LENOX MEMORIAL
MIDDLE SCHOOL PTO
MEETING MINUTES
JANUARY 10, 2007
SECRETARY’S REPORT
N. S. highlighted minutes from the previous meeting on December 13th which were approved.
TREASURER’S REPORT
U. D. reported the receipt of a $400 donation from Berkshire Mountain Bakery and a payment of $15.60 for a service charge from Legacy Bank. L. B. offered to research the reason for the service charge. With an ending balance of $8,449 and a total of $1,300 in funds allocated, the total available balance is $7,149. D. D. and B. K. agreed to facilitate the purchase of the J. Eder Memorial Book. Report was accepted.
DISCUSSION
Talent Show- After some discussion, it was determined that copyright issues will preclude the sale of DVDs of the Talent Show as a fundraiser. It was agreed that ticket prices should remain modest and include a family price cap. A vehicle for requesting/accepting additional donations will be available at the entrance as well as at the wrap party in the cafeteria after the show. Refreshments at the wrap party will be free of charge providing donations are received from the Refreshment Committee. In the interest of keeping the show to a total time frame of one and a half hours, it was agreed to invite teachers to participate as a group, rather than as a large number of individual teacher acts. An email will be sent to ascertain the interest level in individual or group performances among teachers. Student performances will be presented by Middle School students only. R. S., K. T., L. B. and V. O. agreed to work with the kids to help with promotional posters as well as their acts. R. S. agreed to bring flyers and posters to the next meeting. Due to the popularity of the show last year and the heightened interest this year, we may need to manage the possibility of a full house and “sold out” event. Last year’s performance hosted a full house. Maximum capacity in the Duffin Theatre is 500 occupants.
Event night ideas/chairs- V. F. will chair 7th grade. K. Z. and B. K. will chair 6th grade (V. O. will help.) N. S. and U. D. agreed to find a chair(s) for the 8th grade event. All students are welcome to attend these events regardless of behavioral or academic issues. Events should be scheduled during Feb. or March. PTO agreed to allocate up to $300 for each of the grade nights out.
8th Grade Graduation Dance - Historically, 7th grade provided food; PTO provided the cake and paid half of the DJ cost for this semi-formal. The 8th grade advisor, K. B., is responsible for planning the event. V. O. volunteered to lead the decorating effort and to be the liaison between the advisor and the PTO.
INFORMATIONAL UPDATE
On the school web site, PTO can be found in both the News and Calendar sections. There is no separate header for PTO as originally believed. Minutes and bylaws will be included for review.
OPEN DISCUSSION
D. D. reported on the superintendent search. Lenox has had only two superintendents during the past thirty years. In other communities, the average tenure for a superintendent is two to three years. Lenox is conducting a local search throughout western Mass. Interviews will be conducted by the school committee and a parent group. Anyone wishing to have input in the process can email the consultant whose address is provided on the PTO website.
In thinking about hiring a new superintendent, some issues/concerns were voiced regarding where Lenox is and where we want to be as a school community. Ideas were floated which included enhancing communication between home and school; too much emphasis on MCAS and honor roll instead of honoring each student’s inherent value; more separation between middle school and high school, perhaps even to have separate principals; the desire for all teachers to use email and other forms of computer technology.
There was discussion regarding what PTOs in other communities do, whether they affect curriculum and other academic issues. It was suggested that we invite the principal, B. W., to speak to the PTO about what he sees as the direction and philosophy of our school. It was also suggested that future PTO meetings include a speaker who can address topics of interest.
It was suggested that parents and teachers provide input for issues they would like to see addressed at the next meeting. L. S. offered to provide information at the next meeting about an internet forum meeting company that will do an anonymous survey to help ascertain the issues and concerns of parents and teachers in the community.
In lieu of a spring fundraiser, it was suggested that a 50/50 raffle be conducted at the Talent Show.
MEETING ADJOURNED at 8:30pm
Submitted by N. S., LMMSPTO Secretary