February Meeting Draft Minutes
Date | time 2/10/26 | 6:30pm Meeting called to order by Jake Sepulveda
In Attendance
Board Members: Jake Sepulveda, Emma Koehler, Reece Nitschke, Nicole Hochstrasser, Irina Stignei
Community Present: Principal Sabrina, Kristen H, Christina M, Danny H, Abby, Kelly S, Katie R, Sarah N
Approval of Minutes
Minutes from the last General Meeting, held January 13th, were accepted without amendment.
Treasures Report
· Update from January 1st. Less than 20 transactions.
· Financial donations are up.
· We spend $800 for book fair and had $1250 budgeted. The extra $450 will be allocated for the library.
Principal Update
· Library sub is wrapping up. March 1st is Allison’s last day. Ms Hazen is coming back.
· Haven’t shared with parents, meeting tomorrow. Tables and benches is cafeteria are old and falling apart. This is our last week with these tables. We will transition to tables that fold up. This may be a big transition for some kids.
· Budget - 50 Million dollar cut. Good news. Vestal is in a good place. We won’t lose any staff. Enrollment is growing. Glisan Landing is bringing a lot of kids. The area is growing. More students than we have in the last 6 years. A lot of PPS schools will need blends of different grades. All schools will have school counselor. Next year we have 2 of every grade level. EA’s for title 1 schools and that is us. Vestal is good with staffing.
· Reading results – We may want PTA to help pay for this. Not sure yet, we may have money with our title 1 money.
· An email out soon with information about the budget.
Continuing Business
Ranch pizza fundraiser - $300ish dollars raised. It was really busy. Pizza sauce spilt on Jakes pants.
Embark savings program - College savings fund. Jake is trying really 50 codes available. Only 13 redeemed. Working on extending the vouchers that expired in December. PTA receives $100 per student signed up. Sabrina suggests tabling at pick up to assist signing folks up.
$500 grant for food security - We need photo evidence. Food boxes are the way to go for the families who need this food. PTA cannot hand out food to specific people. We can provide the food. Ms Em accessing more grant money to bolster the food boxes. Jake looking for someone to assist Ms Em with the food boxes. 1 or more people will be great. Abby and Kristen interested in this ask.
Student garden updates - Kristen is amazed about how much the community is getting done during community care day. We have a plan for the garden. Removing stuff that’s not being used. New chalkboard is installed. Invasive species and poky trees removed. Disposing excess mulch. Building bug hotels. Specific shed for Vestal community and students. The shed is currently shared with the community garden and Vestal. The new shed will also act as a barrier between Vestal garden and community garden the Feb 21st, next community care day 10am-Noon.
Outdoor classroom – Depave planted the willow tunnel. We’re having another planning March 14th. Ribbon cutting in May. Willamette Weekly did a story on the outdoor classroom. https://www.wweek.com/news/schools/2026/02/10/a-new-outdoor-courtyard-comes-to-vestal-elementary-school/
Farmers Market - Jake meeting the farmers market. In talks with PPS. All stake holders are interested. Jake will fill is in with information.
Rock, Paper Soiree - Decorations team is working hard. Dark space/moon theme. Working on menu items. Donation request team is asking for ideas.
Community Support – Jake is getting in touch with community members about figuring out an ICE watch program.
PTA roles 26-27 – Some returning and switching roles. We are looking to fill the marketing role. Reach out to Jake with questions about the role. Abby is coming on a President. Jake will take on VP role to assist Abby.
Committee lead – people who are interested in a particular role. Movie night ect. If you have an interest please reach out.
PTA clothing pantry – See Ms Em. She is making flyers. Plenty to go around. Located on Marshall Campus.
Flower basket sale - March 30th
Zoo passes – Jake has free zoo passes to hand out at SUN.
Open Discussion
The abandoned house – Sarah reported unauthorized people living at the house.
Closing
2/10/26 7:40pm, via Zoom