The meeting was called to order at 7:15 p.m. Those in attendance included: Chris Spinner, Chris Reynolds, Kevin Milward, Nancy Rosse, Lisa Fendrich, Cheryl Wise, Eloise Baird and Linda Tarr.

Website

A discussion of the SPPS website was held. It was agreed e-mail would be sent to members with the link and an invitation to participate on the forum. Chris Reynolds said the database is complete and e-mail communication will be available through the database soon. New members can join online and current members can renew their membership. The site currently contains our most recent newsletter, archive content, forum, donation page, explanation of issues and opportunities. If we should encounter maintenance issues, we have a contract with Randy for the remainder of the year. The site needs to be reviewed for content relevance. The new school improvement process is posted on the site. Once we are comfortable with the content, we need to promote the site.

It was stated that we could use the website as a place to gather items for the newsletter and that material should be dated when posted. Minutes from our meetings could be posted.

Chris Spinner asked everyone to review the content and let us know if anything looks like it does not belong on the site or not correct.

Chris Spinner will provide refrigerator magnets and bookmarks. Chris Reynolds will speak with Randy to be certain that key words will link us with anyone who searches the web.

Treasurer's Report

Chris Reynolds presented the treasurer's report. We currently have a balance of $1,342.89. Chris recently paid $250 in national dues, $390 as the final payment on our website, and registration with the Secretary of State's office. Spinner Plastics will donate the printing of the newsletter next year as well as promotional items for the SPPS website, thus limiting expenses.

Leadership

We have scheduled an annual meeting in April when new board members and officers are elected. Chris Reynolds has been polling the current board members to determine whether they will continue for another term. Rudy Davenport has indicated he is too busy since becoming President of our local NAACP and Cheryl Wise indicated she might not be able to continue because of demands on her time as a school board member. Chris Spinner has experienced some health issues this past year, which will prevent him from continuing as president, although Chris Reynolds will continue as treasurer. Eloise Baird has agreed to fill the president position, which leaves the secretary spot open. She will continue to handle membership, so the new secretary needs only to take and distribute meeting minutes.

It was agreed we would have three working groups: Communications, Issue Tracking and Parent Involvement. Lisa Fendrich agreed to lead the Communications group, Linda Tarr will head up the Parent Involvement Initiative, and Nancy Rosse agreed to convene those interested in Issue Tracking. Each group will meet to set goals.

Linda mentioned that she would approach a parent at Grant Middle School, Samuel Jackson, whom she would like to see on the board. We will also invite Stephanie Moore-Chipman to join our board.

Linda asked whether Chris Spinner is still involved with CISS because we need to link with them on their mentoring initiative. She suggested we get on update on the 21st Century Program sponsored by the Boys & Girls Club. It was noted that the 21st Century program at Springfield HS and several elementary schools would end with this school year. It was suggested that we assign a board member to liaison with CISS, 21st Century sponsored by Boys & Girls Club and Big Brothers/Big Sisters. It was agreed that Dave Welch is a great such link between SPPS and Unity for Our Community.

The growth of SPPS has been impacted by the success of our members:

• Cheryl Wise has been elected to the school board
• Sheila Stocks-Smith was named
• Education Liaison for the City of Springfield
• Dave Welch is the Education Chair for Unity for Our Community
• Rudy Davenport was named President of the NAACP
• Scott Pillsbury is President of the Southeast HS Booster Club
• Linda Tarr has launched a business: DaVinci Learning Technologies

It was agreed we should communicate these successes to National PPS and post them on our website.

It was also noted that the VOICES meetings have impacted SPPS in some cases through direct conflict with our meeting night and the effort made (with SPPS encouragement) by members to attend VOICES meetings. It was noted that many district employees are present at the VOICES meetings, perhaps because some teachers and employees feel this is the only way to have an impact. More than 50% of attendees at the meetings are district employees. It was agreed that we should look to the VOICES participants for SPPS involvement.

Annual Meeting

Linda suggested that Jeffrey Scott, an expert in father involvement, speak at our annual meeting in April. It was agreed she would contact Mr. Scott and check with him on his availability. Lisa moved to cover expenses for a speaker at the annual meeting. Nancy Rosse seconded, and the motion carried.

The meeting adjourned.

The next meeting of the SPPS board will be held on Tuesday, February 17th at 7:00 p.m. at Spinner Plastics.