AUBURN BOOSTER CLUB

MEETING FEB. 14, 2005

MINUTES

 

I. ATHLETIC DIRECTOR’S REPORT (Terry Niedzwicki)

Banners: With the exception of baseball, the banners are in and up in the gym.

Spring Sports Meeting: Set for February 28, 2005 at 6:30 PM in the auditorium.

Sports Banquet: Set for June 7, 2005. From the Fall sports season 58 students qualified to attend. It is expected that there will be an overlap of athletes who qualify from one season to another. It is too early to determine which Winter season athletes will qualify.

Girls Regional Tournament: Starts today at Auburn. It was noted that there are no lighted signs outside of the school identifying it as Auburn High School. Mrs. Wilson indicated she would investigate as she thought the front sign was to be illuminated.

Football Coach: The application process closed last week. A number of excellent applications were received. Eight candidates will be interviewed starting February 16, 2005. The selection committee includes other coaches, administrators and parents. Booster Club President Janice Schmitt is a member of this committee.

Tutoring: Academic eligibility is a problem. It was noted that students were lost at all levels but 11 freshmen basketball players were lost. Coach Ott has tutoring/study halls for varsity basketball players but other teams do not. Scheduling for younger athletes is a problem. Options are being explored including using other students as tutors as is done at Jefferson. It was noted the Academy is at Auburn and that there should be students more than qualified to help with tutoring.

 

II. MINUTES

The minutes from our last meeting were on motion of Maureen Hargrove, approved without objection.

 

III. PRESIDENT’S REPORT

On Line Access for Library: A letter was received from the Auburn High School Library and discussion followed regarding on line access as a continuing budget item to be funded by the Booster Club. No action taken. Jude Makulec indicated that access is gained as follows:

www.worldbookonline.com

Login: americas

Password: paint

Encyclopedias: With the money given the Library was able to purchase 2005 edition of World Book Encyclopedia rather than 2004 edition as proposed.

Girls Soccer: We received a letter from coach Steve Lizer thanking the Booster Club for the donation of money to purchase equipment bags for the players.

Band: We received a letter from the students who attended the All State Convention thanking the Club for its donation.

Baseball: We received a letter from coach Mrizec thanking the Club for money donated towards field improvement and the purchase of clay mixture for diamond.

Boettcher Family: It was noted that Gina is doing better. She and her family are still very sad. They thanked the Club for establishing the Boettcher Family Scholarship. She is trying to arrange for memorial donations received from Auburn people to be applied. Janice indicated other donations have been received and will be used to help fund the scholarship. Eligibility criteria are likely to require a student who will be attending NIU and has at least a 2.65 G.P.A. It was also noted that members are taking food to the family each week and sign up for this process is still on going.

Those Who Excel: The Board was advised that Mrs. Drummond nominated the Auburn Booster Club for the award. The initial reception is March 17, 2005 from 6:15 to 8:15 PM. At the Tebala Temple. We will be expected to make an approximate 2 minute presentation. The banquet is set for April 28, 2005 at 5:30 PM also at the Tebala Temple.

Bulletin Board: Jude Makulec volunteered to assume responsibility to update the Board given Gina’s current situation.

Booster Club Scholarships: It was decided to have the applications ready by the March meeting to be distributed to the staff at their March 10, 2005 meeting. Mrs. Wilson indicated that Mrs. Jenkins-Vaughn will again be charged with distribution. Concerns were raised due to her failure to timely distribute and publicize the scholarships last year. It was decided that further publicity will include the Bulletin Board and the web site. It was also suggested that applications be made available through other than just English teachers. Mrs. Kaufman was suggested as a good “site” for applications to be obtained.

 

IV. TREASURER’S REPORT AND RAFFLE

Janice Schmitt gave the report for Kathryn Curran. We showed a loss in January of $3,344.25 which included the final distributions for the Calendar Raffle. As to the Raffle, the final Financial Report has been filed. We had gross receipts of $49,150 resulting from the sale of 1,966 tickets, expenses incurred totaled $1937.43, distributions totaled $24,200 resulting in a net profit of $23,012.57.

 

V. 7^TH HOUR ADVOCACY (Laura Powers)

Petitions are prepared and will begin to be circulated at basketball games and other events. The push before the School Board is on-going with representatives appearing at each Board meeting to speak. They are still looking for additional speakers.

 

VI. DISCIPLINE CODE AND OTHER ITEMS (Jude Makulec)

Discipline Code: Jude updated the Booster Board regarding the proposed Alternative School and the proposed code of discipline. Points will be assigned to offending students. Once sufficient points are accumulated the student MAY be referred to the alternative school. Tardies do not count towards points. The principal will have the discretion to refer a student who has accumulated 100 to 149 points. Any student who attains 150 or more points must be transferred. The alternative school will have no more than 150 students. It will have 10 teachers, 2 staff counselors and a psychologist from NIU will also provide guidance.

Ruth Harris Scholarship: Jude also noted that a scholarship has been established in honor of Ruth Harris who is essentially the “Godmother” of the Gifted Program.

Parent Council: On March 1, 2005 there will be a Vendor’s Fair at Eisenhower School from 5:30-8:30 PM at which vendors for various fund raising ideas will present their products. On the same night at the same location starting at 7:00 PM will be a voters forum for School District D candidates.

 

VII. PRINCIPAL’S REPORT (Kristin Wilson)

School Improvement Plan (SIP): They are working on the Plan. Auburn met all of its AYP goals except attendance at the test. The problem is that blacks and economically disadvantaged students did not meet the goals. The SIP for Auburn will focus on ways to improve the performance of these sub-groups. By the next meeting she hopes to be able to provide a comparison against other schools.

Freshman Registration: Will take place March 21 and 23 from 6:30-8:00PM. It is estimated that 85% of freshman will be registered at this time. Counselors will then go to the middle schools to try and contact the remaining 15%. The Booster Club will be given the chance to address parents at each of the sessions and distribute membership information.

Note: March 21 volunteers-Jude Makulec, Pam Wilson, Valsheria Lnagley, Marilyn Hite-Ross, and Pat Sowell

March 23 volunteers-Laura Powers, Connie Spoden, Valsheria Langley, Janice Schmitt and Randy Wilt.

 

VIII. SPORTS COALITION (Tom Chuchna)

Raffle: The raffle lost money. As insufficient tickets were sold. It was discussed that $50 is a lot for many people to pay.

Gate Proceeds: He advised that gate proceeds for athletic events goes to the central office but ˝ is supposed to be sent back to the respective school for use in funding athletic teams. We hope that is really happening.

Track: The Auburn track is scheduled to be replaced. The process will take about 1 year to complete. Consequently, Auburn track teams will have no home meets.

Sports Fee: It is his understanding that the $100 fee per season to participate in a sport will not be waived or reduced or waived for low income students receiving reduced meals.

 

IX. CONCESSIONS (Valsheria Langley)

It was indicated that sufficient pop and other items existed to cover us through the February 25, 2005 last Basketball game. We did not have enough water to sell at the Band concert set for Thursday. It was decide to purchase extra water and sell it at the concert.

 

X. NOMINATING COMMITTEE

Discussions began regarding the process to slate new officers and directors for the year 2005-2006. Nominations will be considered at the March meeting.

 

XI. MARCH MEETING

Because of a conflict the meeting will be March 7, 2005 at 6:00PM.