2025-Oct-14 Draft Minutes

These minutes are DRAFT only, and will be voted upon in the next PTO Meeting

Columbus Gifted Academy PTO

Meeting Date: October 14, 2025

Meeting Called to Order

Time: 6:41 PM


Welcome & Introductions (2 minutes)

  • Director of CGA – Amanda Reed
  • President – Destini Cole
  • Vice President – Vacant
  • Treasurer – Ann Robinson
  • Communications – Amanda Maglish
  • Secretary – Rebecca Fordon

Additionally attendees were introduced orally


Minutes (2 minutes)

  • Approval of September minutes
  • Motion to approve: Destini
  • Second: Amanda
  • Minutes and agendas will be posted on the PTO website (not currently posted).
  • Discussion of posting to Facebook for transparency and participation.

Principal’s Report (5 minutes)

Gratitude & Shout-Outs

  • Successful fall open house — thank you to PTO, staff, and community!
  • Congratulations to the CGA Middle School Choir for an amazing performance!
  • Upcoming events: Skate-A-Thon & Novemberfest
  • Momentum Monster Mash (Grades 3–5): Friday, November 7, 4–6 PM

School Priorities

  1. Implementing the House System
  2. Systems of enrichment personalized to students

Updates

  • Pastry sale for 8th Grade DC trip continues through next Thursday. Contact: [email protected]
  • State health screenings (grades 3, 5, 7) over next few weeks.
  • End of quarter: October 25
  • Parent/Teacher Conferences: November 5 & 13
  • No classes: October 17 & October 22

Advocacy Note

Columbus City Schools faces a $50M budget shortfall. Parents encouraged to attend Our Future, Our CCS Workshop Series:

  • Mon, Oct 27 – South High School, 6 PM
  • Tue, Oct 28 – West High School, 6 PM
  • Wed, Oct 29 – Mifflin High School, 6 PM

Teachers’ Report (2 minutes)

  • Mini-grant request from Megan McGonigle – Author Visit (Margaret Peterson Haddix)
  • Total cost: $2000; PTO asked to contribute $1000.
  • Discussion of additional fundraising. Tabled until next meeting.

Communications Report

  • Reminder: Email Amanda with all communications requests to Mrs. R by Wednesday.
  • Promotions underway for Novemberfest and Skate-A-Thon.
  • Kristin & Mrs. R will help promote PTO.
  • Meeting agendas and reports to be posted on website.
  • Discussion about Facebook page and using House structure to drive participation.

Newsletter Signup: PTO Weekly Email Newsletter


Treasurer’s Report

  • October 2025 Treasurer’s Report presented.
  • Discussion on setting annual fundraising goal and promoting Kroger sign-up.

Officer Update: Vice President – Kiki Koerner volunteered and was voted in! 🎉


Opportunities for Volunteering (10 minutes)

Lots of ways to get involved — even partial-time help is appreciated!

Events/Volunteer – Columbus Gifted Academy PTO

  • 1 PTO Board member per committee
  • Use Planning/Summary Sheet to keep notes
  • Confirm dates and details with Mrs. R before public announcements

Novemberfest – November 14 (5:00–7:00 PM)

  • Chili cookoff – Michelle organizing
  • Destini leading, Michelle co-chair
  • Need clean-up lead — Ann will print volunteer list
  • Schedule walkthrough with Mrs. R
  • Student vendors – Ann & Kiki coordinating
  • Silent auction – may be scaled down
  • Separate committee meeting to be scheduled

☕ Ongoing Committees

  • Pantry Committee – Ms. Allison requested additional funds

    • New Business (15 minutes)

    • Michelle Bowyer: Proposed “Hot Chocolate Coalition” for car pick-up in bad weather — Candace to lead.
    • Tree Dedication: Proposal to dedicate new cherry trees to CGA scholars we have lost — tabled.
    • Ann Robinson: Coordination with Troop 28 Scouts — to follow up via email.

    Upcoming Events

    October

    • Oct 16 — CGA PTO Fall Skate-A-Thon (6–8 PM)
    • Oct 16 — Special Meeting of CCS School Board (6–8:30 PM)
    • Oct 17 — No Classes – CCS Professional Development
    • Oct 21 — End of Quarter 1
    • Oct 22 — No Classes – CCS Records Day
    • Oct 27–29 — Our Future, Our CCS Workshops (South, West, Mifflin HS)

    November

    • Nov 4 — No Classes – Records Day
    • Nov 5 & 13 — Parent/Teacher Conferences (3:45–7:15 PM)
    • Nov 11 — PTO Monthly Meeting (6:30–7:30 PM)
    • Nov 14 — Novemberfest (5–7 PM)

    December

    • Dec 9 — PTO Monthly Meeting (6:30–7:30 PM)
    • Dec 10 — Middle School Winter Band Concert (6:30 PM)
    • Dec 11 — Middle School Winter Orchestra Concert (6:30 PM)
    • Dec 22–Jan 2 — Winter Break

    Adjournment

    Time: 8:09 PM