Alecia Gardner

Board Meetings
School Board Meeting
I attended a few school board meetings this year, and even went to a county commission
board meeting to learn about how boards operate. I decided to reflect on the final May board
meeting on May 19, 2015 where I was also one of the presenters. The meeting was held in our
new 21st Century Learning Space and there were quite a few in attendance that evening. The
room was packed with 11th grade students from the Government class, who are required to
attend at least one school board meeting and reflect on it for an assignment. There were also a
few other teachers, the five board members, elementary principal, ms/hs principal, curriculum
director, technology director, superintendent, athletic director, board secretary and the business
manager in attendance.
Agenda: (Appendix A)
The agenda was exceptionally long this evening. However, it went really quick and in
fact it felt like a whirlwind as the very proficient and efficient board whipped through each task
methodically. The motions and seconds were almost simultaneous, and it was difficult for me to
keep track of where we were because it went so quickly.
There was one area that seemed a bit unorthodox to me, as the financial secretary
stated they wanted the board to approve some financial considerations. She stated there were
some grant monies, needing moved around to cover some furniture expenditures, supplies, and
office decor. However, they did not have the numbers or information tonight, but could email
them later. I know from the Ottumwa Leadership Academy I just graduated from, that the
financials should be in writing and clearly stated before anyone approves. So, after the board
accepted the proposal without the figures in front of them, this one had me thinking all night
about what could happen if this behavior is acceptable. I do not believe the secretary is doing

any tricky things with the money, but there are stories in the news about this very thing. I hope
they do not operate this way a lot.
The administrative reports went fairly quickly, with the exception of the elementary
principal and curriculum director went through the recently developed literacy plan in great
detail. Our district struggles in literacy so this was an area they really wanted to focus on for
next year. The plan was one I assisted and consulted on as a coach so it was neat seeing it
come together in from of the board from an administrative perspective.
The superintendent went through the additional welding academy information with a
presentation from the Industrial Tech teacher Mr. Dickinson. The welding academy will be open
to the public after school next year for a fee. It will also allow students to obtain a welding
certificate while still in high school. I think this is a fantastic opportunity for our community and
the students and families. Plus, it brings in revenue, which if projections are correct could pay
for half the teachers salary.
Summer projects included resurfacing the teacher parking lot, and turning the
elementary library into two classrooms because the elementary population has outgrown the
building. The board was pleased to acknowledge the growth, but wanted to know how students
would obtain books. The teachers were each given $2500 in books for next year was the
response from the curriculum director.
The other instructional coach and I shared a presentation with the board summarizing
our first year as instructional coaches. They did not appear to find it nearly as entertaining as
the students, but we had fun with it. I did have a difficult time presenting as I will be moving on
to a new position in a different district next year. So, one of the items on the agenda was
approving my resignation. It felt a little strange presenting knowing I would be leaving.
Every single item on the agenda was approved. I really thought there would be a few
nays, but it went so quickly once they got rolling. It was like a positive train had gotten away
from the caboose, and we were all being drug along with it. All the consulting for bids for big

projects were accepted, and the team seemed really excited about the possibilities for the future
additions and renovations.
Administrative Meeting:
The admin team has not met formally since April 24th. I attended both meetings as a spectator
and as a presenter.
Agenda (Appendix B)
This agenda was much more informal than the school board meeting. It was also a
smaller meeting held in the superintendents office. The admin team are all very comfortable
with each other. The team members consisted of the elementary principal, Heather Buckley,
ms/hs principal, Jeremy Hissem, Curriculum Director, Cindy Green, and the Superintendent,
Joel Pedersen. The team sat in the arm chairs in Mr. Pedersens office and shared a screen with
an AppleTV. It was a nice listening to the camaraderie in this group. They seem to really care for
eachother, but it is clear they also challenge each other.
Both meetings began with positives from all of the team. It was neat listening to what
they each found as a positive. Some were personal and others professional. However, they
each were given time to share a celebration they had experienced over the last two weeks. This
is something I want to implement in the future. This helped to open the floor for an optimistic
conversation.

Then they had an opportunity to add anything to the agenda, which was vital or pertinent
to the team. I felt this was vital because the agenda is normally created by the curriculum
director and superintendent, so the principals may have something coming up that needs to be
addressed that was not part of the agenda. There was one addition, which was a suggestion to
take the staff out for a get together at the end of the year. They all agreed to chip in and cover
one free drink for each staff member.

The team proceeded through each action with an easy flow. They were not rushed, and
allowed each other to share ideas and thoughts. They answered questions, and took the time to
make sure they all understood the outcome. I loved watching them share the information they
had come prepared to give.
On April 10, I presented information about the Behavior Doctor and who I wanted to take
along with me. I explained who the Behavior Doctor was, took them to the website, and shared
information from the local AEA special education representative. The team approved of the idea,
and asked who I wanted to take. I went through each teacher I wanted to take along and why I
felt the individual needed to go. I was also able to share who would need a sub and who we
could leave unfilled based on schedules for the day. The administrative team made me feel
comfortable and were really personable as usual. I was accepted as part of the team, and they
made presenting easy because of their positive spirits and attitudes.
This team really seems to get along well, yet holds each other accountable. There is a
little bit of a separation between the two principals and the curriculum director and
superintendent. The curriculum director and superintendent seemed to have a lot of inside
jokes, and spoke more than the other two. However, this could be because they have worked
together the longest. The dynamics were positive adn productive and I enjoyed watching the
team working together.
Based off these experiences, I have learned that as a leader I will need to make sure I
develop relationships with the teachers, admin team and the school board. I must also make
sure to hold true to protocol for important things like budgets and having financial reports
prepared for meetings. I also learned that sometimes you do not have to be all business when
running a meeting. There is a time and a place for some more laid back yet productive
meetings. The differences in the meeting were remarkably clear that the school board is very
adamant about staying on task, focused, and getting through the agenda in a timely manner.
Whereas the admin meeting, was more focused on building the relationships within the meeting

framework. They both had an agenda and followed it, but the admin meeting went longer
because they took time to share about things going in their lives. There was also a lot of joy and
laughter in the admin meeting.
I graduated on June 11 from the Ottumwa Leadership Academy, which is a year long
program in our area that focuses on training leaders. I went to board meetings and committee
meetings and sat through many lectures on how a meeting should be laid out for the public. I
have a greater respect and perspective on board meetings. I learned that public meetings must
be more strict, follow protocol and the agenda to the letter. However, not all meetings require
that level of intensity and can still be productive. I hope that when I am leading a team I can
create an environment, which allows for joy, laughter, and learning whenever we meet. Yet, I
hope my expectations, ideals and beliefs are clear enough that the team knows when it is time
to get serious, focus and follow protocol.

Appendix A

Cardinal Community School Monday, May 19, 2014 Regular Meeting/High

School Library 6:30 P.M.
I. Meeting Called to Order:
II. A. Roll call of Cardinal Board Members
III. Welcome to Visitors and Guests:
IV. Approval of Agenda:
V. A. Items to add, delete, or change in agenda order B. Motion to
approve agenda
VI. Approval of Consent Agenda Items:
Secretarys minutes of Special Meeting (4/24/14),
Special Meeting
(5/2/14), Special Meeting (5/12/14)
Hot Lunch Report
Activity Account Reports
Monthly Financial Report
Monthly Invoices

VII.

Administrative Reports:
Financial Secretarys Report
Financial Update
Elementary Principals Report
i. Reading Data
Secondary Principals Report
Iowa Assessments
Curriculum Directors Report
District AYP Goals
Middle School Math Curriculum
Unit of Study Work at the Elementary

VI. Superintendents Report:

School Board Appreciation
Welding Academy
Outdoor Warning Siren Test Protocol
Summer Projects
Instructional Coaching

Open Forum
The Board welcomes comments from the general public. You are
requested to sign in for the record, and to limit the time used to
present your remarks to 2 or 3 minutes depending on the number of
speakers who wish to address the board.
Agenda
Old Business:
a. 2nd Reading Bullying Investigation Forms
New Business:
Accept resignations, if any
a. MS Sped, HS Sped * 2
Approve contracts, if any
Open Sealed Heating and Air Conditioning Bids
Consider IASB Membership
Consider Abatement Consulting Proposal
Consider Promethean Quote
Consider High School Restroom Remodel Bids
Consider Fence Bid for Electrical Next to Ball Fields I. Consider
Carpet Replacement Bids
Consider Ceiling Replacement Bids
Consider Motorized Bleachers in Middle School Gym L. Consider
Wrestling Room Graphic Panels
Consider Middle School Gym Graphic Panels
Consider High School Gym Graphic Panels
Consider Computer Purchase
Consider School Bus Purchase
Consider Data Use & Confidentiality Agreement
Meeting Adjournment

Appendix B
April 10th, 2015
Positives- all
Items from the team:
HeatherJeremyCindy1.TLC update (Cindy)
https://sites.google.com/a/cardinalcomet.com/tlc/
2. Behavior Doctor- Allie
Who is going (Sent from Allie)
No Subs
Josie Sieren
Ami Chounlamany
Judy Fulton
Abby Conrad

SubsCaleb Miller- Julia Wong

Stacie Warren- Allison Schulz
Aaron Dose- Mike Cardin
Lyndsey Noe- Cathleen

3. Calendar 15-16 (Cindy)

4. PLC Conference in St. Charles- can send 8 teachers & 4 admin (DLT + 4?) (Cindy)
5. Bully Investigation (Joel)
6. Summer School- (Cindy, Joel, Heather)

****************************************************************************************************
April 24th, 2015
Positives- all
Items from the Team:
JeremyHeatherCindy1. Jeremy's chapter discussion (Jeremy)
2. TLC interviews (Cindy)
3. Certified positions for next year- (Joel)
4. Associate evals (Joel)
5. STEM update- how are they doing (Cindy & Heather)
6. Lead Para- mentor (Cindy)
7. Behavior class in June- PBIS? (Cindy)
8. ASCD in Des Moines- (Cindy)
9. Admin retreat- dig deep into bright bytes and IS3 (Joel)
10. May PD topics- (Cindy)
May 26th- EQ? Lit- book study,

May 27th- Cory & Evan interview teams

May 28th- Summer school?