MMSA Meeting Minutes
November 7, 2006
Call to Order: 7:05 p.m.
The minutes from October 3, 2006 were approved.
Treasurer’s Report- A total of $4, 113 was paid for grants awarded to teachers for various student activities (see Oct. 06 minutes for expanded details of those grants). Combined checking and savings account balance of $399.25.
Old Business-
Correspondence-Thank you note from MMS music teachers for the grant which allowed purchase of the Mondo Remo drum stand.
Committee Updates-MMSA President Mary Sikand reported that 8th grade parent Laura Smith volunteered to chair the History Day committee.
Tony Wolf Presentation-Mary Sikand reported that the presentation went well.
Open Gym Night-The turn out was low, with fewer than 25 people attending.
Gift Wrap Sale-Chairperson Pam Cheney projected a profit of about $2200 for this year’s gift wrap sale, roughly a 10% increase over last year.
Other fundraising options-The membership discussed a fundraising proposal that was made earlier in the fall for selling aromatherapy products and decided not to pursue this as a general fundraiser, but perhaps as a basket item at a future school event.
New Business
Book Fair-Chairperson Natalie Minutti reported that the book fair would be held during American Education Week and that volunteers were still needed to staff the table.
Refreshment Sales for “Wizard of Oz”-Mary Sikand announced that she was still looking for volunteers to staff the refreshment table.
Administrative Report
MMS Principal Jeff Cryan delivered the following administrative report. Report cards went out the week of November 7, and American Education Week would follow the next Tues.-Friday, after the long holiday weekend, with the 8th grade holding their model congress on Thursday of that week. The book fair and the play were deliberately planned during American Education Week. Conferences were then to be held Monday and Tuesday before Thanksgiving.
The earlier personnel issue facing the bus company has been resolved. The company now has a full complement of buses, with newly hired personnel now trained and working. 80% of the buses leave MMS by 2:55.
On the town’s recent referendum ballot, townspeople approved the upgrade of the MMS heating system, which is currently using inefficient, electric heat generated by about 15 systems in the building. MMS would like to have the system coordinated and state legislation would allow the town to be reimbursed for close to 80% of the cost of the current system, which is very noisy and an obstruction to instruction.
Safety-The town’s Board of Education is reviewing safety of the schools. MMS has 22 separate entrances into the building. 19 of these will be locked at all times now. A limited number of doors will be open during the day and evening. Sean Cox, resident trooper, and other public safety officials will survey MMS and likely make more recommendations for improved security.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.