September 8, 2016 at 6:40 PM - GIPS BOE Regular Meeting

Rationale:  It is 6:40 PM and I now call to order the Grand Island Public Schools Board of Education Meeting.  This is the September 8, 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: 

Rationale:  Dr. Dexter will administer the Oath of Office to Erick Estevez, the new student board member for 2016-17 school year.

Rationale:  Mike Persampieri and Heather Glause will discuss the morning announcements livestream on Facebook along with other initiatives in the school.

Rationale:  Challenger presentation and the impact in the classroom

Rationale:  EdBacker is a platform to manage fundraising using the internet at the building and district level. EdBacker organizes and presents needs that classrooms have and provides opportunities for parents and community members to donate online to support needs identified by classroom teachers and principals. This platform will be managed through the GIPS Foundation at a cost of  $9,450 for the district enterprise platform + transaction fees.

Rationale: 

The interlocal three year agreement with Central Community College and GIPS Career Pathways Institute expired June 30, 2016. CCC and GIPS administrators are recommending approval of an addendum to continue the partnership with CCC for the 2016-2017 school year. The Executive Council will meet this fall to review the agreement and make recommendations for development of the next Interlocal Agreement to be initiated for the 2017-2018 school year.

Rationale:  Cross & Joftus, a small education consulting firm dedicated to helping public education leaders achieve outstanding results, submitted a proposal to assist Grand Island Public Schools in conducting a needs assessment and developing a strategic plan. This plan includes three phases: planning; data collection and stakeholder engagement; and strategic planning. The total proposed budget for the scope of work described in the proposal is $175,999 to include personnel, travel, expenses, and overhead.

Rationale:  Grand Island Public Schools like all organizations has limited financial resources to reach it's mission. All the while our needs are expanding and growing as we seek to educate our children. To that end Grand Island Public Schools has sought and to a limited extent achieved some success in seeking out additonal funding through grants. However, recently the issues of sustainable and program capacity have overshadowed any grant writing opportunities. Therefore, in an effort to seek out grants that add value and are both sustainable and or build organizational capacity we are desirous of professional grant writing services. The attached proposal is a draft agreement that lets the district decide on the number and frequency of significant grants to apply for.

Rationale: 

Due to the number of Newcomers at the start of the 2016 - 2017 school year we need to add an additional bus route for our Newcomers program at West Lawn Elementary school.

Rationale: 

With the Starr Elementary building construction a utility easement is necessary for the street light control box. The utility easement is necessary to accommodate the new traffic signals at the intersection of Adams Street and Stolley Park Road being installed as part of the road improvement project. Additionally, an access easement is necessary for the road improvement project on the west side of Adams Street onto the Starr site.

Mr. Petsch presented the details to the Facilities and Finance Committee, which recommends the approval of these easements with the City of Grand Island.  These items will be presented for approval during the October 13, 2016 board meeting.

Rationale: 

With the Barr Middle School addition and renovations construction a access easement is necessary for the road improvement project on the east side of Adams Street onto the Barr site. Mr. Petsch presented the details to the Facilities and Finance Committee, which recommends the approval of this easement with the City of Grand Island.  This item will be presented for approval during the October 13, 2016 board meeting.

Rationale: 

The interlocal three year agreement with Central Community College and GIPS Career Pathways Institute expired June 30, 2016. CCC and GIPS administrators are recommending approval of an addendum to continue the partnership with CCC for the 2016-2017 school year. The CPI Executive Council will meet this fall to review the agreement and make recommendations for development of the next Interlocal Agreement to be initiated for the 2017-2018 school year.

Rationale:  GIPS draws from the same substitute teacher pool as other school districts in the immediate area. Maintaining a competitive substitute pay rate is essential to meeting district needs when regular staff are away from their classrooms.

Rationale: 

Rationale: 

A 457 plan is a non-qualified, deferred compensation plan established by state and local governments and tax-exempt governments and tax-exempt employers. Eligible employees are allowed to make salary deferral contributions to the 457 plan. Earnings grow on a tax-deferred basis and contributions are not taxed until the assets are distributed from the plan.

 

Rationale:  On or before September 20th all Nebraska school districts are required to hold a public hearing and adopt a budget for the ensuing school year.  A public hearing was held September 8, 2016 seeking public comment on the proposed 2016 - 2017 school year.  The Board must officially adopt the budget as an action item.

Rationale:  All Nebraska school districts must hold a public hearing and adopt a tax levy resolution setting the ensuing school year levy rate on or before October 13, 2016.   A hearing was held September 8, 2016 to obtain public input and comments on the proposed tax levy for the 2016 - 2017 school year.  The attached tax levy resolution outlines the fiscal year 2016 - 2017 tax levy necessary to operate the District.

Rationale:  Due to the number of Newcomers at the start of the 2016 - 2017 school year it was determined there was a need to add an additional bus route for our Newcomers program at West Lawn Elementary school.

Rationale: 

Cross & Joftus, a small education consulting firm dedicated to helping public education leaders achieve outstanding results, submitted a proposal to assist Grand Island Public Schools in conducting a needs assessment and developing a strategic plan. This plan includes three phases: planning; data collection and stakeholder engagement; and strategic planning. The total proposed budget for the scope of work described in the proposal is $211,999 to include personnel, travel, expenses, and overhead.

Rationale:  EdBacker is a platform to manage fundraising using the internet at the building and district level. EdBacker organizes and presents needs that classrooms have and provides opportunities for parents and community members to donate online to support needs identified by classroom teachers and principals. This platform will be managed through the GIPS Foundation at a cost of  $9,450 for the district enterprise platform + transaction fees.

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:  No report this month.  The next meeting will be held October 13th

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 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 in the Public Relations Committee.