July 13, 2017 at 6:30 PM - GIPS BOE Regular Meeting

Rationale:  It is 6:30 p.m. and I now call to order the Grand Island Public Schools Board of Education Meeting.  This is the July 13, 2017 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.

Ms. Celmer, 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:  Mrs. Wells will recognize Nebraska State Track champion, Longins Kouri.  

Rationale: 

Mr. Gilbertson will present on the GISH Academic & Sports Hall of Fame Honor Wall project.  

https://docs.google.com/a/gips.org/presentation/d/1vIYzqim_Qjc7cP-DlkU5_eoKvceg9nZekY0tYGhc6eI/edit?usp=sharing

 

Rationale: 

Mrs Spellman will review proposals received for biometric hardware and software for Nutrition Services meal processing and answer any questions or concerns the Board might have.

Rationale:  Mrs. Worthington will present revisions by the Board Policy Committee to policy 2111 Board Operating Principles for discussion with the full Board.

Rationale:  Dr. Mancini will present a three-year proposal on Star 360.  Star 360 is a suite of progress monitoring and diagnostic assessments from Renaissance Learning.  Star 360 enables educators to measure growth in student learning in the areas of Reading and Math frequently. These computer adaptive, periodic assessments will diagnose gaps in learning to help teams of teachers match interventions to student needs.  Star 360 will be used as the progress monitoring tool and diagnostic for RtI, grades K-12.  This three-year contract will not exceed $149,979.00.

Rationale:  Mr. Phillips and Mr. Gilbertson will present a consulting agreement for Steele Dynamics to help plan and implement the Grand Island Prep Academies.  Dr. Steele will provide 21 days of onsite services which will include prep academy planning, curriculum development and alignment, and professional learning.  Dr. Steele's proposal will not exceed $78,380. The cost of the proposal will be split 50/50 between Teaching and Learning and the GISH building budget in FY17-18.

Rationale:  Dr. Palmer will introduce Michael Toth, CEO of Learning Sciences, to share information regarding the implementation of Demonstration Schools of Rigor.  This is a follow-up to the information presented at the June BOE meeting. Demonstration Schools for Rigor will help achieve Objectives 1, Strategic Initiatives 1,2,3,4 and Objective 4, Strategic Initiatives 1,2,4.

Rationale:  Dr. Palmer will present a Proposal for Foundations contract with Cross and Joftus consultants for System Improvement Work in GIPS.  The scope of this work focuses on the "how" to move forward with the implementation of the strategic plan through the professional development of district and school leadership. The cost of this work will be funded through an anonymous grant that was awarded to GIPS in May of 2017 for a total of $208,000.  The contracted cost of the system improvement work with C&J totals $161,000.  This work will help us achieve Objective 1, Strategic Initiative 4 and Objective 6, Strategic Initiatives 3

Rationale:  As part of the September 9, 2014 successful $69.9 million dollar bond referendum, Jefferson Elementary will have a new building constructed on an expanded site to bring the facility to a three unit (three – kindergarten classrooms, three – first grade classrooms, etc.) plus preschool classroom building. Administration has reviewed the bid responses and recommends the construction contract (base bid and plus  alternate #1 [Pole Sign], plus alternate #2 [Sod], less alternate #3 [Resilient Rubber Flooring] be awarded to Chief Construction Company in the total amount of $12,314,000 to be paid from bond proceeds and/or any other fiscal resources as necessary (All Funds).

Rationale:  Mrs. Worthington will ask the board to approve a proposal  for Parent University to bring Strong Fathers Strong Families to Title 1 elementary schools.  The proposal was presented as an Information Item at last month's Board Meeting.  Contract total is $42,000.

Rationale:  Dr. Palmer will ask the Board for approval to withdraw from the AdvancEd Accreditation Process for GIPS Secondary Schools to move to a consistent accreditation process as a district (K-12) utilizing the NE Continuous Improvement Framework Process. 

Rationale:  Dr. Palmer will ask the board to approve the contract with Learning Sciences to implement Demonstration Schools for Rigor at the cost of $461,017 from Title I funds,  provide district supports, and implement a standards based curriculum across GIPS for a total of $263,350 from Teaching and Learning Funds.

Rationale:  Dr. Palmer will ask the board to approve the Proposal for Foundations contract with Cross and Joftus for System Improvement Work for a total cost of $161,000.  The cost of this work will be funded through an anonymous grant awarded to GIPS in May, 2017.

Rationale:  Mr. Stelk will present a proposal on renewal of the Employee Assistance Program Contract.  The proposed 2-year contract renewal rate is $21 per employee per year, which is at the same per employee cost as the previous contract.  

Rationale:  Mr. Harden will present the proposed fiscal year 2017-2018 transportation route listing with the associated expense.  As part of the District's comprehensive poverty plan, we provide targeted transportation for students within district boundaries. New for the 2017-2018 school year is the addition of two AM and PM pickup/drop off shuttle routes for the pupils who normally attend Jefferson on 7th street and will be now attending on Wyandotte street (old Starr) for the next two years. Also the District moved from an annual contract to a four (4) year agreement with our current service provider last year so the 2017-2018 school year is year two of four of that agreement.

Rationale:  Mrs. Worthington will present the proposed changes for the 2017-2018 handbook for board approval.

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

Rationale:  The Teaching and Learning Committee did not meet in July.

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

Rationale:  The Policy Committee did not meet in July.

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 Public Relations Committee.

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

Rationale:  The Board will convene into executive session for the purpose of discussing real estate and superintendent evaluation/contract.

Rationale: 

From time to time Grand Island Public Schools purchases real estate to carry out current and future planned activities related to its mission statement; "Every Student, Every Day, a Success".  Administration is recommending to the Board of Education the purchase of a particular piece of real estate necessary to carry out the on-going educational activities of the District.  Said real estate will be made public upon the motion to approve the purchase thereof.

Rationale:  The current contract with the Superintendent of Schools is scheduled to expire on June 30, 2019.  Nebraska Statue 79-822 states that an administrator may not hold a contract that exceeds three years.   Past practice in Grand Island has been to offer the Superintendent a three year contract.  It is recommended that the Superintendent contract be extended to June 30, 2020 with the 2018-19 and 2019-20 salary to be determined at a later date. 

Rationale:  August 10, 2017 - Regular Board Meeting, 6:30 P.M.