Parent Council Survey

Survey to Assist Parent Council in Deciding Whether to Endorse School Funding Proposal

Since January, the SEHS Parent Council has been getting information about the cuts in the District 4J budget. In light of the deep cuts in next year's budget for the 4J District and at South Eugene High School, the Parent Council is considering endorsing Measure 20-182 ("School Funding Measure"), the city income tax proposal on the May ballot. 

The cuts to the South Eugene High School program would include:

·       the  loss of 7 teachers in classic South, and additional losses in IHS

·       class size increases by an average of 5 students.

·       the loss of 35 class sections: every department will experience cuts that increase class size and thus reduce the number of sections for the classes that remain

·       the loss of level 1 and 2  French and German classes (we will be phasing out these two languages, although not including French immersion)

·       the loss of AP Psychology and Human Anatomy & Physiology

On April 6, 2011 the Parent Council met and discussed the School Funding Measure. The Parent Council is considering endorsing this measure. To include the wider school community's input, we are asking our membership to answer a short survey. If your student is currently enrolled at South Eugene High School, you are eligible to participate.

If you want to learn more about the School Funding Measure, visit www.StrongSchoolsEugene.org where you can read the text of the actual measure, or read the text at the City of Eugene web site.

More information about the survey is coming.

SEHS Parent Council

Minutes

Meeting on March 2, 2011

The minutes from the February 14, 2011 meeting were approved.

REPORTS

Treasurer: Kathy Barnes distributed a financial report and scrip report. Both are filed with the Recording Secretary's official minutes.

Principal: Recapped the month. Randy expressed sorrow about the deaths of two students, Jack Harnsongkram and Connor Ausland and talked about the impact on students and the community. He talked about district decisions regarding school closures and reductions. He mentioned the Drama Department's performance of "Into the Woods"  and that the girls basketball team is still winning.

Randy updated us on the budget situation. The supply budget will be reduced 15% over last year (which was reduced 5%). Notices of anticipated layoffs were sent to 6 staff members. It is possible that he will have to give more letters.  Randy's current projection is that SEHS will lose 7 FTE next year. He anticipates more letters will probably go out in early April to classified/administrators.

Site Council: The letter about communication (via email, web, basmati) approved by Parent Council went out to teachers and staff a few days ago.

Scrip: The new scrip coordinators are Lallie McKenzie for paper scrip and Vicki Silvers for eScrip.

OLD BUSINESS

Senior Party: Debbie Boures reported that she is co-chairing the Senior Party with Amy Trezona. She explained that this event is a great success and attracts a great cross section of students. Parents are encouraged to volunteer to make this event a success again this year. The party is June 11 at the University of Oregon Recreation Center. There will be a casino, prizes, a hypnotist, lazer tag and more.

Parent Council is asked to consider making the Senior Party a Parent Council sponsored event. More information will be presented at a future date about the financial situation of this event and the future leadership. Some concern was expressed that this responsibility should not fall to the Parent Council Chair and should not become a drain on the Parent Council budget.

Parent Program on Grief, Trauma: Randy reported on a program that was offered to the families involved with Mr. Axeman and others deeply impacted by the deaths of Jack and Conner with counselors, end others. There was an opportunity to share concerns and successes. There was discussion about trying to achieve balance and supporting eachother while trying to reach goals. 40-50 people attended. 

For the wider community there was a decision that no program would be offered but a notice was published in eNews that a list of resources was available through the Counseling Office for those needing more support. The counselors and staff have been identifying students that might need more support and assistance.

Budget for 2011-2012: Treasurer Kathy Barnes presented the Budget and explained the details. The budget was approved. A copy is included in the Recording Secretary's official minutes.

NEW BUSINESS

Nominating Committee: The by-laws do not address certain aspects of the election and nomination process. Revisions will be recommended in April or May so the by-laws will reflect the reality of recruiting qualified candidates. So far Maggie Carlson will be the candidate to replace Maggie Moore as Recording Secretary for next year. Michelle Pellitier will be proposed as the candidate for Communications Secretary. The Committee needs more names for the Parent Council Chair/Co-Chair position and Site Council position.

The Directory and Program Committees would like to expand so there is continuity and training for future years. The Fall Open House Social Committee needs a chair.

City Tax: The City has proposed that a tax be levied to help schools next year. Joy Marshall spoke in favor of the tax. Rebecca Kovach introduced the question of whether South's Parent Council favors the tax.

Civic Stadium Property: Rebecca Kovach would like to form a study group to consider whether Parent Council can take a position to oppose the Fred Meyer proposal and endorse the YMCA's bid for purchasing and developing the Civic Stadium property.

  

WE NEED A FEW GOOD WOMEN/MEN

Parent Council Positions Open for 2011-2012

The Parent Council Nominations Committee is taking applications for officers and committee chairs for next year. Everyone is invited to apply. The open jobs:

• Chair/Co-Chair: Facilitates meetings once a month and general chair duties.
• Site Council Representative: Attends once a month meetings and keeps Parent Council informed of decisions and issues.
• Programs Chair/Co-Chair: Help plan and coordinate 2-4 programs per year.
• Fall Open House Social: Coordinates social that occurs one hour before Open House in September. Great job if you only want one commitment.
• Directory Committee: Another important volunteer job that is done in September. Both an important tool for communication and fundraiser for Parent Council. If you are comfortable using a computer and want to work from home, this is a great job for you.

Please submit a letter of interest to the Parent Council mailbox in the office or via email to hbeardswo@gmail.com. The letter should include your name, contact info, the grade your student is in this year and any relevant information, including why this would be a good job for you.

Questions? Helen Beardsworth at hbeardswo@gmail.com.

Michelle Pellitier- Communications Secretary

Michelle Pellitier

Michelle is a native Eugenean and graduated from SEHS. Her son, Peter graduated from SEHS last year and her daughter, Natalie, is a sophomore.

Michelle has edited the SEHS eNews since 2008 and was elected Communications Secretary, a Parent Council Steering Committee office, when the position was created in the revised by-laws in 2010. She plans to, in her words, “invade your mail box every Monday night until 2013.” 

Kathy Barnes-Treasurer

Kathy has had three students graduate from the South Eugene French Immersion program. Her youngest student is a Junior.  I love volunteering at the high school and find teen-age energy exciting and entertaining.

She graduated from BYU in Finance.  For the past 25 years she has been a stay-at-home mom.  During that time, she has done a variety of things including teach piano and sing with the Eugene Symphony Chorus. Lately she has spendt a lot of time knitting things for her new grandson. 

Kathy was elected as the PC Treasurer for this school year and will continue in that role in 2011-2012 if re-elected. Parent Council is so lucky to have such a great treasurer!

Remembrance: Connor Ausland and Jack Harnsongkram

The memorial service for Jack Harnsongkram is set for Sunday, February 27 at 1:00pm in the South Eugene High School auditorium. A reception follows in the school cafeteria. 

In lieu of flowers, the families of Connor Ausland and Jack Harnsongkram request charitable donations.

The Ausland/Austin family set up the Connor Ausland Memorial Scholarship Fund at the Oregon Community Foundation at 440 E. Broadway, Suite #160, Eugene, OR 97401.

The checks can be made out to the foundation with Connor's name in the notes.

The Harnsongkram family requests donations be sent to Food for Lane County, ShelterCare or the Eugene Education Scholarship Fund for IOP.