Malibu High School PTSA General Associates Meeting

January 19th 2006

Heather Anderson called the meeting to order at 8:40 in the school library and welcomed everyone.

The minutes of the previous meeting were approved.

Heather Anderson – President. Dr. Mark Kelly is on leave visiting his sick mother, will speak at the next PTSA meeting. The next meeting will be similar to the last when groups visited different topics that interested them.

Heather had a positive meeting with Dr. Deasy who said that the schools are fully funded. Some Title programs have been cut but this does not affect MHS.

A new district supervisor for the custodial staff has been hired. His job will be to monitor custodian’s work and make them accountable.

It seems a lot of parents are not informed of what is happening around school. A booklet goes out every month with all the information. (Does anyone read it?). The school has a website where Joe DiMercurio puts everything on line, photos of latest events, schedules, Shark Fund happenings, PTSA minutes etc. The e network, which is also, a great place for information and to share ideas could be used in a more positive way. Everyone reads the e network including the teachers. There are so many good things happening at the school but many of the emails are negative and some people have stopped reading them. It was felt that the guideline should be that when one writes into the network you should write as if you were talking to that person face to face.

The moderators were applauded for their hard work and many hours. It was agreed among them that a protocol should be written on how they edit some of the emails so as all appear equal. It was agreed that rules should be posted and that a knowledgeable person should answer emails where information is incorrect.

Bambi Young felt parents should be involved in curriculum decisions and suggested getting a poll about what works and what doesn’t. Heather encouraged parents who want to get involved in curriculum decisions should join already existing committees. The Site Governance Council is also approaching this subject.

MHS is a very high achieving school but we must strive to do even better or be considered “at risk” if we do not continue to raise our scores.

A request from the floor that they would like information on what happens when offensives (drugs, graffiti etc) happens around the school. Dr. Kelly discusses any situations that have occurred at PTSA meeting whilst keeping student information private but unfortunately is unable to be here today. (First time he has missed one)

Teacher appreciation luncheon is on February 24^th.

Shark Fund is doing well. The fund has collected more than this time last year.

50% of families have given. Now they can make a budget. Scheduled are lockers, two new tennis courts. (MHS teams are unable at present to have any home games as not enough courts). At present are getting bids for the painting of the trim and if more money comes in they hope to be able to accomplish this.

Still amazing that half of the families have not contributed. Businesses in Malibu give little as see parents not stepping up.

Plan to do an adult Poker night instead of the Spring Gala.

Suggested that the Shark Fund should use the e network more, say what is happening to the money.

Volunteers please turn in your hours.

Sandy Thacker is organizing the First Annual Middle School yearbook. You can order it at nutrition Monday through Thursday. Cannot get order forms online. Cost is $25. $5 more to have your name on it.

Karen Zethraeus - 3rd VP did some research on the cafeterias new vending machines. It is a pilot program. We are the first to try it. Wally Barryman was very receptive to inquires and feedback. We can change it. If you want to know the nutritional value go online hotchoose.com

Organic salad bar is available. They go to Santa Monica’s farmer market twice a week. Great changes are planned for next year. Thanks Karen for a very interesting report.

Rat problems have been noted in all areas of the school. Landscape needs to be cleaned out to remove rat areas. Wally Barryman has been alerted to this chronic problem.

A new drug resistance program will be put on next year. It is very expensive and need teachers support. This program will be discussed at the next PTSA meeting.

Cathy Egner is heading up 8^th Grade Promotion. First meeting is in the Library on Monday at 2PM. please email Cathy if you wish to get involved.

The first meeting for the senior’s graduation party is Thursday morning at 8:30AM in the library. No one as yet has offered to head this up.

Kathy Egner – Treasurer’s report

By March Kathy should know where budget is going and if there is any money left over from new teachers accounts and the tennis tournament.

One Grant proposal (see attached). Motion to pass approved unanimously.

Two additional proposals (see attached) were also passed unanimously The “Saddle Finisher” would be paid for from the Tennis tournament money and the Vinyl Display boards would be paid for from money allocated to cultural events.

Check to ratify numbers 3683-3735 passed unanimously.

Brigette Hanson – 4^th VP continues to plug away at escrip, Ralph’s cards and Hows. Hows alone brought in $400 one month. This is easy money for the school and costs nothing. Please sign up.

Ink cartridges and cell phone recycle is on going. More businesses are signing up. Recycling bin at school. Another no cost fundraiser.

Hoping to do a spring boutique, as vendors were unable to participate during the tennis tournament because of the weather. A possibility is to align it to the poker evening planned by the Shark Fund.

Sonia Ottusch - 5^th VP is distributing parts of the handbook for review and would welcome any suggestions for improvement. Also we may be looking for a new editor, for part or the entire handbook as we do not know if the current editor is continuing.

Rhonda Mosser – Parent Eyes. Always looking for volunteers especially men for the boy’s bathroom. Think of it as exercise as you walk the campus. Most fruitful time is 10AM to Noon and Fridays when students are out, 12:30 to 1:30.

Progress is being made on the state of the bathrooms but more could be done. We now have new custodial supervisors, custodians now have written expectations. The students must also do their bit. Mark will be asked to contact the city about clean up help when their programs use the school.

The district will be making a master faculty plan. There will be 5 workshops. The first of which will on January 28^th at 9:30 at the Sheraton hotel across form Santa Monica High School. Everyone is encouraged to attend especial if we want Malibu’s voice heard.

Mary O’Leary Hughes - Gardening Angels. Mary and her crew have finished 3 parts of the landscape plan. The fourth area around the Amphitheatre still needs to be done. Money is needed. She encourages everyone to think of the landscape plan when Kathy has finished the budget and earmark any money left over to go to the landscaping. Disappointing volunteer participation, even though many signed up to volunteer few have followed through. Wally Barryman will do the irrigation.

Meeting adjourned 9:00PM

Respectfully submitted

Fiona Corrigan