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Message from the CSB Director, Lisa Knox
Greetings to all of you! Fall is right around the corner, which means that Fall Intersession is, too! I hope you have all had a productive semester as PTO and booster officers!
In the second semester, you can expect to see us kick off a series of trainings that will help you learn more about topics like new officer guidance, fundraising, conducting meetings, cash handling, budgeting, tax preparation, reconciliations, tax credit guidelines, centralized accounting and school district finance. The trainings will be offered separately for elementary, junior high and high school groups so that the information can be more relevant. We’ll also be “bringing the training to you” by selecting different school sites around the district, as well as varying the times between daytime and evening sessions to accommodate your schedules.
As always, thank you for the work you do. You help make CUSD better!
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Centralized Accounting
Centralized accounting for our pilot groups is going really well! We continue to get their feedback in order to make necessary adjustments to our processes and procedures. As mentioned in the previous newsletter and at the general member meeting in August, the Board has discussed modifying the intended implementation schedule to a 3-5 year plan, instead of the original mass implementation July 1, 2020. We want implementation to be successful and the transition for member groups as seamless and efficient as possible so you can continue to focus on what’s most important: fulfilling your mission of serving students at your schools. We will continue to keep you updated as decisions are made with regard to the implementation schedule.
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Role of the President
by Michelle Dexter
The President position is often the most intimidating (except for possibly the Treasurer position). While volunteering to be President can be more time consuming then some of the other positions, our Presidents should not be overwhelmed with work all year (or season) long.
A few things we all need to remember about the President’s duties:
1. The President is often the face of the PTO, so communication skills are important. They are the one to preside at general and executive meetings, they are the liaison between the principal/coach and board/general members, and they tend to be the person everyone else either thanks, or holds accountable. Presidents, be sure to communicate with your Board information they should know and any issues that you are concerned about.
2. The President cannot be, and should not be, a one man/woman show. They need to coordinate, delegate, and supervise the work, not do it all themselves. Whether you are using sign up genius or asking people directly for help, you should not be doing every task yourself or you will burn out. If there are not enough volunteers to make an event successful, the President has the power to cancel the event. Do not try to make it happen alone. If others do not find it worthy of volunteering for, maybe it is not worthy of doing.
3. The President can be creative, but does not need to reinvent every event. If your organization has historically been successful with an event, keep doing it. The Board may be able to improve the event with slight adjustments or tweaks, but do not waste your energy revamping something that is not broken. The President has plenty of other tasks to keep busy, including replacing activities that have not been successful.
4. Finally, the President is responsible for making sure the organization's by-laws are followed. Rules are rules and someone needs to be aware of them so your organization remains in compliance.
Thank you to all the Presidents in the CSB. Your role as President enables our students, principals, coaches, and teachers to have the supplies, tools, and events needed to make each school year successful.
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Did You Know...?
Chandler Unified participates in the National School Lunch program and as part of the district’s guidelines, all food and beverage sold outside the school breakfast and lunch program must meet federal nutritional requirements outlined by the USDA. These guidelines, known as Smart Snack guidelines, apply to your fundraisers that involve food and beverages sold to students at schools during the school day, unless the items are not intended for consumption at school. “School day” is defined as the midnight before to 30 minutes after the end of the school day. A special exemption is allowed for the sale of food and/or beverages that do not meet the smart snack standards for the purpose of conducting an infrequent school sponsored fundraiser. There are requirements to qualify for this specific exemption, including completion of a waiver request form.
To ensure your fundraisers do not place the district’s National School Lunch program in jeopardy, please refer to the full guidelines, nutritional requirements, and special exemption and waiver request requirements in this document: Smart Snacks in Schools
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Tax Penalty Update
At the August general member meeting, Lisa Knox shared with you some information about a $15,400 penalty assessed by the IRS for late filing of our 2017/18 tax return. The great news is that the penalty has been abated, and CSB has received a full refund of the penalty. The Board has also implemented new procedures and controls to ensure that all future state and federal tax returns and payroll tax filings are made in a timely fashion.
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PTO Collaboration Meetings
Frank Narducci, Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education, conducts periodic meetings for PTO officers. These meetings are designed specifically for PTO officers to offer a forum for information sharing and collaboration. Mr. Narducci communicates timely and relevant district updates about “What’s Happening in CUSD” and provides opportunities for vendor spotlights and updates from Chandler Education Foundation and other district departments. Most importantly, there is always time for group sharing and reflection about innovative or creative activities and programs.
Mark your calendars for the next two PTO Collaboration Meeting dates:
- January 22, 2020 11:30 am CUSD District Office Board Room
- April 9, 2020 11:30 am CUSD District Office Board Room
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School District Bond Election
Chandler School District is holding a $290,250,000 bond election on Tuesday, November 5.
According to the District, capital funding cuts made by the AZ legislature over the past 12 years have amounted to more than $128,000,000 cumulatively. This fact, combined with continued student enrollment growth, aging buildings, rising maintenance costs and the desire to upgrade technology and ensure student safety, contributed to the need to seek voter approval for bonding. Potential projects include new construction of a elementary and secondary schools, elementary and secondary school renovations, transportation building renovations, textbook purchases, furniture and equipment needs for food service and district wide, technology renovations and equipment, grounds and safety renovations, energy management, buses, lease payoff related to new school construction, and general renovations, technology, furniture and equipment for non-instructional purposes.
The bond election will be conducted as a mail-in ballot only election. Make sure you are registered to vote by October 7, since ballots will be mailed to all registered voters on October 9. You may mail in your ballot any time up until November 1 or you may drop your ballot off at an election polling site on November 5 from 6 am-7 pm. The CUSD District Office at 1525 W. Frye Road is a polling site.
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Sun Devil Football - CUSD Fundraisers
Sun Devil Football offers 2 opportunities for District parents, students, families, faculty and staff to attend games at discounted rates. Each ticket sold can yield $10 for CUSD Elementary PTO’s and Jr High Booster Clubs. (Unfortunately, high school booster clubs cannot benefit from the proceeds due to NCAA restrictions.)
This flyer gives details for the designated games on Saturday, September 21, against Colorado and Saturday, October 12, against Washington State. Be sure to take advantage of this experience and fundraising opportunity.
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Is Your Entire Board Registered?
This is how you will continue to receive CSB communications. When creating your account, please be sure to fill out all information on the form at return to Erin: csb_adm@outlook.com .
*Please check with your board to make sure everyone has registered.
**Please pass these instructions on to incoming board members.
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Registration Forms
We also need each member group to fill out the registration form and return to Erin via email: csb_adm@outlook.com
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Review Bylaws
With the changing of officers on your board, please be sure to review your group's bylaws as well as the CSB bylaws before the start of each new school year. As a reminder, your bylaws should conform to the Bylaws Template.
And if you ever make changes to your bylaws, you must keep a copy for your records and submit a copy to Erin:
csb_adm@outlook.com
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Upcoming Dates
November 14, 2019, 7:00pm CSB General Meeting. Hamilton High School cafeteria.
January 28, 2020, 7:00pm CSB General Meeting. Perry High School cafeteria.
April 23, 2020, 7:00pm CSB General Meeting. Hamilton High School cafeteria.
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