November 9, 2017 at 6:30 PM - GIPS Regular Meeting

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It is 6:____PM and I now call to order the Grand Island Public Schools Board of Education Meeting.  This is the November 9, 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.

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The Mission  

Every Student, Every Day, a Success!  In educating students, we teach hearts as well as minds. 

Student Commitments  

Within the Grand Island Public Schools, 
- Every student will be taught to read, write, and communicate effectively; solve problems; think critically; persist through adversity; acquire and apply knowledge; and demonstrate mastery through performance to the best of the student's abilities.
- Every student will be considered as an individual and be provided with the supports needed to realize his or her own talents and goals.
- Every student will be treated with fairness and dignity.
- Every student will experience a sense of belonging, contribution, and success.  
- Every student will develop responsibility and show respect for others as well as oneself.   

 

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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? 

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Judi Harper, State Fair Education Superintendent, will share information about the State Fair Education Awards.  

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Jennifer Lohrberg will accept a school trophy.

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Valerie Chmelka will introduce the following award winners:

Addison DelCampo, Group Art, 1st

Teyono Garcia, Group Art, 1st

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Michael Persampieri will introduce the following award winners:

Eryn Korensky, Art of the Past, 1st

Bennett Korensky, 3-D Art, 1st

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Emily Reimers, Service Project, 1st, also Best of Division.  Emily is unable to attend this meeting and will be recognized at next month's Board meeting. 

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Dr. Dexter will recognize Dr. Ken DeFrank and GIPS Success Academy for their recent Master Conservationist Award in education.  The award is sponsored by the Omaha World Herald and UNL's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.  Success Academy received the award during the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD) Annual Conference on September 25th.  The Success Academy was nominated for the honors by the Central Platte NRD based on their participation in the a butterfly research habitat and other conservation projects.  

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Principal Tina Godfrey, Integration Specialist Melissa Sears, and students will showcase summer programs and afterschool learning opportunities.

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Mrs. Beberniss, Mrs. Lindsey (21st  Century Learning teachers), Stacy Sybrandts (Finance Literacy teacher) and Lacey Follmer (Art teacher) will present on academic nights.

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The TMC Lab was provided as part of a Design Grant for Extended Learning Opportunities. Jason Weseman and Kim McCain will provide an update for the first five months of curriculum utilizing the lab.

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The Grand Island Education Association (GIEA) requests that the school board of Grand Island Public Schools take action to recognize GIEA as the exclusive bargaining agent for all the District's non-supervisory, certificated employees for the 2019-2020 contract year.

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Per current state statute, Nebraska school districts are required to have an independent audit conducted annually. Grand Island Public Schools contracts with the independent audit firm of Almquist, Maltzahn, Galloway, & Luth, P.C. to conduct the annual audit. Marcy Luth will give an executive overview of the 2016-2017 audit report and answer questions. An action item to accept and place the 2016-2017 audit report on file will appear on the December 2017 meeting agenda. Additionally, the audit report is posted on the District's website along with past years' reports.

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As part of the Strategic Plan, there is a desire to reach out to the community to ensure transparent financial information. During a recent ASBO conference in Denver, CO, Mr. Harden was able to attend a learning session on the Select Finance Committee concept. Mr. Harden will make a brief presentation to the Board describing the intent, purpose, and process of developing a Select Finance Committee in GIPS.

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Dr. Dexter will present a proposal to initiate a soccer program for seventh and eighth graders.

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Dr. Dexter will present the recommendation for the 2018-2019 calendar.

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Dr. McDowell will present an update on the GISH Preparatory Academies.  Students who traveled with staff and Board members to the NCAC Conference in Dallas last week will also present.

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Ms. Hill, student representative, will present a report on GISH activities.

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Mr. Petsch will present the construction update. 

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Dr. Grover will present the superintendent report. 

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Mr. Harden will ask the board to approve the FY 2018-2019 budget calendar as presented at last month's Board of Education Meeting. The District's annual practice is to review and adopt a budget calendar for the subsequent fiscal year in order to properly communicate, plan, and administer the various duties associated with the budget cycle.

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Mr. Petsch will ask the board to approve the proposed renewal of the architectural and engineering Master contracts.  The District conducted a formal Requests for Qualifications (RFQ) process for both Architectural and Engineering service providers prior to the September 2014 bond referendum. At that time, the District renewed their long standing working relationship with CMBA, Kucirek Engineering and added Engineering Technologies Incorporated into the group. For the 2016-2017 school year, all three firms worked off a one-year extension of the prior three master contracts. Moving forward, the master contracts will be for a period of four years through the 2020-2021 school year. The District will continue to issue project specific contracts subordinate to the Mater contracts.

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Mrs. Worthington will ask the board for approval of Let's Talk as presented at last month's Board of Education Meeting.  Let's Talk is an application that will allow the district to collect feedback through a variety of platforms including email, social media, phone calls and conversation. Feedback will be sorted into categories and analyzed. This will allow the district to provide faster and more consistent information to constituents. It will also allow the district to stay on top of trending topics.  The cost is based on number of students and will not exceed $25,000.

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

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

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

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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.

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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.

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The Board will convene into executive session for the purpose of discussing negotiations and real estate.

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December 4, 2017 - Board Retreat, 4:00 P.M. at Hotel Grand

December 14, 2017 - Regular Board Meeting, 6:30 P.M.