March 10, 2016 at 6:30 PM - GIPS BOE Regular Meeting

Rationale:  It is 6:30 PM and I now call to order the Grand Island Public Schools Board of Education Meeting.  This is the March 10, 2016 meeting.  Notice of this meeting has been advertised in the Grand Island Independent, which is the District's designated method of giving notice of these meetings.

We want those in attendance to know that copies of the Open Meetings Act are available at the entrance to the Board Room.  If anyone in attendance is interested in addressing our Board, you are welcome to do so.  We simply request that you complete the appropriate form and turn it in to us now so that you may be recognized during the Public Forum part of our meeting.  These forms are also located by the entry doors of this room.

Mrs. Wagner, will you please call the roll?

Rationale:  Roll Call.

Rationale: 

The Mission  

Every Student, Every Day, a Success
Within the Grand Island Public Schools,
- every student will be taught to read, write, and communicate effectively; solve problems; acquire and apply knowledge; and demonstrate mastery through performance to the best of the student's abilities;  
- every student will be treated with fairness and dignity;
- every student will experience a sense of belonging, contribution, and success; and
- every student will develop responsibility and show respect for others as well as oneself.  
In educating students, we teach hearts as well as minds.

Rationale:  The first item on the agenda tonight is the Consent Agenda.  The Consent Agenda to be approved is as follows:

(items read.)

This is the Consent Agenda as published.  Would anyone like to remove any items or add any items to the Consent Agenda? 

Rationale: 

The Nebraska Scholastic Art Gold Key Award Winners (22), The Nebraska Scholastic Art Awards Best of Show Artist (1), The Bridge Exhibition Best of Show Artists (2), and the NCECA National Student Ceramic Exhibition Awards Winners (2) as follows:

Nebraska Wesleyan Bridge Exhibition Best of Show- Emily Harders

Rationale:  Matt Novinski in recognition of winning the State Championship in the 100 Backstroke and 100 Butterfly

Rationale:  Bess Sheeks and Chandra Kosmicki  will present SeeSaw - Student Drive Digital Portfolios.  Seesaw empowers students of any age to independently document what they are learning at school.  Students capture learning with photos and videos of their work, or by adding digital creations.  Everything gets organized in one place and is accessible to teachers from any device.  Student work can be shared with classmates, parents, or published to a class blog.  Seesaw gives students a real audience for their work and offers parents a personalized window into their child's learning.

Rationale:  Mrs. Skalberg will give the annual Grand Island Public Schools Foundation update.

Rationale:  Curriculum continues to drive technology resources as GIPS is considering several new curriculum adoptions with significant online components in both the elementary and secondary grades.  To meet the curriculum needs of all learners PK-12, T&L and IT staff, in cooperation with multiple grade level technology teams, are proposing a plan which will increase student access to technology and take advantage of the continued vendor, publisher, and assessment support for lower cost technology while providing a substantial savings to the district over the next several years.

Rationale:  Our current contract with our secondary Internet connection vendor will expire on June 30, 2016.  We have solicited proposals from several vendors to enter into a multi-year agreement for direct commodity internet access.

Rationale:  As federal e-rate reimbursement for voice services is declining, we are reorganizing our telephone service to reduce analog services and aggregate digital phone service access in two locations to lower cost and improve efficiency.  The second step in this process is to select a digital line service PRI for install at Grand Island Senior High.  These digital services have a multi-year contract associated with them.

Rationale:  The GIPS grades 6-12 English Language Arts Task Force requests the purchase of myPerspectives resources from Person for the total cost of $433,475.16 to include a seven (7) year commitment to digital courseware.

Rationale:  Annually Grand Island Public Schools reviews our facilities and sites for identification of current and future project needs relating to all aspects of the physical space. Mr. Petsch meets with each building administrator and walks through newly identified projects or issues. Building principals rank order building projects and then Mr. Petsch and Mr. Harden rank order those projects on a district wide basis. The district wide project list along with the details of all building projects is reviewed with the facility and finance committee. Mrs. Grim maintains, updates, and process details for each building to develop the project list and keeps it current throughout the year as projects go on through to completion or are held over for reconsideration in future years. Historical project spending is maintained by building for district use in planning and management decisions.

Rationale:  Board members will report out on their school building visits and experiences over the past month.

Rationale:  Dr. Dexter reviewed the OMB program and contract renewal proposal for 2016-2017 through 2018-2019 during the February board meeting. The renewal contract has been reviewed by legal council and found to be acceptable. The updated contract is now being presented for approval.

Rationale: 

Mr Petsch updated the Board on the need to amend the independent contractor contract with Steve Shannon during the February board meeting. The contract amendment was drafted by our legal council and already signed by Mr. Shannon. The contract amendment is now before the Board for final consideration and approval.

Rationale:  Mr. Stelk will present and review the proposed staffing plan for 2016-2017.

Rationale:  Last month background information was brought forward with regard to the utilization of a research study focused on Grand Island Senior High visioning.  A proposal is now being presented to engage the District Management Council to assist the District and community of Grand Island in developing a vision and plan for Grand Island Senior High.

Rationale:  A monthly report to the Board and community on the major items discussed and under consideration in the Facility and Finance Committee.  From this committee, there is also a possibility of a presentation and recommendation for action on any item which might have recently arisen requiring a short turn around time frame.

Rationale:  A monthly report to the Board and community on the major items discussed and under consideration in the Teaching and Learning Committee.

Rationale:  A monthly report to the Board and community on the major items discussed and under consideration in the Personnel Committee.

Rationale:  A monthly report to the Board and community on the major items discussed and under consideration in the Policy Committee.

Rationale:  A monthly report to the Board and community on the major items discussed and under consideration by the Grand Island Public Schools Foundation.

Rationale:  A monthly report to the Board and community on the major items discussed and under consideration in the Legislative Committee.

Rationale:  A quarterly report to the Board and community on the major items discussed and under consideration by the NASB Board of Directors.

Rationale:  A monthly report to the Board and community on the major items discussed and under consideration by The Greater Nebraska Schools Association.