General Association Meeting Minutes for September 4, 2009

September 4th, 2009 8:30am 

Multi-Purpose Room

Quorum was established with 57 attendees.

The meeting was called to order at 8:33am by co-President Jane Dick.

Minutes of the May 2009 meeting were approved as posted/distributed. 

Principal Bill Overton thanked the PTA for its crucial role in providing class funds, organizing  activities and the foreign languages program, and for being focused on the school in a larger sense. The  money PTA provided to the school last year was utilized for the set up of a much improved sound  system. 

Principal Bill Overton discussed this year's increase in class size (K-3 going up to 22 students, 4-5 up  to 24 students), emphasizing next year's budget cut and the need to use classroom space optimally  within the district. There have been no complaints from the teachers due to the increased class size. 

Principal Bill Overton provided an outlook of the building project for the Ohlone campus. The OKC  portables will be moved to the blacktop during construction, and the new 2-story classroom building  will be near the library and the side of the farm, parallel to the 2/3 wing. It will consist of a 4/5  classroom wing with a flex room. Farm space will not be impacted. Construction shall start on the first  day of the 2010 summer break. 

Jeannette Wei will be working closely with the teachers in the Mandarin Immersion track, overseeing  that the Ohlone Philosophy is implemented in the classrooms. Principal Bill Overton emphasized the  diversity cultivated through the presence of the MI program on the campus, mentioning that it creates  opportunities for all to become more tolerant and accepting. Jeannette's work this year will be funded  by a FLAP grant. 

Suman Gupta presented last year's financial report: income was $30,000 higher than budgeted (net  income for the year was $15,000), and the cash balance at the end of the fiscal year was $70,000.  Report attached. 

2009-2010 budget was presented as posted. Suman Gupta moved to approve the budget. Motion  carried. 

Grace Li will provide an update on one-check forms at the next general meeting. 

Laura Wingard presented information about the eScrip fund-raising program. eScrip generated $8600  for Ohlone last year. 

Alexis Hamilton Green presented information on the school's new website. Ken Dias will be helping  teachers update their classroom blogs. Alexis requested feedback from everyone who notices some  needed adjustment on the website. Her email is on the website.

Jane Dick encouraged everyone to attend the upcoming CVC meeting on 09/08/2009 at 7:30pm. 

Lillian Hom requested that at least a few parents in each classroom attend the upcoming Lice Check  training on 09/11/2009 at 8:30am in the conference room. 

Jen Hetterly moved to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 9:38am. 

Jane Dick and Lillian Hom led an Events Summit, presenting information on how to organize events at  Ohlone.

updated 9/8/09  jsd