Hillsboro PTSA

Meeting Minutes

Feb. 2, 2006

Attending: Sue Ferguson, Merry Kock, Jenny Robison, April Snodgrass, Sally Goodrich, Margie Hunter, Mary Kennedy, Sherry Eckles, Judy Burridge, Pam Ishie, Beth Cummings, Robin Heyne, Chris Romeo, Gina Trent, Pam Terrell, T Reese, Peggy Wallace Amy Money, representing the YWCA’s Youth Advantage Program spoke. The 16-hour program provides job preparation training for students in an after school workshop. It provides skills and knowledge needed to obtain jobs - part time, volunteer, after school or after graduation. It provides references and follow-up. It discusses behavior, attitudes, and dress. The program is at Hunters Lane. You must be 16. The $180 fee is on a sliding scale. A program may start at Hillsboro this spring

Secretary’s Report - The January minutes were submitted and approved.

Principal’s Report – I am back in the saddle. My knee is doing great. The SACS group had a good visit with a positive report. They will be back in 5 years.

The student council may help Ronald McDonald house, possibly landscaping this spring.

A new faculty member, Bob McCracken will start on Monday. He has produced and has a studio in his home. He plays drums, guitar and keyboard.

Culinary Arts will be up and running in the next 5 weeks.

John Geary, the new band director, graduated from UT and plays the Sax. He is working on a concert for April 16. He may also be added to one of our feeder schools.

The alumni hall will be ready in the next few weeks. If you have records or albums to display let us know.

Graduation - May 22 at 6:00 at Allen Arena.

Prom - April 22

Festival of the Arts - April 20th

Senior exams – May 16, 17, 18

Executive Committee Report – Four teacher requests were approved including art supplies, Petri dishes and training.

Treasurer’s Report – We made $29,905 from invest; the budget was $28,500. We made $335 from Publix and $31 from Scripts. Community relations and publications are over budget. We should consider increasing their budget next year.

Cluster Report – The school board will vote Feb. 14 on the balanced calendar for 2007/2008. Surveys are due Feb 7. The student survey at Hillsboro went 350 against to 150 for it. Next year school (2006/2007) will start August 14 and end May 24.

If you have questions or concerns regarding discipline, email Mary. The cluster is looking at it next.

There are many textbooks available online at MNPS.org. Some are interactive.

The budget cut of $20.8 million next school year is less that originally projected.

The Eakin property will be redone soon. The old building may be turned into a teacher’s center.

Guidance - Many thanks for the copier. We really appreciate it.

The state writing assessment will be done today.

Registration will be next week in Burro Time. We will be training the teachers tomorrow. Forms will be coming home to parents for signature next Friday and be back to school by February 15.

Moore and West End tours will be later in February.

Open Enrollment will be thru Feb 28. We already have 6 in from private schools and 2 from magnet schools.

Invest – Letters went out last month. If you did not get one email the Feys. We collected 36,890 pledges.

Newsletter – Feb 7 is the deadline.

There were 3 ads in the Davidson AM and Special Section of the Tennessean. We will also buy an ad in the Scene’s weekly education guide for open enrollment. We will list the upcoming tour dates.

School Tours – Tours will be given the 1 st Tuesday of every month.

Mary Catherine Bradshaw, the IB coordinator needs proctors for the end of year exams starting May 2 and continuing thru the 23 rd. She needs 43 people. Contact Margie Hunter and get on the list if you are willing.

Hospitality – The Marines will provide coffee and donuts for the teachers tomorrow. The next event is Bluebird. Kay West is working on food for the reception. The music will take a turn toward the blues this year with fewer artists.
We have raised $26,384 to date with at total of $32,360 last year. 145 tickets have been requested so far. The Junior class will work the event.

Directory – It is available now. It looks great.

Kroger Cards – We held a drawing and got a winner last month. You can send Pam Ishie your number and she will check the list for winners. We have 114 registered at Harris Teeter. We have gotten over $1000 to date. $4100 raised in total.

Website – The site is still under construction. Students are doing it and it is looking great.

Senior Activities – A King and Queen of Hearts maybe elected for Mardi Gras to honor our Katrina students. April 17-20 will be senior week. The Baccalaureate will be May 14 at Woodmont Baptist Church.

Athletic Boosters – The awards ceremony was a real success. The spring date is not set yet, but will probably be the week of senior exams.

Announcements – The Family Advisory Council (FACE) for students with special needs is looking for representatives.

Feb 7 – West End will visit. Need parents to help serve cookies from 9:30 - 10:30.

Mar 1 – Moore visit. Same need for cookies.

Will Ferrell and Skye Solomen have been nominated for the Mayor’s Advisory Council on Disabilities.

“Secrets Every Traveler Should Know” will run from 9-12 March. We will have a skit at the next PTSA meeting. Some teachers give extra credit for attendance.

We need Nominating Committee Volunteers. Give suggestions to Sally Goodrich or Sherry Eckles. If you want to stay in your job let them know ASAP. We need a 9 th grade parent on the committee.

Respectfully Submitted

Sue Ferguson