February 14, 2013 at 6:30 PM - February 14, 2013 Regular Meeting

Rationale:  It is 6:30 PM and I now call to order the Grand Island Public Schools Board of Education Meeting.  This is the February 14, 2013 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:  Mary Janky, Karen Kropp, and Scott Hirchert will present an update on curriculum and program development for the Health Sciences Pathway currently operating at GISH.

Rationale:  Secondary Counselors (Holee Hanke, Mindy Ulmer, and Ramona Mrkvicka) will present information and data on the counseling program.  This will include revisions to curriculum and programming.

Rationale:  Mrs. Harder will recommend adoption of the GIPS Continuous School Calendar (CSC) for 2013- 2014.  Discussion will note days different from the Traditional Calendar.

Rationale:  Since the 2010-2011 school year Grand Island Public Schools has contracted for alternative education services with Ombudsman Educational Services, Ltd.  This provides 60 of our high risk for dropping out and adjudicated youth with an off-site half-day educational opportunity.  The contract being presented is for the next three year period from FY13-14 through FY15-16 for 70 half-day slots at a 1.5% increase cost each of the three years.  There is no anticipated changes in the program and the contract has undergone a legal review.

Rationale:  Mrs. Palmer will present approval of district contracts participating in CNSSP.  This contract was reviewed, revised, and approved by the CNSSP Advisory Board and then by individual school boards.

Rationale:  The district continues to plan for additional parking and traffic control issues for Grand Island Senior High School (GISH).  One of this years projects is expanding the parking lot on the east side of GISH.  In order to properly engage the design professionals and possibly bid the project out we need to seek a right of way agreement with the City of Grand Island.  To this end Mr. Petsch will review the project scope and sequence, our permit, and answer any questions as they arise.

Rationale:  One project on the long-term list is the replacement of the Kneale Administration Building parking lot with upgrades to the drainage and lighting.  Due to the extent of the design work necessary to properly plan and design this project we are contracting with the design team at Olsson & Associates for the design work at this time.  Planning this large project now will put us in a to position act quickly when we're ready to go out for proposals.  The estimate of the total construction cost could be in the $800,000 range.  The condition of the parking lot is so poor that we may be forced to act sooner rather than later.

Rationale:  In the past we've conducted a board workshop to cover both the project list and facilities long-term building plan.  This year we're presenting this information as an information item during the regular board meeting to help reduce the number of special meetings.

Rationale:  The Grand Island Education Association continues to represent the certificated teachers employed by the Grand Island Public Schools.  The Association requests that the Grand Island Public Schools recognize the Association as the exclusive bargaining agent for the district's non-supervisory certificated staff for the 2014-2015 contract year.

Rationale:  The first Employee Assistance Plan contract with Directions, Inc. was signed in 2008 and has been renewed three times since then without going back out for bids. While the district is completely satisfied with the current provider, it is good practice to periodically evaluate both current and interested providers to assess the overall best options for the district. Requests for Proposals were solicited in October 2012, and four proposals were received for our review. Three organizations were invited in for presentations.  Following the interviews and proposals, it is the recommendation that the Wholeness Healing Center be awarded a two year contract beginning September 2013.

Rationale:  Dr. Dexter will recommend adoption of the GIPS Preschool 2013-2014 Calendar.
Discussion will include changes to professional learning days to align with preschool
assessments, student contact days, and home visit schedule.

Rationale:  The sign for Jefferson Elementary School lies exactly on the right of way for Broadwell Avenue.  The Department of Roads requires a clean or clear right of way as a standard business practice.  This agreement outlines the roles and responsibilities of the District and the City of Grand Island regarding this matter.

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  will  give an executive overview of the 2011 - 2012 audit report and answer questions that Board members might have.  An action item to accept and place the 2011 - 2012 audit report on file will appear on the February 2013 meeting agenda.  Additionally, the audit report is posted on the District's web site along with the past three years.

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 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.