Bond/Levy Presentation by Leanna Albrecht, NSD Communications Director (more info at http://wwwnew.nsd.org)
● 23% of the district’s current budget for educational programs and operating budget come from the levy – without it teachers will be laid off.
● The other levy supports the expansion of technology in the classroom.
● The $177.5 million bond is to build a fourth high school and address significant growth in the district. Citizens for Northshore Schools Presentation more info at http://www.citizensfornorthshoreschools.com
● Statistics show that the majority of voters are not school parents.
● Need to increase voter turnout of school parents.
● Evergreen Freedom Foundation is an anti-union group that is campaigning against the school levy as a way to fight unions.
Nominating Committee
● The General membership voted in a nominating committee: Jenny Mareno, Amanda Lawrie-Hall, and Jen Guadagno. Alternates are Barbie Cole and Beth Freeman-Hansen.
● Open positions for the 2014-2015 PTA Executive Board are: VP Fundraising, Treasurer, VP Communications, and VP Membership.
● If you are interested in joining the board or want more information, contact Jenny at jmareno@msn.com, Amanda at lawrie-hall@hotmail.com, or Jen at jen@guadagno.com.
Fundraising Update by Jennifer Tunnell, President
● Next fundraiser is Date Night at The Commons in Woodinville – go for dinner on Tuesday, February 11th, mention you are there to support Sunrise Elementary, and The Commons will donate 10% of the money spent to the Sunrise PTA.
● Auction – due to no volunteer to chair the auction, there is no auction this year. There are several projects that are typically auctioned that are very popular (classroom projects, teacher experiences, and book signings). The Board discussed earlier in the year trying to accomplish these special projects and have them as fundraisers. Discussion among general membership resulted in majority expressing that these projects should be done as part of an auction event and not as stand-alone fundraisers.
Science Specialist Update by Jennifer Tunnell, President
● The cost of the Science Specialist is increasing – from $25,000 (current year) to $40,250 (per year starting 2014/2015 school year).
● Doug Hale explained the reason – the district used to allow us to pay for a less expensive teacher, and the district paid the difference plus benefits.
● The district is no longer willing to pay the difference although they will continue to pay the benefits.
● The Science Specialist is a grandfathered program. If the PTA is unable to fund the position for one year, then we will lose the specialist forever. ● If we did not have a Science Specialist, the curriculum would be taught by the teachers.
● The idea of a Science Docent program was suggested. Doug Hale said this was possible to have but may be difficult to maintain.
Playground Improvement Committee by Julie Johnson, Secretary
● The district has rules for how bids are to be obtained and which companies can be used to replace playground equipment.
● The district will pay for new bark but all equipment (including the timbers that hold in the bark) must be paid for by the PTA.
● The Committee is looking at other school’s recent projects and the cost.
● The general membership voted to add a line item to the budget for playground improvement, and to initially fund it with $1000.
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