OPEN MEETING
BOARD MEMBERS
PRESENT: ANN
WARREN, DIANA TOOTHMAN, KELLEY REYNOLDS, LARRY DEMERS, LORI BERMAN, YAEL APT, GINGER
BOWER, GINNEAN SHAW, STEVE ROOT, TED
HARSHBERGER
1. Welcome/Introduction –
Ann welcomed everyone and we got down to business. There will be a Dine Out night on January 22 at Factors Deli on Pico.
2. Approve the Minutes
Minutes were unanimously approved.
3. Press Conference Info - Ted
The press conference for the HOA settlement award from the
Century City Developers will be held at
4. Treasurer’s Report -
Larry
$20k ahead of schedule of the yearly projection; $5k ahead at this point, but our expenses are up $12k from $5k. Added yearbook expense; fundraisers down; logo wear UP $1200 (last year we lost $600); earned interest of $3400 compared to $1000 last year. Numbers look good, but we are actually a little short when you compare “apples to apples” – about $20k short because income is slightly lower and expenses are higher.
Donation Drive – only six people haven’t fulfilled their pledge as of today. There is about $6700 outstanding. Reminders are sent out monthly. Also, there are some checks that haven’t been opened.
Officers need to get to the bank to update signature cards, etc.
The main difference in the expenses this year is due to staffing costs. We have increased staffing and paid out
back-pay from last year.
Ted
–
Total amount pledged good; initial payments are better. See “
There was some discussion about targeting fundraisers – “Fund our Dreams”
Focus more on higher end donors. Raise suggested amount from $350 to $400.
New tax information is coming out next month; tickets will have new tax info printed on them.
Very nice thank you letter sent out to family donors outlining how the donation is utilized.
Yael
– Grants
No info yet on the Community Beautification Grant.
Parent Center Grant period closed a couple of months ago. Will discuss with Bill Ring to get more info.
5. Spring Event
Still working on a location. Not many choices available due to type of location we need and the amount budgeted for the location. Also, time to start making calls on auction items.
UPDATES/discussion:
Rosanna Crasnick has agreed to co-chair the Jog-a-thon. Still looking for a second co-chair.
Ginger opened discussion on attending LAUSD meetings. District doesn’t pay for science teachers, yet they test the students in science. District doesn’t pay for PE, yet there is a huge obesity problem in this country. We need to band together with other feeder schools to improve Palms. Middle school problem makes it tough “advertising/marketing” the school. (We were also hurt by tour “cutbacks” and other restrictions.
More discussion about encouraging potential families to choose CHES.
Ann and Diane working on a wine & cheese type gathering of Friends’ Groups with all the Palms feeder schools.
Parent Press coming to
Lori to report on Governance at next month’s meeting.
Playground fence slats would run $10k.
MEETING ADJOURNED AT