St. John Lutheran School

Parent Teacher Fellowship

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Fellowship Hall

Minutes recorded and submitted by Tricia Morenz.

PTF Board Members Present:  Renee Nagy, Karen Rohrer, Monica Taylor, Linda Prom, Tricia Morenz, Ralph Leffler, Faith Block, Laurie McDonald

PTF Board Members not present:  Julie Tappendorf, Lynn Marassa

Others Present:  Angie Fenwick, Peggy Cler, Diane Pelafos, Michelle DeYoung, Kris Sherrick, Mary Slack, Jamie Elliot, Wendy Wolter

A.    Renee Nagy opened with devotions and prayer.

B.     Business Meeting:

1.      Minutes for August 28^th, 2007, were approved with the correction in 4. Reports from Congregational Representatives: Stacey Folkmann teaches 3-8^th for art.

2.      Treasurer’s Report:   Linda Prom reviewed treasurer’ report dated 7/1/07-9/24-07.  Total balance is $27,762.42.  M/S/C to accept the treasurer’s report.  

A.    Discussed signing on PTF checking account to be both presidents and treasurer.  M/S/C for Linda Prom, Renee Nagy and Karen Rohrer to be authorized signers on the PTF checking account.

3.      Committee Reports

A.    Book Fair: Pages for All Ages

B.     Car Wash: Kris Sherrick reported that 63 students returned pledge cards and donations and 54 volunteers washed 142 cars.  Student and class prizes will be announced next week.  Approximately $4,434 was raised with approximately $150 in expenses.

C.     Kirby Foods/HVC/County Market/Meijer/Target:  To receive Meijer rebates a credit card that is not from Meijer cannot be used. Rebates are valid only for cash, PIN debit card, or a Meijer Credit card.  Discussed this might have a negative impact on the program.

D.    Logo Items:  Michelle DeYoung reported sales at Back to School Breakfast and Open House.  Michelle will be ordering items as they are placed to avoid a large unsold inventory.  Reminder that polo shirts are now available in Navy.

E.     Market Day:  Diane Pelafos reported that if the October sales goal is met, the school will receive $400 in Scholastic books.  Market Day orders are to be sent home soon.  Also discussed was the broken lock on the freezer that holds Market Day Items needs to be replaced since are concerns that food will be taken from people that didn’t order it.

F.      Schoolpop:  Mary Slack reported that first tuition credits have been received for this year.  For those who requested a school family account to receive the credit for tuition, those families will be notified of the amount of credit they will receive with all other proceeds to go to the PTF fund.  Mary Slack stated that she is checking on all Schoolpop family accounts to make sure everyone is registered in all necessary areas.

G.    Box Tops for Education Contest:  Box Top prizes will be awarded on a quarterly basis.

H.    Parent Teacher Conference Lunch Fall-3rd grade:  No discussion as 3^rd grade Room Representative was not present.

I.       Ice Skating:  Ice skating party is scheduled for December 10th.  The necessary form has been signed and returned to UI Ice Arena to reserve date for party.

J.       Fun Fair: No discussion.

4.      Reports from congregational representatives: No discussion.

5.      Principal’s report:  Mr. Leffler stated that Paul Apodaca is the new Spanish teacher but may need to be off temporarily due to his wife’s illness.  Signage was presented for the front of the school with a picture of the sign and how it is to look on St. John School.  There is enough money from the Allocated Funds and the Car Wash to cover the costs.  There was discussion on the marketing practices of the school by the school board.  Mr. Leffler explained who was on the marketing committee and what strategies they are looking at using, including newspaper, or news stations to cover special events at the school, new school signage, and kiosk-type signage at Market Place, new brochure, new logo and new web site.  Current enrollment is 216 students.  A date of December 8 from 1-4 has been set for individuals to shop at Barnes and Noble with 20% cash or 25% in merchandise of the sales to be given to St. John School.  The Student Council will be hosting a Scholastic Book Fair in the spring.  Mr. Leffler requested that all items be reviewed by him prior to printing and distribution.

6.      Old Business

A.    Education Supplies:  Karen distributed a handout showing Allocated Funds for teachers/classes Educational Supplies and Christmas Gifts.

7.      New Business

A.    A PTF Sales Tax Reimbursement Policy was distributed.  All individuals chairing a PTF event are to be informed and expected to use the tax exempt letter when making purchases.   The form is to be placed in all PTF folders so it is easily accessible for individuals.  The majority of stores accept the form, with the exception of Sam’s Club.   If an individual forgets to use the tax exempt letter they shall not be held responsible for the tax as it will be assumed that the individual in good faith forgot to use or did not know about the sales tax exemption.  Final vote was deferred until next meeting to get the proper wording.

B.     A PTF Departing Teacher/Staff Policy was distributed.  PTF will send note cards to all departing teachers/staff regardless of time spent teaching/working.  PTF will consider departing gifts on an individual basis taking into consideration time spent teaching and fulfilling their contract.  Final vote was deferred until next meeting to get the proper wording.

C.     Monica Taylor discussed information on the monthly newsletter mailed to families and the weekly e-mailed version from the school office.  It was agreed it was best to have information on both.   Discussed having a PTF section on e-mailed newsletter instead of PTF information dispersed throughout letter.

D.    An online survey prepared by the Marketing Committee was sent to all school families regarding the school website.  A recommendation was given that the PTF be spelled out as ‘Parent Teacher Fellowship’ on the website.

E.     7th Grade, Washington Trip-Pie Sale:  PTF was asked what role they played in the trip.  It was explained that the PTF does not have a set amount they give each year, but considers all requests for PTF funds at the annual Allocation Meeting in April.  It was suggested that the 6th through 8th grade classes have a room representative along with a parent in charge solely of raising funds for the trip.  Wendy Wolter agreed to have the 7^th grade work on the Pie Sale portion of the November Market Day with all proceeds from the Pie Sale to fund their trip.

F.      Purchase of New File Cabinet:  Karen Rohrer stated the need for centralized PTF files with prior agreement from Mr. Leffler for space in the school office.  Wendy Wolter volunteered to donate a 4-drawer locking file cabinet for use by the PTF.

G.    Scrip:  The committee will meet 9/26/07 at 6:30 at the home of Laurie McDonald to finalize plans for this program.  To facilitate a quicker start-up, a Board vote via email may be necessary for several items relating to the program.

C.     Adjourn with Prayer:  Karen closed with the Lord’s Prayer.  Next PTF meeting is to be in the Fellowship Hall on October 23, at 6:30, with Karen Rohrer to provide refreshments.