Manchester PTA Announces Raffle Winners, Hears Budget Presentation

At its third general membership meeting of this school year, the Manchester PTA, in coordination with the Manchester Township Municipal Alliance, awarded the top prizes for the latter group’s raffle event.

Winning the third-place prize of a $250 gift card to Shop-Rite was Crystal Jensen of Manchester, the second-place prize of a weekend at Cape May-based bed and breakfast Angels of The Sea went to Jason Tirado of Brick — while the first-place prize of a $1,000 Visa gift card went to Mike Leppert of Manchester.

It was announced at Monday evening’s meeting at that 100 percent of the raffle proceeds go to benefit Project Graduation.

Project Graduation is an organized and adult-supervised night of activities for graduating seniors that is held in lieu of off-campus house parties where drug and alcohol use may be present. Chances in the raffle to benefit this activity were sold by Alliance volunteers for $1, for a number of weeks prior to the drawing — roughly $4,000 was collected in the raffle, according to Municipal Alliance Coordinator Marianne Borthwick.

PTA President Cara McAllister also presided over the presentation of a check in the amount of $1,500 from the PTA to the Alliance, whose two members in attendance were John McGuire and Joan Brush.

“Joan and I have done this for 19 years, and you’re always there for us,” McGuire said to McAllister. “The kids have a great night through Project Graduation, and you make it happen.”

Additionally, on hand were Superintendent of Schools David Trethaway and School Business Administrator Craig Lorentzen, who both led a slideshow presentation regarding the 2012-13 budget.

Both officials at a recent meeting of the Manchester Township Board of Education, where it was explained that the decrease in ratables and an increase in tax appeals led to an increase in the local school tax rate. The approved school tax rate for the 2012-13 school year is 5 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. For an average-assessed home in Manchester Township of $194,600, this will account for an annual increase of $98 in school taxes paid.

In other news from the meeting:

• PTA Treasurer Trish Conti mentioned that a total profit of $24,117 was earned from the recent gift auction fundraiser held at Woodlake Country Club in Lakewood. “It was definitely our best Gift Auction so far,” Conti said. Conti also said that out of a total of $7,600 in grant money allotted for the year, about half of has been provided to teachers for curriculum tools and other upgrades through the PTA.

• At the mention of soon-to-be vacancies on the PTA’s Executive Board and Committee Chairs, Legislative Chair Sheryl Claus said that anyone interested in either type of position had to provide at least 25 days notice before the next general membership meeting, on May 7.

• It was further announced that the “Food For Thought” food pantry, in operation at both and , is in need of donations. The middle school pantry will stay open during the summer months, while the one at the high school will close once the school year concludes. Those interested in donating to the middle school pantry may call to make an appointment, while those looking to donate to the high school pantry are encouraged to contact that school’s Guidance Department.

• The Manchester Township Educational Foundation’s 4th Annual Golf Outing will be held on May 21 at Eagle Ridge Country Club in Lakewood. Please join the Foundation for golf or dinner or show your support through a sponsorship, available at levels from $25 to $5,000. More details can be found in this brochure, and you can reserve your spot in the outing by emailing golf@mtef4kids.org.

• The final scheduled general membership meeting for this school year will take place on May 7 at 7 p.m., at .

For more information, visit the PTA online at www.manchesterpta.org or on Facebook.