Jan. 7, 2008

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The meeting opened with prayer led by Sheila Beeman.

Board Minutes Review:

The Board met in closed session in December.  Gary Brown had a Christmas party and working meeting at his house.  PTF received the following summary of the meeting.

• Academic Affairs:  Scheduled a meeting on December 20 with Ken and John Mather to further review the proposal for improvements. 
• Endowment:  Glenn Koch reviewed the investment numbers and a copy of the endowment investment policy was distributed.
• Boy’s baseball this spring:  Due to time crunch we discussed the feasibility and practicality of having a team this spring due to expressed interest.  
• Board training is scheduled for the evening of January 18 and during the day on 19th. 
• Superintendent report:
  • Water heaters under the kitchen need to be replaced.  Will be converting to gas which will save money in long term.  Getting bids.
  • Academically teachers are working on scope and sequence for each subject
  • Teaching junior high on developing proper relationships through Life Line instructor
  • Enrolling one new student from Korea
  • IHSAA board meeting re: sports classification.  Because of the show of support to reconsider this classification decision, a new ballot was sent out. Voted to keep the 1A divisions as they are.
  • On Dec 6th, the State Agency Coordinator conducted a review regarding food service -- will report results in January
  • Will bring to Board a tentative tuition proposal for 2008-2009 in January
  • Annual letter for development went out
  • We received a $3,000 grant from the Idaho Community Foundation to purchase new projectors.
    

PTF Updates

• Bulletin board is up in lobby.  Jeanie Hetrick will be rewriting letter for donations for PTF projects and the Money Box will be placed by the PTF Bulletin Board.
• Mr. Sheldon has talked with staff regarding Project Request process and notebook.  The notebook is in the teacher lounge.
• Workday is scheduled for Saturday, January 12th.
• Monette will bring treats for teachers for February.  Will put reminder on web page for March, April, and May.
• Discussed thank-you baskets to be made for Collins and Hazens from PTF. Anyone interested in donating, please contact Jeanie Hetrick (cell 989-5378).

New Business

Char Crusta, an interested supporter and new friend to the school, presented a brief summary of her gift and job in grant writing. 

Next month, come prepared to discuss how we might go about working on our by-laws. 

The next PTF Meeting will be held on Monday, February 4th at 7:00 PM in the school dining hall.

Feb. 4, 2008

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The meeting opened with prayer led by Char Crusta.

New Business

Char began the meeting with a presentation on grant writing.  Handouts were distributed.  Char discussed that the largest part of grant writing is in the research. Char would like to organize a team to begin applying for GFA grants.  Please contact Char through the school office if you are interested in participating.

Judi Magee reported on the 100-year celebration.  The Centennial Committee is looking for people who can give their time as well as donations to make this event possible. The Committee is also seeking an individual to oversee a Prayer Committee.  If anyone is interested, please contact Judi in the school office.

Review of January’s GFA Board Meeting by Sheila Beeman:

• The Academic Affairs committee met to discuss the superintendent/discipline coordinator role.  If any parents are interested in helping with this task, contact John Mather or Ken Sheldon.
• Endowment has met with Char Crusta concerning grants.
• The Board approved the request for a baseball team. 
• Superintendent’s Report:
  • One more student has enrolled this month.
  • ISHAA / League Status:  There was overwhelming support against the new league division, but a decision was made to keep the league as is.  League teams are Salmon River, Garden Valley and New Meadows.  Kari Fisk indicated that teams would alternate going to these distant locations.
  • The Board approved the grant received from Idaho Power.  This will result in lower lighting costs for the school.
  • $3,870 was donated for projectors.  Four projectors and one portable projector will be purchased.
• Board training was held on Feb. 1-2 at the school with Ernie Lewis.

PTF Updates

• By-laws for the PTF will be discussed at the next PTF meeting.
• PTF Family Work Day is scheduled for Saturday, February 9th.

The next PTF Meeting will be held on Monday, March 3, 2008 at 7:00 PM in the school dining hall.

Mar. 3, 2008

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The meeting opened with prayer led by Sheila Beeman.

Gary Brown provided updates on behalf of the Board:

1. The February board meeting was cancelled and instead the Board members attended a training session that was focused on the book “Serving God on the Christian School Board”. 
2. Gary would like to plan quarterly follow-up training sessions for the Board.  In addition, the Board will attend ACSI training.
3. The Board is developing “ad hoc” committees for getting specific tasks completed. One of the priorities for the Board is to approve a budget for a Principal position.

Centennial Update:  Judi Magee reported that a lot of preliminary planning is in progress for the upcoming 100-year celebration scheduled for July 4-6th.  GFA is working with the City of Greenleaf and the Greenleaf Friends Church to coordinate the many activities for this celebration.

The PTF was asked to manage the main food booth at the Centennial event.  The PTF will discuss this and get back to Judi Magee before the next monthly meeting.

PTF Leadership Updates

• President Report:
  1. By-laws for the PTF will be discussed at the next PTF meeting. 
     
     
• Volunteer Report
  1.  PTF Family workday was held on March 1st. 
  2. Need to contact VOW to arrange for a crew of workers. 
  3. Debbie Swanson’s husband has entered GFA into “The Extreme School Makeovers” contest where an amount of $250,000 could be utilized for school enhancements.
     
     
• Encouragement Report
  1. Teacher Appreciation Day is the first week of May.  Anyone with ideas should contact Monette Glenn.
  2. A new bill is being reviewed by Idaho legislation that would allow a maximum $5,000 income tax deduction for private school tuition fees. See http://www3.idaho.gov/oasis/H0583.html  for more information. 
     
     
• Spiritual Report
  1. Discussion was held about starting a prayer circle at GFA where prayer requests would be posted to the school website. 

Next PTF Meeting will be held on Monday, April 7th at 7:00 PM in the school dining hall.

Next workday is Saturday, April 12th, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

May 5, 2008

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The meeting opened with prayer led by Sheila Beeman.

Sheila provided the following summary of the last board meeting:

1. The board has approved GFA’s Annual Auction for the fall 2008 – dates for this year’s Auction are November 7-8, 2008. 
2. Summer school projects pending:
   1. Maintenance storage area leak needs repair
   2. Replace kitchen water heater
   3. Pre-school septic needs building drain
   4. Discussing remodel of school office
3. Spiritual Emphasis Week at GFA went very well. 
4. Learning Needs Program:  There are a couple of individuals who want to help out with this. 
5. The Senior Trip to Seattle is scheduled for May 27-31.  Chaperones may be needed.  Please contact the school office if you are able to help out.

Mom’s in Touch is a prayer group for Mom’s that meet every Friday in GFA’s Music Room from 8:30-9:30 AM to pray for the school, students, teachers and families regularly and would like you to join them.

PTF Leadership Updates

• President Report:
  1. An ad-hoc meeting was held recently with a few of the PTF Leaders to determine the roles of the PTF Team. 
  2. Summer Projects to be completed before the 100-year (4th of July) Celebration:
     1. Tear out kitchen area – replacing the sheet rock
     2. Need bathroom signs
     3. Clean outside – fence area
     4. Staircase to locker room needs clearing out
     5. Bark needs to be spread
     6. Irrigation pump needs work
     7. VOW workers – see Judi Magee
     8. Concrete play equipment needs painting
     9. Planters in elementary school area needs decorative top caps on cinder blocks
     10. Tree needs to be cut down
     11. And others . . .
  3. Char Crusta is helping GFA with the following grants:
     1. New stadium lights (writing to US Bank)
     2. Nike grant for new track
     3. School Extreme Makeover
     4. Security system for school
     5. National Honor Society
  4. Topic of Uniforms was discussed and will be pursued
  5. There are two foreign exchange students from China who need two host families for the 2008/09 school year. 
     
     
• Volunteer Report
  1. The Volunteer Information form will be used again at this year’s registration
  2. GFA Request Form will be added to the next newsletter
     
     
• Encouragement Report
  1. The Teacher Appreciation Breakfast was held on Wednesday, May 7th.
  2. Ideas for fundraisers to help with costs for Birthday’s and Treats:
     1. Community Calendar
     2. Book Fairs
        
        
• Upcoming PTF Events
  1. August 4th PTF Meeting – plan registration and team lead nominations
  2. August 21st – 2008/09 GFA Registration

Next PTF Meeting will be held on Monday, June 2nd at 7:00 PM in the school dining hall.