DSA PTSA EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING
Community Lounge, DSA
Wednesday, March 11, 2009

In Attendance Lyleen Collins, Sarah Corey, Jeff Goll, David Hawks, Sarah Jane Huber, Deborah Iden, Kateri Hoekstra, Jill Lowery, Earle Manhertz, Shirley Violand-Jones, Trudy Wensell

Call to Order   President Lyleen Collins called the meeting to order at 5:35 pm. 

Review of Minutes   Minutes of the DSA PTSA Executive Board meeting of February 11, 2009 were reviewed.  Earle Manhertz made a motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Sarah Corey, and the motion carried unanimously by voice vote.

Treasurer’s Report Shirley Violand-Jones distributed a copy of the year-to-date budget and reported the following:

• Check from Target Red Card sales received (>$300)
• Income to date:  $20, 251
• Expenses to date:  $9,291
• Balance to date:  $10,959
• Fall Fundraiser:  $7,580

Website Report     Luann Pollack resigned as PTSA website coordinator; she is working to recruit a replacement, and will continue to make postings to the website until then.

Booster Club Report      Ms. Violand-Jones reported that the Booster Club is working to finish construction of the concession stand.

Site Based School Improvement Team     Earle Manhertz reported that the SBSIT discussed concerns about cell phone use and students riding the bus home with other students without permission given in writing or in person.  The PTSA was commended for their work on the Carr Building renovations.

Reflections Program Report     Students who participated and did well in the Reflections program were awarded gift cards, and were positively recognized by their fellow students.  A DPS-wide recognition ceremony will be held for those participating in the Reflections program.

Student Liaison Report     Ms. Sarah Jane Huber reported that the Student Council is having some difficulty with attendance at meetings.  The Council is discussing ways to get students more involved and interested, including getting a mascot uniform.  This could be suggested to the Seniors as a gift they can give the school.  Also discussed was a carnival with interactive stations for all clubs.  Ms. Violand-Jones reported that the Booster Club has had a similar idea, and recommended that Ms. Huber coordinate with them.

Teacher Liaison Report    Ms. Corey reported that there are some teachers who will be participating in the Great Human Race.

The DSA Facilities Safety Committee Report    Jeff Goll and Mr. Hawks, along with others including DSA teachers, attended a meeting with DPS representatives to discuss progress on the Carr Building renovation plans.  The feasibility study is due from the engineering firm on April 1.  At that point decisions will be made about how to proceed given the cost estimates for renovation versus replacement.  Once Mr. Osteen receives the information he will coordinate a meeting with the PTSA and SBSIT to review the results.

Principal’s Report     The following information was presented by Mr. Hawks:

• The 10th grade writing test was yesterday, with make-up today. 
• March 27 is being considered as a make-up day for the recent snow day, along with some other possibilities.  The teacher workday would be rescheduled, as optional, on Saturday, March 28. [Some teachers came to work on the snow day.] 
• Registration for middle school and high school is concluding.
• Today DPS conducted one of the mandated quarterly security check with metal detectors; no security problems were noted. 
• Free summer school classes will be offered through DPS at the Performance Learning Center only for seniors who did not graduate and need the credits.  Summer PE class will be offered for DSA students for tuition, as it needs to be self-supporting.
• The lottery for admission to DSA has been completed.  Out of the 300 admitted 61 are coming from non-DPS schools.  The second lottery will take place on May 15.  If DSA students have not registered for classes by the deadline on April 9, they will lose their position.  Letters will be sent to parents of those students to notify them of the deadline.

The Great Human Race    Ms. Collins reported that the PTSA is coordinating collection of funds raised for DSA groups participating in the Great Human Race on March 21, 2009.  The DSA newspaper staff has raised over $300 so far.  The track team and the 8th grade are also raising money.  The deadline for submission is Tuesday, March 17. 

Grant Requests     1) The 8th grade request for grant funding was directed to the wrong office and therefore was not considered among the other applications.  They requested $90 for this year for the trip to the Discovery Museum in Charlotte, and $250 for a trip to Old Salem in the fall.  Deborah Iden made a motion for the PTSA to grant these funds; the motion was seconded by Kateri Hoekstra, and the motion carried unanimously by voice vote.

Small Fundraiser Announcement     Ms. Collins reported that S&K Men’s Wearhouse has a new program to give a percentage of sales to school organizations.  The DSA PTSA plans to participate in this program.

Request for Funding     Ms. Collins reported that the Durham City Police Department has removed tuition funding for summer training for gang resistance officers, and the DSA officer has requested the funds from the DSA PTSA.  This organization is not allowed under PTA rules to provide this funding.

Staff Appreciation Report     Teresa McBennett submitted the following report:
There was no staff appreciation event in January 2009 because the day we were planning on serving it was a snow day.  On February 11, 2009 on the early release day, we served the staff raspberry scones, coffee, hot tea, hot cocoa, Hershey’s kisses and bottled water.  This event cost $105.28.  Our budget for the year is $1700.  We have spent $772.72.  We have received $60 in donations plus a $50.00 Costco card.   We have $1037.28 remaining for the year.

Advocacy        Ms. Collins reviewed the current structure of the Executive Board and contents of the North Carolina PTA by-laws.  It was noted that the PTA may advocate for legislation.

• Ms. Collins presented information about NC House Bill 223, No High School Graduation Project Required.  As it currently stands, this will be required state-wide next year, and the bill proposes that the graduation project requirement be removed and be studied for cost-effectiveness.  The requirements are burdensome and costly, and student’s ability to graduate can be negatively affected if requirements are not met.  Members are encouraged to write their representatives to let them know their perspectives on this bill.  Deborah Iden made a motion that the PTSA Board endorse this bill, send an email to PTSA members noting our endorsement, and place a link on the DSA announcements to the DSA PTSA website indicating our position on this bill.  The motion was seconded by Shirley Violand-Jones and carried unanimously by voice vote.
• Ms. Collins presented information about NC Senate Bill 377, Low Academic Performance/No Sports.  This bill proposes that low-performing schools shall be prohibited from participating in interscholastic athletic activities.  Earle Manhertz made a motion that the PTSA Board oppose this bill, send an email to PTSA members noting our opposition, and place a link on the DSA announcements to the DSA PTSA website indicating our position on this bill.  The motion was seconded by Shirley Violand-Jones and carried by voice vote with one opposed.

The meeting was adjourned by President Collins at 6:45 pm.

The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 8, 2009 at 5:30 pm in the Community Lounge.

Respectfully submitted by Jill Lowery, Secretary