m.