GRASSO SOUTHEASTERN TECH

PARENT-FACULTY ORGANIZATION

Minutes

March 6, 2008

Attendees:  Joan Stearns, John Blake, Turhan Papadopoulos, George LaMarche, Denise James, Laurel Berns, Maggie Delaporta, Chris Gauld, Jack Cervera, Chris Jones, Linda Davis, Gina Fafard and Sue Matteson.

Meeting called to order at 6:37.

Treasurer’s Report:  Mr. Papadopoulos reviewed the report.  There is a current balance of $2,084.17.  The referenced to the location of the Grad Party will be removed from the report.  Denise James made a motion to accept the report with the change; Jack Cervera seconded.

Secretary’s Report:  Members read the minutes from 2/07/08.  Reference to “raffle” will be changed to “door prizes.”  Chris Gauld made a motion to accept minutes; Sue Matteson seconded.

Grad Party:  Tickets for the pasta dinner will be in soon, possibly tomorrow.  Jack Cervera and Maggie Delaporta will sell tickets to staff members.  Student tickets will be sold at school store and at dodge ball game, if they are received in time.  On Tuesday, March 25, there will be a get together at the Portuguese Club to make meatballs for the pasta dinner.  Mr. Papadopoulos shared gift certificates and other door prizes.

School Store/Uniforms:  More 9th grade exploratory shirts have been ordered for Freshmen Night, which is scheduled for March 26th.  Sales have slowed down.  Fleeces will be coming in for Volleyball and Rifle teams.  Clarification was made that there are two sports boosters – one is through the PFO and the other is through the school.  Mr. Papadopoulos showed two versions of trophy’s Laurel Burns made a motion to purchase the plaque for Birttany Eccleston’s 1000 point accomplishment; Linda Davis seconded.  The Sports’ Banquet is scheduled for March 19, 2008, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

By-Laws:  Comments and corrections on the draft by-laws were discussed. 

• Article III of the By-Laws includes a position of “Assistant Treasurer (if needed).”  George LaMarche made a motion to add same language to the Constitution; Sue Matteson seconded.
• Sue Matteson made a motion to change “October” to “September” in Article V, Section 1 of the Constitution; George LaMarche seconded.
• An amendment regarding a maximum expense amount was discussed.  The language “Anything over $100 shall be approved at a monthly meeting” should be added.
• Membership:  Changing “Membership dues” to “Membership donation” in Article I of the By-Laws was discussed.  Sue Matteson made a motion to change the language about dues; George LaMarche seconded.  An addition to Article IV – Membership of the Constitution was discussed.  The first paragraph will now read:

The membership of the organization shall be open to any Faculty member, Parent, or Guardian of a student, at Grasso Technical High School.  Any other persons wishing to become a member shall be presented to the PFO for membership approval.  or any person interested in the welfare of the school and its students.

              Sue Matteson made a motion to accept this change; George LaMarche seconded.

Dodge Ball:  Scheduled for March 7, 2008, at 2:30.  PFO will be selling pizza, Gatorade, etc.

Flags:  Mr. Blake spoke to Ms. Casberg and read her letter to Mr. Blake.  She said the school is not responsible for the ordering or payment of the flag.  The PFO’s should send a letter to the company so the bills stop coming to the school.  The PFO is a separate entity and as such has to deal with the issue by either paying the bill or hiring an attorney to deal with the issue.  Denise James made a motion for a registered letter will be sent to Mr. Welsh with a copy of the bill indicating that he is responsible for the invoice; George LaMarche seconded.

Open to the Floor:  There is a spaghetti dinner scheduled for March 25th to benefit Grasso’s softball and baseball teams.  Sue Matteson made a motion for give $100 toward the dinner for supplies for the dinner; George LaMarche seconded.

NEW BUSINESS

• Children and families yard sale will be held during April vacation.  Mr. Blake indicated that they would like an answer ASAP on whether or not the PFO wanted to sell the food.  Members discussed different options and will decide within the next two weeks.
• Freshmen Night scheduled for March 26, 2008, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.  The PFO has a table
• Mr. Jones asked for $25 for a frame to make a collage for Brittany Eccleston.  Sue Matteson made a motion for $25 to be taken from sports boosters funds for the frame; George LaMarche seconded. 
• Mr. Jones and Mrs. Stearns discussed a proposition they were given regarding a golf tournament fundraiser at Mohegan Sun’s private course.  Details and other options were discussed.  Chris Gauld made a motion assign Chris Jones and Joan Stearns the responsibility to look into options and dates for golf tournament; Jack Cervera seconded.
• Sue Matteson questioned the incident of an expelled student who posted a message on You Tube referencing his return to school on March 19, 2008.  Parents and students are concerned and some students may not attend school that day.  The question was asked if March 19th would be an excused absence.  Mrs. Fafard indicated that there would be additional police presence that day, all doors into the building are now locked, visitors can only enter through the east door by Guidance, and there is a security guard posted there throughout the school day.  Parents received the letter from Mrs. Bell, but they would like more information on safety and security.
• Mr. Blake mentioned that there will be a need for PFO officers for next year.  He will not be serving in any officer capacity.  Mr. Papadopoulos may not be serving either.  Potential candidates to be discussed at next meeting.

A motion to adjourn was made by Denise James at 8:29; George LaMarche seconded.