November 8, 2012 at 6:30 PM - Regular Meeting November 8, 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 November 8, 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 team of teachers, community members, outside consultants, and board member worked to develop a philosophy of beliefs for the GIPS High Ability Learner Program. Deb Karle is presenting the philosophy and explanation of the RtI Process for identifying and monitoring HAL learning needs. We ask that you consider the new HAL Philosophy for approval at the December board meeting. The HAL Program Review Team consisted of: Jon Rosenlund, Brad Wolfe, Andrew Rinaldi, Julie Henke, Maura Hendrickson, Heidi Vahle, Sara Robinson, Jessica Schraeder, Shaun Willey, Stacy Vogel, Mary Unger, Jeff Gilbertson, Deb Harder, Liz Boyle, Jessica Stephens, Erin Runicie.

Rationale: 

Grand Island Public Schools maintains an Internal Revenue Service 125 Plan as part of our overall employee benefits plan.  In the past we have issued “request for proposals” for administrating our 125 plan.  It is the administration’s recommendation to award a year-to-year contract to our current vendor given the following facts;

1.  The last time a “request for proposals” for administrating our 125 plan was attempted only one other firm responded and their cost where 29% higher than our current vendor
2. The current vendor has successfully acted as our third party administrator for our 125 plan since its inception
3. There is no statutory requirement to seek a competitive bid on services
4. And most importantly the added complexity of the benefit landscape with the advent of Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA)

Rationale:  Presentation of 2013-14 Calendar as developed by the 2013-14 Calendar Committee.

Rationale: 

Past 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.  The Facilities and Finance Committee has reviewed the attached fiscal year 2013 - 2014 budget calendar for adoption as has the full Board of Education at its regularly scheduled October meeting.  The fiscal year 2013 - 2014 calendar is a working document and as such is subject to change as more information becomes known.

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:  No Report this month - Next Meeting will be December 13th. 

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.