Redland Middle School
PTA Meeting Minutes
January 8, 2013
Attendees: Susan Thompson, Sally Mills, Ellen Motley, Kathy Boehlert, Kevin Murphy, Jane
Tom, Ellen Rahr, Tam Miller, Laura Hieronymous, Robert Sinclair, Cyndi Anderson, Lisa Johns,
Marie Parrott, Lisa Houldsworth, Tim Teagans.
The meeting was called to order at 7:58 pm. All attendees introduced themselves.
A motion was made, seconded, and unanimously passed to approve the PTA meeting minutes
from November 13, 2012.
Treasurer’s Report (Kevin Murphy)
The budget was presented and reviewed.
5 Minute Fund Raiser (Kathy Boehlert for Nita Grewal)
We fell $2454 short towards a goal of $6500, and the fundraiser is now closed. If the goal is not
met, we will discuss the need for a second fundraiser versus using the extra cash in the PTA bank
account (approximately $9000).
Volunteers (Sally Mills)
We did not identify a chair for Fitness in February, and it will be canceled this year.
Student Socials (for Amy Crawford)
The fall student social was well attended. The next student social (Blizzard Bash) will be on
January 25 from 7 to 9 pm. More chaperones are still needed (5-6 more). Tickets will be sold at
lunchtime on January 24 and 25 for $3 and at the door for $5. Only RMS students may attend
the social.
Staff Appreciation (Jane Tom)
Gift wrapping for teachers was done on December 17. There were 17 teachers/staff who took
advantage of this opportunity.
President’s Report (Kathy Boehlert)
Ledo’s Pizza restaurant night on November 14 raised $300. The second restaurant night will be
held on January 31 at Mamma Lucia’s in Olney from 5-10 pm. In order for the PTA to get its
percentage, the patron must present the flyer.
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Grant Applications
At the last PTA meeting, two PTA grant applications were approved:
Application 1: Elyse Hieronymus submitted a grant application for an antibullying program,
consisting of a workshop targeting 6th to 8th grade girls. The total requested amount was $175,
$146 to reserve the venue and the rest for refreshments. This will not be funded because her Girl
Scout troop did not approve the proposal.
Application 2: Keith Snyder 6th grade RMS science teacher submitted a grant to provide 6th
grade students opportunities to bird watch. The amount requested was $1020 for a bird feeder
and supplies, an iPad and appropriate apps, and a bird camera.
Two new grant applications were submitted from Mrs.Young, the Media Specialist.
Application 3: Video camera – this can be used by all teachers/students for such activities as
recording music concerts, individual projects, National Board certified reports, etc. The amount
requested was $423.10.
Application 4: Eight additional netbook computers. Currently, there are 3 carts with eight
netbooks per cart, which is not enough. These will be available to be used by all students and
staff, and will allow two carts of 16 netbook computers each. The \cost is $460.82 each, for a
total of $3686.56.
For both of these projects, the equipment will be barcoded and remain at RMS. During
discussion, it was noted that there will not be a warranty on the netbooks after the first year,
since PTA would not be purchasing the warranty. Mr. Sinclair noted that netbooks are usually
just replaced when broken, unless the in house tech person can repair them because it is too
expensive to fix them.
A motion was made, seconded, and approved to fund a grant in the amount of $423.10 to RMS
to purchase a video camera. A motion was made, seconded, and approved to fund a grant in the
amount of $3686.56 to RMS to purchase eight netbooks.
Kathy Boehlert noted that the fall fundraiser fell short about $2500. Some additional money may
come in from the next student socials and restaurant nights. The plan was to omit a spring
fundraiser if the PTA accomplished its goal of $6500. Options to cover the shortfall include
having a spring fundraiser, adjusting expenses appropriately, or using some of the excess money
in the PTA bank account. A motion was made, seconded, and approved to use up to $2500 of
the cash reserve to fund our line item budget items.
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Principal’s Report (Mr. Sinclair)
PARK tests were discussed. These will be initiated at RMS next year and the results do not
count toward student’s grades.
Algebra, geometry, foreign language, and advanced English 8 – these exams count as part of the
semester grade. For 8th grade science, the assessment is large and written like a high school
course, but counts for only a percentage of the quarter grade.
Mrs. Boehlert said that there will be no PTA meeting in February, 2013; the next RMS PTA
meeting will take place in March, 2013.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 pm.
Final 1/25/2013
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