South Eugene High School
Parent Council
Budget Presentation Minutes
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Thanks to Budget Committee
Cindy Wright, Treasurer of Parent Council and Chair of the Budget Committee, thanked the members of the Budget Committee - Randy Bernstein, Helen Garrett, Michelle Pellitier, Lucy Vinis , and Carol Yarbrough - for their time and efforts on the Budget Committee. Their participation and input was invaluable in compiling a Proposed Budget for 2008-2009.
Purpose of Committee
The purpose of the Budget Committee was to review and discuss the Funding Appropriations Survey, review the requests for funding from the administration for the 2008-2009 school year, and to compile a Proposed Parent Council Budget for the 2008-2009 school year.
Funding Appropriations Survey Results
A sincere “Thank you” goes to Helen Garrett, Chair of Parent Council, for her leadership and initiative in performing and tabulating the Funding Appropriations Survey. The complete survey and results can be viewed on the Parent Council website at www.parentcouncil.blogspot.com.
The results of the Current Program Allocations section of the survey showed overwhelming support from parents to continue funding Library, Music, and Volunteer Coordinator time - the three programs that Parent Council has funded for the past three to five years. Parents voted 80% to 85% to continue funding these programs.
The Budget Committee used a point system to determine the final ranking of the items in the “Surplus” Funds section of the survey. A rank of #1 was assigned 10 points, #2 was assigned 9 points, #3 was assigned 8 points, etc. The final ranking was:
#1 380 Points Fund Grant Writer
#2 348 Points Wish List from SEHS Teachers
#3 268 Points Textbook Sets for Classrooms
#4 213 Points Smart Boards for Classrooms
#5 196 Points Driver’s Education Scholarships
#6 193 Points Projector Mounting in Classrooms
#7 156 Points Practice Field Improvements
#8 148 Points Cardio & Fitness Equipment
#9 109 Points College Scholarships for Seniors
The committee recommended that the Driver’s Education and College Scholarships should not be funded at this time. There are many college scholarship opportunities in existence, and the Career Center is an excellent resource that can provide help and direction to seniors seeking scholarships. Driver’s Education scholarships are also currently available through 4J, but they are not being utilized. Until the existing scholarships are used, Parent Council should not fund this item. Parent Council may want to explore ways to educate parents and students about the availability of Driver’s Education scholarships.
In addition, the committee recommended that textbook sets for classrooms, mounting projectors in classrooms, purchasing more smart boards, improvements to the practice field, and purchasing more cardio and fitness equipment all be examined in conjunction with a teacher/department wish list. Unfortunately, the committee felt it was too late in the budget process to ask teachers for a wish list at this time. Doing so would delay finalizing a budget, and the administration needs to know what Parent Council will fund for next year.
The strong parental support for a grant writer was interpreted by the committee as a desire to find more ways to raise more funds for Parent Council to allocate to school programs.
The Additional Funding Suggestions section of the survey included a wide range of specific suggestions, but the vast, vast, vast majority of the suggestions involved more staffing - teacher staffing, counselor staffing, health center staffing, etc. This desire to fund additional staffing was also interpreted as a desire to raise more funds for Parent Council to use in supporting school programs.
Based on the results of the survey, the committee came to two major conclusions:
• Continue supporting the current programs - Library, Music, and Volunteer Coordinator
• Raise more funds so Parent Council can support more programs
Review Current Financial Situation
The first step in actually formulating a budget for next year was to review our current financial situation. This process started with a review of the 2007-2008 Parent Council Budget, as of July 1, 2007, the beginning of our fiscal year. Please see the attached copy of the budget for reference. Note that funds raised in one year are then used to budget for the following year. Parent Council raised $32,037 in 2006-2007, but was budgeted to spend $38,403 during 2007-2008. Because of the build-up of the “surplus” funds in the Mental Health Fund over the past several years, Parent Council was able to budget more in 2007-2008 than they raised in 2006-2007, and still have $7,000 in reserve funds and $24,088 in undesignated funds. Because mental health is now being funded through grants, these undesignated, or “surplus,” funds prompted the Funding Appropriations Survey.
The next step in the budget process was to estimate our remaining income and expenses for 2007-2008 in order to determine our total assets as of the end of the year. Note that estimating is done very conservatively, with income being underestimated and expenses being overestimated. The figures will change as actual income and expenses come in. At this time, it is estimated we will end the year with $56,941 in assets, which is $12,000 less than our assets at the beginning of the year.
Review Proposed Budget for 2008-2009
The Proposed Parent Council Budget for 2008-2009 was then presented and reviewed. See the attached copy of the proposed budget for reference.
The Assets section is now based on the projected fundraising income for 2007-2008, plus the carryover of funds earned in previous years. The overriding observation is that fundraising is down significantly. Specifically, income from Chinook books is $3,240 less than last year. (Note that Chinook books will not be distributed in the Eugene/Springfield area next year, so income from this source will be $-0- next year.) Income from the Directory is down $50, Registration Donations are down $1,594, Scrip revenue is projected to be down $2,127, and Interest Income is projected to be down $290. The total reduction is fundraising income for 2007-2008 is anticipated to be $7,391.
Meanwhile, the administration has asked Parent Council to fund the same School Program items as in the past several years:
$12,713 Library - 2.25 Hours/Day
$10,800 Music - 0.12 FTE
$11,300 Volunteer Coordinator - 2.0 Hours/Day
$ 1,280 4J/EEF Equity
$36,094 Total School Programs Request
In the Liabilities section of the Proposed Budget, scrip reserves have been reduced by $2,000, since the majority of scrip is now e-scrip and we do not have to purchase as much paper scrip as in the past. Several items in the Routine Budget Items section have also been reduced based on actual expenditures over the past two years. The School Programs section - for Library, Music, and Volunteer Coordinator - is increasing by $1,341. Undesignated funds are anticipated to be $13,397, which is $10,691 less than 2007-2008.
The reduced undesignated funds can be attributed to the reduced fundraising over the last two years. Because we are not raising enough funds to cover the administration’s requests for funding, we have been using undesignated funds to cover a portion of the funding. Basically, reduced fundraising means reduced undesignated funds.
The bottom-line conclusion is that Parent Council is not raising enough funds in one year to cover the funding requests for the next year. We are having to use a significant portion of undesignated funds to meet our expenses. We cannot continue to do this year after year - it is not fiscally responsible. Based on this information, the Budget Committee is recommending that we keep our anticipated undesignated funds for 2008-2009 in a Fundraising Reserve. Some of these funds could be used to explore and fund some additional fundraising ideas, as well as to meet fundraising shortfalls during the budget process next year. In essence, we have no “surplus” funds to spend at this time, and do not recommend funding any other items beyond the administration’s requests for Library, Music, and Volunteer Coordinator.
Questions & Approval of Budget
Questions about the budget were then answered, and Parent Council approved the Proposed Parent Council Budget for 2008-2009 as presented.
Fundraising Ideas
In order to maintain even our current level of support for school programs will mean increasing fundraising. The fundraising ideas that the Budget Committee discussed included:
• School Directory - Consider expanding the directory to include addresses and e-mails to make it more user friendly and useful, and raise the cost of the directory to $5.00 or $6.00 each.
• Registration Donations - Parent Council currently requests a $20 donation on the back-to-school fee form, and most people who give donations give $20. Consider increasing the requested donation to $25 or $30, and add a line on the form stating that the funds are used for Library, Music, and Volunteer Coordinator time.
• Back-to-School Mailing - Include an information sheet about Parent Council and the items funded by Parent Council in the back-to-school mailing. Also include an information sheet about scrip.
• Scrip Participation - Contact other schools with successful scrip programs and the e-scrip organization for ideas on how to increase scrip participation. Also, specifically target incoming freshman families, possibly with direct mailings and phone calls. Introduce scrip at freshman orientation in the spring, and follow up at Open House and Freshman Night in the fall. Have e-scrip sign-up helpers during Open House and Freshman Night to assist people in signing up. Send reminders to update cards and expiration dates to existing users. Consider hiring a marketing firm to design a marketing program and materials to be used by Parent Council year after year.
• Alumni Donations - Develop a plan to request donations from alumni. Conduct a test alumni donation drive using one particular alumni class, and if considered successful, expand over time to include other alumni classes.
• Grant Writing - Research the details of funding a grant writer and establishing a grant writing program.
• Development Director - Consider hiring a person experienced in strategic planning and fundraising development to design specific plans for increasing our fundraising efforts.
• Fundraising Master Calendar - Compile a master fundraising calendar for SEHS, showing who, when and what fundraising is done by the various groups at South. This could allow groups to schedule fundraising efforts when no other groups are fundraising, and allow groups to expand fundraising programs to include areas and ideas not being utilized by others.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Budget Actual 2008-2009
South Eugene High School
Parent Council
Budget - 2007-2008
______________________________________________________________________
As of July 1, 2007
Assets
Interest Income - 2006-2007 $ 1,290
Fundraising Net Income - 2006-2007
Chinook Books $ 4,500
Directory Sales 3,060
Donations 6,060
Scrip 17,127
Total Fundraising $30,747
Carryover (from previous years) $ 37,454
========
Total Assets $ 69,491
Liabilities
Reserves
Scrip Reserve Funds $ 5,000
Parent Council Reserve Funds 2,000
Total Reserves $ 7,000
Routine Budget Items
Directory $ 550
E-Mail Server 200
Graduation Party 350
Miscellaneous 300
Publicity/Advertising 550
Refreshments 100
Speakers/Meetings 500
Staff Appreciation 850
Supplies 100
Volunteer Appreciation 150
Total Budget Items $ 3,650
School Programs
Library - 2.25 Hours/Day 11,925
Music - 0.12 Hours FTE 9,978
Volunteer Coordinator - 2.0 Hours/Day 10,600
4J Equity (Library/Music/Volunteer Coordinator) 2,250
Total School Programs $34,753
Undesignated Funds $24,088
========
Total Liabilities $ 69,491
Parent Council
Budget - 2007-2008
______________________________________________________________________
As of July 1, 2007
Assets
Interest Income - 2006-2007 $ 1,290
Fundraising Net Income - 2006-2007
Chinook Books $ 4,500
Directory Sales 3,060
Donations 6,060
Scrip 17,127
Total Fundraising $30,747
Carryover (from previous years) $ 37,454
========
Total Assets $ 69,491
Liabilities
Reserves
Scrip Reserve Funds $ 5,000
Parent Council Reserve Funds 2,000
Total Reserves $ 7,000
Routine Budget Items
Directory $ 550
E-Mail Server 200
Graduation Party 350
Miscellaneous 300
Publicity/Advertising 550
Refreshments 100
Speakers/Meetings 500
Staff Appreciation 850
Supplies 100
Volunteer Appreciation 150
Total Budget Items $ 3,650
School Programs
Library - 2.25 Hours/Day 11,925
Music - 0.12 Hours FTE 9,978
Volunteer Coordinator - 2.0 Hours/Day 10,600
4J Equity (Library/Music/Volunteer Coordinator) 2,250
Total School Programs $34,753
Undesignated Funds $24,088
========
Total Liabilities $ 69,491
Proposed Budget for 2008-2009
South Eugene High School
Parent Council
Proposed Budget - 2008-2009
______________________________________________________________________
As of March 1, 2008
Assets
Interest Income - 2007-2008 $ 1,000
Fundraising - 2007-2008
Chinook Books $ 1,260
Directory Sales 3,010
Donations 4,466
Scrip 15,000
Total Fundraising $ 23,736
Carryover from 2007-2008 $ 32,205
=========
Total Assets $ 56,941
Liabilities
Reserves
Scrip Reserve Funds $ 3,000
Parent Council Reserve Funds 2,000
Total Reserves $ 5,000
Routine Budget Items
Directory $ 250
E-Mail Server 150
Graduation Party 350
Miscellaneous 150
Publicity/Advertising 250
Refreshments 0
Speakers/Meetings 250
Staff Appreciation 850
Supplies 100
Volunteer Appreciation 100
Total Budget Items $ 2,450
School Programs
Library - 2.25 Hours/Day $ 12,713
Music - 0.12 Hours FTE 10,800
Volunteer Coordinator - 2.0 Hours/Day 11,300
4J/EEF Equity 1,281
Total School Programs $ 36,094
Fundraising Reserve $ 13,397
=========
Total Liabilities $ 56,941
Parent Council
Proposed Budget - 2008-2009
______________________________________________________________________
As of March 1, 2008
Assets
Interest Income - 2007-2008 $ 1,000
Fundraising - 2007-2008
Chinook Books $ 1,260
Directory Sales 3,010
Donations 4,466
Scrip 15,000
Total Fundraising $ 23,736
Carryover from 2007-2008 $ 32,205
=========
Total Assets $ 56,941
Liabilities
Reserves
Scrip Reserve Funds $ 3,000
Parent Council Reserve Funds 2,000
Total Reserves $ 5,000
Routine Budget Items
Directory $ 250
E-Mail Server 150
Graduation Party 350
Miscellaneous 150
Publicity/Advertising 250
Refreshments 0
Speakers/Meetings 250
Staff Appreciation 850
Supplies 100
Volunteer Appreciation 100
Total Budget Items $ 2,450
School Programs
Library - 2.25 Hours/Day $ 12,713
Music - 0.12 Hours FTE 10,800
Volunteer Coordinator - 2.0 Hours/Day 11,300
4J/EEF Equity 1,281
Total School Programs $ 36,094
Fundraising Reserve $ 13,397
=========
Total Liabilities $ 56,941
Budget Committee Meeting Minutes 2.28.08
SOUTH EUGENE HIGH SCHOOL
PARENT COUNCIL
BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING
Thursday, February 21, 2008
MINUTES
Note: Please be advised that figures listed in these minutes are as of the specific meeting date and may have changed since the meeting date.
1. Welcome & Introductions
In Attendance: Randy Bernstein, SEHS Principal; Helen Garrett, Chair of Parent
Council; Michelle Pellitier, Parent; Lucy Vinis, Scrip Committee Chair;
Carol Yarbrough, Parent; and Cindy Wright, Treasurer of Parent
Council and Budget Committee Chair.
Cindy Wright welcomed committee members and thanked them for volunteering to serve on the Budget Committee.
2. Purpose of Committee
The purpose of the Budget Committee is to review and discuss the details of the Funding
Appropriations Survey and requests for funding for the 2008-2009 school year, and to compile a Proposed Parent Council Budget for the 2008-2009 school year to present at a regular Parent Council meeting for approval by the Parent Council as a whole.
3. Review of 2007-2008 Budget
The committee reviewed the Parent Council Budget for the current 2007-2008 school year. As of July 1, 2007, Parent Council had $69,491 in assets. Of that amount, $7,000 was kept in reserves, specifically $5,000 in the scrip account and $2,000 in the Parent Council account. Another $3,650 was designated for routine expenditures, such as directory printing, the e- news e-mail server, staff appreciation, supplies, speakers/meetings, etc. An additional $34,753 was designated for School Programs, specifically $11,925 for 2.25 hours per day of Library time, $9,978 for 0.12 FTE for Music, $10,600 for 2.0 hours per day for the Volunteer Coordinator, and $2,250 for 4J Equity (a “surcharge” on donated amounts over $10,000). The remaining $24,088 was categorized as Undesignated Funds. See the attached copy of the 2007-2008 Budget for details.
It is important to remember that the funds Parent Council raises in one year are then used to fund programs for the following year. For example, funds raised during the 2006-2007 school year were used to budget for the 2007-2008 school year.
The committee reviewed historical data for Parent Council finances for the last two years. In the 2006-2007 school year, income was $32,290 and expenditures totaled $28,095, leaving a net income of $4,195.
In reviewing the current 2007-2008 finances, the overriding observation is that fundraising is down significantly. Specifically, Chinook Books revenue is down $3,240 (next year, Chinook Books will raise $-0- since a Eugene book is not being compiled), Directory revenue is down $303.00, Registration Donations are down $1,618, scrip revenue is projected to be down $2,217, and interest revenue is projected to be lower by $290, a total reduction in fundraising of $7,668. Meanwhile, total expenditures are projected to increase by $9,191.
Overall, for the 2007-2008 school year, total revenue is projected to be $24,712 with projected expenditures totaling $37,286, leaving a net loss of $12,574 for the 2007-2008 school year. Cindy Wright pointed out that in projecting final 2007-2008 figures, revenues are estimated conservatively and expenditures are estimated liberally. Hopefully, the final net loss will not be as large as estimated, but a net loss is definitely anticipated.
4. Administration Requests for 2008-2009
Randy Bernstein submitted the administration’s requests for funding for the 2008-2009 school year. The requests are for the same items as this year, specifically:
$12,713 Library - 2.25 hours/day
$10,800 Music - 0.12 FTE
$11,300 Volunteer Coordinator - 2.0 hours/day
$ 1,281 4J/EEF Equity
$36,094 Total
The 2.25 hours per day of Library time allows the Library to be open ½ hour before school and ½ hour after school, as well as throughout the lunch period. Without Parent Council funds, the Library would not be open before or after school, and would have to be closed for a portion of each school day as well.
The 0.12 FTE of Music covers 60% of one section of Music. Parent Council started funding this item several years ago when the number of Music sections resulted in two music teachers needing to be paid for over 1.0 FTE, which is not allowed due to contractual obligations. In order to maintain the Music sections, Parent Council provided the funds to hire another teacher to cover the time over 1.0 FTE. Without Parent Council funding, current Music sections would have to be cut back, resulting in some students not being able to take the Music courses they desire.
The 2.0 hours per day for the Volunteer Coordinator allows the essential coordination of the many volunteer efforts throughout South. The Volunteer Coordinator is responsible for organizing all the parent and community volunteers at South. Volunteer efforts include the Career Center, the Library, tutors, sports registration, selling tickets and concessions at sports events, answering phones and assisting with mailings, chaperoning dances and other events, serving on senior project panels, etc., etc. Without these volunteer efforts, many programs at South would suffer. And without the Volunteer Coordinator, many of these volunteer opportunities would not take place.
Parent Council has supported these three School Programs for the last three to five years. This support has become an integral part of continuing South’s comprehensive programs.
Randy Bernstein pointed out that due to declining enrollment across the district, South was projected to lose approximately 100 students for the 2008-2009 school year. The impact of this enrollment decline will be spread out over two years. Next year, 2008-2009, it will translate to a loss of about two full-time licensed positions. The following year, 2009-2010, will probably be an even greater loss when the full effect of the 2008-2009 reduction takes place, plus the effect of any additional enrollment losses for the 2009-2010 year. As a result of this declining enrollment scenario, Parent Council funding support becomes even more important to maintaining current programs.
Cindy Wright then presented a tentative Proposed Budget for 2008-2009, assuming that Randy’s requests were approved. Assets as of July 1, 2008, the beginning of Parent Council’s fiscal year, are estimated to be $56,917. Reserves of $7,000 would be set aside, routine expenditures would be budgeted to be $2,450, and School Programs (Library, Music, Volunteer Coordinator, Equity) would total $36,094, leaving $11,373 in Undesignated Funds. This Undesignated Funds figure is significantly less than the $24,088 in Undesignated Funds at the beginning of the current fiscal year. The decrease in the Undesignated Funds figure can be attributed to the decreased fundraising and increased expenses for the 2007-2008 school year.
5. Review & Discussion of Funding Appropriations Survey Results
A lengthy discussion regarding the results of the Funding Appropriations Survey took place. Some highlights from that discussion include:
Response Rate: The survey was advertised in the E-News, and 88 people requested it. A total of 55 surveys were returned for a response rate of 62.5%. While this is an excellent response rate, we must recognize that this represents a very small fraction of the total number of students and families currently at South. Although it is very helpful to have the information provided by the survey, and the Budget Committee wants to recognize Helen Garrett’s leadership and initiative in performing the survey.
Current Program Allocations: Survey results overwhelmingly show continued support for funding the three items that Parent Council has funded the past several years, specifically Library time, Music time, and the Volunteer Coordinator. Based on the survey results and the previous discussion about these items, the committee approved the inclusion of these three items, at the rates requested by the administration, in the final proposed budget for 2008-2009.
Surplus Funds Allocation: Based on a point system, the ideas for allocating Parent Council’s “surplus” funds were ranked in order from #1 to #9:
#1 380 Points Grant Writer Funding
#2 348 Points Wish List from SEHS Teachers
#3 268 Points Textbook Sets for Classrooms
#4 213 Points Smart Boards for Classrooms
#5 196 Points Driver’s Education Scholarships
#6 193 Points Projector Mounting in Classrooms
#7 156 Points Practice Field Improvements
#8 148 Points Cardio & Fitness Equipment
#9 109 Points College Scholarships for Seniors
The committee agreed that #5 and #9 - Driver’s Education and College Scholarships - would not be funded at this time, due to the availability of these items through other avenues. The Career Center currently provides help and direction to seniors seeking scholarships. Parent Council may want to explore ways to educate parents and students about the availability of Driver’s Education scholarships, which are hardly utilized at this time.
The committee felt that textbook sets for classrooms, mounting projectors in classrooms, and purchasing more smart boards should be examined in conjunction with the teacher wish list. In asking teachers for wish list items, these items could be included as suggestions proposed by Parent Council. Improvements to the practice field and purchasing more cardio and fitness equipment could also be examined in light of a wish list from the Athletic Department.
Which leaves the top two items - funding a grant writer and asking teachers for a wish list. The committee felt that it was rather late in the budget process to ask teachers for a wish list, and interpreted the support for a grant writer as a desire to find more ways to raise more funds for Parent Council.
The committee then examined the Additional Funding Suggestions. There was a definite theme to the vast majority of the suggestions - staffing. Parents overwhelmingly support funding more staffing. Unfortunately, Parent Council’s current fundraising efforts cannot support additional staffing at this time. Other suggestions included several athletic-related ideas and ways to try to increase fundraising, as well as one regarding changing to full-spectrum lighting and one asking for healthier food choices in the cafeteria.
Survey Conclusion: Based on the results of the survey, the committee felt the bottom-line message from parents was to continue supporting the current programs we support, and to find ways to raise more funds to be able to support the current staff and to hopefully increase overall staffing.
A discussion then followed regarding ideas to increase fundraising. Randy Bernstein suggested tapping into our alumni base to ask donations. Obtaining ideas to increase scrip participation from other successful schools was another idea, as well as hiring a marketing firm to develop a scrip marketing plan that could be used year after year. Funding a grant writer could also have the potential to bring substantial funds South’s way. Lucy Vinis would like to see a master list compiled of all of South’s fundraising efforts - from the direct donation drive to scrip to individual club/sports fundraising - to allow for some possible coordination among the fundraising efforts. All of these ideas will take time and effort to develop further.
6. Next Meeting: Thursday, February 28, 2008, 7:00 p.m., SEHS Library
The next meeting of the Budget Committee will take place on Thursday, February 28, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the SEHS Library. Randy Bernstein and Helen Garrett announced they would not be able to attend due to prior commitments.
PARENT COUNCIL
BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING
Thursday, February 21, 2008
MINUTES
Note: Please be advised that figures listed in these minutes are as of the specific meeting date and may have changed since the meeting date.
1. Welcome & Introductions
In Attendance: Randy Bernstein, SEHS Principal; Helen Garrett, Chair of Parent
Council; Michelle Pellitier, Parent; Lucy Vinis, Scrip Committee Chair;
Carol Yarbrough, Parent; and Cindy Wright, Treasurer of Parent
Council and Budget Committee Chair.
Cindy Wright welcomed committee members and thanked them for volunteering to serve on the Budget Committee.
2. Purpose of Committee
The purpose of the Budget Committee is to review and discuss the details of the Funding
Appropriations Survey and requests for funding for the 2008-2009 school year, and to compile a Proposed Parent Council Budget for the 2008-2009 school year to present at a regular Parent Council meeting for approval by the Parent Council as a whole.
3. Review of 2007-2008 Budget
The committee reviewed the Parent Council Budget for the current 2007-2008 school year. As of July 1, 2007, Parent Council had $69,491 in assets. Of that amount, $7,000 was kept in reserves, specifically $5,000 in the scrip account and $2,000 in the Parent Council account. Another $3,650 was designated for routine expenditures, such as directory printing, the e- news e-mail server, staff appreciation, supplies, speakers/meetings, etc. An additional $34,753 was designated for School Programs, specifically $11,925 for 2.25 hours per day of Library time, $9,978 for 0.12 FTE for Music, $10,600 for 2.0 hours per day for the Volunteer Coordinator, and $2,250 for 4J Equity (a “surcharge” on donated amounts over $10,000). The remaining $24,088 was categorized as Undesignated Funds. See the attached copy of the 2007-2008 Budget for details.
It is important to remember that the funds Parent Council raises in one year are then used to fund programs for the following year. For example, funds raised during the 2006-2007 school year were used to budget for the 2007-2008 school year.
The committee reviewed historical data for Parent Council finances for the last two years. In the 2006-2007 school year, income was $32,290 and expenditures totaled $28,095, leaving a net income of $4,195.
In reviewing the current 2007-2008 finances, the overriding observation is that fundraising is down significantly. Specifically, Chinook Books revenue is down $3,240 (next year, Chinook Books will raise $-0- since a Eugene book is not being compiled), Directory revenue is down $303.00, Registration Donations are down $1,618, scrip revenue is projected to be down $2,217, and interest revenue is projected to be lower by $290, a total reduction in fundraising of $7,668. Meanwhile, total expenditures are projected to increase by $9,191.
Overall, for the 2007-2008 school year, total revenue is projected to be $24,712 with projected expenditures totaling $37,286, leaving a net loss of $12,574 for the 2007-2008 school year. Cindy Wright pointed out that in projecting final 2007-2008 figures, revenues are estimated conservatively and expenditures are estimated liberally. Hopefully, the final net loss will not be as large as estimated, but a net loss is definitely anticipated.
4. Administration Requests for 2008-2009
Randy Bernstein submitted the administration’s requests for funding for the 2008-2009 school year. The requests are for the same items as this year, specifically:
$12,713 Library - 2.25 hours/day
$10,800 Music - 0.12 FTE
$11,300 Volunteer Coordinator - 2.0 hours/day
$ 1,281 4J/EEF Equity
$36,094 Total
The 2.25 hours per day of Library time allows the Library to be open ½ hour before school and ½ hour after school, as well as throughout the lunch period. Without Parent Council funds, the Library would not be open before or after school, and would have to be closed for a portion of each school day as well.
The 0.12 FTE of Music covers 60% of one section of Music. Parent Council started funding this item several years ago when the number of Music sections resulted in two music teachers needing to be paid for over 1.0 FTE, which is not allowed due to contractual obligations. In order to maintain the Music sections, Parent Council provided the funds to hire another teacher to cover the time over 1.0 FTE. Without Parent Council funding, current Music sections would have to be cut back, resulting in some students not being able to take the Music courses they desire.
The 2.0 hours per day for the Volunteer Coordinator allows the essential coordination of the many volunteer efforts throughout South. The Volunteer Coordinator is responsible for organizing all the parent and community volunteers at South. Volunteer efforts include the Career Center, the Library, tutors, sports registration, selling tickets and concessions at sports events, answering phones and assisting with mailings, chaperoning dances and other events, serving on senior project panels, etc., etc. Without these volunteer efforts, many programs at South would suffer. And without the Volunteer Coordinator, many of these volunteer opportunities would not take place.
Parent Council has supported these three School Programs for the last three to five years. This support has become an integral part of continuing South’s comprehensive programs.
Randy Bernstein pointed out that due to declining enrollment across the district, South was projected to lose approximately 100 students for the 2008-2009 school year. The impact of this enrollment decline will be spread out over two years. Next year, 2008-2009, it will translate to a loss of about two full-time licensed positions. The following year, 2009-2010, will probably be an even greater loss when the full effect of the 2008-2009 reduction takes place, plus the effect of any additional enrollment losses for the 2009-2010 year. As a result of this declining enrollment scenario, Parent Council funding support becomes even more important to maintaining current programs.
Cindy Wright then presented a tentative Proposed Budget for 2008-2009, assuming that Randy’s requests were approved. Assets as of July 1, 2008, the beginning of Parent Council’s fiscal year, are estimated to be $56,917. Reserves of $7,000 would be set aside, routine expenditures would be budgeted to be $2,450, and School Programs (Library, Music, Volunteer Coordinator, Equity) would total $36,094, leaving $11,373 in Undesignated Funds. This Undesignated Funds figure is significantly less than the $24,088 in Undesignated Funds at the beginning of the current fiscal year. The decrease in the Undesignated Funds figure can be attributed to the decreased fundraising and increased expenses for the 2007-2008 school year.
5. Review & Discussion of Funding Appropriations Survey Results
A lengthy discussion regarding the results of the Funding Appropriations Survey took place. Some highlights from that discussion include:
Response Rate: The survey was advertised in the E-News, and 88 people requested it. A total of 55 surveys were returned for a response rate of 62.5%. While this is an excellent response rate, we must recognize that this represents a very small fraction of the total number of students and families currently at South. Although it is very helpful to have the information provided by the survey, and the Budget Committee wants to recognize Helen Garrett’s leadership and initiative in performing the survey.
Current Program Allocations: Survey results overwhelmingly show continued support for funding the three items that Parent Council has funded the past several years, specifically Library time, Music time, and the Volunteer Coordinator. Based on the survey results and the previous discussion about these items, the committee approved the inclusion of these three items, at the rates requested by the administration, in the final proposed budget for 2008-2009.
Surplus Funds Allocation: Based on a point system, the ideas for allocating Parent Council’s “surplus” funds were ranked in order from #1 to #9:
#1 380 Points Grant Writer Funding
#2 348 Points Wish List from SEHS Teachers
#3 268 Points Textbook Sets for Classrooms
#4 213 Points Smart Boards for Classrooms
#5 196 Points Driver’s Education Scholarships
#6 193 Points Projector Mounting in Classrooms
#7 156 Points Practice Field Improvements
#8 148 Points Cardio & Fitness Equipment
#9 109 Points College Scholarships for Seniors
The committee agreed that #5 and #9 - Driver’s Education and College Scholarships - would not be funded at this time, due to the availability of these items through other avenues. The Career Center currently provides help and direction to seniors seeking scholarships. Parent Council may want to explore ways to educate parents and students about the availability of Driver’s Education scholarships, which are hardly utilized at this time.
The committee felt that textbook sets for classrooms, mounting projectors in classrooms, and purchasing more smart boards should be examined in conjunction with the teacher wish list. In asking teachers for wish list items, these items could be included as suggestions proposed by Parent Council. Improvements to the practice field and purchasing more cardio and fitness equipment could also be examined in light of a wish list from the Athletic Department.
Which leaves the top two items - funding a grant writer and asking teachers for a wish list. The committee felt that it was rather late in the budget process to ask teachers for a wish list, and interpreted the support for a grant writer as a desire to find more ways to raise more funds for Parent Council.
The committee then examined the Additional Funding Suggestions. There was a definite theme to the vast majority of the suggestions - staffing. Parents overwhelmingly support funding more staffing. Unfortunately, Parent Council’s current fundraising efforts cannot support additional staffing at this time. Other suggestions included several athletic-related ideas and ways to try to increase fundraising, as well as one regarding changing to full-spectrum lighting and one asking for healthier food choices in the cafeteria.
Survey Conclusion: Based on the results of the survey, the committee felt the bottom-line message from parents was to continue supporting the current programs we support, and to find ways to raise more funds to be able to support the current staff and to hopefully increase overall staffing.
A discussion then followed regarding ideas to increase fundraising. Randy Bernstein suggested tapping into our alumni base to ask donations. Obtaining ideas to increase scrip participation from other successful schools was another idea, as well as hiring a marketing firm to develop a scrip marketing plan that could be used year after year. Funding a grant writer could also have the potential to bring substantial funds South’s way. Lucy Vinis would like to see a master list compiled of all of South’s fundraising efforts - from the direct donation drive to scrip to individual club/sports fundraising - to allow for some possible coordination among the fundraising efforts. All of these ideas will take time and effort to develop further.
6. Next Meeting: Thursday, February 28, 2008, 7:00 p.m., SEHS Library
The next meeting of the Budget Committee will take place on Thursday, February 28, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the SEHS Library. Randy Bernstein and Helen Garrett announced they would not be able to attend due to prior commitments.
Budget Committee Meeting Minutes 2.21.08
SOUTH EUGENE HIGH SCHOOL
PARENT COUNCIL
BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING
Thursday, February 21, 2008
MINUTES
Note: Please be advised that figures listed in these minutes are as of the specific meeting date and may have changed since the meeting date.
1. Welcome & Introductions
In Attendance: Randy Bernstein, SEHS Principal; Helen Garrett, Chair of Parent
Council; Michelle Pellitier, Parent; Lucy Vinis, Scrip Committee Chair;
Carol Yarbrough, Parent; and Cindy Wright, Treasurer of Parent
Council and Budget Committee Chair.
Cindy Wright welcomed committee members and thanked them for volunteering to serve on the Budget Committee.
2. Purpose of Committee
The purpose of the Budget Committee is to review and discuss the details of the Funding
Appropriations Survey and requests for funding for the 2008-2009 school year, and to compile a Proposed Parent Council Budget for the 2008-2009 school year to present at a regular Parent Council meeting for approval by the Parent Council as a whole.
3. Review of 2007-2008 Budget
The committee reviewed the Parent Council Budget for the current 2007-2008 school year. As of July 1, 2007, Parent Council had $69,491 in assets. Of that amount, $7,000 was kept in reserves, specifically $5,000 in the scrip account and $2,000 in the Parent Council account. Another $3,650 was designated for routine expenditures, such as directory printing, the e- news e-mail server, staff appreciation, supplies, speakers/meetings, etc. An additional $34,753 was designated for School Programs, specifically $11,925 for 2.25 hours per day of Library time, $9,978 for 0.12 FTE for Music, $10,600 for 2.0 hours per day for the Volunteer Coordinator, and $2,250 for 4J Equity (a “surcharge” on donated amounts over $10,000). The remaining $24,088 was categorized as Undesignated Funds. See the attached copy of the 2007-2008 Budget for details.
It is important to remember that the funds Parent Council raises in one year are then used to fund programs for the following year. For example, funds raised during the 2006-2007 school year were used to budget for the 2007-2008 school year.
The committee reviewed historical data for Parent Council finances for the last two years. In the 2006-2007 school year, income was $32,290 and expenditures totaled $28,095, leaving a net income of $4,195.
In reviewing the current 2007-2008 finances, the overriding observation is that fundraising is down significantly. Specifically, Chinook Books revenue is down $3,240 (next year, Chinook Books will raise $-0- since a Eugene book is not being compiled), Directory revenue is down $303.00, Registration Donations are down $1,618, scrip revenue is projected to be down $2,217, and interest revenue is projected to be lower by $290, a total reduction in fundraising of $7,668. Meanwhile, total expenditures are projected to increase by $9,191.
Overall, for the 2007-2008 school year, total revenue is projected to be $24,712 with projected expenditures totaling $37,286, leaving a net loss of $12,574 for the 2007-2008 school year. Cindy Wright pointed out that in projecting final 2007-2008 figures, revenues are estimated conservatively and expenditures are estimated liberally. Hopefully, the final net loss will not be as large as estimated, but a net loss is definitely anticipated.
4. Administration Requests for 2008-2009
Randy Bernstein submitted the administration’s requests for funding for the 2008-2009 school year. The requests are for the same items as this year, specifically:
$12,713 Library - 2.25 hours/day
$10,800 Music - 0.12 FTE
$11,300 Volunteer Coordinator - 2.0 hours/day
$ 1,281 4J/EEF Equity
$36,094 Total
The 2.25 hours per day of Library time allows the Library to be open ½ hour before school and ½ hour after school, as well as throughout the lunch period. Without Parent Council funds, the Library would not be open before or after school, and would have to be closed for a portion of each school day as well.
The 0.12 FTE of Music covers 60% of one section of Music. Parent Council started funding this item several years ago when the number of Music sections resulted in two music teachers needing to be paid for over 1.0 FTE, which is not allowed due to contractual obligations. In order to maintain the Music sections, Parent Council provided the funds to hire another teacher to cover the time over 1.0 FTE. Without Parent Council funding, current Music sections would have to be cut back, resulting in some students not being able to take the Music courses they desire.
The 2.0 hours per day for the Volunteer Coordinator allows the essential coordination of the many volunteer efforts throughout South. The Volunteer Coordinator is responsible for organizing all the parent and community volunteers at South. Volunteer efforts include the Career Center, the Library, tutors, sports registration, selling tickets and concessions at sports events, answering phones and assisting with mailings, chaperoning dances and other events, serving on senior project panels, etc., etc. Without these volunteer efforts, many programs at South would suffer. And without the Volunteer Coordinator, many of these volunteer opportunities would not take place.
Parent Council has supported these three School Programs for the last three to five years. This support has become an integral part of continuing South’s comprehensive programs.
Randy Bernstein pointed out that due to declining enrollment across the district, South was projected to lose approximately 100 students for the 2008-2009 school year. The impact of this enrollment decline will be spread out over two years. Next year, 2008-2009, it will translate to a loss of about two full-time licensed positions. The following year, 2009-2010, will probably be an even greater loss when the full effect of the 2008-2009 reduction takes place, plus the effect of any additional enrollment losses for the 2009-2010 year. As a result of this declining enrollment scenario, Parent Council funding support becomes even more important to maintaining current programs.
Cindy Wright then presented a tentative Proposed Budget for 2008-2009, assuming that Randy’s requests were approved. Assets as of July 1, 2008, the beginning of Parent Council’s fiscal year, are estimated to be $56,917. Reserves of $7,000 would be set aside, routine expenditures would be budgeted to be $2,450, and School Programs (Library, Music, Volunteer Coordinator, Equity) would total $36,094, leaving $11,373 in Undesignated Funds. This Undesignated Funds figure is significantly less than the $24,088 in Undesignated Funds at the beginning of the current fiscal year. The decrease in the Undesignated Funds figure can be attributed to the decreased fundraising and increased expenses for the 2007-2008 school year.
5. Review & Discussion of Funding Appropriations Survey Results
A lengthy discussion regarding the results of the Funding Appropriations Survey took place. Some highlights from that discussion include:
Response Rate: The survey was advertised in the E-News, and 88 people requested it. A total of 55 surveys were returned for a response rate of 62.5%. While this is an excellent response rate, we must recognize that this represents a very small fraction of the total number of students and families currently at South. Although it is very helpful to have the information provided by the survey, and the Budget Committee wants to recognize Helen Garrett’s leadership and initiative in performing the survey.
Current Program Allocations: Survey results overwhelmingly show continued support for funding the three items that Parent Council has funded the past several years, specifically Library time, Music time, and the Volunteer Coordinator. Based on the survey results and the previous discussion about these items, the committee approved the inclusion of these three items, at the rates requested by the administration, in the final proposed budget for 2008-2009.
Surplus Funds Allocation: Based on a point system, the ideas for allocating Parent Council’s “surplus” funds were ranked in order from #1 to #9:
#1 380 Points Grant Writer Funding
#2 348 Points Wish List from SEHS Teachers
#3 268 Points Textbook Sets for Classrooms
#4 213 Points Smart Boards for Classrooms
#5 196 Points Driver’s Education Scholarships
#6 193 Points Projector Mounting in Classrooms
#7 156 Points Practice Field Improvements
#8 148 Points Cardio & Fitness Equipment
#9 109 Points College Scholarships for Seniors
The committee agreed that #5 and #9 - Driver’s Education and College Scholarships - would not be funded at this time, due to the availability of these items through other avenues. The Career Center currently provides help and direction to seniors seeking scholarships. Parent Council may want to explore ways to educate parents and students about the availability of Driver’s Education scholarships, which are hardly utilized at this time.
The committee felt that textbook sets for classrooms, mounting projectors in classrooms, and purchasing more smart boards should be examined in conjunction with the teacher wish list. In asking teachers for wish list items, these items could be included as suggestions proposed by Parent Council. Improvements to the practice field and purchasing more cardio and fitness equipment could also be examined in light of a wish list from the Athletic Department.
Which leaves the top two items - funding a grant writer and asking teachers for a wish list. The committee felt that it was rather late in the budget process to ask teachers for a wish list, and interpreted the support for a grant writer as a desire to find more ways to raise more funds for Parent Council.
The committee then examined the Additional Funding Suggestions. There was a definite theme to the vast majority of the suggestions - staffing. Parents overwhelmingly support funding more staffing. Unfortunately, Parent Council’s current fundraising efforts cannot support additional staffing at this time. Other suggestions included several athletic-related ideas and ways to try to increase fundraising, as well as one regarding changing to full-spectrum lighting and one asking for healthier food choices in the cafeteria.
Survey Conclusion: Based on the results of the survey, the committee felt the bottom-line message from parents was to continue supporting the current programs we support, and to find ways to raise more funds to be able to support the current staff and to hopefully increase overall staffing.
A discussion then followed regarding ideas to increase fundraising. Randy Bernstein suggested tapping into our alumni base to ask donations. Obtaining ideas to increase scrip participation from other successful schools was another idea, as well as hiring a marketing firm to develop a scrip marketing plan that could be used year after year. Funding a grant writer could also have the potential to bring substantial funds South’s way. Lucy Vinis would like to see a master list compiled of all of South’s fundraising efforts - from the direct donation drive to scrip to individual club/sports fundraising - to allow for some possible coordination among the fundraising efforts. All of these ideas will take time and effort to develop further.
6. Next Meeting: Thursday, February 28, 2008, 7:00 p.m., SEHS Library
The next meeting of the Budget Committee will take place on Thursday, February 28, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the SEHS Library. Randy Bernstein and Helen Garrett announced they would not be able to attend due to prior commitments.
PARENT COUNCIL
BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING
Thursday, February 21, 2008
MINUTES
Note: Please be advised that figures listed in these minutes are as of the specific meeting date and may have changed since the meeting date.
1. Welcome & Introductions
In Attendance: Randy Bernstein, SEHS Principal; Helen Garrett, Chair of Parent
Council; Michelle Pellitier, Parent; Lucy Vinis, Scrip Committee Chair;
Carol Yarbrough, Parent; and Cindy Wright, Treasurer of Parent
Council and Budget Committee Chair.
Cindy Wright welcomed committee members and thanked them for volunteering to serve on the Budget Committee.
2. Purpose of Committee
The purpose of the Budget Committee is to review and discuss the details of the Funding
Appropriations Survey and requests for funding for the 2008-2009 school year, and to compile a Proposed Parent Council Budget for the 2008-2009 school year to present at a regular Parent Council meeting for approval by the Parent Council as a whole.
3. Review of 2007-2008 Budget
The committee reviewed the Parent Council Budget for the current 2007-2008 school year. As of July 1, 2007, Parent Council had $69,491 in assets. Of that amount, $7,000 was kept in reserves, specifically $5,000 in the scrip account and $2,000 in the Parent Council account. Another $3,650 was designated for routine expenditures, such as directory printing, the e- news e-mail server, staff appreciation, supplies, speakers/meetings, etc. An additional $34,753 was designated for School Programs, specifically $11,925 for 2.25 hours per day of Library time, $9,978 for 0.12 FTE for Music, $10,600 for 2.0 hours per day for the Volunteer Coordinator, and $2,250 for 4J Equity (a “surcharge” on donated amounts over $10,000). The remaining $24,088 was categorized as Undesignated Funds. See the attached copy of the 2007-2008 Budget for details.
It is important to remember that the funds Parent Council raises in one year are then used to fund programs for the following year. For example, funds raised during the 2006-2007 school year were used to budget for the 2007-2008 school year.
The committee reviewed historical data for Parent Council finances for the last two years. In the 2006-2007 school year, income was $32,290 and expenditures totaled $28,095, leaving a net income of $4,195.
In reviewing the current 2007-2008 finances, the overriding observation is that fundraising is down significantly. Specifically, Chinook Books revenue is down $3,240 (next year, Chinook Books will raise $-0- since a Eugene book is not being compiled), Directory revenue is down $303.00, Registration Donations are down $1,618, scrip revenue is projected to be down $2,217, and interest revenue is projected to be lower by $290, a total reduction in fundraising of $7,668. Meanwhile, total expenditures are projected to increase by $9,191.
Overall, for the 2007-2008 school year, total revenue is projected to be $24,712 with projected expenditures totaling $37,286, leaving a net loss of $12,574 for the 2007-2008 school year. Cindy Wright pointed out that in projecting final 2007-2008 figures, revenues are estimated conservatively and expenditures are estimated liberally. Hopefully, the final net loss will not be as large as estimated, but a net loss is definitely anticipated.
4. Administration Requests for 2008-2009
Randy Bernstein submitted the administration’s requests for funding for the 2008-2009 school year. The requests are for the same items as this year, specifically:
$12,713 Library - 2.25 hours/day
$10,800 Music - 0.12 FTE
$11,300 Volunteer Coordinator - 2.0 hours/day
$ 1,281 4J/EEF Equity
$36,094 Total
The 2.25 hours per day of Library time allows the Library to be open ½ hour before school and ½ hour after school, as well as throughout the lunch period. Without Parent Council funds, the Library would not be open before or after school, and would have to be closed for a portion of each school day as well.
The 0.12 FTE of Music covers 60% of one section of Music. Parent Council started funding this item several years ago when the number of Music sections resulted in two music teachers needing to be paid for over 1.0 FTE, which is not allowed due to contractual obligations. In order to maintain the Music sections, Parent Council provided the funds to hire another teacher to cover the time over 1.0 FTE. Without Parent Council funding, current Music sections would have to be cut back, resulting in some students not being able to take the Music courses they desire.
The 2.0 hours per day for the Volunteer Coordinator allows the essential coordination of the many volunteer efforts throughout South. The Volunteer Coordinator is responsible for organizing all the parent and community volunteers at South. Volunteer efforts include the Career Center, the Library, tutors, sports registration, selling tickets and concessions at sports events, answering phones and assisting with mailings, chaperoning dances and other events, serving on senior project panels, etc., etc. Without these volunteer efforts, many programs at South would suffer. And without the Volunteer Coordinator, many of these volunteer opportunities would not take place.
Parent Council has supported these three School Programs for the last three to five years. This support has become an integral part of continuing South’s comprehensive programs.
Randy Bernstein pointed out that due to declining enrollment across the district, South was projected to lose approximately 100 students for the 2008-2009 school year. The impact of this enrollment decline will be spread out over two years. Next year, 2008-2009, it will translate to a loss of about two full-time licensed positions. The following year, 2009-2010, will probably be an even greater loss when the full effect of the 2008-2009 reduction takes place, plus the effect of any additional enrollment losses for the 2009-2010 year. As a result of this declining enrollment scenario, Parent Council funding support becomes even more important to maintaining current programs.
Cindy Wright then presented a tentative Proposed Budget for 2008-2009, assuming that Randy’s requests were approved. Assets as of July 1, 2008, the beginning of Parent Council’s fiscal year, are estimated to be $56,917. Reserves of $7,000 would be set aside, routine expenditures would be budgeted to be $2,450, and School Programs (Library, Music, Volunteer Coordinator, Equity) would total $36,094, leaving $11,373 in Undesignated Funds. This Undesignated Funds figure is significantly less than the $24,088 in Undesignated Funds at the beginning of the current fiscal year. The decrease in the Undesignated Funds figure can be attributed to the decreased fundraising and increased expenses for the 2007-2008 school year.
5. Review & Discussion of Funding Appropriations Survey Results
A lengthy discussion regarding the results of the Funding Appropriations Survey took place. Some highlights from that discussion include:
Response Rate: The survey was advertised in the E-News, and 88 people requested it. A total of 55 surveys were returned for a response rate of 62.5%. While this is an excellent response rate, we must recognize that this represents a very small fraction of the total number of students and families currently at South. Although it is very helpful to have the information provided by the survey, and the Budget Committee wants to recognize Helen Garrett’s leadership and initiative in performing the survey.
Current Program Allocations: Survey results overwhelmingly show continued support for funding the three items that Parent Council has funded the past several years, specifically Library time, Music time, and the Volunteer Coordinator. Based on the survey results and the previous discussion about these items, the committee approved the inclusion of these three items, at the rates requested by the administration, in the final proposed budget for 2008-2009.
Surplus Funds Allocation: Based on a point system, the ideas for allocating Parent Council’s “surplus” funds were ranked in order from #1 to #9:
#1 380 Points Grant Writer Funding
#2 348 Points Wish List from SEHS Teachers
#3 268 Points Textbook Sets for Classrooms
#4 213 Points Smart Boards for Classrooms
#5 196 Points Driver’s Education Scholarships
#6 193 Points Projector Mounting in Classrooms
#7 156 Points Practice Field Improvements
#8 148 Points Cardio & Fitness Equipment
#9 109 Points College Scholarships for Seniors
The committee agreed that #5 and #9 - Driver’s Education and College Scholarships - would not be funded at this time, due to the availability of these items through other avenues. The Career Center currently provides help and direction to seniors seeking scholarships. Parent Council may want to explore ways to educate parents and students about the availability of Driver’s Education scholarships, which are hardly utilized at this time.
The committee felt that textbook sets for classrooms, mounting projectors in classrooms, and purchasing more smart boards should be examined in conjunction with the teacher wish list. In asking teachers for wish list items, these items could be included as suggestions proposed by Parent Council. Improvements to the practice field and purchasing more cardio and fitness equipment could also be examined in light of a wish list from the Athletic Department.
Which leaves the top two items - funding a grant writer and asking teachers for a wish list. The committee felt that it was rather late in the budget process to ask teachers for a wish list, and interpreted the support for a grant writer as a desire to find more ways to raise more funds for Parent Council.
The committee then examined the Additional Funding Suggestions. There was a definite theme to the vast majority of the suggestions - staffing. Parents overwhelmingly support funding more staffing. Unfortunately, Parent Council’s current fundraising efforts cannot support additional staffing at this time. Other suggestions included several athletic-related ideas and ways to try to increase fundraising, as well as one regarding changing to full-spectrum lighting and one asking for healthier food choices in the cafeteria.
Survey Conclusion: Based on the results of the survey, the committee felt the bottom-line message from parents was to continue supporting the current programs we support, and to find ways to raise more funds to be able to support the current staff and to hopefully increase overall staffing.
A discussion then followed regarding ideas to increase fundraising. Randy Bernstein suggested tapping into our alumni base to ask donations. Obtaining ideas to increase scrip participation from other successful schools was another idea, as well as hiring a marketing firm to develop a scrip marketing plan that could be used year after year. Funding a grant writer could also have the potential to bring substantial funds South’s way. Lucy Vinis would like to see a master list compiled of all of South’s fundraising efforts - from the direct donation drive to scrip to individual club/sports fundraising - to allow for some possible coordination among the fundraising efforts. All of these ideas will take time and effort to develop further.
6. Next Meeting: Thursday, February 28, 2008, 7:00 p.m., SEHS Library
The next meeting of the Budget Committee will take place on Thursday, February 28, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the SEHS Library. Randy Bernstein and Helen Garrett announced they would not be able to attend due to prior commitments.
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