January 9th – Parent Council Minutes

Financial Update-Cindy Wright
• Sales of Chinook Books and Directories provide our funding
• $348 for staff appreciation
• Purchased $50.00 Xenon restaurant gift certificate for outgoing
Parent Volunteer Coordinator, Claudia Carmichael.

Principal’s Update – Randy Bernstein

• IB parent meeting set for Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the library to discuss what to do about the need to meet the IB science requirements, since we have discovered that we aren’t doing so now.
• Enrollment dip is following along to the high schools. 300 fewer students expected next year and 100 fewer the year after that. This could result in program reductions and affects the advance science offerings.
• Schedules for next semester will be sent out. Look for them to come with your students.
• Martin Luther King, Jr Student Assembly this Friday.
• Drama Department’s Play is the Laramie Project. This is referring to a hate crime against Matthew Shepherd and his mom, Judy Shepherd will be here to speak to our students. It will cost $10,000 to bring her here and there are fundraising efforts to cover the cost and they’ll be asking for donations at the door.
• We are actively using the new pre-arranged absence forms now. Watch for more information in the newsletter.

Announcements
• Helen Garrett wants to continue to do the Parent Education Series, if there is interest in her doing so, but will be stepping down as Parent Chair in June. We are, therefore, looking for a new Parent Chair after this year.

Guest Speaker- Joy Marshall, Stand for Children
• Joy gave history of this fundraising/lobbying group’s history which started from a parent at Roosevelt
• We are running in place in terms of funding and need to ask, “Who is really in charge of school funding at this point?”
• They work on raising awareness for school funding by drawing parental attention to ballot measures and working with the legislature. They identify for voters which legislators are for or not pro-school funding.
• Because of these efforts we have more money at Roosevelt and at South. That is the power of school parents.
• Stand for Children is looking for ideas from parents. Why does 4j have such large classes? Funding cuts? Teacher burnout?
• There are 6 ballot measures coming in November that will affect school funding and they want voters to know what these are and how to impact school funding positively.

Funding Issues
• Helen announced that there would be a survey going out to parents to solicit their funding ideas and the results will be shared at the February Parent Council meeting. We want to get a sense from the parents of where we want to go with our funding.
• Decisions will need to be made by March on whether we are going to fund the administrations’ staffing request


Parent Education Series – Preparing Your Teen for the World of Credit

Three panelists spoke: Carlson federal bankruptcy judge, a criminal judge and Nancy Radcliff, Accountant.

• Their purpose is to reach students in junior and senior year so they do not get head over heels in debt
• Student loans or a company advertising $40,000 a year to borrow for student loans can add up. Entry-level jobs are not as lucrative as they thought.
• Why does having good credit matter? Credit scores can impact employment, insurance, and security clearance. There is a strong correlation between credit and risks.
• Debit card purchases are money deducted from the checking account so there are not interest charges.
• Credit reports exist only for people who have established credit history.
• Missing a payment is noted on your credit report. Negative information such as this can legally remain on your credit report for up to 7 years.
• Keep a limit on the number of credit cards you have open.
• Watch your card from the time you hand it over so that the clerk cannot photograph it with their cell phone.
• Destroy hotel plastic card keys after checking out since they can have your personal and credit card information on them.
• Different lenders charge different rates. Terms may vary-annual and late fees, etc.
• A prospective employer can review your credit report if you give written authorization.
• If you bounce a check, your bank may put your name in Chex Systems. You could be on a negative “hit list” for up to 5 years. This might mean you may not be able to use a checking account.
• One user’s credit card rate jumped to 24% after one late payment.
• Lenders almost always will review your credit report. Check all three: TransUnion, Experion, Equifax. Visit www.annualcreditreport.com to obtain a free report.
• Because you pay your account in full each you month you pay no interest.
• Sample car contract was shown. Always read what is in the boxes first.
• Parents received a handout called “The True Cost of Credit”
• Parents are cautioned not to co-sign on student loans.
• Determine how much the purchase is really going to cost you.
• Read and understand the terms of disclosures. Pay close attention to various late fees and penalties. Never give information to anyone who calls you.
• If you timely note exposure of the use of your card you ma not be responsible for more that $50-$70. May be covered on homeowners.
• Sometimes you just need a credit card for hotel and car rentals.
• How do you close a credit card? You have to write them a letter to close it out.
• Using your card: Limit credit cards use for essentials purchases only. Keep track of where your cards are. If you hand it to someone keep it in view. Try to pay the entire bill when due. Don’t max out your limit. Try to avoid cash advances.
• Monitor your interest rates-it can go up due to contingencies. Must buy a certain amount. Look out for teaser rates.
• Establish good credit
• Get only one card. Resist free come-ons. Develop a budget and use only for emergencies.