J.I. Case High School PTSA Meeting Minutes
Monday, November 8, 2010
Present: Lynne Besaw, president; Kathy Holley, secretary; Chris Bykowski, treasurer; Cassie Kuranz, teacher representative, Rebecca Zahn; Gold School principal; and Craig Lepisto and Kristen Monty, Gold School counselors. Two others signed in. Vice-president Kara Wunderle was unable to attend.
The meeting was called to order at 6:33 p.m.
Secretary’s report: The minutes of the October meeting were presented and approved.
President’s report: Lynne welcomed all and explained that this would be a brief meeting because of the scheduled PTSA-sponsored program “Life After High School” presented by Craig Lepisto and Kristen Monty. Committee reports were submitted in written form and handed out to attendees.
Although Kara was absent, she submitted an extensive written report regarding the possibility of adding a large, permanent informational sign on the school property along Hwy. 20. She attended an initial meeting about this and shared a written report with the PTSA (included at the end of these minutes).
Treasurer’s report: Treasurer Chris Bykowski presented a financial statement, showing a balance of $6,727.40. There were no questions and the report was accepted.
Committee reports:
Reports from Teacher Representative Cassie Kuranz, PTA Council Rep Kadee Paap, Volunteer Coordinator Kim Zinda, and Membership Chair Kara Wunderle were submitted in written form (included at the end of these minutes).
In addition, Kim shared that eight volunteers have already stepped up to help with the upcoming teacher luncheon to be held on the first evening of parent-teacher conferences; however, donations of food are still needed. The next time volunteers will be needed is for Winter Formal, scheduled for Jan. 29, 2011.
New Business:
Our bylaws are due for renewal this year; in the past month, the Bylaws Committee met to review and revise our bylaws. Kathy Holley presented on behalf of the committee. In general, most of the changes made to the bylaws are those required by Wisconsin PTA, most of which are best practices designed to protect the assets and integrity of each local unit. One area where Case PTSA differs from recommended state practices is in the area of our officers, having co-presidents instead of a president and vice-president. Because of that, the bylaws committee members determined that we should follow the model recommended by the state and operate with a president (Lynne Besaw) and vice-president (Kara Wunderle). Our revised bylaws will need to be approved with a vote at the January meeting, then submitted to the state for approval. We will make an effort to have the bylaws posted on the school’s website prior to the January meeting.
Administration report: Gold School principal Rebecca Zahn reported that WKCE testing has been completed at the school; the next major event is parent-teacher conferences later this month. Administrators at the school have working with the district to investigate the possibility of a virtual school, perhaps in conjunction with Gateway Technical College, which she called “very exciting.”
The meeting was adjourned at 6:45 p.m.; a presentation from the Case Counseling Department followed.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Holley, J. I. Case PTSA secretary
ADDENDUMS:
School Road Sign Request
Case High School is considering the purchase and installation of an informational road sign. The current plan calls for installation on the southwest corner of the intersection at Hwy. 20 and Oakes Road. Mike Rupnow (activities director) has been working with the Case Student Government advisors in researching various suppliers and overall costs for production and installation.
Design thoughts for the sign include two parts: a permanent design stating the school’s name and possibly the logo, and an LED sign below it, which can have running text lines and simple diagrams programmed with information which may be of value to the Case HS families and community (meeting updates, athletic events, dates off of school.) Though full-color would be more desirable for the LED sign, the cost is a bit prohibitive…at least $12,000 more than having a one-color LED sign.
Cost projections for the sign, including the manufacturing and installation upon steel posts could run anywhere from $15,000 to $18,000. There would also be charges for electrical prep work that would be performed by RUSD certified electricians, and the expense of masonry that would surround the steel posts that support the sign. A warranty would be provided by the sign manufacturer.
The Student Government currently has a fund set aside for projects in honor of past “classes,” which consists of money earned with the sales of prom tickets. The fund has approximately $13,000 in it, though there has been no vote on use of these funds for the sign. Student government may choose to use some or all of the fund, but the idea is still in its early stages.
Mike Rupnow is asking if the Case PTSA is willing and able to contribute to the overall expense of the sign. He is hoping that we can contribute a portion of the cost of purchase, along with the cost of electrical work and possible masonry expenses. These costs will be researched further, but the general concept is in need of consideration. Installation during the winter months is not recommended, but there is an 8–10 week lead time that is needed for production.
Since we do not hold a PTSA meeting in December, we thought we should present this proposal now for consideration and possible discussion.
Committee Reports
Teacher Representative: Cassie Kuranz
WKCE went well. Thank you for the donation of the water.
Kristen Monty htanks you for the donation for the FMP (freshman mentoring program) walk. They raised about $250 for HALO and donated apples that were not used at the walk.
Parent-Teacher Conferences will be the night of November 23 and during the day on November 24.
Key Club is doing a food drive November 8 through November 22. They will be collecting food and money during first hour.
PTA Council Represenative: Kadee Paap
Oct. 26 PTA Council Meeting
Boston Store representative had Community Days $5 booklets. I didn’t take any for Case because we never seem to sell them.
We need to make sure that we see and update the PTSA officer list for the state (see form).
If anyone is interested in having a craft fair booth at Windpoint Elementary on November 23 from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., see form for information. Each booth has a $30 registration fee, add $10 if registering after November 16.
RUSD is looking for volunteers to attend Parent Key Communicator group on the third Wednesday of the month from 12–1:30 p.m. for lunch at Central Office on Northwester Ave. Contact Stacy Tapp at RUSD for more information.
PTA Council’s website is under development at www.RacinePTA.org
Volunteer Coordinator: Kim Zinda
We had four people sign up to help with the freshman walk on November 3.
The next volunteer opportunity is November 23, the Teacher Conference luncheon. We still need people to bring in salads, desserts, and to help set up and serve the food. The luncheon will take place from 2 –5 p.m. An e-mail has been sent asking for help with this.
Winter Formal will be the next dance for which we will need volunteers.
Membership: Kara Wunderle
As of November 7, 2010, the Case PTSA has 155 members. There are 89 staff members registered, and 66 parents/students registered. A partial list of members, along with their dues, was submitted to the Wisconsin PTA and National PTA before the November 1 deadline. A second list will be submitted after tonight’s PTSA meeting, which will include any new memberships received on this date.
