Bentonville Parent-Teacher Organization
September 11, 2014 Meeting minutes
Welcome/Call to Order
Katie Morris called the meeting to order at 9:00am.
Attendees: BHS: Paula Mantel; WJHS/BPSF: Jeannette Latham, Marcie Bayles, Misty Tadda; FJHS: Cassie
Cathey, Julia Davis; LJHS: Julie Knight; OHMS: Victoira Mizner; BFMS: Mitun Balasekaran; RHBMS:
Brenda Lammers; AAMS: Renee Swindell, Renee Shoppach; CPES: Carey Avance;TJES: Mandy Miner,
Jessica Costello; REBES: Stephanie Red; ETES: Leta Gunn; WES: Lisa Corbin; AGES: Holly Rice, Sue Baskett,
Kathy Matherly; CGES: Kathleen Coleman; CES/BPTO: Susan Dunmon; SCES: Tiffany Jones; MMJES:
Dalene Magsam; BPTO: Lenette Sparacino, Katie Morris, Susan Parker, Elizabeth Davis; Administration:
Superintendent Mike Poore, Director of Communications Paul Stolt; BPS Foundation: President Mike
Mumma; School Board: President Wendi Cheatham.
Minutes from last meeting- Lenette Sparacino
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A motion was made to approve minutes and was seconded. Motion passed.
Treasurer’s Report- Susan Dunmon
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A motion was made to approve the treasurer’s report and was seconded. Motion passed.
Audit Update- Susan Dunmon
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The audit process went very smoothly for last year. We plan to do an audit training in the spring.
Administrative fees are past due and budgets are due on September 15th for sanctioning with
the district.
New Business
1.
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2.
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Bylaws update committee – Elizabeth Davis
4-5 people needed to serve on the committee.
Scholarships – Katie Morris
We will discuss the amount and number of scholarships at our November meeting. We plan to
vote on changes in the December, which will go into effect for the 2015-16 school year.
3. October Best Practices meeting October 9th
 The categories are: Fundraising, Membership/Boosters, Volunteers, and Financials. Bring any
ideas/materials that you wish to share!
Reminders- Katie Morris
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Bylaws Acknowledgement form needs to be signed by each member PTO president and
returned to BPTO.
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Please use our website- http://bentonvillepto.weebly.com Please like Bentonville PTO on
Facebook. We share all of our information on the website and lots of updates on our Facebook
page.
Budgets and admin fees are due.
The 2014-15 Liaison List is on the website.
Meeting dates for each school are on the Calendar section of the website.
Bold for Gold Campaign- Mike Mumma, President of BPS Foundation, Jeanette Latham
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Funds programs, projects, and initiatives that promote superior academic success.
Grants to teachers, 21st Century grants, National board certification, Academic signing day, Wall
of Honor, designated gifts.
Remarks from Administration- Mike Poore, Superintendent of schools
1. Bright Futures
 A program of the district that utilizes parent, community, corporate, faith based, and social
services support to meet the needs of children in our district.
 Contact info: amusick@bentonvillek12.org They also have a Facebook page.
 Invite them to share at your PTO meetings.
 They also work in conjunction with the Gives Back program.
2. 2nd High School
 Construction has begun and the cost is under budget so far.
 Plans have all been approved and going out for contractor bids to go to board for approval
in October.
 Posting for principal job after Christmas, to be hired later in the spring.
3. Boundary Re-Zoning
 K-12 re-zoning.
 Outside vendor doing the work and recommendation.
 This will be discussed in the Oct. 6 pre-agenda board meeting and public comments will be
allowed at the October 27 board meeting. Both will be held at Barker Middle School.
 The school board is already committed to a new elementary already.
 The 10 year plan of what schools we will need and in what order will be part of the
demographer reports at the November board meeting.
School board update- School board president, Wendi Cheatham
1. Goals for this school year:
 Increasing our graduation rate.
 Now open to the public- ALE campus and student services center together on Hwy 102.
 Block vs. traditional schedule for jr. high/high school levels will be discussed in the spring to
see which is more cost effective.
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A report will be given showing the effectiveness of computer programs that are purchased
and used in the district.
Gubernatorial debate will be held at the Arend Arts Center on September 30th.
The next BPTO meeting is October 9, 2014 at 9 am.
Meeting was adjourned at 10:13 am.
Respectfully submitted by Lenette Sparacino 9/15/14