MSSM Parent Association Annual Meeting Minutes Sept 21, 2007   7pm

Joe Borst moderated and 40+ parents attended

Money donated to the PA account is not tax deductible.
Money donated to help support activities run by the Parent Association is tax deductible. Make checks out to the MSSM Foundation but be sure to add Parent/Student Activities in the memo section of the check.

2006-07 President Dale Gordon gave her report. Click on link to see the full document for more details.

• a.   Mission
• b.   Communication:
  Parents can communicate with each other through "a href="mailto:MSSMParents@yahoogroups.com">MSSMParents@yahoogroups.com
  Parent Association website: www.mssmvoice.org (where these minutes will be posted)
  Gadfly Newsletters
• c.   Hub/Media Parents:
  Hub parents assigned for your area are as follows:

  Hub Parent	Number	Email	Bus Stops Represented
  Julie Chapla (backup: Ramona Cesare)	532-4041	julesChap48@yahoo.com	Houlton/Sherman/Millinocket
  Sandra Curtis	594-0059	mcurtis@midcoast.com	Herman/Hampden/Howland/Orono
  Gigi Sarsfield	359-8345	paprmakr@juno.com	Ellsworth
  Nancy Grose	926-3804	idrutherbdanzin@securespeed.us	Lewiston
  *TBD: still need someone for now contact Natalie Charles	767-2866	ncharles@maine.rr.com	*Westbrook
  Kathryn Wagner (backups: Karen Donlan aka Aagesen and April Rumery)	361-2552	campeaton@aol.com	Biddeford
  Yvonne Batson (backups: Susan Stanford and Elaine Bennett)	453-6203	batson@gwi.net	Waterville
  Jiancheng Huang (backup:Kathy Keeney)	685-9975 (441-7516)	jhuang1@att.net	Augusta
  Valerie Heath (backups: Linda Johnson and Theresa Torrent-Ellis)	729-9254	VHeath@gwi.net	Topsham

  Hubs bring forward issues from parents to the Association Officers so they can be brought forward as one voice to the administration. Hub parents will be contacting parents soon to set up meetings with Walt Warner (MSSM Executive Director) and each area's parents. These meetings are a chance for us to coice our concerns in a smal local (close to home) setting.
  Media Parents, some selected to save time, others will be selected via email later. Media parents work to get school news and student successes publicized in local area papers.
• d.   Local Influence:
  Write to your legislators, let them know about your student and ask their support of the school. MSSM was flat funded by the state for the past 10 years. The school, with Parent Association support, successfully testified and got the funding increased. A suggestion was made to target MSSM awareness efforts on Middle Schools as wells as supporting Dale's plea to work cooperatively with our local High Schools to assist admissions in recruiting prospective students.
• e.   MSSM Foundation's Goal:
  To raise $75,000 in the annual campaign- up 25%
  Parents and Parent Association must decide on a pledge goal for this year as well.

New Business

• a.   By-Law Changes:
  Article 4 Annual Meeting: "An Annual Meeting of the MSSMPA will be held each year in the fall on a day to be determined by the Steering Committee" changed to "An Annual Meeting of the the MSSMPA will be held each year in the Spring on a day to be determined by the Steering Committee."
  The spring meeting timing is TBD. It could be Parent Weekend or another weekend. Elected officers start their term at the close of the school year.
• b.   Association Officers Elected

  Position	Name	Phone	Email
  President	Steven Symonds	495-3355	symonds@roadrunner.com
  VP	Rebecca Holcombe	492-1275	rebeccascraps@mfx.net
  Student Life Chair	Ruth Rose	833-6590	ruthRose@suscom-maine.net
  Secretary	Laurie Cornwall	729-1370	cwall@suscom-maine.net
  Student Activites Chair	Bernard Castonguay	269-2062	bcass2@excite.com
  Publicity/Media Chair	Elaine Bennett	649-0279	eeemaine@netscape.net
  Treasurer	Stacy Benjamin	342-2929	benjamin@fairpoint.net
  Past President	Dale J Gordon	498-3583	dgordon4@maine.rr.com

  
  
• c.   Executive Director Walt Warner's Report
  • a.   Board of Trustees meetings:
    a $240,000 bond has been floated toward Dorm upgrades and energy and heating improvements.
  • b.   2006-2007 Financial Audit:
    in process with new personnel doing our finances and a new accounting system
  • c.   Regionalization Update:
    Regionalization law does not pertain to MSSM but affects the Limestone Regional School. So it does influence us indirectly, since we share the same building.
    
    • Limestone has submitted letters of intent and the Commissioner accepted them.
    • The MSSM Board of Trustees formed a task force to monitor the regionalization activites for changes that may affect us and they will develop "What If" plans. Examples:
      • New Region: Does not want to partner with MSSM, or with us.
      • Wants to close down schools.
        
    • Members of the Town of Limestone will vote when changes take effect- changes could start July of 2008 or 2009.
      
    • No school closings will occur during the first year.
  • d.   Financial Base/Fund Raising:
    The Board is looking to strengthen the MSSM's financial base and to mee with the MSSM Foundation to synergize fundraising efforts.
  
  
• d.   Other Business:
  Steve Symonds, new MSSMPA President made the following points:
  • a. asked for parents to get involved
  • b. suggested Feb 2nd weekend as a good date to do Mystery Weekend or another activity. It will especially help Students staying at MSSM for J-Term who will be at the school for 6 weeks before their February break.
  • c. Past officers and parents recognized for their contributions.