Parents’ Association of P.S. 196Q
71-25 113th Street, Forest Hills, N.Y. 11375
Minutes – Executive Board Meeting
Tuesday, October 16th, 2007

Executive Meeting
Order of Business/Agenda

1. Call to Order and Roll Call
2. After School Program Budget Discussion
3. Public Agenda Outline
The meeting is called to order at 7:10 P.M. Present at the meeting Lisa Feinstein and Maria Romero ,Co Presidents, Shari Bennett Vice President, Ellen Maurer, Parent Coordinator and Lily Zivkovic, Secretary at 7:15 joined by Dennis Mannarino.
The starting budget for the After School Program is introduced by Dennis Mannarino , discussed and it is agreed that it will be presented for further consideration and approval to the Public Assembly.

The formation of the Ad hoc Committees as well as the leadership team election is briefly discussed and it is agreed that the guidelines are to follow Chancellor Resolutions. It is also discussed that we should consider the creation of a committee that would analyze the possibility of amending the
bylaws in order to increase the minimum disbursement currently at $250.00.

There is no reports from the committees as they will be formed tonight at the General Assembly. The Executive meeting is adjourned at 7:30 P.M.

At 7:50 P.M. the P.A. of PS196Q is called to order by Maria Romero who introduces the Executive Committee, the members of the PTA are instructed to take a copy of the Budget proposal, as well as a copy of the starting budget and the Agenda for tonight’s meeting.

The first item to be discussed is the Budget . The explains the budget and mentions that there is no major changes as it is based on last years’ fund raising activities and expenses. She reports that there is a surplus of $60000 originally earmarked to the air conditioning of the school building.

Since the air conditioning is now up to date. Elaine Maurer explains that the money could be, with the approval of the PA, assigned the Computer lab currently obsolete and that it would be advisable to buy 36 new computers.

The school would benefit in its technology if we remove those old computers that are in the lab. Replaced them with the ones in the classrooms and place those 36 new computers in each classroom. In addition two new smart boards could be of great. Also 4 more computers are needed at the library, another helpful addition to the school could be new bookshelves for
the library they cost around $4000.

A question on the floor ask if there is a committee that can take care of grants to be assigned to PS 196 for technology and another mother mentions that we need to lobby the City Council to get money for technological improvements. It is discussed that given the nature of the grants most of them are assigned to schools with larger minorities in its population. Maria Romero explains that some issues are to be discussed by the Principal and that at the next meeting Ms Hughes will address directly those suggestions.

The treasurer also presents the after school budget and announce that the starting budget is around $22000.00 –proposed figure subject to change and a motion is made by Rick Maxwell and Harry Khemlani to accept the budget , the budget is approved unanimously.

After the proposed budget is approved , Dennis Mannarino introduces himself and explain that 2 years ago the After School program started under his supervision and continued after he moved to Long Island , as he returns to make some improvements and changes he reads the mission of the
After School Program and mentions that it is an involving concept that includes not only the kids but the community at large. The Afterschool program was started with the intention of providing a safe and inviting place for children of PS 196 to go after school.. In addition, it was a terrific way to generate much needed funds for the school and its children. D. Mannarino explains that the After School program needs 50 kids
everyday or 250 1 day a week in order to function and that after sending a survey he received 467 interested families, some of them are interested in enrichment until 5 PM and some until 6:30. He intends to implement a prorated fee assessment based on children attendance and schedules. He mentions that the after school classes will be on registration form sent home
and on the website, which will be promptly updated.

A mother suggest that a fee reassessment should be made and that there is too much money as a result of an excessive charge m the current amount of $60000 is way too large and that less money should be charged , a lengthy discussion takes place , and after it is understood that the proposed budget and fees could be reevaluated once the program is in place the presentation of Mr Mannarino ends. A motion was made to accept the program fees for the next 4 months, Nov 1-Feb.28th and at that point to make a reassessment to see if there is any
adjustments to be made. Only 8 abstinences and the rest of the PA members votes in favor of this motion.

The School Leadership Team election takes place. Five candidates are nominated, two from kindergarten and three from other grades. Ellen Maurer reads the rights and responsibilities of the SLT as per the Chancellors resolutions and clarify that we must elect one parent from Kindergarten and one from the other grades.

The candidates are Sharon Katzenstein, Nancy Feldman, Greg Rupp, Valerie
Weintraub and Jodi Freed. After the ballots are counted it is announce that the SLT is formed by Sharon Katzenstein and Valerie Weintraub.

It is agreed that the assignations for ad hoc committees will be done at another meeting and the General PA meeting is adjourned at 9:20 PM