North PAC Meeting Minutes: November 25, 2008

PAC Meeting

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November 25, 2008

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Minutes

Attendees: Ten members attended this meeting

NEW Agenda Items: Nothing to add

Minutes: No concerns

Scheduled Topics:
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PAC Meeting time discussion:
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J.L.: When the PAC meeting came up in Wed. class, someone brought up idea of meeting at a different time. Her issues were that at 6:00 it’s bed time so to leave the house this late isn’t a great option. Daytime meetings would work better. S.R.: Timing is tough. Daytime really doesn’t work in conjunction with class schedules. T.T.: what about people joining a committee. Committees work on a more ad hoc basis.

The group decided that we can consider possible day times for next year – when the school system is doing their planning for the year maybe we can also look at more times. Maybe every other meeting, we have a daytime meeting. Another option would be participating in a LAC meeting.
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M.N.: We should write up a policy that if you can’t make PAC meetings, there are other options such as committee/LAC. We don’t have representation from other classes, so we should have something.
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Outcome: Next year S.R. will look into the possibility of a day time meeting, but this will be challenging. In the meantime, individuals who want to be involved in PAC but who have scheduling problems should be encouraged to get involved in committee work or in attending the LAC meeting.

Website/Blog:
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MK: The website is up and running. Zac from Buy the Change is sending a link. TT will post minutes on the blogspot without names. We have an e-mail address. MK will include address and phone numbers of the two schools. TT will look into postings/message boards, etc. At the next meeting she’ll report ideas, etc.
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Regarding Buy the Change – the allocation of funds was tabled at the LAC. This will be determined at future meetings.

Retreat Survey:
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S.R. & M.N.: People did participate in the retreat survey. Just four people committed to go. That included one staff person. However, about 15 people said they would be interested but it was a bad weekend for them. About half said they could pay $85. About half said that the total amount was OK.
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An anonymous donor contributed $340 dollars to the retreat – said to keep it on account until we decide to do something about it.
Many thanks to the anonymous person!
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The group discussed other possibilities. Just among the PAC members there was consensus that a venue closer to the Twin Cities, perhaps even in the city would be much easier to schedule. In addition – the main reason for a retreat is to relax and spend quality time with other mothers. A hotel with a pool and a gathering place might work as well as a retreat center. It feels easier to leave your family for an over-night if you’re only a few minutes away. Several members will research possible hotel packages in the Twin Cities Metro area.
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New Chair purchases:
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The PAC OK’d the purchase of 10 chairs at a price of $450. This includes shipping. We also discussed selling the existing chairs. There was enough interest among PAC members to purchase all chairs at $5 per chair. This will reduce our price for new chairs to $40/chair. These chairs will be available to anyone attending the next PAC meeting. In the event we have more interest then we have chairs, we’ll draw names randomly.
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T.T. and J.L. will arrange purchase and subsequent pick-up of the old chairs.
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Other Wish-list items:
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The group asked the faculty members if there were other wish list items they would like to purchase for the class room.
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A.G. would like a flip-chart holder for Mona Moede. The existing flip chart at this location is so low to the ground that she has to kneel for her note taking.
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S.R. mentioned that we do need new toys, etc.
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Our ECFE budget is $1800 for the year through the school system. We’re probably down to $400.

Another instructor has a series of books she’s interested in for the library and for class.
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S.R. had a set she’d like to purchase for the children’s library.
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Ideally, each class segment would get about $80 – 100 to spend.
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In addition to the $450 for chairs, the PAC approved $200 for miscellaneous expenses listed above for the class room.
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We will do some further investigation of flip chart possibilities as this item is quite expensive.
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Franklin School Purchase:

S.R. this school was purchased by a charter school – this will impact our parking – S.R. doesn’t know that the impact is. She’ll keep us posted. This makes a moot point about using the allocated parking spaces.
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Cook Book Sales:
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J.L. will get a real number for the next meeting.
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Disco Ball:
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J was considering being the chair. M. N. has all the information available for her. S.R. has got the building permit set – it will be in the Gym – there’s an area for treats and a parking lot in the back. All that will be on the flyer. It’s being worked on and will be taken care of.
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A.G. brought a flyer from the American Income Life Association. They would like to have space on our table at the disco ball with their information – this is a no cost fingerprinting kit. The catch is that to get the fingerprinting kit, a family must agree to a sales call in their home. The group decided that this didn’t fit the spirit of our event. There are places that will supply finger printing information with no obligation.
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Committee: J.L. A.S. and S.R. will consult with the chair person as necessary. T.T. will volunteer to pick up snacks again this year.
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New parent’s night out:
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A.G. – what about a family bowl after the PAC meeting in January?
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We’ll talk about this at our December 16th meeting.