Commack High School PTA

General Meeting Minutes

May 6, 2009 

Call to Order/Pledge – Meeting was called to order at 8:05 p.m.  Pledge was recited. 

Approval of minutes – March 31, 2009 meeting minutes were approved as written. 

Budget Presentation was given by Mrs. Laura Newman and Dr. James Feltman 

Executive Committee Reports

Correspondence –April Fast Facts.  Suffolk Region March Mailing.  Spring New York Parent Teacher magazine.  Our Children April/May 2009.

Treasurer – General Checking 15,744.23    Scholarship Savings $6,726.71.

Council –Budget Presentation.  PTA Council voted to support the budget.  Dr. Robb-Fund addressed the Swine Flu – teachers have been instructed to go over washing hands and hygiene procedures with their students.  There is a link on the website to kidshealth.org which has how to talk about Swine Flu.

2009 – 2010 Executive Committee: President – Eleanor Stentiford, 1^st VP – Jill Mihnovich, 2^nd VP – Cathy Brase, Corresponding Secretary – Janine DiGirolomo, Recording Secretary – Joyce Migliore, Treasurer – Mary Lionetti, Past President – Laura Werner.

School Board – The Courant won a Gold Circle Award which is a National Recognition.  2 CHS students are going to Intel Science Fair in Nevada.  Laura Werner thanked everyone for participating in virtual lobby day.  Voter Registration 5/6 and 5/12 at CHS.  Budget vote is 5/19.  Photography proceeds from this school year were $22,948.59.  CHS will be receiving $5,298.58.

Teacher Rep – Regents review has begun.  The schedule is posted on the CHS homepage.  Thank you to Risa Sidrane for all the wonderful programs she brings to us.  Especially the recent “Lost boy”. 

Administration

Principal Mr. Stewart –Vote on 5/19.  Check the calendar for upcoming events.

Asst. Principals – No report. 

President Jill Mihnovich – Vote on 5/19 and come enjoy the talents of  the Commack students at the Festival of the Arts.  June dinner meeting at Orlando’s, 6/11 at 6:30. 

Looking for parents for SBMT.  If you are interested in a committee for next year please let us know.

Executive Board/Standing Committee Reports

Arts in Education – No report. 

 Budget –No report.

 Disabilities Awareness – No report

Environmental – Intermodal – Due to community opposition, last fall the governor had commissioned a task force to re-evaluate  the Pilgrim State heavy freight intermodal proposal.  This task force called the University Transportation Research Center (UTRC) had met with us and many other interested parties, and was charged with providing a recommendation to the governor.  This report is likely to be submitted to the governor within the month.  We are not privy to the results.  If a pro build decision is returned and the governor does decide on a build recommendation, we will sue the state.  Please continue to write and call the governor to express your opinion on this matter.

Governor Paterson – State Capitol Albany NY 12224

http://161.11.121.121/govemail

(518) 474-8390

fax# 518-474-1513

Commack Road – We have a goal of designating Commack Rd as a Federal Access Highway, and redirecting all the truck traffic to a new truck route parallel to the Sagtikos Pkwy.

Pilgrim State Development – The town of Islip has approved the draft generic environmental impact statement (DGEIS) for Heartland Town Square (with 21 conditions).  We recently found out that a hearing date for the 15,000,000 square foot Heartland Square project proposed for the Pilgrim State property is set for Thursday May 28, 2009.  The public hearing is scheduled for 6:30 pm at the Brentwood HS, in the Sonderling Center.  Please see Lorrie Sperber for detailed information.

Founder’s Day – No report. 

Fundraising – No report.

Health and Safety – Blood Drive 6/12 at MSIS.

Historian – Pictures are updated at Hubbs.

Hospitality – Thank you Terri!!

Legislation – LI schools ticket price for the latest version of the MTA bailout just leaped by $12.2 million with the inclusion of a retroactive payroll tax to January 2009.  That brings an unbudgeted expense of $36.6 million for LI schools to absorb.  The bill number is S4487A and was sponsored by Senator Martin Dilan (D-Brooklyn).  Along with the Payroll tax the bill contains

 - 25 – 30% increase in driver’s licenses and learner’s permits

 - $25 per year increase in car registration fees

- $1.00 additional taxi fee

 - Additional 5% sales tax on car rentals

State Senate went into recess until Monday, so in addition to calling Albany you should contact your elected representatives in their local offices.  Let them know how this bill will impact you and your family.

Membership – No report.

Nutrition –No report.

Parliamentarian – No report.

Scholarship: CHS PTA – All applications have been read and recipients have been chosen.  Awards will be given out at the Senior Awards Assembly.

Scholarship: Council –All applications have been read and handed into the guidance office.  The scholarships will be awarded at the Senior Awards Assembly in June.  Thank you to everyone for participating in the fundraisers throughout the year. 

SBMT – No report. 

SEPTA – No report.

Staff Recognition – Staff luncheon is May 26^th.  We will be calling for donations.  All donations must be in the office by 9 am.

Student Liaison – No report.

Sunshine – No report.

Website – Sign up for the RSS feed to receive Backpack news. 

Departmental Liaison Reports

No report from any department

Unfinished Business – None. 

New Business – The 2009 – 2010 slate was voted on and approved.

President –                           Jill Mihnovich

1^st VP -                                Deborah Perham

2^nd VP -                                Joyce Migliore

Recording Secretary -          Mary Lionetti

Corresponding Secretary -   Eleanor Stentiford

Council Rep -                       Monica McCort

Treasurer -                            Risa Sidrane

Board of Ed Rep -                 Amy Rosenberg

Meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m.  End of year dinner is 6/11 at Orlando’s.