PTA BYLAWS

Article I - Name
The name of the association shall be: Midtown West Parents' Association, Inc.

Article II - Objectives
1. To take an active role in decisions concerning the development and well being of the children of the Midtown West School (P.S. 212);
2. To provide information to parents and encourage parent involvement;
3. To communicate to parents/guardians information relevant to the education and well being of their children;
4. To promote good home, school and community relations;
5. To raise funds and enter into contracts in order to carry out the educational aims of the school;
6. To serve in accordance with Chancellor's Regulation A-660.

Article III - Membership
Section 1. Eligibility for membership
Membership in the association shall be limited to parents, by birth or adoption; step-parent(s); legally appointed guardians; foster parent(s); or persons in "parental relation" to a child or children currently enrolled in Midtown West. Said individuals are automatically members of the PA; no membership form is necessary. In the beginning of each school year, a welcome letter from the association shall inform parents of their automatic membership status and voting rights.

Members of the association may vote to extend membership to all teachers employed at Midtown West. If membership is extended to teachers, the association shall be known internally as a Parent-Teacher Association. The Midtown West Parents Association, by vote of its general membership on May 1, 1997, did, and still does, extend membership to teachers. A copy of the minutes from said general membership meeting shall be attached to and made a part of these bylaws. Parent members only may vote to extend or withdraw membership to teachers. As stated in Chancellors Regulation A-660, principals, assistant principals and supervisors may not be members of the association.

Section 2. Donations
The Fundraising Committee in conjunction with the Executive Board shall determine the amount of the requested, voluntary donation. Donations are not a requirement for membership, voting or running for office.

Section 3. Voting Privileges:
Each parent of a child/children currently enrolled at Midtown West shall be entitled to one vote. Proxy voting or absentee balloting is prohibited.

Article IV - Officers
Section 1. Titles
The officers of the association shall be: President or Co-Presidents, First Vice President or First Co-Vice Presidents of Enrichment and Administration, Second Vice President or Second Co-Vice Presidents of Communications, Third Vice President or Third Co-Vice Presidents of Parent/School Outreach, Treasurer or Co-Treasurers, Recording Secretary or Co-Recording Secretaries, and Corresponding Secretary or Co-Corresponding Secretaries.

The association must elect the mandatory core officers (President, Recording Secretary and Treasurer) in order to be a functioning PA. Each position may be shared by more than one person.

Section 2. Term of Office and Term Limits
The term of office shall be from July 1st through June 30th. Officers shall be elected between the fourth Monday in May and the second Friday in June for a one-year term. There shall be no qualifications for any office other than to be a parent by birth or adoption; step-parent(s); legally appointed guardians; foster parent(s); or persons in "parental relation" to a child or children currently enrolled in Midtown West.

There shall be no term limits.

Section 3. Duties of Officers
3.1 The President or Co-Presidents shall:
* Provide leadership for its members;
* Preside at all meetings of the association;
* Oversee and be ex-officio a member of all committees except the nominating committee;
* Appoint and remove chairpersons of standing and ad-hoc committees with the approval of the Executive Board;
* Delegate responsibilities to other PA members and shall encourage meaningful participation in all parent and school activities;
* Attend all regular meetings of the district Presidents' council, or send his/her designee;
* Be a core member of the school leadership team;
* Meet monthly with the Executive Board members in accordance with these bylaws and plan the agendas for the general membership meetings;
* Be one of the signatories on all checks;
* Conduct other business necessary for carrying out the business of the PA as directed by the membership and the Executive Board;
* Assist with the June transfer of PA records to the incoming Executive Board;
* Maintain custody of the association's records on school premises.

If there are Co-Presidents, the remaining Executive Board members shall determine which Co-President will serve as the core member on the School Leadership Team and which Co-President will serve as the school's representative to the district Presidents' council.

3.2 The First Vice President or First Co-Vice Presidents of Enrichment and Administration shall:
* Assist the President or Co-Presidents and shall assume the President's or Co-Presidents' duties in his/her/their absence or at his/her/their request;
* Liaison to Extended Day Committee;
* Ensure formation of Nominating Committee;
* Be responsible for the annual calendar;
* Make arrangements for PA meetings, childcare and prepare notices;
* Assist with the June transfer of PA records to the incoming Executive Board.

3.3 The Second Vice President or Second Co-Vice Presidents of Communication shall:
* Maintain school wide e-mail list;
* Post PA notices;
* Serve as liaison to the PA Newsletter (the Messenger);
* Oversee the Classroom Representatives and chair monthly Classroom Representatives meetings;
* Maintain bulletin boards.

3.4 The Third Vice President or Third Co-Vice Presidents of Parent/School Outreach shall:
* Ensure that Midtown West and the PA are represented at district and citywide educational functions and maintain a presence in the larger educational community;
* Be the President's or Co-President's designee at district President's council meetings;
* Be responsible for reporting back to the PA and maintaining and updating that section of the bulletin board set aside for circular and parent organization information.

3.5 The Treasurer or Co-Treasurers shall:
* Be responsible for all financial affairs and funds of the association;
* Supervise tax reporting;
* Prepare pro forma and final budget after Executive Board approval;
* Be responsible for maintaining, on school premises, an updated record of all income and expenditures;
* Be one of the signatories on all checks;
* Adhere to and implement all financial procedures established by the association;
* Be prepared to present and provide copies of financial reports at all association meetings;
* Prepare and provide the January 31st interim and June annual financial accounting reports;
* Make available all books or financial records for viewing by members upon written request and for audit;
* Prepare all financial records and assist with the June transfer of all PA records to the incoming Executive Board.

The dual signatories on the PA account may not be related by blood or marriage.

3.6 The Recording Secretary or Co-Recording Secretaries shall:
* Maintain the official record (minutes) of the proceedings and actions of all association meetings;
* Prepare attendance sheets and distribute materials for PA meetings;
* Prepare the minutes of each association meeting;
* Distribute and make available on or near the PA bulletin board the draft minutes in a timely manner;
* Make corrections to the draft minutes;
* Sign and post a copy of the approved minutes, file the original, and forward a copy to the newsletter editor;
* Sign and incorporate all amendments into the bylaws and shall ensure that signed copies of the PA bylaws with the latest amendments are on file in the principal's office;
* Assist with the June transfer of all PA records to the incoming Executive Board.

3.7 The Corresponding Secretary or Co-Corresponding Secretaries shall:
Be responsible for generating and disseminating the school directory with strict adherence to all applicable privacy laws.

3.8 School Leadership Team Membership:
The President of the PA shall automatically serve as a core member of the School Leadership Team. (In the event that the association elects Co-Presidents, refer to Article IV, Section 3.1 of the association's bylaws.) All other parent member representatives shall be elected by the general membership.

3.9 Community District Education Council (CDEC) Selectors:
The mandatory officers (President, Recording Secretary, Treasurer) from each school in a community school district shall select the parent members of the Community District Education Councils (CDECs) as outlined in Chancellor's Regulation D-140. In the case of Co-Presidents, Co-Recording Secretaries and/or Co-Treasurers, the remaining Executive Board members will determine who will be the CDEC selectors.

Section 4. Election of Officers
Officers must be elected in the spring. The election must be completed between the fourth Monday in May and the second Friday in June of each school year. Any timeline established by the PA to complete the nominations and election process must adhere to this timeframe. The principal must be notified in writing of the scheduled date and time for election of officers by May 1st of each school year.

4.1 Nominating Committee:
A nominating committee shall be established during the February general membership meeting. If a nominating committee can be established, the committee shall consist of three to five (3-5) members. The majority of the members of the committee must come from the general membership. The remaining members of the nominating committee shall be selected by the President, or Co-Presidents, subject to the approval of the Executive Board. The nominating committee shall choose one of its members to serve as chairperson. Staff may not participate on the nominating committee.

Members of the nominating committee are not eligible to run for office. An eligible member of the nominating committee may be considered as a candidate if she/he immediately resigns from the nominating committee in writing.

The nominating committee shall seek out the membership in writing, in English and other languages as appropriate, for recommendations of candidates for all offices. The nominating committee will also be responsible for conducting the election process. This includes the following:

* canvassing the membership throughout the months of February - April for all eligible candidates;
* preparing and distributing all notices at least ten calendar days in advance of any meeting(s) pertaining to the nominations and election process in English and other languages spoken by parents in the school;
* preparing ballots, attendance sheets, ballot box, tally sheets and all other materials pertaining to the election immediately following the May meeting;
* determining and verifying the eligibility of all interested candidates, prior to the election;
* reporting the names of previously nominated candidates during the April meeting;
* ensuring that an opportunity is provided to all members allowing for nominations (this includes self-nomination) to be taken from the floor and then officially closed during the May meeting, to be held after the fourth Monday in May;
* sending a reminder meeting notice which includes the names of all eligible candidates and the officer positions they are seeking to the membership at least two (2) weeks prior to the spring election meeting;
* notifying the principal of the date and time of the election in writing by May 1st;
* scheduling the election at a time that ensures maximum participation;
* ensuring that only eligible members receive a ballot for voting;
* completing the spring election during the period of time between the fourth Monday in May and the second Friday in June of each school year;
* ensuring that the election is certified by the principal or his/her designee immediately following the election (refer to Article IV, Section 5);
* maintaining on file (on school premises) the ballots from any contested election for a period of six months or until a determination of any grievance filed, whichever is longer.

If a nominating committee is not/can not be formed by the end of February, the executive board must communicate that the nominations and election process outlined above will proceed under the direction of at least two members of the association who are not running for office. These members will be selected to serve in this role by vote of the general membership at the March general membership meeting. They will perform the responsibilities and adhere to the timeframe outlined in this section of the bylaws. They may also seek assistance in conducting nominations and the election from the appropriate region/district Presidents' council and/or the principal or his/her designee and/or the district or regional superintendent or his/her designee.

If at least two members of the association who are not running for office are not/can not be identified to conduct the nominations and election process, an expedited nominations and election process as outlined in Chancellor's Regulation A-660 will be conducted by the appropriate region/district Presidents' council and/or the district or regional superintendent or his/her representative by no later than the second Friday in June.

4.2 Notices:
The meeting notice and agenda for the spring general membership election meeting shall be distributed not less than ten (10) calendar days prior to the date. All meeting notices and agendas shall be available in English and translated, whenever possible. The distribution date shall appear on all notices. It shall list all candidates in alphabetical order by surname under the office for which they were nominated.

4.3 Voting Requirements:
There shall be one vote per member for the child/children currently attending Midtown West. Voting by proxy or absentee ballot is prohibited.

4.4 Contested Elections and Use of Ballots:
* Written ballots shall be used in all contested elections having more than one nominated candidate for any office or offices.
* Names of candidates shall appear on the ballot in alphabetical order by surname under the title of the office(s) for which they were nominated. Names of candidates for the positions of Co-Presidents must be listed as a team.
* Ballots shall be printed with voting instructions in English and other languages spoken by parents in the school.
* Ballots shall be distributed once voter eligibility has been established.
* Ballots shall be counted immediately following the conclusion of voting and in the presence of assembled PA members and observers, if any.
* Ballots shall not be removed from the voting site until after the official tally has been completed and reported to the assembly.
* Ballots shall be retained for six months following the date of the election, or until the determination of any grievance filed concerning the election, whichever is later. The ballots must be kept by the chairperson of the nominating committee, or, if there is no nominating committee, by an officer. If he/she will no longer be an eligible member after June 30, the ballots shall be turned over to the incoming Secretary.
* Within ten (10) calendar days of conducting an election the results of the election shall be reported to Supervisor of the Office of Parent Support in the regional office.

4.5 Uncontested Elections:
If there is only one candidate for each office, by motion and vote of the membership, the Recording Secretary shall be instructed to cast one vote for the entire slate and that action shall be included in the minutes.

Section 5. Certification of the Election
The principal or his/her designee shall be responsible for certifying the election. The Parent Coordinator cannot be the principal's designee. Certification of the election requires that the principal or his/her designee verify that the nominations and election process was conducted in accordance with Chancellor's Regulation A-660 and the association's bylaws.

Section 6. Vacancies
A vacancy in the office of President shall be filled by the First Vice President of Enrichment and Administration. A vacancy in any other position shall be filled by recommendation of the Executive Board and approval of the membership.

Section 7. Disciplinary Action
Any officer who fails to attend three (3) consecutive Executive Board meetings may be removed from office by recommendation of the Executive Board or motion from a member and two-thirds vote of the membership present. The officer shall be given the opportunity to render an explanation to the Executive Board.

In other instances where an elected officer(s) of the association has been accused of being derelict and/or neglectful in his/her duties, an officer(s) may be removed only after:

* A motion is presented by a voting member of the PA during any meeting of the PA assembly to appoint a review committee. Upon establishing a quorum, the motion must be approved by majority vote.
* The majority of the review committee must be comprised from the general membership. Executive Board members against whom charges are being contemplated may not serve on the review committee.
* The review committee must investigate, examine and obtain all relevant documents, interview all pertinent witnesses, etc., in order to conduct their fact-finding review. All pertinent facts and information must be considered by the committee. The officer(s) against whom charges are being contemplated has the right to present relevant facts, documents and/or witnesses.
* The committee must present its findings and recommendations during a general membership meeting within a period not to exceed sixty (60) calendar days from the date of the establishment of the review committee. The association's notice and agenda must cite that a vote will be taken by the membership regarding disciplinary action. The general membership shall then vote to remove or absolve the officer(s).

Section 8. June Transfer of Records
The outgoing PA Executive Board shall arrange for the orderly transfer of records and information of the PA, which shall include an overview of all PA transactions for the school year, to the incoming Executive Board. At least two (2) meetings will be scheduled during the month of June for this purpose. Any member of the Executive Board may request the assistance of the district Presidents' council during this process.

Article V - Executive Board
Section 1. Composition
The Executive Board shall be composed of the elected officers of the association. Persons employed at Midtown West, Community District Education Council members and/or members of citywide education councils in the district or region shall be ineligible to serve as an elected officer of the association. Officers shall be expected to attend all Executive Board meetings and shall be subject to removal under Article IV, Section 7 unless a good and valid reason is rendered in writing.

Section 2. Responsibilities
The Executive Board shall be responsible for the management and administration of Midtown West Parents' Association, Inc. in all respects and for all purposes. The Executive Board shall define policy and guide the association so that it stays true to its mission and achieves its goals effectively. Officers shall have additional responsibilities as outlined in Article IV, Sections 3.1 - 3.9.

Section 3. Meetings
Regularly scheduled meetings of the Executive Board shall be held monthly, September through June.

Section 4. Voting
Each member of the Executive Board shall be entitled to one vote.

Section 5. Quorum
The quorum shall be one more than half of the Executive Board allowing for official business to be transacted.

Article VI - Meetings
Section 1. General Membership Meetings
1.1 The general membership meetings of the association shall be held monthly from September through June. Written notice of each membership meeting shall be distributed in all applicable languages, where possible. A ten (10)-calendar day notice shall be required prior to the scheduled meeting. The date of distribution shall appear on all notices.
1.2 All eligible members may attend and participate during general membership meetings and may speak to agenda items subject to restriction in these bylaws.
1.3 Observers may speak and otherwise participate, if acknowledged by the chair.

Section 2. Order of Business
The order of business at meetings of the association, unless changed by the Executive Board, shall be:
* Call to Order (attendance sheet to be distributed)
* Approval of Minutes
* President's Report
* Treasurer's Report
* Principal's Report
* School Leadership Team Report
* Committee Reports
* Old Business
* New Business
* Setting of Next Meeting
* Adjournment

Section 3. Quorum
The quorum shall be 20 PA members in order to conduct official association business. In the absence of a quorum, no official business may be conducted. However, if the association fails to meet quorum requirements at two consecutive meetings, official business may be conducted at the second of such meetings.

Section 4. Minutes
Minutes of the previous general or special membership meeting shall be available in written form for approval at the next general membership meeting. The minutes must be made available upon request to any member.

Section 5. Special Membership Meetings
5.1 A special membership meeting shall be called to deal with a matter(s) of importance that cannot be postponed until the next general membership meeting. The President may call a special membership meeting with a minimum of forty-eight (48) hours written notice to parents stating precisely what the topic of the meeting will be.
5.2 In addition, upon receipt of a written request from five (5) association members, the President must call a special membership meeting within five working days of the request and with forty-eight (48) hours written notice to parents.

Section 6. Parliamentary Authority
All procedural questions not covered by these bylaws shall be governed by Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised, provided they are not inconsistent with law, policy, regulation and these bylaws.

Article VII - Committees
Section 1. Standing Committees
1.1 The President or Co-Presidents shall appoint standing committee chairpersons with the approval of the Executive Board. The President or Co-Presidents may serve as committee chair(s). Ad-hoc committees shall be established by Executive Board approval. Chairperson(s) of standing committees shall be called upon to attend Executive Board meetings when necessary. The standing committees of the association are as follows:
* Cultural Connections: The Cultural Connections Committee consists of a cluster of subcommittees representative of the diversity of the school population. Each subcommittee is responsible for the coordination of cultural and educational events for their group.
* Extended Day: The Extended Day Committee shall ensure that the Extended Day program develops and maintains operating procedures that represent best practices in after-school programming and that are consistent with the PA bylaws. The committee shall also provide input on program activities.
* Budget: The Budget Committee shall be responsible for drafting 1) a proposed budget each spring for approval by the Executive Board and the membership, 2) a written review of the prior year's budget, both of which must be presented for vote at the June membership meeting, and 3) presenting the budget process. (See Article VIII, Section 3.)
* Fundraising: The Fundraising Committee shall be responsible for planning and scheduling all fundraising events, and shall serve in accordance with Chancellor's Regulations A-660 (Parent Associations and the Schools), A-610 (Fundraising Activities and Collection of Money from Students), and A-812 (Competitive Foods).
* Grantwriting :The Grant Writing Committee shall be a subcommittee. The grant writers shall research, write, and submit grant applications. These grant applications shall be reviewed and approved by the board.
* Martin Luther King, Jr.: The Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee, which may consist of parents and teachers, shall be responsible for 1) the schools annual celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr.s birthday, traditionally held in January; 2) upholding his dream of unity and diversity by creating and participating in cultural events in which people of all ethnicities are brought together, and; 3) educating and enlightening the entire MTW community about MLK, Jr., the legacy he has left us, the people he came from, as well as the people he worked to unite.
* Midtown West School Garden (a/k/a The Marian S. Heiskell Garden): The Midtown West School Garden Committee shall be responsible for 1) maintaining the garden in a manner that maximizes its usefulness to MTW's teachers and students; 2) managing and maintaining good relationships with all sponsoring agencies, especially the Salvation Army and the Council on the Environment of New York City; 3) opening the garden regularly to MTW families; 4) procuring pertinent materials and information for the teachers, and; 5) recruiting active parent members, especially from the lower grades in order to ensure continuity in meeting its responsibilities.
* Audit: The audit committee shall conduct an internal audit or shall recommend that an external audit of all financial affairs of the organization be conducted based upon their initial findings. The Treasurer shall make all books and records available to them. The audit committee shall prepare a written report or provide copies of the external report to be presented to the membership at a general membership meeting or upon completion of their review and investigation.

Article VIII - Financial Affairs
Section 1. Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of the association shall run from July 1 through June 30.

Section 2. Signatories
Officers authorized to sign checks (President or Co-Presidents, Treasurer) shall not be related by blood or marriage.

Section 3. Budget
3.1 The Budget Committee shall be chaired by the President or Co-President. The committee shall be responsible for:
* presenting the budget process for membership approval which must be voted on by no later than the June membership meeting
* a Treasurer's written review of the prior year's budget for discussion at the May membership meeting
* preparing a proposed budget for adoption by the membership at the June membership meeting
* The development and/or review of the budget process which includes:
* The outgoing Executive Board must review the current budget, annual financial status, accounting, expenditures and outstanding bills and prepare a proposed budget for the next school year. The proposed budget must be presented to and approved by the membership prior to the end of the school year.
* The counting and handling of any cash, checks, or money orders received requires at least two non-related PA members to participate. Received monies shall be counted within the same day, recorded and be signed by the authorized PA members. All monies must be counted in school.
* No parent and/or staff member shall collect fundraising proceeds from any student without the written approval from the principal.
3.2 The budget may be amended by vote of the general membership at any membership meeting.
3.3 All expenditures not included in the budget at the time of its adoption must be approved by resolution of the membership.

Section 4. Record Keeping
4.1 PAs shall obtain their own Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service for bank account applications. PAs may not conduct any fundraising activities until they have obtained an EIN. PA's EINs must be maintained on file with the building principal.
4.2 PAs shall obtain their own New York State Tax Exempt Number for the purpose of purchasing items exempt of sales tax. PA's tax exempt status is to be used only for the PA's benefit and not for the benefit of individual members. Copies or records of tax exempt forms submitted to stores must be maintained as PA records.
4.3 A checking account in the name of the PA shall be maintained. Any accounts other than the mandatory checking account must be authorized by a vote of the PA membership and must be in the name of the PA. The PA must use a commercial ledger checkbook.
4.4 The acquisition or use of an automated teller machine (ATM) card(s), credit cards or withdrawal slips by a PA is prohibited.
4.5 PAs are prohibited from writing checks payable to cash or petty cash.
4.6 PA members may only be reimbursed for PA out-of-pocket expenses if they submit receipts, the membership approves, and the check is made payable to the PA member.
4.7 Documentation related to every transaction must be maintained at the school, i.e., cancelled checks, deposit receipts, purchase orders, PA minutes related to the expenditure. The PA must keep all financial records for a period of six (6) years.
4.8 All funds shall be deposited in the bank account by authorized board members or fundraising chairs within 24 hours of receipt. No funds shall be kept in a member's home, but shall be secured and locked in the school. PA funds will be taken to the bank for deposit by at least two (2) authorized members.

Section 5. Audit
5.1 The President shall request volunteers to form an audit committee of three to five (3-5) persons. Executive Board members, if they are not check signatories, may serve. The majority of the committee shall be comprised from the general membership.
5.2 The audit committee shall conduct an audit of all financial affairs of the association with the help of the Treasurer who shall make all books and records available to them. The audit committee may also recommend that an external audit of the association's financial records be conducted.
5.3 Additional duties of the audit committee may include the examination of all relevant financial statements and records of disbursements, verification of all association equipment and ensuring compliance with bylaw provisions for the expenditure of funds.
5.4 The audit committee shall prepare a written report or provide copies of the external report to be presented to the membership at a general membership meeting or upon completion of their review and investigation. This report shall be included for review and discussion during the June transfer of records.
Section 6. Financial Accounting
6.1 The Treasurer shall prepare and provide copies of the Interim Financial Accounting Report by January 31st and the Annual Financial Accounting Report by the June meeting including all income and expenditures, to be presented and reviewed by general membership. Copies of these reports shall be provided to the principal.
6.2 The Treasurer shall be responsible for all monies of the association and shall keep accurate records in a form consistent with these bylaws and applicable Regulations of the Chancellor. The Treasurer, Secretary, at least one other PA officer, and additional persons as needed shall be designated and approved by the PA Executive Board to collect, count, tally and record all orders and payments. In accordance with Chancellor's Regulation A-610, parents must obtain written approval from the principal before collecting fundraising proceeds from students. The Treasurer and at least one other PA officer or Fundraising Chair shall transport all funds to the bank, and deposit slips shall identify the source of all monies deposited. All parties involved in these financial transactions shall initial the deposit slips. The Treasurer shall make all authorized disbursements and shall, within the next banking day, deposit all monies of the association in a responsible banking institution selected by the association. All records of the association including checkbooks, ledgers, cancelled checks, invoices, receipts etc., shall be maintained and secured on school premises.

All collected monies for next day bank deposit must be secured on school premises.

Article IX - Amendments
These bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting of the association by a two-thirds vote of the members present, provided the amendment has been presented in writing to the membership at the previous meeting, and appears in the notice of the meeting at which it is to be amended. Amendments are effective immediately unless otherwise specified. A thorough review of these bylaws shall be conducted every three (3) years. These bylaws shall not contain language which does not conform to Chancellor's Regulation A-660 and Department of Education guidelines.

These bylaws as set forth above have been voted on and approved by the membership. The most recent amendment(s) was/were approved, in accordance with the provisions of Article IX, at the membership meeting held on June 9, 2006.

Amended/Ratified:
November 2, 1994
April 28, 1994
March 15, 1995
April 13, 1995
June 14, 1995
May 1, 1997
May 1, 2000
February 14, 2003
June 9, 2006

Reviewed:
April 2004
April 2006

Next Review:
April 2009 

 
Minutes of Meeting: 05/01/97

Meeting called to order at 7:00 PM by Melanie Arwin, PA President

Present:  see attached list

New Business

1.    Proposed revisions to the By-Laws have been posted for at least five (5) weeks.  More recently an important amendment, extending membership to teachers and converting the organization to a Parent-Teacher Association, was introduced.

RESOLVED, that the proposed By-Law revisions, except for the amendment extending membership to teachers, be approved as circulated. (MOVED:  Tisa Farley, SECOND:  Helen Thurston; PASSED:  Unanimously).

2.     Mary Timson, Director of Midtown West, then spoke in favor of the amendment, arguing that it was primarily a symbolic issue that reinforced the collaborative nature of education at Midtown West.  A vigorous discussion of the merits of amendment was conducted.

RESOLVED, that the proposed amendment to Article III Section 3 of the By-Laws, as revised, extending membership to teachers and making the organization a Parent-Teacher Association, be approved.  (MOVED:  Tisa Farley, SECOND:  Shelley Crandall; PASSED:  40-7(hand vote)).

3.    An amendment to the By-Laws reducing the quorum from 10% to 5% of the student population was introduced and after vigorous discussion was withdrawn.

(MOVED:  Amy Thomas,  SECOND:  Lisa Edwards;  WITHDRAWN).

4.    [Intentionally Omitted]

Adjournment

Meeting adjourned at 7:50 PM

Minutes prepared and submitted by:

John L. Kolp, Recording Secretary [Intentionally Omitted]

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