PTO Meeting Minutes - October 2025

BLE PTO General Meeting
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
5:30 pm - 6:45 pm
Library
Attendees
Gretchen Archuleta, President, parent
Chelsi Yarger Weedon, Vice-President, parent and BLE Para
Lisa Carrell, Secretary/Treasurer, parent
Colin Machado, Website Manager
Kyle Grudenfelder, BLE Principal
Gabi Jones, BLE Classroom Teacher
Sarah Haseman, BLE Classroom Teacher
Valerie Machado, parent
Nate Burgher, parent
Monica Carlson, parent
Ellie Gochenouer, parent
Alan Hans, parent
Matt LeMier, parent
Brandon Weeden, parent
Maely Keeling, parent

Guests:
Kevin Bogatin, TSD Superintendent
Laurie, Wiedenmeyer, Director of Communications & Community Relations

Agenda Items
Intro to PTO (Gretchen & Chelsi)
District Update (Kevin & Laurie)
Boo Bash (Gretchen & Chelsi)
Other Topics

Intro to PTO (Chelsi & Gretchen)
We’re here for a common goal
We’re happy to have everyone here
We welcome fresh ideas and new ways of doing things
All contributions are welcome, no matter how big or small

District Update (Kevin & Laurie)
Laurie shared that she was excited to be meeting with parent groups around the district so that we can meet her and know that we’re welcome to reach out.
Kevin talked about ways to maximize resources and have better facilities, the potential to have just 1 high school in the district and more.
Kevin talked about some of the different funding options and needs going forward.
A bond could be put to a vote (requires 60% to pass) and this could only be used for the big project it was intended to fund.
A capital & technology levy is expected to go to a vote in February. This is mostly funds for capital upgrade and technology and may cover minimal staffing to support tech.
An ongoing EP&O (Educational Program and Operating) levy is also coming up. This fills in the gaps for what the state doesn’t fund - employees, paras, transportation, and more.
Kevin explained that they had to cut $6M from their budget this year.
Kevin showed that they worked on a new strategic plan that was developed over the last year and is now being rolled out.
Kevin responded to a question about equity in athletics. He shared that he and the Board will continue to follow state law.
Kevin responded to a question about the future of technology in the district.

Boo Bash
Scheduled for October 24th from 6-8
Family event
We need a DJ.
ACTION: Gabi to check on a DJ
Discussed some new options for costume contests. Decided on a secret scout that will select a few winners secretly.
ACTION: We need a teacher to do this. Chelsi to check on who can do this.
Chelsi lined up Mrs. Calabrese to run bingo in the library.
Chelsi lined up Mrs. Johnson to do a balloon arch for the photo booth.
We need supplies and a speaker for the cake walk.
ACTION: Chelsi will buy supplies for this using Winco gift cards.
ACTION: Gabi will bring a speaker for the cake walk.
We need prizes for bingo and costume contest.
ACTION: Gretchen will purchase these prizes.
We need candy donations, trunk sign-ups, volunteers for set up, working the event, clean up
ACTION: We all need to continue to push the sign-ups for these.

Other Topics
Lisa brought up the idea of room parents or grade parents. Need to define this role more before we think we can get people to take this on.
Lisa mentioned that she will plan to bring treasurer reports going forward to increase transparency in the PTO’s finances.