Minutes of PTA Meeting 4^th February 2012

Members Present –

School Representatives -

Parents Representatives –

Agenda for that day:

•      Decision on Leap start sports program.

•      Decision on DA (Detailed Assessment)

•      Updates from the Transport Committee.

•      Update on CSS (Customer Satisfaction Survey)  

•      RTE update

•      Sharing highlights from Strategic Planning Meet and important decisions for next academic year.

•      Updates from the Transport Committee.

•      RTE updates

Minutes of the meeting:

Ms. Shilpa welcomed the members present and shared the agenda.

Important Ratifications -

Leap Start Sports Program:

• Data collected after demonstration and presentation of Leap Start Sports pilot program was shared.

Summary -

• Dates /Days- 3^rd January 2012 to 10^th February  2012 ( pilot program done)
• No. of children from Nursery to Std IV - 660
• No. of consent forms received till date - 566
• No. of forms that have said ‘yes’ for  the program to  be implemented from year 2012-13, after understanding the  financial implication   - 520
• No. of forms that have said  ‘No’-  46
• Absent / forms not submitted -  94

PTA parent representative unanimously agreed that the program was excellent and that it would benefit the children. They also wanted to extend this benefit to the Secondary school. But finally it was agreed to phase the implementation over two years which will give school a chance to test the organization.

Parents shared some concerns from the larger parent community which were raised during Leap start presentations –

• Parents are not happy with the current sports program.
• Ideally, they would like the school to absorb the expense in the current fees.
• Every time a new program comes in, will the parent have to pay for it?
• What if the program fails within the year?

The school team clarified some of the concerns. Leap start run in other schools have given good reviews. It was reiterated that the school budget does not have the provision to pay the per child cost of Leap start curriculum. All new programs that are based on per child cost and not in original school program cannot be factored in with the fees.  

The PTA unanimously ratified for the Leap Start program for Jr.KG to Class V which to be implemented in the coming academic year 2012-2013.

The implication of introducing this program is –

For first year 2012 – 13 -

•  School will pay Rs 50 per child per month for 10 months
• Parent will pay the balance of Rs 100 per child per month for 10 months.
• The total amount will be collected at one time from parents at the beginning of the academic year. A separate challan will be given.
• This cost will be over and above the present fees announced and ratified thereupon at PTA meeting on 14/10/11 and via Circular No. 9 sent on 22/11/11.

For year 2013 – 14 and ahead -

• A  review will be taken on the following –

1. • Whether to continue Leap start (depending on first year success)
   • Leap start be introduced to Secondary level as well (parent consent)
   • Cost factor – both for parents and school, if any contribution from school side
   • Mode of collection of fees – incorporating guidelines from fee fixation committee. Fee challan format will be decided accordingly.

• Leap start will announce annual hike of approximately 10% every year.

Detailed Assessment –

The team collectively agreed that a tool of assessment like this one is not the priority for now and they are not completed convinced with the concept. So the implementation of Detail Assessment is rejected by the forum.

Announcements and General Sharing -

School Fees for 2013 -14 -

The school fees for the year 2013 – 2014 were communicated. The fee hike will be between approximately 15% to 20%. The fee challan will be formatted based on guidelines from the RTE and fee fixation committee. 

RTE

Ms. Lakshmi shared her concern on implication of RTE implementation in the school. RTE as act has been passed but Government of Maharashtra is yet to decide on the framework of implementation. 

Customer Satisfaction Survey (CSS)  

It was informed that report for CSS is awaited. They will make the presentation to the school team and PTA soon. Quality measures if needed will be looked at after that.

Dr. Kalam’s Visit 

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam’s visit on 9^th February 2012 was announced. It is a great honour and privilege for TOS that Dr. Kalam will grace the ‘Science Expo’.

Transport Committee 

Mr. Anand and Ms. Rajeshree shared updates on behalf of the Transport Committee.

They have taken the following steps

• Assessed school bus operation with regards to bus operation compliance with RTO regulation.
• Issued bus code of conduct to all children and parents
• Twice carried bus surprise inspection to check travel worthiness and code of conduct. 
• Thereafter decided on plan of action. Meet with Parents, kaka and maushi to find their side. Give suggestion to improve the bus environment.
• They will soon address students and explain bus code of conduct. 

Strategic Planning Meet Highlights-

Ms. Shilpa shared highlights from Strategic Planning Meet and important decisions for next academic year. Refer to the attachment for details.