Serra High School Foundation

Minutes of Board Meeting

May 4, 2005

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by President Frank DeBaca at 6:38 p.m., with agenda presented.  Attendees listed in attached sign-in sheet. 

Secretary’s Report

The minutes of the March 2, 2005 Foundation Board meeting (attached as Appendix A) were reviewed.  A motion was made by Mike Kosty to approve the minutes with modifications, seconded by Denise Stevens, voted on and unanimously approved. 

President’s Report 

§         Foundation Board for 2005-2006

Frank reported that several vacancies had been filled.

Maria D’Amato - Vice President

Freshman orientation - Denise Stevens

Assistant Treasurer - Peter Duncan

Teacher Representative - Keri Pisapia

Linda Juhasz- Secretary

Football snack bar shopper - Lisa Parker

 

He also reported that the following positions are still vacant.

Auction Acquisition co chair

Buick golf ticket coordinator

Volunteer coordinator for snack bar

Corporate Fundraising

 

§         Corner project

Frank met with Elyse Lowe of Councilman Madaffers’ office to talk about the MAD balloting issue. The city is going out for bids in July for the Antiqua median project.  Bids will be in and reviewed by the November - December time frame and then it will be up to City and the Tierrasanta Community Council as to what will happen next. They would like us to attend the next community council meeting and make them aware of the money we have spent to date on maintaining the corner and impress on them the importance of getting this issue on the next MAD ballot. Frank will draft a letter and take it to June meeting to present to the council

§         Serra Showcase

Frank reported that the Serra Showcase was both well attended and well received.  Parents like this format better than the one in the Fall with the strict bell schedule as it gives them more time to talk with teachers.  Frank met and talked with several people who where interested in being a part of the Foundation.  The Foundation provided ice cream bars that were handed out at the event. 

§         Buick Open Funds

The check from the Century Club was received check last week.  The funds will have to be distributed to the teams and clubs.  Some teams want it to go to booster club and some to school club.  Coach Pisapia will determine to who the funds should be dispersed.

 

§         School Identity Project – Steve Hare

Frank had not met with S. Hare to discuss the project.  A rough estimate of the project is still in the works.  Until we can determine the rough cost of the project, it will be put on hold.

 

§         Foundation Board Transition Dinner

Frank reported that Renee Donner is coordinating the June 2nd dinner/meeting.  Renee reported that the dinner would be at Andiamo and the cost would be $15.00.

 

§         Thank You Notes

Frank reported that the Foundation had received thank you notes from the girl’s basketball team and Suzie Fore.

Treasurer's Report

Cathy Lajarraga provided a written Treasurers report (attached as Appendix B).   Cathy stated that the Buick Open money and the grant money need to be distributed.  A motion to approve the treasurer’s written report as submitted was made by Michael Kosty, seconded by Denise Stevens, voted on and unanimously approved.

Principal’s Report

Donna Somerville brought flowers to be presented to Lori Olsen and Susan Whitacre for their great job on the auction.  She acknowledged Maria D’Amato for volunteering to be the Foundation VP.  Donna felt that Serra’s outreach program to the middle schools brought great people like Maria to our school and the Foundation.  As J. Thomas could not be at the meeting, Donna reported on the marquee project.  As the cost of the project is more than $15,000, it will have to go out for bid.  This will probably delay the installation until after school starts in fall.  She felt that as Jeff Thomas and Mike Kosty tied down the specifications on the marquee so well that the bid process should be simple and should result in the sign we wanted.  Donna mentioned that Senior Exhibitions would be on June 6, 8, 9 and volunteers are needed.  You can contact Stacy Brennan to sign up.

 

Auction Report

Mike Kosty reported that approximately $32,500 had been raised.  The acquisitions committee did a great job this year in getting items that people wanted to bid on.  There is a need for more people to help – especially acquisitions.   Rob Wright stated that he was impressed with quality of items auctioned off and glad the format of the auction was different this year.

 

Grants Report

Steve Donner did not have a grants update but did compliment the Serra NJROTC on the awards that they had won. He also commented on how they had raised much of the money they needed to attend the various events on there own and not relied entirely on the Foundation for funds. 

Athletic Director’s Report

Coach Pisapia reported that it has been a great year overall.  Most coaches are coming back. The Golf team won Eastern league – 1st time since 97.  The Jeff Pointer Memorial Lacrosse game will take place this Friday.  He stated that physicals have to be done after June 1 for sports next year.  Please don’t use the old forms – new packets are being made.   Plans are being made to hold a physical clinic for athletes to get their physicals.  He noted that August 15th is the first date any sport can start practices.

Jonn provided the following information on the field turf issue. $400,000 is available from the district for a turf field.  An additional $750,000 would have to be raised for completion of the project.  The district has decided on the contractors – Field Turf for turf – Atlas for the track. Coach Pisapia doesn’t really care for Field Turf.  No company does both the field and track.  An RS has been submitted.  Representatives will come out to the Serra site and determine the actual cost.  Donna is supportive, a little worried about the $750,000 because once you commit you are in and you have to complete the project.

Coach Pisapia noted that the turf and track would last only 8-10 years before it has to be refurbished. Replacement and up-keep costs are the school’s responsibility.  There are many reasons to consider a turf field such as the field is always playable, lining is only done every 3 years, less injuries, less setup time for different sports and events, and it normally looks much nicer than a turf field.  There are a lot of different grants available to help offset the $750,000.  Coach Pisapia will continue to look at grant options.  He feels a committee should be put together to look for grants, sponsorship, etc. It will take more than just the school or the Foundation to take on this project.  

 

Teachers’ Report

 

Carlie Spears was sick and could not attend so Coach Pisapia presented her report.  She stated that teachers thought the Auction cost was too expensive just for appetizers.  SDSU students will be painting pictures in the weight room.  The Chargers are coming next week for a photo op.  Jonn read Carlie’s  “resignation” letter thanking the Foundation for all their support. She will continue to support the Foundation.

 

Membership Report

Denise Stevens wants pictures from academics and sports to do a collage to show at registration and other events so that people can see what Foundation is involved in and pays for.  Please send any appropriate pictures to Denise.  She will be sending new membership envelopes to the counseling office. She will need to spend approximately $200 to replace the existing supply.

 

Sports and Activity Recognition Night

Frank reported that the next Recognition Night would be June 1st.  He reported that the school has taken over developing the program and the video.  He thanked Renee Donner and Carol Labuda for their efforts.

 

Web Master Report

Barbara Lefkarites could not attend.  Frank and Bob have talked about updating the website.  Barb has some good ideas and they all will work on it.

 

Publicity Report

Billye Sue Dobosz could not attend.  The Foundation had a very good write up on our auction in the last Tierratimes.

Corporate Fundraising & Tierrasanta Recreation Center Report

Linda Juhasz is working on publicizing more online links.

New Business

Rob Wright brought up publishing a list of Foundation members a couple of times a year in the Tierra times as we had done in the past.  Denise Stevens will look into the cost. Rob also brought up that Principal Somerville has ideas about the instructional changes along the lines of the Pruess school so she may come to the Foundation for support of that.

 

Mike Kosty recommended that once or twice a year representatives from booster clubs get together and find out what each organization is planning and try to coordinate their efforts.  They could discuss their common grounds.  The Foundation should provide the leadership for this effort.

 

Adjourn

President Frank DeBaca adjourned the meeting at 7:55 p.m.  The next meeting will be on Thursday June 1 at Andiamo.