Jeff Burgess
Greenfield R-IV Schools
School Board Meeting Reflection
November 19, 2003

	Patrons, board members, and administrators gathered casually near the start of the meeting.  Present at the meeting were six board members, the superintendent, district secretary, high school principal, and about 10 patrons, of which 5 were required to attend to give reports.  There was also a representative for a lighting company.  The elementary principal was unable to attend because of a heart stint implant he received earlier in the week.
	After the meeting was called to order at about 7:00 pm, the agenda was approved with 3 minor changes.  A student is usually recognized for achievement/accomplishments at this time, but the one chosen for this month was unable to attend because of illness.  The meeting was opened for patron comments, and none were made.  The meeting proceeded in a relaxed and casual pace.  	
	The board allowed the representative for the lighting company to give his presentation so that he could be on his way.  He commented that this was the quickest he has ever been allowed to share his presentation.  After the presentation of reasons to change to energy efficient lighting, the board asked several clarifying questions.  The superintendent, who is at Greenfield for his first year, commented that the school he was at previously had tried this and utilities were significantly lowered.  The board decided to send an application for a low interest loan (3.5% for 11 years) from the Department of Natural Resources to finance the project, then decide on further action upon approval of that loan.
	The next topic of the meeting was the budget and finances.  Uncertainty and potential budget shortfalls were discussed at length.  Mention was made of legislators who say, “there is no revenue problem, but a spending problem.”  The superintendent identified one local legislator who commented that public education has “needed to trim the fat for some time.”
	Other board actions:
•	A $10,800 technology upgrade was approved.
•	The elementary and high school counseling programs gave program updates.
•	Math and science department presented curriculum updates.
•	Board policy amendments 
•	Set filing dates for board elections
•	Set a date for the next meeting

	Facility updates were given by the superintendent and the high school principal. The superintendent mentioned that work had been done in the garden in the elementary, but he wasn’t sure what all had been done.  The high school principal also gave a report for the elementary campus.  He clarified the superintendent’s comments about the garden by saying that he believed the work was done by the elementary student council, which was “started recently by Mr. Burgess”.  He then directed a question to me to verify his statement.  I then commented that the elementary counselor and I had started the student council in October, and that the council had 12 members, 2 from each grade in 4th, 5th, and 6th grades.  Other elementary activities mentioned were the Veteran’s Day assembly, Grandparents Day activities, and the need for sewer repairs at the elementary campus.  	The meeting adjourned to executive session at about 9:10. 
Greenfield R-IV Board of Education
Regular Board Meeting
High School Library
November 19, 2003
7:00 p.m.

Tentative Agenda
1.    Call Meeting to Order
2.    Approve Agenda
3.   Patron Comments

Consent Items
4.   Approval of Minutes-Regular Minutes-October 22,2003
5.   Approval of Revenue Report
6.   Approval of Payment of Bills

Action Items
7.    Student Recognition
8.   Technology Upgrade
9.  Approve Program Evaluations - Guidance and Counseling; Testing; Drug Education; Math Curriculum; Science Curriculum
10.	Action to set tuition rates for non-resident students
11.	Review and approval of proposed board policies suggested by MSBA
12.	Set board filing dates and positions
13.	Set Date for December Board Meeting

 Discussion items
14. Lighting Upgrade
15. Facility Update
16. Building Level Reports
17. Patron comments
18. Adjourn to Executive Session (Pursuant to 610.021; Personnel)

Changes to the Agenda
3a.       Patron Comments (not a change)
b.       Student Recognition (moved from the action item #7)
c.       Lighting Upgrade (presentation by David Dale from Excel Lighting) [moved from discussion item #14]