October, 2006

After introductions our first topic was a review of Pizza Night. PTSA made some money ~$550 on this community event. We did not have many leftovers and the event was well attended. Many thanks to Jim Montgomery at Papa Murphy's at NE 15th and Fremont for giving us a great deal on the pizzas. It is good to support local businesses.

Community Dance is our next event scheduled for October 27th. Brandi Grider is the Chair and is open to many ideas including the Marimba Band in the parking lot, a DJ in the auditorium and dodge ball in the gym. For fundraising it was suggested that the idea is to cover costs, as this is a community event. A 50:50 raffle for adult only was an idea.

Sandra, our school counselor, requested $400 from the child protection portion of the budget for the Kids Can Program, which promotes age appropriate child safety for the Kx3 team. The request was approved.

There was a presentation on Ballot Measure 26-48, the school funding measure on the November ballot. This ballot measure would provide 5 years of stable school funding for the Portland District. The campaign asked for funds to support the measure. The request was denied due to the budget constraints we have this year. It was noted that perhaps an Advocacy line item should be added to next year's budget.

There was discussion as to what the school could do to promote this ballot measure. The school is restricted to get out the vote type activities vs. advocating for a specific measure.

Our directory is being compiled and should be available shortly.

Ezra Sandberg-Lewis, a high school student, is coordination a fundraiser for high school graduation. This event will be a benefit concert on Wednesday, November 8th (there is no school on November 9th or 10th). There will be 3 bands in the gym and the suggested donation is $5-$10. If MLC PTSA sponsors the event, then there would be less overhead charges from the district. This concert would be open to the MLC Community but not to outsiders or the general public. The PTSA agreed to sponsor the event and handle the fundraising. High School graduation gets very little funding from the district (~$500) and has always relied on various fundraisers to make the event happen. PTSA donated $150 towards the event annually.

Frank Scotto, school principal announced that Hands on Portland was painting the cafeteria on Saturday, October 7th. Any volunteers are encouraged to come help and lunch will be provided after the event at the Rose Garden catered by Outback Steak House. Frank also followed up on the request from PTSA for a High School representative at PTSA meetings. He asked what it would entail. PTSA would like a high school representative for perspective and insight. It does not need to be the same student each month and 3 of our monthly meetings will be in the evening, which would mean no class time required for those meetings.

Buff Meretin was nominated to be PTSA treasurer. She has a background as an art educator and bookkeeper. She was elected to the position and will succeed Jennifer Alto once properly trained.

Karen Willis noted that there is a new feature on the MLC website that allows enrollees to receive automatic updates whenever the MLC website is updated. She encouraged everyone to sign up for it.

The next MLC PTSA Meeting will be held Friday evening, November 17th and will encourage community by providing activities for families during the meeting time. We look forward to having everyone there.

Respectfully Submitted,
Mary Franklin
MLC PTSA Secretary/Vice President