January 12, 2012 at 6:30 PM - Regular Meeting January 12, 2012

Rationale:  It is 6:30 PM and I now call to order the Grand Island Public Schools Board of Education Meeting.  This is the January 12, 2012 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:  A motion is necessary to adjourn the 2011 Board of Education and appoint Robin Dexter, Secretary of the Board, as acting Chairman, to call the 2012 Board of Education to order and preside during the election of the 2012 President of the Board of Education.

Rationale:  Dr. Dexter will administer the Oath of Office  to the newly elected, re-elected, or appointed board members, who consist of: 
 
    I, Lori Coen, do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Nebraska, and faithfully and impartially perform the duties as a member of the School Board of School District Number 2 of Grand Island, Nebraska, commencing January 12, 2012 according to law and to the best of my ability, so help me God.

Rationale: 

In past years, the Board established Board Operating Principles and recently updated those principles into Policy #2111 .   Each Board member, at the time the new Board is convened, will sign the acknowledgment of the Board Operating Principles.  The signed document will be placed on file with the January 2012 Board minutes.  

Rationale:  Dr. Dexter will convene and call to order the 2012 Grand Island Public Schools Board of Education.

Rationale:  The Secretary of the Board will entertain a motion for nominations for President of the Board of Education, conduct a written ballot, and announce the results.  The newly elected President will then chair the remainder of the meeting.

Rationale:  The President of the Board of Education will entertain a motion for nominations for Vice President of the Board of Education, conduct a ballot, and announce the results of the election.

Rationale:  The President will inform Board members of the Standing Committees and Special Committees for 2012 and ask them to consider which committees they would prefer.

Rationale:  CNSSP Advisory Board reviewed and revised the CNSSP Handbook and Contract. The Handbook and Contract are presented for discussion in January and approval in February.

Rationale:  The GIPS Preschool Calendar for 2012-2013 is presented for discussion in January and approval in February. This calendar follows the GIPS District Calendar except for parent contact days and Friday planning and meeting days.

Rationale:  Since the implementation of the continuous school calendar at Howard Elementary school, the district has set an expectation for the building principal to go into classrooms during the academic portion of each intersession day (AM’s). The role of the principal will be to observe instruction and student learning and to collaborate with the teacher to insure each student receives the remediation and support to be successful in the regular classroom.
This expectation would be in addition to the regular duties associated with a 230 day Administrative contract, and would encroach on the regular contract days available to principals to work when staff and/or students are not at school.

Rationale: 

Presentation of 2012-13 Calendar as developed by the 2012-13 Calendar Committee. The calendar committee is recommending a later graduation date due to the number of days students are out of school.

Committee members include: B. Hinkle, B. Exstrum, A. Renaldi, B. Kort, C. Jensen, D. Harder, D. Gnuse, D. Jensen, J. Bigley, J. Gilbertson, J. Kutlas, K. Eisenmenger, P. Poppe, R. Brown, R. Dexter

Rationale:  Per current state statute Nebraska school districts are required to have an independent audit conducted annually.  Grand Island Public School District contracts with the independent audit firm of Almquist, Maltzahn, Galloway, & Luth, P.C. to conduct the annual audit.  Business Director, Virgil Harden  gave the overview of the audit last month and will  answer questions that Board members might have.  Additionally, the audit report is posted on the District's web site.

Rationale:  The flexible benefit programs for Grand Island Public School employees needs to be updated to keep the plan in compliance with changing Federal health care legislation.  This update is purely a technical language clean up and does not change the substance or operation of the plan and the benefits to employees.

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 Education Foundation.

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

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

Rationale:  Per Nebraska Statute 79-473, RRS when land is annexed into a city the school districts involved are required to negotiate, in good faith, and the Boards of Education shall consider:
 
(a)  The educational needs of the students in the affected school districts
(b)  The economic impact upon the affected school districts
(c)  Any common interest between the annexed or platted area and the affected school districts and the community which has zoning jurisdiction over the area
(d)  Community Educational Planning

The City of Grand Island has recently (or is about to) finalized several annexations via the following specific ordinances;

Annexation Ordinance No. 9344 - Olson Subdivision
Annexation Ordinance No. 9339 - Eagle Scout Park Area
Annexation Ordinance No. 9340 - Near Bismark and Stuhr Rd, south of JBS/Swift
Annexation Ordinance No. 9341 - Vanosdal Ball Fields
Annexation Ordinance No. 9342 - Husker Highway and 281 area
Annexation Ordinance No. 9343 - Old Potash and North Area
Annexation Ordinance No. 9346 - Former Aurora Coop Site

Mr. Harden will report on the meeting between Grand Island Public Schools and Northwest Public Schools officials.

Rationale:  From time to time Grand Island Public Schools needs to purchase real estate to expand or enhance the student learning environment.  Due to the nature of real estate transactions until approved by the Board of Education the details of the proposed transactions requires confidentiality.  After the Board of Education has met in executive session the details of the purchase and sale of real estate, if agreed too, will be revealed.