Willoughby-Eastlake Association for the Gifted and Talented   WEAGT  

                                WEAGT Meeting Minutes

From April 19, 2007

The meeting was called to order by President David Fiebig, in the Willoughby Middle School Cafeteria at 7:03 pm.  The pledge was recited.   In attendance: David Fiebig, Annette Thompson, Marty Shingler, Laynee Smith, Robin Ungar, Sue Luck, Kim Aliazzi, Betty Stevens, Tim Higgins, and Corrie Bergeron.

Coordinator’s Report- Betty Stevens announced that the second round of kindergarten assessment was being held on Saturday April 21, from 9:15-12:00pm at Washington School.  The library would be open to parents of students being tested, and snacks would be provided for the children.  Mrs. Stevens made a request for current Zenith parents to be available for questions from potential new parents. Mrs. Stevens also reported that State assessments for grades 3, 4, and 5 would be taking place from April 30-May 4, and issued a recommendation that children be well rested and well fed.

Treasurer’s Report- Marty Shingler stated that approx. $6,250.00 remained in checking (minus several requests he had recently received).  The current year’s budget had over $10,000.00 remaining to be spent, but Marty reported that WEAGT has not yet had to remove funds from the flexible CD. This will allow WEAGT to collect nearly $500.00 in interest on the flexible CD account this year.  Marty also stated that he recently received a check from PTA in the amount of $200, for the reimbursement of funds paid for the Summer Reading Program (which is a joint cooperative venture between PTA and WEAGT).  Marty Shingler then announced that he was in the process of contacting a CPA concerning the filing of taxes for the 2005-2006 school year, and had recently purchased Quick Books to assist in this matter.

Secretary’s Report- Laynee Smith reported that an special meeting was called on April 4, following the Zenith Open House, to discuss a request for a donation to the South High Academic Decathlon Team.  The team requested a donation to help fund the travel expenses to Hawaii to represent Ohio in the National Competition.  The 10 members present voted affirmatively on a motion to provide the team  $250.00 this year, and discussion was made about creating a line in the WEAGT budget in the future for enrichment in the 7-12 grades.  Annette Thompson reported that the team has raised approximately $24,000.  This would be enough to provide transportation and hotel expenses for each team member.  Laynee also announced that she was providing a much needed cleaning out of past WEAGT files from the file cabinet, and was in the process of creating a Historian type scrapbook of past Zenith events.

Teacher’s Report- Mrs. VanArnhem reported that classrooms had just completed Independent Studies and famous people projects.  States and Capitol projects would begin in May.

New Business/Committee Leaders:

     Science- Sue Luck reported that many activities were planned for the courtyards for Earth Day, and that they would like to purchase an education sundial.  A motion was made by Annette Thompson to provide $300 for the purchase of a sundial, and seconded by Kim Aliazzi. The motion was put to a vote and passed unanimously. 

    Market Day-Dave Fiebig reported that there had been discussion with Kim Strnisa and the PTA board to move administrative (bookkeeping) responsibility for Market Day from WEAGT to PTA.  PTA would continue to keep Market Day in a separate account from their general budget, and would continue using funds for educational enhancements that would benefit the entire school. (COSI, assemblies, etc.)  Sue Luck made a motion to move administration of Market Day to PTA, and was seconded by Robin Ungar.  Motion was put to a vote, and passed unanimously.

     Fine Arts- No report

     Auction- Dave Fiebig reported that thank you cards had been mailed.

     Chess Club- David Fiebig stated that a flyer had recently been sent home announcing that the chess club was about to begin a new session and was now being offered school wide. The session would run from April 27- May 25, on Friday afternoons.  Volunteers are needed to help check children in and supervise.  Annette Thompson announced that in the recent competition in Solon, Washington 5^th grade Chess Club members had taken home a 2^nd place trophy! Mrs. Stevens announced that the trophy, now displayed in the school office, was peaking interest in the Chess Club. 

     Nominating Committee- Dave Fiebig reported that the current board was looking for nominations for board members for the following school year.  Dave stated that Tim Higgins and Carol Bergeron have expressed an interest in serving on the WEAGT board, and Marty Shingler and Laynee Smith both offered to serve again. A vote on officers will be at the May meeting.

Old Business: none

Announcements:

Earth Awareness Week will be the week of April 23-27.  Volunteers are needed to help this week and beyond.  Sue Luck reported that Kim Aliazzi had received some donations of plants for the courtyard projects.

With no further business or announcements, a motion was made by Annette Thompson to adjourn the meeting to hear from the guest speaker, Dr. Jim Delisle.  The motion was seconded by Sue Luck, and passed.  Meeting was adjourned at 7:52 pm.

Next Meeting: Thursday, May 10^th in the Washington School Library