PTA Board Minutes

BOARD MEMBERS / CHAIRS IN ATTENDANCE 

Renee Hartnett – Co-President 

Courtney Sievers – Co-President 

Jess Templeton – Vice President 

Michelle Nemeth – Treasurer 

Stacy Rose – Assistant Treasurer 

Melissa Ivancevich – Co-Secretary (zoom) 

Emily Robertson – Co-Secretary 

Meg Herscher – Communications chair (zoom) 

Kate Scher – Communications (Website/Wildchat) 

Kiana Swearingen – Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Chair 

Glenda Elley – Fundraising Co-Chair 

Ashley Schiavone – Fundraising Co-Chair 

Anjean Vanden Bosch – Volunteer Chair & Membership Chair (zoom)

Meg Pietz – Family and Community Engagement – Events Chair 

Emily Schweiger – Family and Community Engagement – Outreach Chair

Jen Foreman – Programs Co-Chair 

Laura Zingg – Programs Co-Chair; Student Directory 

Jon Overman – Legislative Representative (primary) 

Molly Firth – Legislative Representative (secondary) 

Kathleen Donahoe – Hospitality Co-Chair 

Emily Grosse – Hospitality Co-Chair 

Nicole Kaczmarek – Director at Large 

John Shaw – Tech Support 

David Peabody – Move-a-thon 

Mendy Minjarez – Spirit Gear 

Jess Twardzik – Fall Festival Chair (shared with Melissa Ivancevich and Laura Zingg) Sara Lukas – Room Parent Coordinator 

Brie Gardner – Spring Fling (zoom) 

COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE 

● Sarah Hartsfield 

● Katie Stiver

● Kellie Pecoraro 

● Rachel Sidles 

● Melissa Caviezel (zoom) 

● Todd Simonson (zoom) 

● Rachel & Brian Wold, PTA members (zoom) 

● Elan Wang Simonson (zoom) 

● Jamie Dunckley, PTA member (zoom) 

● Megan Wildenradt, PTA member (zoom) 

● D Curran, PTA member (zoom 

Meeting Called to Order at 7:02 PM 

WELCOME 

● Core Values 

● Ice Breaker 

● Approval of March PTA Meeting minutes 

○ Jess motioned, Meg P. seconded 

■ Approved, no objections or abstentions 

APPRECIATIONS 

● Morning coffee – Emily Schweiger 

● Spring Fling Committee 

● Exec Committee 

● Programs – Laura & Jennifer 

TIMELY CHAIR UPDATES 

● Spring Fling 

○ 101 tickets sold 

○ Cool items 

○ SignUp Genius coming out 

○ Looking for good donations, vacation home stays, etc. 

● Move-a-thon (David Peabody) 

○ 10 days away!! 

○ Need some cleanup volunteers, water, snack 

○ Need chalk stick 

○ $9,899 raised so far 

○ Transportation permit obtained 

● EDI Committee 

○ Events 

■ 1000% Me Growing Up Mixed film screening 

■ Drag Queen Storytime 

■ 4/18 Racing to Equity Workshop (at Loyal Heights Elementary)

● Hospitality 

○ Lots of events and staff appreciation underway 

○ Supplies, events, hosting graduation (solidifying going forward) 

● Other Events 

○ 209 Mariners tix sold so far 

PRESIDENT’S UPDATES 

● Math Agency recap/discussion if desired 

○ Had a special session April 1st, sent recording 

■ Question from Sarah L: What happens if we don’t meet our fundraising goals? ■ Kate Sher: did we share the treasurer bookkeeper role? Should be about 3K ● Budget committee still needs to come together to establish goals (in the coming weeks) 

○ The following question was put to vote (by paper ballot and online via google forms): Do you approve the Whittier PTA Executive Committee recommendation to fund the Math Agency in the amount of $60,000 for the 2024-2025 school year? 

■ Kathleen motioned, Jennifer seconded 

● Results: Approved (31 yes, 2 no, including votes from Google Forms poll 

sent out through Zoom) 

TREASURER’S REPORT (MICHELLE NEMETH) 

● March 2024 Financial Report 

○ Money Spent 

■ $2500 EDI 

■ $1500 School Celebration 

■ $6200 Massive Monkeys 

○ $259K balance currently 

PRINCIPAL WATTERS 

● Thank you to Ashley and Glenda for the School Celebration – received very positive feedback

● Massive Monkeys – success, working on layout/viewing for next year (maybe in the round?)

● Bike Week starts next week 

● 2 minute talent show coming up in June, no parents: 

○ K/1 

○ 2/3 

○ 4/5 

○ Live or video 

● Wildcats Wonder (in place of a Career Day) – probably a day in June 

○ Ask the kids what problems they want to work on, sort in topics, then source from community/connections people that are working on those problems to come in and talk about it 

○ Needs some co-conspirators

○ Cindy needs another week or so to put thoughts together 

● First Enrollment numbers are in: 340 kids on rolls – missing 8 kinders of incoming families. Will probably land around 350. May 8 school board meeting, they’ll announce plans for closures and consolidations for 2025-26 school year. Cindy’s hope would be that there would be boundary shifting to increase enrollment to around 375. Won’t be getting teachers back no matter what the numbers will be. 

● 5th Grade overnight trip (next year) 

○ Probably going to Islandwood on Bainbridge, in December 

○ It’s closer and they have more purpose-built facilities 

○ 3 nights instead of 2 

○ Need to “accrue points” to get in with them, maybe get a better spot 

○ Accommodates neurodiversity, kids can come out for the day 

● Reimbursement for 5th grade families from this year’s trip 

● 5th Grade Adventure Day 

○ Private movie screening @ Majestic Bay (walk from Whittier) 

○ Popcorn, Soda 

○ Salmon Bay Park 

○ Pizza 

○ Year Book 

○ Specialists come for the last hour 

● Math Agency – thank you for support, we’ll have some great opportunities next year, and likely some extension (advanced learning). 

Meeting Adjourned 7:59 pm

Whittier PTA Board Meeting

February 13, 2024

7:00pm In Person & Zoom
Meeting ID: 817 3911 8250
Passcode: wildcats

Meeting link

BOARD MEMBERS / CHAIRS IN ATTENDANCE

• Renee Hartnett – Co-President
• Courtney Sievers – Co-President
• Jess Templeton – Vice President (running reflections contest) 
• Michelle Nemeth – Treasurer 
• Melissa Ivancevich – Co-Secretary
• Emily Robertson – Co-Secretary
• Meg Herscher – Communications chair (zoom)
• Kate Scher – Communications (Website/Wildchat)
• Kiana Swearingen – Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Chair
• Ashley Schiavone – Fundraising Co-Chair
• Emily Schweiger – Family and Community Engagement – Outreach Chair
• Jen Foreman – Programs Co-Chair
• Laura Zingg – Programs Co-Chair; Student Directory (zoom)
• Kathleen Donahoe – Hospitality Co-Chair 
• Emily Grosse – Hospitality Co-Chair 
• Nicole Kaczmarek – Director at Large
• David Peabody – Move-a-thon Chair
• Sara Lukas – Room Parent Coordinator

COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE

• Kellie Pecoraro
• Anika Anand
• Maureen Nothum
• Katie Stiver (zoom)
• Bonnie (zoom)
• Rachel Wold (zoom) 

Meeting Called to Order at 7:02 PM

WELCOME

• Ice Breaker
• Core Values and goals

APPRECIATIONS

• David Peabody – Move-a-Thon
• Brie Gardner – Spring Fling kicked off
• Laura Zingg & Jennifer Foreman – Programs for Winter
• Kate Scher – Gaga Ball
• Kathleen & Emily – ongoing Staff Appreciation!

PRESIDENT’S UPDATES

• PTA Roles & Descriptions
  • Done by 2/16 if possible
  • Goal of having smooth transitions
• Survey to community on budget

BUSINESS

• Yearbook
  • Annika Anand looking for a partner to help
• PTA Table at Family Dance & Game Night
  • Need volunteers to be involved at PTA table 
• Potential Shift with Move-A-Thon to 13th Ave NW
  • Location shift because of bike week
  • Need stanchions, flags, cones
  • Freezer pops Town & Country 
  • Frankie and Joe’s for volunteers 
• Wildcats Wonder (instead of career day)
  • What problems do you want to solve? 
  • Crowdsourcing / engaging community / parents on what problems they’re working on 
  • April / May 
  • Moments of failure along the way / perseverance 

TIMELY CHAIR UPDATES

• VP – Jess Templeton –
  • Reflections Updates
  • Nom Com
    • Survey Assistant Treasurer – Stacy not returning 
    • EDI co-chair, ideally someone representing communities not currently 
    • Volunteer co-chair recently vacated – going into a busy time 
    • Fundraiser co-chair 
    • More to come 
• Kiana Swearingen EDI
  • Supporting & Raising Mixed-Race Children – think of someone that can go with you
    • Childcare will be provided
    • Neighborhood schools have been contacted

TREASURER’S REPORT (MICHELLE NEMETH)

• January 2024 Financial Report
  • $7,277 income from annual give
  • $3,936 gaga ball expense
  • -$372 for month 
  • $265,276 overall balance
• Budget Committee
  • Need 5 volunteers

KATE SCHER 

• Gaga Ball – Lots of volunteers 
• STEAM lab – grant opportunity with WA Arts
  • $5000 materials equip, $5000 training etc
  • Must be non-profit, so funneled through the PTA 
  • Grant submission due by Feb 23
    • If instated, would be housed in a pre-identified room in the building, staffed by volunteers, and potentially rolled out and
      • Need a state wide vendor number
      • Unique entity ID – may be washington state UBI 

ASHLEY SCHIAVONE

• School Party scheduled March 29th
  • Activities, dance party in the cafeteria 
  • Unicycling in the gym with Mr. Pule 
  • Gaga ball, 4-square
  • Popcorn for all
  • Will need volunteers

PRINCIPAL WATTERS UPDATE 

• Entering budget time and it’s terrible
  • $10,000 – $12,000 for this year for supplies (vs. $20,000 – $22,000 last year)
  • Enrollment projections within 6-8 of what office staff thinks
  • Next year we will likely have (2) 5th grades, (2) 4th grades, (3) 3rd grades next year (most covid impacted cohort – current 2nd graders), (2) 2nd grades, (3) 1st grades, (3) kindergarten classes
  • Won’t know about staffing until August 
  • Split-level grade level classes aren’t good generally
• Partnership with the Math Agency in grades 3 and 4 going well
  • On track for kids to grow 1.5 grade levels
  • Scaling back intervention from 4 days a week to 3 days a week
  • Pilot with 3rd graders 1 day x week to focus on task complexity 
  • High numbers of HC kids in 3rd grade 
• 5th Grade trip next year might be Island Wood
  • Should be in the Fall for bonding
• Prides of March
  • Food Pantry 
  • Hygiene kits for high schoolers
• Pints with the Principal / Coffee – to talk budget 
• Looking for new school board member for our area 
• Highly Capable Services / Advanced Learning Program (unfunded mandate)
  • Got rid of HC / Advanced learning opportunities for 5th graders going into 6th grade (everybody still gets to same place at the same time) 

FINAL WORD FROM THE PRESIDENT

• NA

Meeting Adjourned 8:14  pm

Note for March meeting agenda: Mariner’s Game update

Whittier PTA Board Meeting

January 9, 2024

7:00pm Zoom
Meeting ID: 817 3911 8250
Passcode: wildcats

BOARD MEMBERS / CHAIRS IN ATTENDANCE

• Renee Hartnett – Co-President
• Courtney Sievers – Co-President
• Jess Templeton – Vice President (running reflections contest) 
• Michelle Nemeth – Treasurer 
• Melissa Ivancevich – Co-Secretary (attended vida Zoom) 
• Emily Robertson – Co-Secretary
• Meg Herscher (New communications chair)
• Kate Scher – Communications (Website/Wildchat)
• Kiana Swearingen – Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Chair
• Glenda Elley – Fundraising Co-Chair
• Ashley Schiavone – Fundraising Co-Chair
• Anjean Vanden Bosch – Volunteer Chair & Membership Chair
• Meg Pietz – Family and Community Engagement – Events Chair
• Emily Schweiger – Family and Community Engagement – Outreach Chair
• Jen Foreman – Programs Co-Chair
• Laura Zingg – Programs Co-Chair; Student Directory
• Jon Overman – Legislative Representative (primary) (attended via Zoom) 
• Molly Firth – Legislative Representative (secondary)
• Emily Grosse – Hospitality Co-Chair 
• Nicole Kaczmarek – Director at Large
• John Shaw – Tech Support
• David Peabody – Move-a-thon
• Mendy Minjarez – Spirit Gear
• Sara Lukas – Room Parent Coordinator

COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE

• Kellie Pecoraro
• Brianna Mercker 
• Suman Pradhan
• Andrea Pungoti
• Tanya Cunningham
• Rachel Wold
• Meena Lenn
• Lana Sturmer

WELCOME

• Meeting Called to Order / Land Acknowledgment at 7:01 PM
• Intros – fave book or movie and PTA role, kids and grades
• Vote to approve November PTA meeting minutes
  • Jess Templeton motioned to approve 
  • Emily Grosse seconded
  • Approved

APPRECIATION

• Thank you’s:
  • Kraken Ice Skating Event
  • Literacy night 
  • Helping Hands/Mittens
  • Anjean – membership education & communication.
    • Now have around 136 members up from 70 something at beginning of year 

PRESIDENT’S UPDATE

• Board Update
  • Meg Herscher – Communications Chair
  • Brie Gardner – Spring Fling co-chair (needs second)
    • Date: May 18th. 
    • Theme: Follow the call to the disco ball. 
    • First meeting this Thursday, 1/11. 3 responses to volunteer asks. Still looking for procurement team. 
    • Same format as last year minus wine wall and aviator photos
• Surveying for preferences 
• Budget
  • Budget conversations starting in February 29th 8am coffee, Feb 29th pints with principal, zoom option on March 7th.
• Mariners Event in spring – date TBD

BUSINESS

• Land Acknowledgement update from Kiana
  • Current practice
  • Why does SPS have different language than Whittier? 
  • Evolution
  • Land acknowledgements can be token, not meaningful
  • Still relevant if doing a specific call to action. Generally not recommended for standing meetings, etc. Only if relevant to actual meeting, possibly with local tribal members present
  • The monthly PTA meetings do not meet the parameters of when a land acknowledgment should be used. So we should not use land acknowledgements at every board meeting. 
  • We should use an acknowledgment if there is clear connection in the meeting activities or actions toward native sovereignty or the native land back movement
  • Recommendation for policy to be reviewed annually as part of EDI role.
    • Renee recommending we vote on recommendations from EDI
      • Glenda motioned to approve EDI recommendations
      • Jen Foreman seconded
• Approved

• Standing Rules
  • Renee motioned to approve standing rules as revised
  • Second Glenda
  • Approved
• Update on Gaga Ball
  • Estimated delivery Feb 20th
  • Working on getting donated lumber
  • Octagon 20-30 kids
  • ADA door 
  • 5th grade fundraiser, co-creation of rules 
• Lana Sturmer – whittier parent. Idea for what to do with lost and found
  • Non-profit that creates inclusive communities for kids with disabilities.
  • Northwest Center – The Big Blue Truck – Value Village
  • Cindy is a big supporter of this. Wants the big blue bin inside Whittier with signage explaining what it means. Lana will help manage program. Not throwing things away but giving things new life. Strategically find place for it.
    • Renee motions to approve implementation of program. 
    • Melissa seconds 
    • Approved. New program to implement 

TIMELY CHAIR UPDATES

• VP – Jess Templeton – Reflections Updates
  • Lessons learned 
  • Next year directing messaging to kids, maybe through Mr. Buck
• VP – Jess Templeton – Nom Com
  • End of Jan. let folks know if continuing to next year
  • Mendy – reminder: nom com process is supposed to be confidential. Notes should not be open to board. Internal discussions should not be made public etc. 
• Events – Meg Pietz
  • Family Dance and Game Night – Michelle Nemeth helping. Friday the 1st of March – DJ Ms. Steph 
• Spirit Gear – Mendy
  • Now that we have a communications chair, we should keep sending out link about ordering spirit gear on-demand. 
  • Haven’t updated many designs recently – classic and modern. Can create new things! Survey to see what people want/need.
• Move-a-thon Chair David Peabody
  • Sponsorship Trader Joe’s, Swansons, Brook’s, Fred Meyer
  • Stuff – fidgets, water bottles, stickers
  • General note that sweat bands are a good option for swag

TREASURER’S REPORT (Michelle Nemeth) 

• Review of Financial Reports from 2023
  • November
    • Income: $38,375.35
    • Expenses: $635.53 (fall festival) 
  • December
    • Income $14,079.32 income
    • Expense $27,828.80 expense
  • Fundraising $82,766 annual give 
  • Reports weren’t sent out yet 
  • Huge shout out for annual give! 

PRINCIPAL WATTERS UPDATE

• Thank you for land acknowledgement update
• How do we bring people into the PTA? 
• Mike Clay – old school sweatshirt design “Whittier Established 1908” second bld added 1929. Both demo’d 1998. New building opened in 1999. 
• Staff love gear gifts
• Thank you for support of Fragile Families
• Annual Give in school party – keepin’ it simple. Fun, different. Popcorn party?
• Massive Monkeys in March

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

• Sped classroom rep
• Spring Fling Co-Chair
• Tax person

Meeting Adjourned 8:39 PM

Whittier PTA Board Meeting
November 14, 2023
7:00pm In Person & Zoom
Meeting ID: 817 3911 8250
Passcode: wildcats

BOARD MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE

• Renee Hartnett – Co-President
• Courtney Sievers – Co-President
• Jess Templeton – Vice President (running reflections contest)
• Michelle Nemeth – Treasurer
• Melissa Ivancevich – Co-Secretary (attended vida Zoom)
• Emily Robertson – Co-Secretary
• Kiana Swearingen – Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Chair
• Ashley Schiavone – Fundraising Co-Chair
• Leah Lansberry Austin – Volunteer Chair & Membership Chair
• Anjean Vanden Bosch – Volunteer Chair & Membership Chair
• Emily Schweiger – Family and Community Engagement – Outreach Chair
• Jared Cortese – Programs Co-Chair
• Jen Foreman – Programs Co-Chair
• Laura Zingg – Programs Co-Chair; Student Directory
• Jon Overman – Legislative Representative (primary) (attended via Zoom)
• Kathleen Donahoe – Hospitality Co-Chair
• Emily Grosse – Hospitality Co-Chair
• Nicole Kaczmarek – Director at Large
• Members at Large
  • Brie Gardner
  • Kellie Pecoraro

Non-Board Members in Attendance

• John Shaw – Tech Support
• David Peabody – Move-a-thon
• Mendy Minjarez – Spirit Gear
• Sara Lukas – Room Parent Coordinator

Community Members in Attendance

• Emily Geyer
• Maureen Nothum
• Rachel Wold
• Katie Stiver
• Brianna Mercker
• Liz Young
• Jessica Young
• Kate Scales
• Will Scales
• Sean Ritchie
• Megan Herscher
• Tony Toppenberg

WELCOME
● Meeting Called to Order / Land Acknowledgment at 7:01 PM
● Approval of September & October PTA Meeting minutes & May Community Meeting minutes
○ Kathleen motioned to approve, Sara Lukas seconded
■ Approved, no dissension

APPRECIATION
● Thank you’s:
○ Fall Festival
○ EDI Committee – Coordination of gender-diverse youth workshop
○ Fundraising – Annual Give
○ Hospitality – Monthly staff appreciation (Kathleen and Emily)

FUNDING PROPOSALS
● Garden Beds, proposed by Elsie Smith, Ada Scales, and Rowan Ritchie (Poppy Tallarico Ross not
present) – $1300
○ Planter pots, flowers, wood chips, soil
■ Wood chips so it will be less muddy when it rains
■ 7 planters ($31.89/each from Home Depot) – 1 planter for each grade
● Will get plants/flowers (native focused) from Swansons Nursery
● Each class will get to pick 2 flowers for their planter box
● Resin planter boxes

■ Will take an aerial photo, then grid off, then cut out planter boxes to move
around
■ Will ask for volunteers to maintain plants
■ Would like to do in the spring
○ Old planter boxes removed
○ Conversation:
■ There may be some money in a conservation budget for the school that could be
used for this
■ Can also ask for a donation from Swanson’s
○ Vote to support this project, likely don’t need to provide any funds
● Gaga Ball Pit, proposed by Lucas Young-Frankowski, Theo Young-Frankowski, Denali Swearingen,
Ben Toppenberg, Henry Gudmastad, Nash Lyden
○ Explanation of how to play gaga ball
■ 15-20 students can play at a time
■ Use a kick ball type of ball
○ Inclusive, minimum equipment/maintenance needed
■ Whittier Kids also will benefit – Whittier Kids can no longer play using the
school’s mats because too destructive
■ No team picking; can quickly get back in the game
○ Would likely be in the top right (NE) corner of the blacktop
■ A concern expressed about location because the lower hoop better for smaller
kids is located there
○ Sweat equity & fundraisers
■ Going to explain to the other classrooms
■ The 6 students presenting will help build it
○ Two options (both have ADA access door & a soft base):
■ One: prefab, cut, ready to go
■ Two ($3500): purchase precut lumber, stain & build it
● Preference of the student group
● A dad is willing to do some fundraising
● Other parents will help build

○ Vote to fund the second option with a request that they fundraise $1000:
■ Approved, no dissension

● Opinion expressed that this bucket of money be prioritized for student-led efforts/requests
○ Cindy hasn’t heard anything else bubbling up from students
○ Feel a loyalty to the 5th graders after going through Covid

PRESIDENT’S UPDATE
● Meeting Structure
○ Finding that we need more than an hour, but trying to keep it as short as possible
● Board Update

○ Two board members have had to resign: Joa Pope (Director at large) & Mandy Nelson
(Communications) – goal to fill these two positions by the end of the year

● Communication Plan for Board (Konstella owned by individuals)
○ In the meantime, Courtney monitoring communication requests coming in
○ Ask that the roles post Konstella announcements
■ Make Communications an owner of the message as well
○ Request for guide on how to post on Konstella and what is acceptable to post on the
various channels/guide on the role for Communications

BUSINESS
● Standing rules updates
○ Going to share more broadly and then vote in January
● Insurance (Emily Robertson)
○ Unless any objections, going to add a media liability endorsement in amount of $25k,
adds $70 to our annual premium
○ Motion on vote to approve
■ Kathleen motioned, seconded by Jared
■ Approved, no dissension

● NomComm – VOTE on Committee for 2024: Jess Templeton, David Peabody, Kathleen Donahoe,
Mendy Minjarez
○ Approved, no dissension

TIMELY CHAIR UPDATES
● Legislative assembly update – Jon Overman & Molly Firth
○ Entirely virtual, Jon & Molly split attendance
○ Two issues, six resolutions discussed to vote on
■ Two issues:
● K-12 education funding
○ Included language about PTA’s not using funds to augment staff
positions

● Traumatic brain injuries – a proposal on a ban on helmets used
■ Two issues & two resolutions were passed with amendments
■ Four resolutions that weren’t debated at all but passed
○ Next year will be the full resetting of priorities, so hoping it will be in-person
○ There will be a focus on legislative/advocacy in January/February
● Annual Give – Glenda & Ashley
○ Have a little over $54k (~60% of the goal, ~50% participation)
○ A comment that there should still be an opportunity
● Membership Goals – Anjean & Leah
○ Next year will start the membership drive (a 4-week “information campaign”) earlier (in
June) so it doesn’t overlap with Annual Give

○ Started out communications with what does it mean to be a PTA member, then what is
the value/why the PTA? Next week will be what does the PTA actually do.
■ Up to 115 members (started out with 77)
■ It was really effective to just remind people that they have to sign up again every
year

○ Going to send out more emails to just members about what we’re voting on at upcoming
meetings
■ Maybe have “PTA spotlights” – who they’re here and why they’re here
■ Add a “membership corner” or a “membership spotlight”
○ Want to be able to offer scholarships to families to be able to offer memberships to a
certain number of families
● Outreach – Helping Hands, Emily Schweiger
○ Helping Hands gift card drive starts tomorrow
● Room rep & holiday gifts – Sara Lukas
○ Would like ideas about text to send to the room reps
○ Need to determine if/how to give to all staff
● Program’s
○ This is Jared’s last day/meeting as Program’s co-chair

TREASURER’S REPORT (Michelle Nemeth)
● Review of Financial Reports from October 2023
○ Income: $32,786.75
○ Expenses: $34,743.54
■ Paid for $17,003.89 grant for school
■ Paid $5,516.61 for instructional support
■ Paid $2,800 for curriculum enrichment
○ Need to add a line item for Mr. Buck for money for bookmarks
○ Need to add a line item (~$2000) to pay for our 990 (reports our income & expenses)
■ Vote to approve, seconded by Jared
● Approved, no abstentions

PRINCIPAL WATTERS UPDATE
● Really crowded 3rd & 4th grade classrooms
○ They only made staffing adjustments at schools that needed two or more teachers and
we only needed one
○ Question from a parent: how can we better support the 3rd & 4th grade classes?
■ Not sure, don’t have an answer yet
■ There aren’t IAs for gen ed kids, so can’t use IAs to do small cohort work

● Math agency has kicked off, serving ~30 kids
● Need to convey that we have a responsibility to fund intervention and that new cuts shouldn’t
be layered on schools who have already experienced cuts
○ We’re seeing a shift in the student/family makeup of Whittier due to upzoning
● We’re doing more inclusion at our school than the majority of any other school

○ Spending a majority of their time in the gen ed session instead of independently in their
own classroom

● Want to know from the district, what is the floor for our school – what is the minimum amount
of support/etc. we will have?
● No resources being provided for advanced learners
○ Trying to push the math agency to explore this
○ Ms. Trillby trying to provide some support to 3rd grade
● Would like to add student representation/participation in PTA events
○ Cindy making sure activities are occurring during the school day at the school so that no
one is excluded

● Cindy working on a presentation that could be shared with the PTA to help with the
messaging/advocate
○ Letter writing to our school board (before budget season that starts in February)
○ If we have contacts in the media to help get the message out/tell our story that
resonates and doesn’t disenfranchise other schools/families

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
● Sped classroom rep
● Reflections Art Contest Committee
○ Theme: “I am hopeful because”
○ Request to get students involved – no submissions yet
■ Submissions due this Friday

● Nominating committee
● Science Fair/STEM Night Coordinator
● Spring Fling Co-Chairs
● Tax person
Meeting Adjourned 9:14 PM

Whittier PTA Board Meeting
October 10, 2023
7:00pm Zoom
Meeting ID: 817 3911 8250
Passcode: wildcats

BOARD MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE
Renee Hartnett – Co-President
Courtney Sievers – Co-President
Michelle Nemeth – Treasurer
Emily Robertson – Co-Secretary
Mandy Nelson – Communications Chair
Kiana Swearingen – Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Chair
Ashley Schiavone – Fundraising Co-Chair
Anjean Vanden Bosch – Volunteer Chair & Membership Chair
Emily Schweiger – Family and Community Engagement – Outreach Chair
Jen Foreman – Programs Co-Chair
Laura Zingg – Programs Co-Chair; Student Directory
Jon Overman – Legislative Representative (primary)
Molly Firth – Legislative Representative (secondary)
Kathleen Donahoe – Hospitality Co-Chair
Emily Grosse – Hospitality Co-Chair
Nicole Kaczmarek – Director at Large
Joa Pope – Director at Large
Members at Large
● Nichole Maiman Waterman
● Brie Gardner

NON-BOARD MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE

• David Peabody – Move-a-thon

COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE: N/A

WELCOME

● Meeting Called to Order / Land Acknowledgment at 7:00 PM

APPRECIATION

● Thank you’s:

○ Meg Pietz – Grade level Happy Hours at Chucks

○ Kate Scher – Wildchat

○ Emily and Jess for cleaning out PTA closet!

BUSINESS
● Standing rules updates and questions
○ There was a question about fees in section 3.3. Renee Hartnett clarified the due
breakdown, stating that they were correct as previously written. Secretary to revert back
to original language.
○ There was a question about what a quorum is. Renee Hartnett clarified that a quorum =
half of roughly 20 board members (10). There is a question regarding whether we should
make the language more clear? Executive committee has to be majority. Number of
board members at tonight’s meeting is 16.
○ Mandy Nelson – generally it’s a %, or flexible number that matches. 50% plus 1?
○ Decided to review in November meeting – not exactly sure
○ Add language in for digital records
○ Add language about harassment prevention procedure policy – reference National PTA
website

● Financial Review (Michelle Nemeth)
○ 2022-2023 – review – thanking team on Financial Review Committee (Emily Robertson,
Jeannie Lee, Megan Herscher, Tyler Gaspard and Michelle Nemeth)
○ Background about process/results:
■ Why?
● General transparency
● Requirement for bond insurance – legal requirements
● Good business practice
■ What?
● Looked at Financial Review Checklist
● Separated work into 5 sections
● Accessed various docs on google drive and sometimes hunted them
down

■ Findings
● Books look good
● PTA has few accounts (3) – which is easier to manage
● Quickbooks, online banking easily accessible
■ What to work on for next year
● Organize docs on google drive for next year’s Financial Review (Michelle
Nemeth has started this already)
● Report is an 8 page document – what we need to look at every year –
was a pretty big task for the group
● Michelle is official treasurer but there is another person doing most of
the accounting – Stacy Rose, which sometimes makes things tricky
● One item of note is that we should be reviewing insurance policy every
year and recording this in the minutes in order to maintain certain
insurance.
■ Summary
● Above board, able to check yes on most items.

● Insurance (Emily Robertson)
○ Review of current policy:
■ Commercial General Liability: $1 Million limit – $110
■ Extended Medical Payments: $5,000 limit – $0
■ Professional Liability: $1 Million limit – $65
■ Fidelity bond: $25,000 limit – $125
■ Inland Marine: $10,000 limit – $115
■ $415 total
○ Emily Robertson suggested potentially adding Media Liability
○ Adding Media Liability Endorsement would add costs as follows:
■ $25,000 – $70.00
■ $50,000 – $90.00
■ $75,000 – $120.00
■ $100,000 – $160.00
○ Find out if Media Policy covers PII (inadvertently sharing personal info)
○ Review at next meeting
● Legislative assembly update – Molly Firth
○ 2 weeks from now
○ Jon and Molly feel like most issues are not controversial such as:
■ Addressing issues around multi-language and heritage
■ Preventing and reducing gun violence and suicide
■ Resolutions such as high quality preschools
■ However, there are 2 Resolutions that are trickier:
● Resolution #3 K-12 Education Funding
○ What is Whittier’s position? Whittier’s PTA position?
○ What would Cindy say?

○ How is the school actually funded?
● Resolution #4 Traumatic Brain Injuries
○ This one seems has potential to amplify equity issues.
Historically helmet laws were enforced targeting mostly people
of color.
TREASURER’S REPORT (Michelle Nemeth)
● Review of Financial Reports from September 2024
○ As of $243,617 (about a $200 change). Paid PTA dues WSPTA and Seattle PTA
○ Evidently Mr. Buck raised $1000 from selling bookmarks. There is a question about
whether Stacy Rose can create a line item for this. It was discussed that these individual
pots of money are complicated from a tracking standpoint. It was pointed out that Cindy
should be looped in

TIMELY CHAIR UPDATES
● Annual Give – Glenda & Ashley
○ Kicked off today? $80,000 ask. $1500 so far. In lieu of gifts we’ll do an experience. School
party – disco. Our time to shine! More details to come. Gym, dance, disco ball. Saves
money for gifts = point of fundraising. Thermometer poster board. New thing asking for
volunteers. Pick something to volunteer for.

● Fall Festival – Jess Twardzik
○ Not present. Event is October 27
● EDI November Event – Kiana Swearingen
○ Gender Diversity Event in November. Free childcare provided by Whittier Kids. Confirm
date.
○ Beyond Black and White at Salmon Bay
● Outreach – Emily Schweiger
○ Coffee morning October 20th. Help? 7:40-8:10 on 14th Ave
○ Starting work for helping hands. Office working on mitten idea? November 18th-ish
● Programs- Jared Cortese/Laura Zyngg/Jennifer Foreman
○ Afterschool programs launched Oct 2nd – Nov 16th.
○ 7 programs
○ Met minimum for all programs.
○ Not all sold out
○ 3 scholarships were awarded. The $10 enrollment fee goes towards scholarships.
○ Winter programs will start after holiday break
● Hospitality – Emily Grosse/Kathleen Donahoe
○ Next Thursday setting up for fall breakfast
● Membership Goals – Anjean & Leah
○ Why not marry fundraising and membership drive?
○ 75 members currently. Goal is 200/
○ Had 88 last year Sep 20, and 133 by end of school year

○ How to generate more members?
■ Signage
■ Specific communication out to adults and caregivers
■ Don’t have a lot of staff participation
■ Student memberships?
■ Value message for Whittier – Going back to Kiana’s comment about what is
equity to us?
■ #1 reason people don’t join is because they’re not asked. Put something in next
wild chat. Reach out to inactive members…?
■ Lots of great ideas.
■ Enrollment is down and post-covid numbers are down.
■ Participating board and community members can send ideas to Anjean – by the
end of the week
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
● Sped classroom rep
● Fall Carnival Committee
● Reflections Art Contest Committee
● Nominating committee
● Science Fair/STEM Night Coordinator
● Spring Fling Co-Chairs
● Tax person
Meeting Adjourned 8:27 pm