Meeting commenced at 7:05pm

1. Welcome and Introductions
The following two items were added to the agenda:

Seniors Breakfast: Two students (Stacey Pittakidis and Connie Ou) were in attendance to give a presentation on a proposed senior’s breakfast. These two students are taking over the very successful initiative started by Stephanie Sebok (since graduated). The cost to host approximately 70 senior citizens on May 31, 2005 is $300
Motion: That the PAC support the Seniors Breakfast by way of a $300.00 donation - CARRIED

Calendar Project: Ray Dear (Vice Principal) was in attendance to propose increasing the size of the yearly school calendar that is sent home with all the students. The PAC has been supporting the calendar project for a number of years now. Information contained on the calendar is there to let parents know what is happening at the school. The majority of PAC members was supportive of a larger calendar and indicated we would continue to support the project. Mr. Dear also informed us that there are changes planned for the students’ agenda book. An agenda that is not so deluxe and therefore less costly is being considered
Motion: That the PAC support the large calendar project with a donation of $1500.00 to come from the Gaming Account - CARRIED

2. Review of Previous Minutes
Motion to accept - Carried

3. Principal’s Report
Jim Deacon gave the following report:
That he attended the first session of Grade 10 mid-term exams in the Church Hall. Everything went fine

Six JHSS students scored 100% in the Provincial Exams held in February. These students are now members of the "100% Club"

A District wide volunteer appreciation night will be held at the Bell Centre on April 12th. Invitations will be handed out

A school dance is tentatively scheduled for June 2nd. This will be the last dance of the year

Safety drills will be coming up for "Code Yellow" alerts, "Code Red" alerts, and earthquake drills

Course selections are now complete

That the Grade 7 Parents Night was not as successful as anticipated due to the large amount of people and the resulting noise. There are plans to cut this down for 2006 for a more meaningful meeting

The 2005/06 District Budget is in much better shape than in past years. As a result, the following staff will be hired: 18 Learning Support Teachers, 7.5 Grad Portfolio Teachers, 5 Elementary Librarians, 8 Band Teachers, 7 Administrators, and 6.75 Career Facilitators

Mr. Deacon reported that he will be retiring on June 30, 2005, after 35 years in the profession. His replacement will be named very soon

4. Financial Report
Linda Blais provided a Statement of Revenue & Expenditures (attached) for March 2005. The General Account has $3500.05 in it, while the Casino Account has $19,031.07 in it. Motion to accept Financial Report - CARRIED

Linda also announced that on April 1st. 2005, that the Provincial Government deposited a further $23,310.00 into the Gaming Account as a result of the funding initiative announced in the media last week. This money is not to be consider as gaming funds, and can be carried over to next year

5. Committee Reports
DPAC: There was no meeting in March

Dance Committee; Next dance is tentatively scheduled for June 2, 2005

Fundraising Committee: Coffee sales are continuing at a slow pace. However, it is expected that all inventory will be sold by June 30th.

Progressive Fundraising made a $22.53 profit in March, on over $400 in sales

Grocery Store Certificates are now available for Safeway, Save On Foods and the Superstore. This is separate from Progressive Fundraising, but raises money under the same principles

School Planning Council: No Report

6. Old Business
Potential BASES Funding; Proposal still pending. Should be presented at the May Meeting

Results From Parents Meeting; PAC members Linda, Emma and Michelle were in attendance and made a presentation. We hope this generated some interest with the new parents that will encourage them to attend the PAC meetings

7. New Business
Graduation Newsletter; Jim Deacon handed out the draft newsletter. A Progressive Fundraising insert will be included - MOTION: That the PAC continue its support of the Graduation Newsletter with a donation of up to $300.00 from the Gaming Fund - CARRIED

New Gaming Funding From The Ministry: Jim Deacon advised that he will be bringing a number of proposals to the next PAC Meeting on projects that could be funded from the additional gaming revenue that was deposited on April 1st. 2005. One proposal will be to start a motivational speaker program for students. Another proposal will be to purchase career planning software

Jim Deacon did request consideration to fund $250 so that the Career Planning Department could take interested students on a fieldtrip to view the various trades training that is available in the area - MOTION: That the PAC support the donation of $250.00 from the Gaming Funds to provide transportation for the Career Program students - CARRIED

Nominations Committee; This is TABLED for the next meeting. All in attendance agreed that we require more interested parents to run for PAC positions. There was only one other person at the meeting that was not already part of the PAC executive or serving on a committee

Adjourned at 9:10pm.
Next Meeting: May 4th. 2005

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