Tami Dowling, President, called the meeting to order at 7:25 pm. Tami welcomed all the parents and reported that the Magazine Drive brought in approximately $2,000. Tami thanked Mrs. Stoney and all the volunteers that helped to decorate the building with student artwork for the Education Fair

Programs Report:

Brenda Wygant, Programs Chair, thanked Mr. Hoover for providing the delicious cupcakes for this evening’s meeting. Refreshments are still needed for the May PTO meeting if anyone is interested in signing up.

Volunteer Report:

Bobbie Desjardins, Volunteer Coordinator, reported that the Annual Penny Jar (contains one penny for every one hour of volunteer time) Contest has come to an end. The actual number of pennies was 3,435 or $34.35. The grand prize winner with the closest guess was Samantha Giblin, 5^th grade. Samantha received the $34.35 and a restaurant gift certificate. The 2^nd place winner was Kristen LaRosa, 5^th grade and the 3^rd place winner was Amanda Weaver, 3^rd grade, each of which received a Barnes and Nobles gift card. The Volunteer with the closest guess was ****. The Staff member with the closest guess was Cathy Rourke who is a paraprofessional in our school.

The next tally of volunteer hours will be in late April or early May and this will be a final count of hours for this school year for the Blue Ribbon Report.

Bobbie thanked all the volunteers that helped Mrs. Stoney prepare the school for the Education Fair. The school looked fabulous.

Notices are going home soon for the Volunteer Luncheon which will be held on April 21^st from 11:30 to 2:00 pm. Bobbie urged parents to attend the luncheon as the staff prepares the dishes and it is a wonderful way to get together after a year of volunteering in our school.

New Searles teachers and Reading Specialists have begun a new initiative. Once a week volunteers staff the Reading Lounge to listen to students practice reading aloud. Volunteers may sign up to come in any day except Thursdays. This program will encourage fluency and confidence in our young readers.

Secretary’s Report:

Kecia Monis, Secretary, shared some wonderful thank you notes from the New Searles Hockey team for the purchase of floor hockey equipment.

Treasurer’s Report:

Cathy Ringey, Treasurer, presented the budget report. She gave $20,058.19 as the opening balance with an available balance of $9,209.06 after budgeted expenses and other allocated money are deducted. The Magazine Drive brought in approximately $2,000. Cathy reported that wish list items purchased by the PTO since the last meeting include; computer stands for $196.25, floor hockey equipment for $328.50, and CPR Annie doll balance of $52.44. Fundraising income since the last meeting includes; Hannafords - $90.00, Pizza Night - $96.55, Roller Kingdom Night - $311.00, Target - $138.63, and Uno’s Night - $38.77.

Mr. Pimley thanked everyone for attending the Education Fair. We had a good size crowd to enjoy the outstanding student artwork displayed throughout the school.

Our Rex Sox Spirit Day was a phenomenal success and the Sox won so that was an added bonus.

Mr. Pimley reported that the school website will be updated by Wednesday or Thursday with a newly revised Calendar section detailing all the remaining events scheduled for this school year.

Mr. Pimley presented the NECAP results at the conclusion of the Education Fair. New Searles did well in every category and exceeded the city and state in a number of areas. These results placed New Searles in second place city-wide.  The state designation of a "School In Need Of Improvement" will be announced in May and could affect New Searles depending on our performance with regard to our Special Education and Socio Economic cohorts. This designation falls under the No Child Left Behind legislation.

Mr. Pimley mentioned that city budget issues continue to be a concern. Parents may visit the city school website to see the school board and budget impact statements. All city schools are listed there with possible cuts etc.

Nomination of Brenda Wygant for Programs Chair made by Valerie Bridge and seconded by Cathy Ringey. Brenda accepted the nomination.

Nomination of Jim Lane for Publicity Chair made by Valerie Bridge and seconded by Brenda Wygant. Jim accepted the nomination.

Nomination of Bobbie Desjardins for Volunteer Coordinator made by Carrie Sullivan and seconded by Valerie Bridge. Bobbie accepted the nomination.

Nomination of Kecia Monis for Secretary made by Valerie Bridge and seconded by Bobbie Desjardins. Kecia accepted the nomination.

Nomination of Valerie Bridge for 2nd Vice President/Fundraising made by Kecia Monis and seconded by Cathy Ringey. Valerie accepted the nomination.

Nomination of Valerie Bridge for 1st Vice President made by Kecia Monis and seconded by Brenda Wygant. Valerie accepted the nomination.

Nomination of Tami Dowling for President made by Valerie Bridge and seconded by Bobbie Desjardins. Tami accepted the nomination.

There were no nominations for the position of Treasurer.

Guest Speaker:

A presentation on Astronomy concluded our meeting with everyone trooping outside to gaze at the constellations with a very impressive array of telescopes.