Sanford Middle School PTA Meeting Thursday July 18th, 2024
Franklin Library 6pm to 730pm
Agenda text in black
Notes from meeting in red
Welcome – Introductions
Thanks to everyone who joined us at Franklin Library for our first meeting of the 2024-2025 school year!
PTA Business:
End of year fiscal review
PTA now searchable in IRS nonprofit database! This will allow our group to take advantage of benefits that are offered to nonprofit groups.
Last year the PTA raised a little over $16,000. Thanks to all the fundraisers and the donors!
Current account balance is approximately $6,000. Earmarked funds for picnic tables and yard signs leaves us with $3,000 balance.
Proposed Calendar for 2024 – 2025 School year
This is a starting point. Please help us along the way with ideas and efforts.
We encourage members to share ideas and effort to actualize these or new ideas for the group.
Calendar shared with group. Feedback from group is to try and add more social events for students (plans in place for student events September, February). Additionally, Fundraising reports that they will probably do a swag pre order event possibly in November or February.
Proposed Budget for 2024 – 2025 School year
Our focus is on classroom resources, events, and staff appreciation.
This budget is tied to the Calendar and will change as the calendar changes.
Expected Revenue for school year is $21,000.
Revenue sources include carry over balance, Gertens, Parkway, Sanford Night Out, Give to the Max, Lowbrow, Swag sales, General donations.
Expected Expenses for school year are $18,500. Expense details below:
$3000 Administrative Costs – Carry over account balance, Insurance, Quickbooks, Sanford Night Out, Volunteer appreciation
$6500 Events – Student Events, Family Events, Parent Events
$2500 Staff Appreciation – Meals x3, Winter break gesture
$6500 Supplies – Teacher stipends, Recess supplies
Other teacher request for field trips or other resources can come from general funds if available or through PTA efforts to crowdsource funds.
All expenditures require a vote to release funds.
Treasurer
Kipp is exploring Insurance renewal. He will coordinate with Amber from MN PTA to see if proposed changes to our insurance are necessary or if the insurance company is trying to upsell our coverage.
Cecillia Sheen (PTA Treasurer 2023-2024 school year) has submitted receipts for expenses encurred for event supplies. Cec attempted to get reimbursed by the school but was unsuccessful. Reciepts total $368.94
Motion to reimburse Cec from PTA funds and Seconded. Vote unanimously passed to reimburse Cec for these expenses. Kipp will deliver check to Cec for these expenses.
Proposed Monthly PTA meeting dates
Typically the third Tuesday of month 6pm to 730 in Sanford Media Center
September 17th, October 22nd, November 19th, December 17th, January 14th, February 11th, March 18th, April 22nd, May 20th
Reviewed with group. These dates attempt to avoid conflicts with other school events at Sanford and feeder schools. Unfortunately Sanford Calendar is currently blank.
Principal Search Update - Allison
Principal Amin has moved on to South High School. Search committee working to hire new Sanford leader
Allison participated in this process Thanks to her for donating her time for this to represent parents and the PTA. Allison reported that the interview panel included representatives from school staff and parents. The group made recommendations. The final decision will be made by Minneapolis School Administrator.
There have been some high level restructuring at Minneapolis Public Schools and Shawn Harris-Berry, Senior Officer of Schools will oversee the incoming Sanford Principal. The hope is that Sanford’s new school leader will be in place by August 1.
Fill vacant board roles
Secretary – duties – Record minutes of meetings, keep current copy of bylaws, maintain up-to-date membership list, and other duties as desired.
Vice President - preside at the meeting at which the president is absent, assist president to coordinate the work of the officers and committees, and other duties as desired. (VP design to serve as President during year two of term)
Our group is thankful to have two officer roles filled and seven committee chair roles filled. We have grown measurably over the last two years and are looking forward to building on last year’s successes.
We Need You! Unlike elementary school, middle school is a short three year period for us and our kids. With parents moving on to Roosevelt our group annually needs additional parents to step in to work with the group to accomplish our goals.
If you have any interest in the two above vacant positions, or if you would like to participate with the group in a different way please let us know. We strive to provide a structured environment where individuals can be supported to help Sanford in the areas that they are most passionate about.
You can contact us at sanfordmspta@gmail.com
August PTA talks to teachers during prep week
Action items: Who would like to speak to teachers
Date for this not coordinated with school yet. Depending on availability Dave, Scott, and Allison may be able to conduct this
Discuss PTA providing food for teachers
Group in favor of this. Details for day and type of food will be worked out. Vote for spending for this will occur during August meeting.
Events:
August Summer Clean up
Action items: Set date Saturday August 24th?
For now we will keep the proposed Aug 24th date. Event will be for Sanford Families and Staff. New picnic tables will be assembled, trash clean up, and landscaping improvements. This will have the school looking great for the welcome back to school event and the first day of school.
Sign up for snacks and drinks
Lisa or Ann can hopefully coordinate snacks, drinks and cleanup supplies. Vote for releasing funds for this will happen in August meeting
August (School Event) Welcome Back to School
Action items: Sign up for tabling (collect parent emails, swag sales, yard sign giveaway)
Date not set by school yet for this. Will need help from PTA members to collect emails, sell swag Tshirts, and distribute yard signs
Discuss PTA providing ice cream truck for the event
Dave will get cost estimate for this. Could use ticket system. Current estimate would be for 900 tickets. Details to be discussed in August meeting.
Erin Walsh – Parent Presentation – What science tells us about raising thriving kids in the digital world
Action items: Discuss PTA hosting this event at Sanford
Group is generally on board with providing this event. Question about what program we would want Erin to provide, who would be the target audience, what location to have event? This could be a valuable experience as many parents are interested in Sanford’s current and future cell phone policy.
Sign up to take lead on this event
Lisa has agreed to do research on these questions and bring back information to group in August meeting
Volunteers:
Media Center Volunteers, Do last year’s volunteers need to redo background screening?
Possibility of expanding to Math and Reading support for students
Applications for the 2024-2025 school year will be processed beginning August 22nd, 2024.
Fundraising
Sanford Night Out - October
Allison reports that discussions are happening with Arbieter Brewing. Date could possibly be Thursday October 24th but date has not been finalized.
Parkway Pizza
Thanks to Kelsy K. for organizing Sanford’s participation in Parkway Pizza’s dine out for schools program. Kelsy just received the check for $762.31 that Sanford PTA will get from the 2023 to 2024 school year.
If your crew is hungry for a pie consider grabbing it from Parkway!
New Business
Topics from group
No additional topics raised by the group
Parking Lot (keep on our radar but not addressed today)
Kirsten Saylor and work with Watershed District for Sanford’s rain garden
Fundraising checks from Gertens and Parkway Pizza
Standing rules 2024 – 2025
Member sign up and dues payment
Things Happening in September:
Media Center Volunteer Logistics
PTA Meeting September 17th
School Sponsored Curriculum Night (date TBD)
PTA Events Committee event (movie night?)
Dine out at Parkway Pizza Fundraiser (date TBD)
Next Meeting Wednesday August 21st 6pm to 730 at Roosevelt Library 4026 S 28th Ave