January 2026 PTSA Community Meeting Minutes

Written By Erick Valdes

Lincoln Elementary – PTSA Community Meeting

January 29, 2026

Meeting Called to order: 7:05PM

School Closure Update

  • Most staff called out for tomorrow (Friday, January 30, 2026) due to national solidarity efforts

  • Principal Shelley will be present at school

  • Operational closure likely - waiting for district decision after 7pm

  • Discovery Link childcare status unclear - district coordinating response

  • 20+ schools in similar situation across district

Budget & Enrollment

  • Current enrollment: 272 students (down 9 from projected 281)

  • 200 families on waiting list (70 traditional kindergarten, 130 primary)

  • Budget challenges:

    • Lost $375k district assistance

    • Down $70k from enrollment decline

    • PTSA contribution reduced to $100k pledge

  • Solutions implemented:

    • Shifting from multiple paras to additional 0.75 literacy interventionist

    • Reducing GT support from 1.0 to 0.75 FTE

    • Adjusting nursing coverage and reducing overlaps in scheduling (shifting to RN 2 days, CNA 3 days)

    • Part-time front desk coverage

Reading Intervention Focus

  • 40% of students (104 kids) started year below grade level in reading

  • Current 0.5 literacy interventionist insufficient for needs

  • Adding second literacy interventionist (0.75 teacher position)

  • Mid-year DIBELS showing significant growth in targeted students

  • SOAR program demonstrating strong results

PTSA Financial Update

  • Current position: $26k cushion in budget

  • Revenue progress: 50% to $200k goal ($90k raised so far)

  • Teacher grants: $10k distributed (vs $7k last year)

  • Restaurant nights: Over $6k raised (exceeding $4k projection). New goal is $10k

  • Pantry program: Sustained through end of school year with grocery gift cards

Fundraising Progress

  • Laps for Lincoln: $55k raised, <$1k expenses (6,000% ROI)

  • Bash planning: April 25th at Skylight venue

    • Theme: “Lights, Camera, Lincoln” (movie/TV show concept)

    • $55k fundraising goal

    • Need volunteers for auction procurement, alcohol donations, communications

Links Experiences

  • Year-round program (separate from Bash)

  • Current round: March-September 2025

  • Goal: 25 community experiences = $10k revenue

  • 10 experiences submitted so far

  • Deadline extended to February 13th

  • Previous best year: $21k total from experiences

Upcoming Events & Volunteer Needs

  • Mini auction opens tomorrow (summer camp donations)

  • Bike Rodeo: Need additional volunteers for overwhelmed planning team

  • Monthly coffee: First Friday after drop-off (volunteer needed)

  • PTSA 101 virtual session: Monday for prospective board members

  • Restaurant nights: Dave & Buster’s and Five Guys - Feb 11, Joy Hill - Feb 24, BurnDown – Mar 19 – (First day of March Madness)

Board Elections & Leadership

  • Elections: April 16th

  • Multiple positions open: President, Vice President, plus specialized roles

  • Current board finishing 2+ year terms

  • Secretary and Treasurer continuing

  • Flexible structure for new interests (technology, sustainability, advocacy)

  • Personal recruitment encouraged from community

 

Meeting Adjourned: 8:33PM

 

Erick Valdes
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