Call to Order/Pledge of Allegiance:  The meeting of the General Membership was called to order at 7:35 PM.   Cary Sweeney, President, led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Program:   The cast of Fame took the floor and gave us a rousing preview performance of song and dance from their upcoming musical, under the direction of Mr. Reifschneider.   They were given an enthusiastic round of applause from the assembly.   The HHS Drama Club's show will be performed on November 1, 2, 7, 8, and 9 in the Little Theatre.   (Break a leg, kids!)

Approval of Minutes:   The minutes of both the May 12, 2003 and September 8, 2003 were read and approved by majority vote.

Treasurer's Report:   Toni Johnson presented the financial statement for September 9 - October 13.   The opening balance was $5473.44; expenditures totaled $1043.79; deposits totaled $641; ending balance was $5071.34.   The Budget to Actual balance remained in the black, with a net balance of $5,071.34.   The Treasurer's report was approved by majority vote.

Principal's Report:   Don Leydig announced the approval of a $500,000 federal grant for three years for Smaller Learning Communities (SLC).   Responding to an email from a concerned parent and PTSO member, regarding school safety, he explained "school report card" on which HHS, at first glance, did not show as good as other SMUHSD schools.   The schools were judged in terms of number of expulsions/suspensions, crime, property crime, drugs & alcohol, with comparisons to District averages.   Mr. Leydig said his own three 3 girls went through HHS, and he, personally, thinks it is quite safe, better than the numbers might indicate.   In answer to another parental inquiry, he assured us that the HHS football program is not at risk of dissolution.   He then addressed some curriculum concerns and some things being "lost" to SLC: for example, freshman tutorial is gone, replaced by an advising period.   Next year will see the elimination of tutorial period for all grades.   The district is pushing for all sports to be after school, to avoid students having to be let out early.  

President's Report:   (Cary)   Gari attended the Parent-Presidents Council meeting, which included a review of the modernization projects at the six District high schools.   There are open two open positions on the Board of Trustees, with three candidates running for election on November 4.  

Gari issued a reminder that Barbara Whiteside would be the featured speaker at the year's first Parent Education night on October 29, in room 223.

Drama Boosters:   (Jean Abeles & Sue McKenna)   Fame opens Nov. 1; the Boosters are accepting ads for the program up till Weds, 10/16.   The Drama Boosters meet on the third Tuesday of the month @ 7:30, in room 223.

Music Boosters:   (Suzanne Maguire and Kaye Sharma)   This club meets on the first Tuesday of the month in the music room, at 7:00 PM.   They're trying to raise sufficient funds to buy choir robes this year.

Athletic Boosters:   (Janine Wrightson)   The Car Show, in early September, netted between $5000-6000; more details to be reported at the Boosters' meeting, 10/14/03 at 7:30.    The club meets on the second Tuesday of each month, here, in room 223.

Dance Boosters:   The Dance Club is trying to get going early for the May show.   This group gets no money from AKOTT, having just started up last year.   The Dance Boosters meet on the fourth Monday of each month, room 223.

AKOTT:   (Liz Wiegand and Janine Wrightson)   A binder will be passed around to sign up for committees at the next meeting 10/28, at 7:30.   Thank you letters didn't go out last year, so there's talk that some folks/businesses will be reluctant to donate again.   Last year, each of the 5 groups netted $5500.   This year's event will be on March 27, at the Foster City Recreation Center.   It will include a chance drawing.

Membership:   PTSO membership for the current academic year is up to 557, already well over the 2003-2003 membership total.   The number represents a big increase in the student memberships, and a significant increase (17.6%) in faculty memberships, as well.

Hospitality:   N/A

New Business:   Don Shield & Javier Pulido from the San Mateo Youth Sports Foundation talked about the Foundation's efforts to fund, develop and operate outdoor sports fields in the City of San Mateo.   They've been working with Assistant Superintendent Bob Arnold of SMUHSD & Mr. Leydig on opportunities for developing new sports facilities at Hillsdale High School, as well as at Abbott and Bayside middle schools.   A competitive $130 million statewide grant is available, potentially $15 million for San Mateo, and the money can be put into school facilities that are also used by the community.   Schools cannot ask for the grant directly, but if the city is awarded this money, SMUHSD has said it will contribute $250,000 in matching funds.   The grant proposal is due in early November.   The gentlemen were looking 1 -2 contacts to help distribute and collect information, and anyone who knows the city officials.  

Senior Class President Sheenah Shirakhon announced there will be a Grid Raffle in advance of the Nov. 15th football game versus Aragon.   The football field will be divided up into squares, and raffle tickets will sell at $5 each, in order to raise money for the Senior Class end-of-year/graduation events.   The $1000 cash prize will be determined by a cow "doing her business" on the winning square.

The district PTAs were soliciting contributions for a gift for Tom Mohr, in recognition of his many years of service to SMUHSD.   The intended gift is a 3' X 4' engraved bronze plaque to be mounted on the new San Mateo High School clock tower.   The cost is estimated at $3600, so they were looking for a $600 donation from each high school in the District.   Toni said the PTSO might have about $300 extra from memberships, so the membership voted to donate that amount for the plaque and to solicit the booster groups to chip in the additional $300.

Release of funds:   Courier expenses were budgeted at $250 for the year, but we already received an invoice for $178 for first issue; regular copy fees = $52; the color printing for the cover = $100 (for 800 count).   Toni requested we release $375 for remaining anticipated Courier expenses.   The funds were released by majority vote.

There's been much concern expressed to Cary by parents, regarding the 31st Avenue school parking lot.   The parking spaces, previously angled were redrawn by the contractor perpendicular to the perimeter to maximize the space.   Mr. Leydig said he'll talk to the contractor about a possible easing of the situation.

Office Depot has a great refund program that families should take advantage of.   If you turn in any used printer cartridge (other than Epson & Cannon), they'll give a you ream of paper.   You, in turn, can donate this much-needed contrisbution to the school.

Old Business:   N/A

Closing:   The meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:10 PM.   The next meeting is Monday, Nov. 10th @ 7:30 PM (despite the error on the calendar in Courier).

Respectfully submitted by,
Christina Reynolds
Recording Secretary