PTO ADVISORY COUNCIL MINUTES  
WED Oct 12th 2005

Attendees: Len Hamm, Sandi Carbonari Welsh, Liz Falconer, Barbara Tzepos, Sue Isaacs, Michelle Alvord, Kelley Gurvis, Suzanne Kenishea, Amy Von Culin, Janice Phillips-Robinson, Nancy Paul, Gale Morse, Frank Sippy.

I.                 Treasurer’s Report
Current balance is $609.80
Plus $200 from 4 PTOs. 

II.                 Dr. Frank Sippy

1.      MMS Mold Problem

      Doctors and professionals to discuss the mold issue attended a parent meeting at MMS.
Reducing moisture is the key and a mold abatement firm has been brought in. They are putting in better filters and replacing them more frequently. Also looking at HVAC system. Most areas are cool, but not dry. Project should be under $100,000. Now also thinking long-term and "Tools For Schools" will be implemented.

2.      School Lunches--Price Increases
Middle & High School---Now $2.00
Elementary --- Now $1.80

3.      Security
 Region 15 applied for, but did not get, a federal grant for security. Trying to figure out why. Would like to have cameras and keypad entry in all schools and a Resource Officer at the high school. Now planning to phase into the Budget and also look at other grants. Also looking at security methods used by schools.

4.      ERG Reclassification
 Region 15 will be reclassified to ERG-B, but not yet. There is a reshuffling of the 166 school districts underway to 7 categories (A - I) with only 7 in A. Should be adopted by the CT Dept of Education soon.

5.      PHS Graduation To Be Permanently Held Indoors
 Four tickets will be issued for the Gym and 3 more for the auditorium.

6.      Energy Efficiency
 This is being examined in light of increased fuel prices, thermostat settings, bus routes, etc.

III.               Other Business

          1.     "School Celebrations" meeting has been arranged.

          2.     Meet the Candidates Forum -- Wed., Oct. 26, 2005

          3.      Fran Tepperman and Karen Kirk led a discussion about how we can pool resources to create more Budget Awareness.