July 9, 2020 at 5:40 PM - GIPS BOE Regular Meeting

Rationale: 

It is 5:____PM and I now call to order the Grand Island Public Schools Board of Education Meeting. This is the July 9, 2020 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.

Dr. Dexter, will you please call the roll?

Rationale:  Roll Call.

Rationale: 

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; 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 be honored for their unique qualities and backgrounds;
- 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.   

 

 

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? (pause)
addition of action item 7.4 District Management Group - Academic Return on Investment Training Proposal

Does anyone have a potential conflict of interest on agenda item 5.2? If so, please state the check number that you will be abstaining from voting on.

Rationale:  Due to NE DHM's GIPS had to transition from in person meetings to virtual and out of abundance of caution the GIPS BOE is ratifying all actions approved by the board in virtual meetings from March through June 2020.

Rationale:  This resolution focuses specifically on return-to-school issues. There are a number of state statutes (including student discipline, student fees, transportation, etc.) that explicitly reference the Board adopting rules and regulations. With so many moving parts in the COVID-19 pandemic, it may be impossible for a Board to keep up, especially if your district will be governed by a weekly "risk dial."

As such, the intent of the attached resolution is to provide as much flexibility and delegation as possible to the administration to plan and respond to the fluid situation without needing a formal board meeting to approve various items/changes. The attached resolution is merely a draft that may need to be tweaked to you and your board's preferences/specific circumstances.

Rationale:  The GIPS shall require face coverings for all students with exceptions to meet medical conditions, ADA requirements, and/or religious beliefs. Exceptions will be monitored by building administrators. Policies: 8429 FACE COVERINGS (Students) and 6211 FACE COVERINGS (Staff)

Rationale:  Approve revisions to the 2020-2021 Staff Calendar to address the cancellation of parent teacher conferences.

Rationale:  Approval of contract with ESU 9 for sign language interpreter

Rationale:  Grand Island Public Schools continuously monitors the financial markets seeking opportunities to refinance outstanding debt in a continuing effort to save taxpayers money on prior voter approved debt. The financial markets are starting to turn positive and we need to be ready to active so the Board will be asked to consider the attached empowering resolution.

Rationale:  Grand Island Public Schools continuously monitors the financial markets seeking opportunities to refinance outstanding debt in a continuing effort to save taxpayers money on prior voter approved debt. The financial markets are starting to turn positive and we need to be ready to active so the Board will be asked to consider the attached empowering resolution.

Rationale:  The GIPS Equity Task Force was implemented through the strategic plan. One of their actions was to create a GIPS Equity Framework. That framework is complete and will be presented to the board of education. 

Rationale:  The comprehensive staffing analysis recently completed by the District Management Group provided the district with a number of recommendations to consider as we continue to focus on aligning resources with our strategic plan. DMG also introduced us to the process of Academic Return on Investment (AROI) as a tool to evaluate these recommendations, as well as a component of program evaluation and other staffing decisions. The proposed professional development will ensure all district administrators are competent in using and applying AROI to guide decision making.

Rationale:  During the planning for utilities for the Memorial Stadium project it became apparent it's in the best interest of GIPS to re-plat the property the stadium occupies to a GIPS subdivision with specifically identified lots and utility locations for current and future needs of the District. Mr. Petsch will review the Subdivision Agreement with the City of Grand Island for Board Members consideration. This is a slight revision to the plat approved just last month.

Rationale: 

Mr. Petsch will present the construction update. 

Rationale: 

Dr. Grover will present the superintendent report. 

Rationale:  Monthly Opportunity for the public to address the Board of Education.

Rationale:  Grand Island Public Schools continuously monitors the financial markets seeking opportunities to refinance outstanding debt in a continuing effort to save taxpayers money on prior voter approved debt. The financial markets are starting to turn positive and we need to be ready to active so the Board will be asked to consider the attached empowering resolution.

Rationale:  Grand Island Public Schools continuously monitors the financial markets seeking opportunities to refinance outstanding debt in a continuing effort to save taxpayers money on prior voter approved debt. The financial markets are starting to turn positive and we need to be ready to active so the Board will be asked to consider the attached empowering resolution.

Rationale:   The Extra Standard Committee met on May 11th, Mr. Stelk will present the committee's recommendations for the 2020-2021 school year.

Rationale:  The comprehensive staffing analysis recently completed by the District Management Group provided the district with a number of recommendations to consider as we continue to focus on aligning resources with our strategic plan. DMG also introduced us to the process of Academic Return on Investment (AROI) as a tool to evaluate these recommendations, as well as a component of program evaluation and other staffing decisions. The proposed professional development will ensure all district administrators are competent in using and applying AROI to guide decision making.

Rationale:  Mrs. Skalberg will present the agreement for the purchase of the new scoreboard at Memorial Stadium, the 2010 Jack Jeffries Memorial Scoreboard Naming and Endowment Agreement between the school district, the GIPS Foundation, and the Jeffries Family is being updated to reflect the current environment. 
 

Rationale:  The GIPS Equity Task Force was implemented through the strategic plan. One of their actions was to create a GIPS Equity Framework. That framework is complete and will be presented to the board of education. 

Rationale:  The board is being presented with the recommended name for this facility.

Rationale:  Ms. Richards will present the proposal to approve the funds for the preschool curriculum resource adoption.  Tools of the Mind is not just a boxed curriculum, instead, it is a researched-based, comprehensive, high-quality instructional resource with embedded professional learning for our entire early childhood staff that provides a rigorous and balanced approach to early childhood instruction. Tools of the Mind align with our Early Childhood Framework, GIPS district priorities in all pillars as well as our focus on Equity, and with our K-2 curriculum. 

Rationale:  Dr. Dexter will present a Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") as required by Neb.Rev.Stat. §§ 79-2702 through 79-2704,  is by and between the City of Grand Island, Nebraska, a Municipal Corporation ("City"), and Hall County School District 2, a/k/a Grand Island Public Schools, a Political Subdivision ("School District") (collectively referred to as "the Parties").

Rationale:  Approve revisions to the 2020-2021 Staff Calendar to address the cancellation of parent teacher conferences.

Rationale:  Dr. Dexter will present proposed revisions to the 2020-2020 Parent/Student Handbook.

Rationale:  Dr. Palmer will present the proposal for the professional development plan with Learning Sciences International for the 2020-21 school year.  This professional learning has a focus on the following:
To ensure equity and access to rigorous instruction for all students in GIPS 
To increase the leadership capacity of principals, AP’s, and instructional 
coaches to ensure success of their school improvement plan 
To commit to growing and learning together as we navigate this educational
landscape post COVID 19
This plan addresses and aligns with Strategic Plan Obj. 1, 2, 4, 5,6,7,8)

Rationale:  Dr. Palmer will present the Proposal for AAIS (American Alliance for Innovative Systems) 2020-21 Professional Learning plan with David Holden.  Mr. Holden has helped us launch the Academies of Grand Island Senior High and will continue to build capacity with campus and teacher leaders to keep the momentum going in year 2.  Mr. Holden is also providing professional learning for our GEAR Up schools to support progress towards grant goals to increase high-quality instruction for students in Math and ELA. This work aligns with the objectives that fall within our Empower Pillar Obj. 1 and 2, Obj. 4, 5, and 6 with a focus on Professional Learning Community and leadership development and effectiveness.  

Rationale:  Mr. Dan Phillips and Anya Covarrubias will present the Proposal for Integrated Science III implementation-This proposal summarizes the funds needed to deliver high-quality science instruction to our high school students in multiple locations and aligns with our Strategic Plan Obj. 1 Obj. 1 - SI 1:  Ensure teachers have access to and use high-quality curriculum resources and Obj. 4 - SI 3:  Develop a system to align curriculum to academies, pathways, courses, content, and skills.

Rationale:  Mr. Phillips will present the proposal to request funds for purchasing Canvas as our GISH online platform for 20-21. Canvas provides a robust Learning Management System to provide teachers and students the best possible experience in blended/online learning and aligns with our strategic plan objectives: Obj. 1 SI1, Obj.  7 SI2

Rationale:  The current Athletic Training contract between Grand Island Public Schools and Grand Island Physical Therapy ends June 30, 2020. In March 2020 Grand Island Public Schools issued a Request For Proposal (RFP) and received one response back from Grand Island Physical Therapy. The new contract is identical to the current one except for the change in duration from four to seven years due to a State Statute change that allows this.

Rationale:  A hearing was held earlier in the evening for the purpose of hearing support, opposition, criticism, suggestions or observations with regard to Polices: 8312 EXCESSIVE ABSENTEEISM; 8455 BULLYING AND HARASSMENT;  8820 STUDENT FEES; and 9110 PARENTAL ACCESS TO EDUCATIONAL PRACTICES.  Dr. Robin Dexter will ask the Board to approve these policies.  
 

Rationale:  Approval of contract with ESU 9 for sign language interpreter

Rationale:  The GIPS shall require face coverings for all students with exceptions to meet medical conditions, ADA requirements, and/or religious beliefs. Exceptions will be monitored by building administrators. Policies: 8429 FACE COVERINGS (Students) and 6211 FACE COVERINGS (Staff)

Rationale:  Due to NE DHM's GIPS had to transition from in person meetings to virtual and out of abundance of caution the GIPS BOE is ratifying all actions approved by the board in virtual meetings from March through June 2020.

Rationale:  This resolution focuses specifically on return-to-school issues. There are a number of state statutes (including student discipline, student fees, transportation, etc.) that explicitly reference the Board adopting rules and regulations. With so many moving parts in the COVID-19 pandemic, it may be impossible for a Board to keep up, especially if your district will be governed by a weekly "risk dial."

As such, the intent of the attached resolution is to provide as much flexibility and delegation as possible to the administration to plan and respond to the fluid situation without needing a formal board meeting to approve various items/changes. The attached resolution is merely a draft that may need to be tweaked to you and your board's preferences/specific circumstances.

Rationale:  During the planning for utilities for the Memorial Stadium project it became apparent it's in the best interest of GIPS to re-plat the property the stadium occupies to a GIPS subdivision with specifically identified lots and utility locations for current and future needs of the District. Mr. Petsch will review the Subdivision Agreement with the City of Grand Island for Board Members consideration. This is a slight revision to the plat approved just last month.

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

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

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:  A monthly update from the Nebraska Association of School Boards.  

Rationale: 

The Board will convene into executive session for the purpose of discussing XX.