MINUTES

Champaign PTA Council Meeting
January 8, 2004
Robeson Elementary

The meeting began at 7:00 P.M.

Attendance: Alan Metcalf (Dr. Howard), Sharon Wilson (Kenwood/Council), Michael Roux (Bottenfield), Nancy Holm (Jefferson/Council), Diane Kesler (Edison), Margie Skirvin (Illinois PTA), Cynthia Glenn (Barkstall), Kathy Dwyer (Southside), Jackie Peden (Edison), Cyndy Lammert (BT Washington), Carrie Kmoch (Robeson), Kathi Ritten (Dr. Howard), Ann Campbell (Council/Central), Sue Kitson (Dist. 10), Cheryl VanNess (Council), Ann Reid, Charlotte Brown-Cash (Franklin), Barb Sartain (Robeson), Rose Hudson (Centennial), Tim Clark (Council), Michael Miller (Stratton), Arthur Culver (Mellon Building), Janice Stenzel (Barkstall)

Introductions were made.

Program:
Dr. Arthur Culver was in attendance to discuss several topics. "No Child Left Behind" was his first topic. Dr. Culver conveyed that it's not a perfect system and that we need to focus on the "spirit of the law". He stated that he feels some of the good points are that it hold us all accountable and it has high expectations for ALL students. It also forces administrators to stop focusing on excuses. Dr. Culver feels that some tweeking is needed as well. For instance, some students that are mentally and physically handicapped should not or sometimes can not be tested. We also need to take into account the difficulty some foreign students have in not being fluent, but yet being expected to take the same tests.

Unit 4 testing results was discussed next. We were informed that half of the Unit 4 schools did not meet their yearly adequate progress.
Attendance standards and requirements for math were met by all elementary schools. However, several schools need improvement in reading scores.
Dr. Culver discussed a few strategies he would like to see put into place district wide.

Needs based budgeting was discussed next. Dr. Culver said that needs based budgeting focuses on the needs of students. In the past we had budgets for particular programs (like an entitlement) but now schools will be making their plans then budgeting for them.

Next up was the Coca Cola contract. This contract was entered into in
2001 and has a length of 5 school years for the exclusive use of Coca Cola products. When schools, booster and PTA groups sell drinks at an event they must sell Coca Cola products purchased only from the Coca Cola representative. It was stated that selling water and juice only would not violate our contract. With the possibility of legislation by the Govenor to ban junk food in schools, Unit 4 could stand to lose $90-100,000 in sales of colas, cookies chips etc. in the lunch lines. The removal of vending machines alone could result in $45,000 per year lost.
If Unit 4 wanted to end the contract early, they would have to pay Coca Cola back a prorated portion of the $300,000 they received up front.
However, if a new law banning junk food was passed, it would be possible to terminate the contract early.

The Unit 4 website should be changed within the next month or so.

The results of the technology audit will be presented on January 26, 2004 at 6:00 P.M. at the Mellon Building

Minutes: Ann Campbell made a motion to approve the minutes, Margie Skirvin seconded the motion. The minutes were approved.

Treasurer's Report: There are five schools who have not yet paid their dues. Stratton has received a waiver for this year, but BTW, Barkstall, Franklin and Westview still need to pay their dues.

Communications and Correspondence

As a reminder, PTA units are to continue to send in dues they receive every month until March.

Thank you to Suzi Armstrong, Katie Rocheford and Cheryl VanNess for all their hard work on the President's dinner. Thank you also to those who provided salads and desserts.

Thank you to Jackie Peden for all of her hard work on and dedication to the Reflections program this year.

There was a change in the schedule and the May meeting will be held at Carrie Busey.

Urbana is hosting the Founders Day Dinner on February 5, 2004.
Information on getting certificates is in the president's packet.

On the question of PTA spending, it was stated that PTAs should not be purchasing furniture etc.. for our schools, this is a district responsibility. PTA presidents should be meeting with their principals to discuss their school improvement plans.

Dan Casing contacting Coca Cola to check on the availability of cans instead of 20 oz bottles and also checking to see if we can purchase 2 liter bottles on sale and then pour that into cups to sell.

New Business

Reflection entries were taken down from display at the Mellon Building. A list of all children moving on to District 10 was given to Council reps.
All entries will receive certificates and those going on to District 10 will receive ribbons.

There was a City Council meeting recently that discussed the new library proposal. We were told by several who attended the meeting that it looks promising and that the City Council is looking into ways to finance the project.

Nancy Holm will make the School Board statement. She will thank Dr.
Culver for his presentation and mention the Founders Day dinner and our concerns about the Coca Cola contract.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:55 P.M.

Respectfully submitted by Sharon Wilson, Secretary.