LAKEWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL 

GENERAL PTO / EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING 

Time: August 18, 2026 @ 9:00 AM Central Time

 

Meeting Attendees:

Erin Dunlap, Lara Arnold, Kara Wilson, Andrea Weiner, Cathy Swink, Lisa Stolper, Kelly Capps, Samantha Schwope, Della Rambo, Andy Schile, Jenny and Tiffany McCalla

 

Call to Order: Tiffany McCalla

  1. Record meeting attendees
  2. Approve previous board meeting minutes
  3. Approve financial reports from treasurer for close out of last fiscal year
    1. Note – we went $3000 over budget in staff appreciation last year. Budget was $7,000 and we spent almost $10,000.
    2. Lisa notes that we had money this year from BSN so they paid for shirts this year and want to ensure that it is there for next year. Cathy confirms.
  4. Approve the 2026-2027 budget
    1. Andrea proposes mouse derby income to be 30k and expenses be 17k.
    2. Andrea wants to look at the budget and make proposals and then will do an email to approve.
    3. Tabling approval until next month.

 Principal’s Report: Dr. Lisa Stolper

  1. School started and is going great.
  2. Athletics and activities started this week and going strong
    1. 35 kids for football
    2. 30 for cross country
    3. 4 teams for volleyball
    4. Fall play will begin at the end of the week

President Council Report: Tiffany McCalla

  1. First one is scheduled for Sept 22nd

Treasurer’s Report: Andrea Weiner

  1. Request to move financial process to Quickbooks from Membership Toolkit with $38 monthly cost to PTO
    1. Erin motions to approve the cost and unanimously passed. We will move forward with setting up Quickbooks.
  2. Proposal to go paperless
    1. There will be an online form for those needing reimbursement.
    2. Reimbursements will need to be completed within 30 days from the event date so that the books can be closed.
    3. Andrea will create a video to walk everyone through it.
    4. Documentation will live on shared google drive.

 

School Activities VP Report: Kelly Capps

  1. Cougar Night: Lara Arnold and Kara Wilson
    1. Friday October 30, 2026
    2. Theme: Halloween theme Freddy Cougar Night and planning a costume contest
    3. Going to implement a soda check where the kids don’t get the soda until the end of the night.
    4. Lisa confirmed we can use the art room for this or FACS room.
    5. Creative Carnival deposit and contract done – got axe throwing, pop a shot, soccer and touch thing
    6. Photo cube is booked
    7. DJ Stan in commons and ideas about having a dance competition
    8. Working on the inventory of the closet to make sure we have everything
    9. Andy has the cotton candy machine but we will need to do sugar and the bags.
    10. Need to order more cougar cups
    11. Details sent to Mr. Grindstaff for his class to create posters.
    12. Idea to do a painting contest on pumpkins but need some good parents to supervise.
    13. Sam may have a contact for pumpkins
    14. We normally have attendance between 300-400 kids attend and then have about 100 pumpkins
    15. Erica will do the social media for the event
  2. 8th Grade Farewell Committee: Kelly will be the lead of the group
    1. Thursday May 20, 2027
    2. Have 6 volunteers on it
    3. Donate the food from 5v5 to Lakewood
    4. Bluhawk Contract – waiting on Taylor to return the contract
    5. T-shirt design
    6. Decorations
    7. Cost to collect from parents
    8. Concerns to address from last year:
      1. Not enough food
      2. Need more security
      3. Told they could buy food but no option to do so
  3. Cougarfest: Jen Centlivre
    1. Thursday September 17, 2026
    2. Can the cheer team cheer out the VB and FB team from school?
    3. Need to send a formal email to Amy
    4. BVW marching band is a no due to practice for performance.
    5. Create a banner for the team to run through – Cheer?
    6. Can we get help taking pictures of the event – need a volunteer for this
    7. Mr. Grindstaff will be taking photos and getting kids involved for it
  4. Multicultural Fair: Manasi Sharma
    1. Friday April 2, 2027

School Support VP Report: Cathy Swink

  1. Spirit Wear: Open Chair
    1. New designs released right before Cougar Connection
    2. Posted to the website
  2. Teacher Grants: Board Members
    1. Remind LKM Teaching staff of BVEF grant season this fall and to apply
    2. We will assess funds and determine spring grants if possible
  3. Staff Appreciation: Erica Kellenberger, Marcus Walker & Andy Schile
    1. Back to school breakfast 8/7 – Chris Cakes
      1. Cost: $682
      2. Feedback on how it went?
        1. Lisa notes - It went great
      3. Fall Conferences
        1. 10/20-10/22 Snacks in teachers lounge
          1. Sign up genius out by 10/5
        2. 10/21 Conference dinner
          1. Need head count
          2. TBD on this information
    2. Last day of semester lunch
      1. December 18, 2026
      2. Lunch provided for staff at 11:45am
      3. Need head count

Restaurant Nights: Haley Howard

  1. Working with Culver’s and Minsky’s right now to lock in dates.

School Supplies: Open Chair

  1. Do we want to sign with 1st Day again? I have the contract due by Oct 1.
    1. Confirmed
  2. Thoughts on getting extra school supplies donated to social worker for students in need
    1. Think this is a great idea. We can create a bin at the front and ask for donations.

ELA Books: Open Chair

  1. Received confirmation of books from LKM
  2. Received the quote from Barnes and Noble on pricing, loaded to the website and info has been sent out to parents
  3. Will close orders as of September 4th to place order with Barnes and Noble

Social Media: Erica Kellenberger

  1. Please like and share the FB posts – working to grow our following!
  2. Please send anything you would like shared on our social media platforms. You can simply send me the details, and I’m happy to create the post, or if you already have a flyer or graphic created, just send it my way and I’ll get it posted.

BVEF Liaison: Tiffany McCalla

  1. Meeting scheduled for September 17th

Fundraising Events VP Report: Erin Dunlap & Samantha Schwope

  1. Bingo Loco – 11/12/26
    1. Met yesterday and need to make sure we can get in the commons right after school
    2. Going to talk logistics and figuring out spacing and where to put more people
    3. Need 18 coupons for sandwiches, etc
  2. Mouse Derby – 2/26/27

General Updates/Additional Items/Discussions: All attendees

  1. Open Position Recruitment Ongoing
    1. Co-President
    2. Co-Treasurer
    3. Secretary
    4. Spirit Wear
    5. School Supplies
  1. Reach out to choir, band and theatre to ask about raffling off seats to concerts and shows for this school year at bingo loco
    1. Mrs. Z responded about seats for the second concert

 

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