Minutes for March 13, 2006
Attendees:
Allyson Downing, Lynne Baechle, Sheila Royer, Rick Ebel, Allyson Yandow,
Anita Tuttle, Donna Macdonald, Maggie Holt, Carol McQuillen.
Co-President Allyson Yandow welcomed everyone to the meeting with a review of the agenda printed in the PTO newsletter.
Secretary Lynne Baechle read the minutes from the
February PTO meeting for approval. Carol
McQuillen motioned to approve the minutes, Anita Tuttle seconded the motion. The
minutes were approved as read.
Slimy: Carol
McQuillen
Mrs. McQuillen showed those in
attendance the new food preparation cart. She indicated that only butter knives
would be stored in the cart. A donation of 10 bowls, 10 colanders, cutting
boards and other various supplies have been stored in the cart. Nine teachers
will be using the cart as they teach the “Eating the Rainbow” curriculum
this spring. The School’s Out program will have access to the cart in the
summer. The cart went $50 over budget. Slimy will be watching a British
documentary about school lunches this evening (3/13/06).
On Monday, March 20, 2006, Slimy will host a district wide meeting at 7pm
in the K/1 project room.
Mrs. McQuillen reported that
Slimy received an anonymous gift which went directly to the school district
office which paid for last year’s summer intern.
Document
Camera: Donna Macdonald and Carol McQuillen
Mrs. McQuillen gave a demonstration of the document
camera for the PTO. Mrs. Macdonald indicated that she may be asking the PTO for
money in the future, to purchase a second document camera and projector
(~$2400). The PTO officers would like to see a demonstrated need school wide,
and a better sign out process and access for the existing camera and cart.
Currently, only 3 teachers are using the first camera.
Summer
Activities: Donna Macdonald
Orchard School has again been chosen to run a 50/50
raffle at the July 31, 2006 Vermont Lake Monsters baseball game. This fundraiser
will benefit the PTO general fund.
Pizzeria Uno’s
Night: Allyson Yandow
Orchard School will be hosting a fundraiser at Pizzeria
Uno’s on March 21st, 2006 all day. Lynne Baechle will hang a poster
in the school lobby and get coupons in the Friday Folders.
French Club:
Allyson Yandow and Rick Ebel
President Yandow reported that French Club is up and
running smoothly with 51 or 52 students.
Budget Report:
Sheila Royer
Treasurer Royer noted that the Chess Club is running a
surplus because the instructor chose not to receive compensation. The PTO will
carry over this surplus for future years when it may be necessary to pay an
instructor.
Popcorn Fridays are the first and third Fridays of the month and have raised $150 to date.
Skate Night:
Maggie Holt
Chairwoman Maggie Holt indicated that we have a good
list of raffle prizes for the event. Flyers, pre-paid admissions tickets, and a
sponsor sheet will be going home in the Friday folders. Mrs. Holt needs more
volunteers to help out on Friday night. Please sign up in the lobby.
Memory Book:
Anita Tuttle
Chairwoman Anita Tuttle wanted to express her thanks to
all that worked on the Memory Book. We already have ~200 orders.
School District
Budget: Rick Ebel
Principal Ebel handed out a booklet on how state
education funding works. Currently, South Burlington contributes more to the
state fund than to South Burlington students.
He then reviewed the programs the district had prior to Act 60: i.e.
elementary school level world languages and strings programs. The school board has voted to send the 2006-2007 to the
voters for the first time in 7 years. Principal Ebel explained the proposed
budget. The 2005-2006 budget was $33.6 million, if the school board was to stay
within the city charter, the 2006-2007 budget would be $33.7 million. The
driving factor in this small increase is the lack of growth in the grand list.
The school board is asking to increase the school budget about $500,000
above the charter limit.
Current
Budget
Charter Limit
Proposed Budget
Rate/1000
$2.26
$2.31
$2.40
Orchard would be affected in many ways; 27 computers
would not be replaced, some of our teachers could be affected.
Principal Ebel is asking for community support of the proposed budget on
May 16, 2006, polling day.
Allyson Yandow motioned that the meeting be adjourned.
Sheila Royer seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Page created by PTO Secretary Lynne Baechle and Orchard Library/Media Specialist Donna Macdonald.
This page last updated: 04/17/06.