Archives for 2020

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BEN W. MURCH HOME AND SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

General Meeting

Meeting Minutes March 3, 2020

HSA Co-Presidents Ashley Webb and Julie Lobb called the meeting to order at 7:00PM on March 3, 2019 in Room B112 of Murch Elementary School.  

Executive Board Members present:  Ashley Webb (Co-President), Julie Lobb (Co-President), Amy Turner (Vice President), Heather Williams (Vice President), Maurice Werner (Treasurer), Chris Cebrzynski (Principal), Wendy Cresswell (Teacher Representative), Robin Goracke (Budget/LSAT) Elisa O’Keefe (Past President), Justin O’Connor (Community Engagement), 

Other Members in Attendance: Heather Barlow (Communications), Megan Duffy (Assistant Treasurer), Paula Cuevas (Assistant Treasurer)

Parents: Mary Garcia, Steven James, Louis Yacob, Crystal FitzSimons, Kara Barnes, Steve Feinberg, Rachel Ginzburg, Cristina LaRocca, Charles Rich, Jordan Tama, Patrick Ventrell

1. Approval of prior minutes – Heather Barlow

Heather noted that the minutes for the February 4 general meeting was posted to BaseCamp for review on February 26, and sought the Board’s approval of the minutes.  

Heather made a motion that the Board ratify the previously posted minutes for the February 26 meetings as the official record of those meetings.  Ashley seconded the motion, there was no objection, and the motion passed by unanimous voice vote.   

2. President’s Report – Ashley Webb and Julie Lobb
3. Presentations Committee. Ashley reported on upcoming presentations: 

Once Upon a Moon is a presentation on Mar 27 for PreK through 1st. 

On Mar 23, Sam Drassen is addressing inclusion with all grades. He has same condition as character in Wonder book. Eating lunch with small groups and guidance counselor. Mr. C. will include it in his blog. 

Working on a mindfulness professional to present to parents. 

Also, movie Screenagers about use of tech and social media, geared to a 10 and up audience, talked about showing every 2-3 years, date sometime in April to May. 

Discussion ensued about positive feedback for Black History Month. 

1. Auction Update. Julie reported that Solicitations team has 125 donated items, excluding class and teacher donations. Working on securing caterer/staffing, will include coronavirus cancellation policy in contract. Dates for bidding to open and ticket sales still TBD. 
2. Principal’s Report – Mr. Cebrzynski

Mr. C reported on the budget process. Budget increased, at $7.2 million because in part enrollment projectment went up to 650. Two new, district-funded special education programs that are self-contained to cover teacher and aides. EL numbers increased to 4 EL teachers.  

There are three levels of positions. 1–  required. 2—can petition for funds to be allocated for a different position. 3—flexible dollars to be used at Principal discretion. Thinking of how to relocate some dollars for $855,000 of flexible dollars. 

Maintaining current staffing, except going from 4 to 3 K aides and no language teacher. Will go from 4 to 5 special education teachers. Will have math and reading specialists each for K-2 and 3-5. Adding R25 custodian who can open and close building; only one R25 custodian on staff now and cost overtime dollars for other custodians to open or close building. Administrative premium is money spent outside contract dollars. Had $0 and spent $10,000 over the past years. Now tracking and giving $25K. Total of 5 custodians next year; building requires 6. Adding one EL, one inclusion teacher who works in classroom, math in K-2. 

For non personnel spending: $111K goes to security. $35K to professional development. $5K goes to excellence through equity is assigned by district for at-risk students. 

Mr. C is working on 6 key areas for next year: professional development, class rosters, Comprehensive School Plan (CSP) committee, supervision and master schedule, departmentalizing 2nd grade, and lunchtime clubs and groups.

World language is from flexible fund. Looked at data and need to target gaps in math and reading in K-2. World language is not teaching language; it’s more for exposure. Attention needs to be on academic achievement and success for all students. One idea to fill culture exposure: every month is different culture month in our school. This year, improving International Night to expand to International Day for in-school activities. If budget increases, we’d love to bring back geography/world cultures class. For transition to middle school, consulted with middle school principals who said it doesn’t matter what language is offered in elementary. 6th graders do take geography, and geography class preps them for that. 

Paula asked if 5 special ed teachers be enough to address IEPs? Yes. 

How does staff plan address data on achievement gaps? Through performance of people who work with kids. Collective teacher advocacy closes gap. Specialized training for specialized instructions, including how to work with African American students. 

4. Treasurer’s Report – Maurice Werner
5. Review of Monthly Statements. Maurice provided a summary of the monthly financials. He noted that book fair did well.  Concessions income is increasing. Expenses haven’t changed much since last time. School supplies is within $9K of budget. Currently running a deficit of what we’ve spent versus what we’ve raised. 

For the Income Statement, Maurice reported that the HSA has brought in $198K to date. 

Will discuss next year’s budget at April HSA meeting. 

Robin asked about musical fees. Maurice reported it’s counted in performance arts revenue line item and received $3600 as of now from participation fees. Robin reports that’s a little low because it’s $100 per kid times 50 kids. She will go back to Musical committee to see if that can be increased. Maurice noted that scholarships are available if needed. 

5. Fundraising/Community Engagement Update – Justin Connor

Justin reported on Amazon Smile opportunity to raise money. School gets .5% of all purchases. Doesn’t work on app only on website. Maurice said recently got quarterly check for $180. 

Justin also reported that Mar 12 is scheduled for Guapos restaurant night. 

April 1 is scheduled with Silver restaurant

April 22 is Potomac Pizza in Chevy Chase. 

Murch Day @ Nationals date will be in spring. Possible dates for 1:35 PM home game are May 3 (limited seating without shade cover), May 24, and June 7. Consensus was for June 7. Tickets will be $42. $39 goes to Nats, HSA gets $3. Aiming for 150 tickets sold in 150 seat block. Can return unused tickets before game date. Ticket price includes $10 concession credit. 

DC United games are at 8 pm and may not work for elementary families.

Washington Spirit games—Justin will check in with Courtney. 

6. Communications – Heather Barlow

Update on Email Delivery Issues: Heather reported that last week school emails started going to junk and spam folders. After research, Mailchimp (email delivery platform) recommended authenticating domain server. Had problems logging into the domain server but gained access. May need to change domain servers, which will lower the cost. 

If not fixed by Friday, will send link to newsletter to Listserv. Decided not to print out newsletter for Friday folders. 

Murch HSA account will take over listserv if there is no volunteer

Hope to get emails fixed by Mar 10 for Murch Plus signups

7. LSAT Update – Robin Goracke

Robin reported that the school budget is in and Mr. C has a new proposal for LSAT. Robin will set up committee meeting for March and will include anybody additional who wants to join. Goal is to have draft of budget for April meeting. But because of date of auction, won’t be able to finalize numbers until May meeting. In late May will have public meeting to approve HSA budget, when it becomes final. 

LSAT is overseeing inclusion forum. One thing required by Comprehensive School Plan is inclusivity. Robin thinks it will continue to next year. Affects presentation and babysitting line items in budget. Robin says they’ll pre-plan events to include into budgeting. Will bring proposal to committee and then to HSA for approval.

Discussion ensued about LSAT Inclusion Forum. 

Group of parents with children in Capitol Language Services (CLS) at St. Paul’s presented request to Mr. C. for CLS to move into Murch building because it affects Murch community. CLS space in church is no longer adequate because of growth and safety issues crossing Ellicott St. Full time afterschool programs are important to some families. Not representing X-day, but issues are likely the same. Murch Plus provides 1 hour per week. CLS provides 15 hours of afterschool care a week.  CLS provides scholarships. CLS operates inside many DCPS buildings, including Lafayette. Parents request that CLS in the Murch building be a priority and co-exist with Murch Plus. CLS would pay rent to Murch. 

Mr. C responded that Mary Eckstein can give a detailed answer as why this isn’t a possibility at the moment. Not my intent. Would love to see all programs in our school. This program has possibilities.  Mr. C promised that Mary would respond to any inquiries within 48. Says it not a DCPS issues; it is with DGS. 

Megan asked if this a request for HSA support? It’s an effort to raise awareness within the Murch community. We thought this was an additional forum for communication. 

Robin said that aftercare is a line item in the budget. HSA meeting can be a forum to discuss aftercare issues. At other schools, like Janney, parents pay HSA for aftercare fees. 

Not requesting resources from the HSA. 

Should we add it to next month’s agenda? Ashley says that HSA has no decision here. Past HSA meeting discussed 3rd grade teachers, Musicals, etc. So HSA can be a place for a discussion, and HSA can consider helping. 

Parents to request a meeting with Mary and then report back to HSA. 

Ashley adjourned the meeting at 8:15 PM.  

BEN W. MURCH HOME AND SCHOOL ASSOCIATION
General Meeting

Meeting Minutes February 4, 2020

7:05pm

HSA Co-Presidents Ashley Webb and Julie Lobb called the meeting to order at 7:07 PM on February 4, 2020 in Room B112 of Murch Elementary School.  

Executive Board Members present:  Ashley Webb (Co-President), Julie Lobb (Co-President), Amy Turner (Vice President), Heather Williams (Vice President), Jason Veny (Secretary), Maurice Werner (Treasurer), Paula Cuevas (Assistant Treasurer), Meghan Duffy (Assistant Treasurer), Chris Cebrzynski (Principal), Elisa O’Keefe (Past President), Wendy Cresswell (Teacher Representative), Robin Goracke (Budget/LSAT), Justin Connor (Community Engagement), Heather Barlow (Communications).

1. Approval of prior minutes – Jason Veny 

Jason noted that the minutes for the January 14 meeting was posted to BaseCamp for review on January 24 and sought the Board’s approval of the minutes.  

Jason made a motion that the Board ratify the previously posted minutes for the January 14 meetings as the official record of those meetings.  Ashley seconded the motion, there was no objection, and the motion passed by unanimous voice vote.   

2. President’s Report – Ashley Webb and Julie Lobb

GrantEd Speaker.  Two speakers came in to discuss the organization GrantEd.   GrantEd was founded as the vehicle to ensure that teachers would no longer have to spend their own money to keep their classrooms adequately supplied, to provide out-of-classroom experiences for their students, or to access the professional development necessary to keep DC classrooms current and effective. The organization provides funding directly to teachers in Title I funded schools for supplies, specialty supplies, student experiences (busing).  The organization is a technological way to get money to teachers quickly without grant writing. 

Teachers submit 60 second videos explaining what they need the funding for.  The videos are scored and approved. GrantEd allows up to $500 every 30 days to teachers.  The money is sent directly to teachers. The organization started two years ago. Grants work two ways  – forward and backwards by giving funds to teachers for upcoming needs or reimbursing teachers.

The Board discussed using the low-income grant to fund GrantEd. 

A motion was made and seconded to use the low-income grant on GrantEd. The Board approved with one member opposed. 

Murch Fun Run. Ashley will meet with Ms. Dresbach. HSA will see what the student council comes up with.  Fun Run might target a different audience than auction. 

 Auction Update. We may want to start exploring different ways to fundraise. Right now need getaways and sports tickets.  Revisit how the auction is done next year. 

3. Principal’s Report – Mr. Cebrzynski

Mr. C reported that the budget has few funds with flexibility. LSAT supporting budget priorities.  He is preparing three scenarios of budgets what the allocations were and see different perspectives and how best to support students. Mr. C reported that the budget looks good and increased from 614 to 651 students.   In a ballpark budget increase of close to $800,000. $1.6 million of funds can be reallocated by writing a petition to superintendent. All need to be submitted by Monday. 2/14 will be submitting final budget. LSAT meeting is scheduled for 2/5 5:15pm. 

4. Treasurer’s Report – Maurice Werner

Review of Monthly Statements. Maurice provided a summary of the financials.  As of January 29, 2020, we have $199,809 in total assets compared to $171,578 at the same time last year.  Liabilities are $156,550 compared to $168,620 last year. As if February 3, 2020 we have a profit of $147,261 compared to $287,000 for the year.  However, some of our costs are slightly overbudget: 

Maurice highlighted that there were overages for Community events – over budget by $1,186; electronic learning – $1507 overbudget; performing visual arts expense – $4747 overbudget.  Hospitality expense is significantly underbudget and the resource expense has not be used. Our current expenses are $144,575.88, approximately 10K deficit. 

5. Fundraising/Community Engagement Update – Justin Connor

Guapos is scheduled for February 27th from 5-close. HSA gets 20% on total receipts. Guapos night is also scheduled for March 12 and on May 14. 

Nats night will be in April or September this year.  Justin reported he will get a block of 150 tickets. Justin also reported looking into a DC united game on May 3 or May 15. 

Upcoming events: 

• April 1 – Silver on Wisconsin Ave. 
• April 22 – Potomac Pizza 

6.         Murch Musical – Robin Goracke

Update from a few weeks ago. Rehearsals started. 51 students casted- at least one 3rd grader has a speaking part. 84 students tried out. So far HSA has collected 2/3 of fees.  Still waiting for $1400. The musical is scheduled for a weekend in June – 11th and 12th .

Upcoming dates: 

• Talent show is 4/3.
• Lip Sync 3/5.
• Wine Cellar Party is moving from 3/14 to 3/7.

7.         LSAT Update – Robin Goracke

LSAT meeting postponed because the budget was embargoed.  For the HSA budget, identify the needs and put in his recommendation and working back from the timeline of approving the HSA budget. May 5 meeting for final budget for HSA.  

In March there will be a budget committee meeting for HSA. Review draft budget in April and May – later in May  

Ashley adjourned the meeting at 8:11pm

 

BEN W. MURCH HOME AND SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

General Meeting

Meeting Minutes January 14, 2020

6:05pm

(Makeup from 1/7 meeting which was cancelled due to inclement weather)

HSA Co-Presidents Ashley Webb and Julie Lobb called the meeting to order at 6:07 PM on January 14, 2020 in Room B112 of Murch Elementary School.  

1. Executive Board Members present: Ashley Webb (Co-President), Julie Lobb (Co-President), Amy Turner (Vice President), Heather Williams (Vice President), Jason Veny (Secretary), Maurice Werner (Treasurer), Paula Cuevas (Assistant Treasurer), Meghan Duffy (Assistant Treasurer), Chris Cebrzynski (Principal), Elisa O’Keefe (Past President), Wendy Cresswell (Teacher Representative), Robin Goracke (Budget/LSAT), Courtney Woolridge (Community Engagement), Heather Barlow (Communications).

Other Members in Attendance: Bhavna Lee (parent), Josh Epstein (parent), Jason Levin (parent), Lori Mihalich-Levin (parent), Louis Yacob (parent). 

2. Approval of prior minutes – Jason Veny 

Jason noted that the minutes for the December 3 general meeting was posted to BaseCamp for review on December 10 and sought the Board’s approval of the minutes.  

Jason made a motion that the Board ratify the previously posted minutes for the December 3 meetings as the official record of those meetings.  Ashley seconded the motion, there was no objection, and the motion passed by unanimous voice vote.   

3. President’s Report – Ashley Webb and Julie Lobb

• SOS Update. Raised $112,842 and budgeted for $110,000.
• Auction Update. Auction will be on April 25. Wine cellar party on March 14. 
• Holiday gift giving. Brought in $2,500.  Last year brought in $4,000.
• New Legislation. David Grasso proposed to the city council that any HSA raising over $10,000 must submit budget for review and donate 10% to other schools; Murch HAS usually donates 1%.  If it passes it will drastically affect money and how it is raised. 

4. Principal’s Report – Mr. Cebrzynski

Mr. C reported on the upcoming Panorama survey – the district is pushing a survey about how things are working in the school and district. Mr. C wants to partner with the HSA to get the word out. Budget season is coming up. There will be a priority survey in first week of February about priorities and inclusion.  Additional questions about why people may or may not answer a certain way. Week-long survey: there will be paper copies; computers set up in school; a third-party is producing the survey for $100.  

There is a parent forum on inclusion 2/11.  There will be a call out all parents to participate in focus groups to discuss subgroups within our school.  Budget process will begin mid-February/end mid-March. 651 is the enrollment for next year. There will be two new special education programs. Currently there is a 3-5 SLS program students with learning supports.  Murch is adding a similar PK4 and K-2 program. From a budgetary standpoint, there is additional funding.  

The District has decided to change how budget dollars will be provided to schools.  Implementing in 2021-22. Dollars to schools quicker. Take students and apply per pupil expenditure; change in formula.  

Next LSAT is scheduled for February 3. 

• 5. Treasurer’s Report – Maurice WernerMaurice Werner reported on the Ward 3 feeder meeting – touched on many priorities adopting a new budgeting scheme by 2022 address community needs instead of cookie cutter model.  Expand school based mental health. DC fiscal year had a $500m windfall. Most of the money will be allocated to things by law. But aspiration is to fully fund for DCPS. Right now there is a $60 million gap between how it is funded today from 2012.  Systemwide schools underfunded. Proposed legislation about HSAs did not come up.Review of Monthly Statements. Maurice provided a summary of the financials.  In terms of revenue, we overperformed primarily because of the Fall Fair.  As of January 14th we brought in $134,053.18.  However, some of our costs are slightly overbudget: Community events – over budget by $1,066; electronic learning – overbudget; performing visual arts expense – overbudget.  Hospitality expense is significantly underbudget and the resource expense has not be used. Our current expenses are $144,575.88, approximately 10K deficit. Last year we were at about 185K in assets this year we are about 202K including $154,704 in reserves.

      

  6. Fundraising/Community Engagement Update – Justin Connor/Courtney Woolridge

  Child’s Play Shopping Night. $600 from Childs Play.  Guapos is flexibile any Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday.  Thursday is the best to do it. The following dates were selected: January 30, February 27, March 12, and one in May 14. 

  7. New BusinessMulching event – Heather Williams: $ 934 donation should be $20 next year.  Figure out right dates next year, post it earlier.
     Movie day on Saturday – $750; consider moving from next year. 

  Heather adjourned the meeting at 6:40