PTO ADVISORY COUNCIL MINUTES   

WED March 7^th  2007

Attendees: Michelle Alvord, Nannette Dorsey, Liz Falconer, Len Hamm, Connie Herr, Carol Hubert, Sue Isaacs, Jackie Mulhall, Janice Phillips-Robinson, Dr. Frank Sippy, Juan Rodriguez -Torrent, Fran Tepperman, Sandi Carbonari Welsh 

I.                    February 7^th 2007 meeting minutes were approved.

II.                 Treasurer’s Report. Current balance is $2735.65.   

     III.        Dr. Frank Sippy

A budget increase of 4.75% was recommended to the board by Dr. Sippy.

      PHS is up 25 students, but overall the region is down 5 students.

      There are concerns at LMES regarding space due to new building going on in Middlebury and more preschool needs.

      The Governor’s budget has lower reimbursement for building projects.  This will factor into future building plans for the region.

      Future budgets will look at K-12 writing and world language.

      On April 11^th the board will adopt a budget and send it to referendum.

      The region is still looking at the issue of homework parity that was brought up earlier in the year.    

      They are taking an overall look at homework region wide.

      Dr. Sippy thanked Carol Hubert for all her input and efforts regarding the SRO.  The SRO is looking good for now.  Dr. Sippy will meet with Sgt. Kramer to discuss the SRO roles and responsibilities. 

      Hope the SRO will benefit the other schools too.

    IV.         Glen Shipway is away for a few months.  No report.

     V.        Carol Hubert      

                  Money is in the town budget for the SRO.  Thank you for all the letters, they did make an impact.  The SRO was not in the original First Selectman’s budget.  The selectmen discussed and thought it important enough to add to the budget.

                  An additional $600,000 is in the budget for roads.

                  New voting machines may be used for the referendum vote.

      VI.          Old Business

                     The LMES PTO email systems is ready to go.  The packet will be completed this month and distributed.

There are 2 DYK this month.  One on the budget time line and one on absentee ballots.  They were  distributed.  They will also be emailed to all PTO Advisory members.

     VII.          New Business

                       Report from Fran Tepperman. 

                      All schools are asked to contact Gretchen to schedule Dr. Sippy at their PTO meeting to discuss the budget.

                       Looking to set up a community round table to meet with Dr. Sippy regarding the budget.   It will be a casual forum and it is recommended not to tape the forum.

                       Please go to your schools and ask for Budget Awareness Committee (BAC) representatives. 

                       Information on BAC was distributed.

                     The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 28^th.  April 4^th is Passover.  No meeting.