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.
- 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).
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.