(Note: as of February 9, 2004, these minutes were not yet approved.)

January 12, 2004

PTO President Sara Langworthy called the meeting to order.

Meeting Minutes for the December 1, 2003 PTO meeting were approved by a voice vote.

               Treasurer's Report: To dated, contributions to the Direct Drive total $11,600, $1,100 of which is designated for a particular purposes. In addition to the initial Direct Drive fundraising letter, there have been two articles in the Cougar News reminding parents to send in their annual contributions.  PTO should publish the number of families who have contributed. Increased participation also helps when PTO seeks funds from donors outside of the school.  PTO should encourage total participation in the annual Direct Drive. 

               A motion was made, seconded, and approved that PTO will not make a separate solicitation for the acoustical remediation project in the Cafeteria.  PTO should make a follow-up request that families donate to the Direct Drive, emphasizing that contributions will enable PTO to complete   the acoustical work in the Cafeteria sooner. 

               PTO is looking for someone with grant-writing expertise to seek a grant of $5,000 to $8,000 to help with the cost of the acoustical work in the Cafeteria.  Maggie Wirth-Johnson will contact some people with grant-writing experience.

               Scott Tome, the acoustical consultant which PTO hired, will present construction options prepared which would be the most effective and economical.  Mr. Mariucci has discussed the acoustical project with the School District.  The project specs must be presented for the District's review for compliance with the building and fire codes.  As long as the project is in compliance, the District will provide the labor.  Robert Garfinkle volunteered to coordinate this aspect of the project. 

               A motion was made, seconded, and approved that PTO will amend PTO's 2003-04 Budget to carry forward up to $4,000 of excess funds at the end of the year, and allocate the funds to the  Acoustics Project.

               Principal's Report: Dr. Jobe stated that Capitol Hill will undergo a School Quality Review at the end of January.  A team of ten to twelve administrators with a varying backgrounds from the District will review all aspects of Capitol Hill and identify strengths, problems, and make recommendations for change.  The team will interview staff, observe classrooms, review SCIP Plans, and will have on-line surveys for teachers and for parents.  The report should be available in about  two months.   Capitol Hill has not been reviewed before. 

               In January, 7th graders will take the MCA exams in reading and math and will take practice Basic Standards Test.  8th graders have the real Basic Standards Test.  The SAT 10 exam, the District's standard test, is given in April.

               Capitol Hill will have more greeters and hall monitors at the yellow, red and blue doors.

               Site Counsel Report.: Carolyn Fisk reported that there will be a Town Hall Meeting on Jan. 29, 2004 at Capitol Hill to discuss different gifted education models including the International Baccalaureate and the Parallel Curriculum.

               The Site Council discussed the PTO's current efforts to ameliorate Cafeteria noise.  Mr. Degree and Mr. Porter have formed an ad hoc staff committee to get some children out of the Cafeteria once they have finished lunch to reduce the numbers of children in the room and to provide alternative activities.  

               Site Council handed out a letter regarding unsafe practices and ways to improve safety to parents dropping off children at the green doors on MacKubin Street.

               This spring, Site Council will hold elections and seeks candidates to run for several openings.  To encourage increased diversity among candidates, Site Council is considering using photos of candidates in the elections publicity.

Announcements:

The  Aloha Beach party for grades 1-3 is next Thurs., January  14, 2004. 

The date for the Carnival is April 16, 2004, two weeks after Spring Break. 

The next PTO Meeting will be on Monday, March 1, 2004 at 7:00 P.M.   

Respectfully submitted by Andrea Hauser

8 PM Program:  State Representative Matt Entenza spoke about current education issues in the State Legislature, including the State Funding Formula, anticipated budget shortfalls in the upcoming year, and the controversy regarding the proposed Social Studies Curriculum Standards for the federal No Child Left Behind Legislation.