This PTA meeting on August 14th, 2025, focused on budget cuts, fundraising, and upcoming events.

Key Discussion Points:

• Budget Cuts: Due to a significant decrease in fundraising last year, the available budget for this year is $10,975, a considerable cut from the previous year’s budget of $18,563. Proposed cuts include teacher drawings, grants, holiday gifts, and teacher appreciation week. Grade level budgets were reduced from $1000 to $800 per grade.

• Fundraising and Spirit Wear:
  • The direct donation drive will be moved to February/March to align with tax season and avoid the post-holiday financial slump.
  • The PTA plans to add new spirit wear items (athletic t-shirts, tank tops, raglan t-shirts, heathered t-shirts, tie-dye sweatshirts, pajama pants, blankets, and potentially umbrellas) to boost sales, as there is no cost to the PTA for adding these items.
  • Promotional flyers for spirit wear and the “Meet the PTA” event will be distributed at open houses and other fundraising events, and social media posts will be scheduled.
• “Meet the PTA” Event:
  • The group agreed to shift focus from sign-ups at open houses (which have proven ineffective) to promoting a single “Meet the PTA” event in September.
  • The proposed date for the “Meet the PTA” event is September 11th, and the location will be an ice cream shop in Oakland (suggested by Tabatha King!), as it offers a neutral and family-friendly environment.
• Officer Recruitment and Teacher Involvement:
  • The PTA is short two officers (Secretary and Communication Director) and needs to recruit new members.
  • David Motel is the new President, Sarah Levan will be Vice President, Jesse will continue as Treasurer for his last year, and Sara Wing will be the Yearbook Committee lead.
  • Ideas for increasing teacher involvement include presenting at staff meetings and asking for a teacher liaison from each grade to help disseminate information.
• Event Dates and Planning:
  • Bingo night is tentatively scheduled for October and a second one in January.
  • Trivia night is tentatively moved to March at Albert Hall to avoid winter parking issues.
  • The annual pumpkin patch event will be scaled down to only provide pumpkins for each classroom to reduce the time commitment for volunteers.

Action Items:

• David will talk to administrators to organize times to meet with staff and faculty.
• Sarah Levan will create flyers and posters for the “Meet the PTA” event.
• Sarah Levan will verify with Sarah Staffiere about staffing the George J. Mitchell open house, and if not possible, ensure flyers are available.
• Sarah Levan will email Sarah Saint-Pierre for alternate March trivia night dates and email Erica and Kim (Vice Principal and Principal from GJM) to confirm bingo night dates.
• Tabatha will contact the ice cream shop to give them a heads-up about the “Meet the PTA” event. At the time of writing, Tabatha has confirmed the Oakland Ice Cream Shoppe will host our event.
• Location: The Ice Cream Shoppe of Oakland, 902 Kennedy Memorial Dr, Oakland, ME 04963
• David and Sarah Levan will work together on the leadership handoff before September meetings.