March General Meeting Draft Minutes
Vestal General PTA Meeting
March 11th 6:30-8:00pm
1 In Attendance
Board members present
Pres. Jake S, V.P. Renee B, Treasurer Nicole H, Volunteer Coordinator Janice L, Communications Emma K, Secretary Justin S
Community present
Mike L, Sarah N, Cosette O, Beth H*, Sabrina F, Rebecca G, Collier B, Christina M*
* Member
2 Welcome
Meeting convened at 6:35 by President Jake S.
3 Minutes
Minutes from the last General Meeting, held February 11th, were lost.
4 Principal Update
There will be an open house at Glisan Landing at 2pm on April 11th (community event).
National Teacher Appreciation Week (5-9 May)
Budget updates
We won’t have 3 4/5 blended classrooms like we had heard, we will remain with 2 classrooms of each grade now.
Library and Music went from .5 to .4 (2 days a week), we will need additional volunteers to help with library duties so Ms. Hazen can focus on time with classes.
Last year we lost 3 Educational Assistants and have only had one half time EA this year. That position has gone away.
We will have Reading Results but much less reading interventions (Jenny Finke our full time reading person has been cut).
Special Ed has remained the same (No cuts to Paras).
With EAs going away we’ve also lost our recess helpers, it would be great to get volunteers for that recess duty!
PPS walkthrough this week. Ms Sabrina’s bosses were here!
The school received high marks all around, especially for communication
PPS was pleased with the schools “Fundations” work
Should the kids get T-shirts with the new bee logo this spring or next Fall?
Some discussion, regardless we want the outgoing 5th graders this year and the incoming Kinders next year to get one. (1 for Fall, 3 for Spring)
5 Treasurer’s Report
Ms Young has used some of her stipend, the only one so far. More coming in.
Paid half of our Grow Portland bill
Moving to Zeffy & MoneyMinder
Zeffy will hopefully consolidate our Square, Stripe, CheddarUp usage with a service that doesn’t charge for non-profits. Email Jake if you have any experience with Zeffy.
6 President’s Update
Last movie night was great. Jake will send out a survey to help decide what to do with them next year.
Rock Paper Soiree
Is going along great, tons of help. https://www.vestalpta.com/rock-paper-soiree
Live music and DJ provided by Montavilla Jazz who is also sponsoring.
Cosette moves to approve $250 for decorations (Bee themed, hopefully reusable). Unanimous approval.
Likely no April community care day but instead Mr Woods class (5th) will be doing a Community Care like day of service. Funded by PCEF grant. Got a striper and potentially will get planters.
Jake will continue on as President next year.
7 Upcoming Events
March
15th - Community Care Day
31st - Flower sale starts
April
11th - Montavilla Bike Fair w/ PBOT @ Vestal
19th - Rock, Paper, Soiree
21st-25th - Volunteer Appreciation Week
May
All Month - Walk and Roll Challenge
5th-9th - Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week
7th - Walk and Roll to School
29th - Social Justice Night
TBD
Run for Reading and the Arts
8 Open Discussion
Sarah N has worked with the City about the house on the NW edge of the property. The house is being renovated so it can be rented. The City renewed the permits to expedite this process for the school. If the property is not rented in due time we will reach out to the City again.
9 Guest Speaker
Topic: 2025 Portland School Bond
Guest Speaker Tony Morse Campaign Manager for the 2025 Portland School Bond
It is a renewal - not a new tax, replaces a previous bond that has been paid off, going from 4 years to 8 years.
The money will largely go to repairs - 16 schools are over a century old (Vestal is almost there, built in 1929) Lion’s share goes to Cleveland, Ida B Wells, and Jefferson High Schools. Reach out to tony@yespdxschools.com for more info.
The PTA will take an email vote whether or not to endorse. Endorsements due by March 26th.
10 Closing
Meeting was adjourned by Jake around 8pm. We hope to see everyone at our April 8th meeting!
