September 18, 2023 Membership Meeting Recap

On September 18, 2023, Northshore Council PTSA held a virtual General Membership Meeting. We would like to say thank you to all of the local leaders from across the Northshore School District, as well as community and school partners for taking the time to join us!
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Continue reading below for a recap of the meeting. 

​We had our first general meeting on September 18, 2023.  It started out with a land acknowledgement and general information on how to find out more about this important topic. 
 
Council Business
We reviewed the purpose of Council and the benefits of contacting Council for help.  Some of the advantages of Council is that we can help answer questions you may have in your local PTSA, communicate training, resolve conflict, or help you find answers on the Washington State PTA website.  As a reminder, Council will not ask to review your books or report you to any agency - we are not the PTA Police. We are here to support our local PTA leaders. View the PTA Leaders Resource Chart that was shared with members at the meeting. 

We had an open board position and Christine Roehnelt was elected Secretary for the 2023-2024 year. Installation of all Council members was made by WSPTA Finance Officer Liz Nord. 2022-2023 Council Co-President Mary Khouzam was recognized for all of her work last year.

During the meeting two breakout rooms were created. Membership Co-Chair Allison Torgesen​ presented and answered questions about memberplanet in one room while Brittany Hernandez, AIM representative, provided an overview of what you should know about your PTA insurance and answered questions in the second room.

The proposed budget for 2023-2024 was presented and approved by the members at the meeting.
 
Committee Updates

• Advocacy – Update from Holly M. 
  • On 10/3 from 6-7 pm, Council will be hosting an in-person School Board Candidate Forum.  Submit possible questions to be asked at the forum by September 25, 2023 
  • Legislative Assembly will be held virtually on Oct 21 & Oct. 22. Registration is now open. 
  • Please join our Council hosted Advocacy Facebook Group for PTA leaders.
• Events – Update from Melissa B.
  • Presidents and Principals is 10/26 from 11-12:30 at Brightwater Event Center. Digital invites will be emailed to the PTSA Presidents and Principals with a reservation link.
• Membership – Update from Allison T.
  • Approx. 2100 members have joined Northshore PTA/PTSAs so far this year. There are only 7 PTAs that have not yet entered their members - that is good start for being so early in the year.
• Reflections- Update by Jasmine F. 
  • I am Hopeful Because… is the theme for this year's 2023-2024 Reflections Program. 
  • Council is hosting two Reflections Roundtables on 9/25 and 10/4. In addition to the two Council Roundtables, Jasmine is also presenting Reflections Leaders Training for WSPTA on 9/21 at 6:30 p.m. and 10/7 at 9:00 a.m.
  • Student are invited to submit a theme to WSPTA for the 2025-2026 Reflections Program. Student with the winning theme will receive $100.  
• Speaker and Events Grants Program – Update by Grace J. 
  • First grant cycle was this summer, Council did not receive any applications. 
  • Applications are open for the second Educational Speakers and Community Events grant cycle. Local PTAs/PTSAs interested in partnering with Northshore Council PTSA to host speakers or events may apply for a Northshore Council PTSA Educational Speakers and Community Events Grant. The grant deadline is 10/27.

 District and Community Partners

• School Board Director Bob Swain  
  • The Northshore School District Graphics Center was cut from budget. Negotiations with a company/union are underway to explore third party printing. No official solution yet.      
    • In regards to the machines, no response yet as to what will happen to them. One machine was 100K to repair so that was taken into consideration when the print shop was closed. 
  • School design capital improvements are happening now with designers and committees. 
  • There is approximately $13.5 million saved from the Ruby Bridges building budget. This excess will stay in buildings and facilities. 
  • There will be budget cuts again next year, maybe $17-20 million. Board will be in study sessions to discuss cuts. 
  • Director Swain did not seek another term for School Board. Elisabeth Sotak, is running unopposed in the November election for his seat. The transition to the new school board member will take place after the election in December 2023. 
  • Student enrollment is approximately 200 more than budgeted.   
• Dr. Srinivas Khedam – Assistant Director of Family Engagement and Resource Center at Northshore School District 
  • On 10/4 at 6:30 p.m. Superintendent Tolley will be hosting a Listening Session for Spanish Speaking families.
  • The Family Engagement and Resource Center opened this summer. They receive referrals of families from NSD staff. Staff will check in with the family to see what resources are needed and NSD partners with the state and local agencies and connects them to help. Goal is to eliminate barriers for students and families. More information is on their website.
  • Staff is currently working on 5 minute PowerPoint informational presentations, done by students. An example of a video they will do is “What is PTSA?”. 
  • He also shares his learning from immigrant communities.

 
The President ended the meeting with a review of the upcoming events. All of the events dates and times are listed on the Northshore Council’s Calendar. 

We hope to see you at our next General Meeting on November 14th at 7 pm.