August 13, 2020 at 5:30 PM - GIPS BOE Regular Meeting

Rationale: 

It is 5:30PM and I now call to order the Grand Island Public Schools Board of Education Meeting.  This is the August 13, 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: 

• Each individual addressing the board will be allowed 5 minutes. The Board of Education has the prerogative to limit speaking to 3 minutes when there are three or more patrons to allow speakers an opportunity to address the Board in a timely manner.
• We will not engage in dialogue with patrons presenting to the Board.
• The Board president and superintendent will identify staff to follow-up on information requested from patrons.
• The Board president may share a statement on behalf of the Board when addressing a major issue in the district.
• At regular business meetings any school district-related matter can be presented to the Board, but only agenda items can be acted upon during a given meeting. At special meetings, comments will be limited to the subject of action items of the meeting's agenda. 
• Speakers will not be permitted to make defamatory comments, or use abusive or vulgar language. Expressions of personal complaints about staff or students are discouraged at public meetings. Concerns about individuals should be brought to the attention of the appropriate administrative authority. Specific building or program concerns should be brought to the attention of the building principal or program supervisor. 

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)

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: 

The College Board's Advanced Placement (AP) program enables willing and academically prepared students to pursue college-level courses while in high school.  Students who are enrolled in AP courses at GISH are encouraged to complete an AP exam for each class.  AP exams are scored on a scale of 1 to 5.

Dr. Palmer will recognize students who scored a 4 or 5 on one or more AP exams taken during the spring of 2019.  She will also honor students who have earned an AP Scholar Award in 2020. These awards take into account tests taken not only this past school year, but in years past.

Rationale:  Recognition of Heidi Schutz's service to the Board of Education

Rationale:  Mr. Gearhart will present proposal for Cares Act Information Technology 4g LTE Network. To meet the demand of learners during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as bridget the homework gap for students in GIPS, I am proposing that we partner with RedRover to design, configure, and implement a CBRS LTE network in Grand Island.  This network will extend the GIPS network into student's homes who do not have access to the internet through other means.  This will allow the learning to continue after the school day concludes, and provide opportunities to students who would otherwise go without internet access.

Rationale:  Mr. Harden will present the Care Act Transportation and Regular Transportation Routes 2020 - 2021 School Year for approval

Rationale:  Mrs. Spellman will present proposed meal prices for the 2020-2021 school year.

Rationale:  Dr. Dexter will present Title IX policy for approval to meet regulation to have policy in place by Aug. 14, 2020.

Rationale:  Extra Standard Committee Request - Edmentum Supervisor Stipend
322 students have  enrolled in Edmentum for virtual high school classes. This will require certified teachers to monitor and support students in the completion of their coursework through Edmentum. Rather than hire additional teachers at the estimated total cost of $650,000 per year, it is recommended that current staff at the high school be assigned 10-15 students each to monitor and support. Staff who accept this assignment would receive an annual stipend via the extra standard salary schedule at category V. In addition two certified staff would be assigned virtual high school coordinator stipends equal to category VI. Total cost is estimated to be $115,000.
 

Rationale:  2020-2021 Substitute Teacher Pay 
In anticipation of the on-going need for a robust and qualified pool of substitute teachers, it is recommended we increase substitute teacher pay by 3.25% which is consistent with the increased approved for the other employee classifications.

Rationale:  Grand Island Public Schools has worked with our current accounting software vendor (i.e. Tyler Technologies) to implement the automation of our accounts payables. In order to implement this new process a "Third Party' agreement must be entered into with Nvoicepay, Inc. Roger Steele, GIPS attorney reviewed and approved this for BOE adoption. This agreement is in lieu of the agreement originally considered in December 2019.

Rationale: 

Mr. Petsch will present the construction update. 

Rationale: 

Dr. Grover will present the superintendent report. 

Rationale:  Mr. Gearhart will present proposal for Cares Act Information Technology 4g LTE Network. To meet the demand of learners during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as bridget the homework gap for students in GIPS, I am proposing that we partner with RedRover to design, configure, and implement a CBRS LTE network in Grand Island.  This network will extend the GIPS network into student's homes who do not have access to the internet through other means.  This will allow the learning to continue after the school day concludes, and provide opportunities to students who would otherwise go without internet access.
 

Rationale:  Mr. Harden will present the Care Act Transportation and Regular Transportation Routes 2020 - 2021 School Year for approval

Rationale:  Mrs. Spellman will present proposed meal prices for Grand Island Public Schools for the 2020-2021 school year.

Rationale:  Grand Island Public Schools has worked with our current accounting software vendor (i.e. Tyler Technologies) to implement the automation of our accounts payables. In order to implement this new process a "Third Party' agreement must be entered into with Nvoicepay, Inc. Roger Steele, GIPS attorney reviewed and approved this for BOE adoption. This agreement is in lieu of the agreement originally considered in December 2019.

Rationale:  Dr. Dexter will present Title IX policy for approval to meet regulation to have policy in place by Aug. 14, 2020.

Rationale:  Extra Standard Committee Request - Edmentum Supervisor Stipend
322 students have  enrolled in Edmentum for virtual high school classes. This will require certified teachers to monitor and support students in the completion of their coursework through Edmentum. Rather than hire additional teachers at the estimated total cost of $650,000 per year, it is recommended that current staff at the high school be assigned 10-15 students each to monitor and support. Staff who accept this assignment would receive an annual stipend via the extra standard salary schedule at category V. In addition two certified staff would be assigned virtual high school coordinator stipends equal to category VI. Total cost is estimated to be $115,000.
 

Rationale:  2020-2021 Substitute Teacher Pay 
In anticipation of the on-going need for a robust and qualified pool of substitute teachers, it is recommended we increase substitute teacher pay by 3.25% which is consistent with the increased approved for the other employee classifications.

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 report to the Board and community on the major items discussed and under consideration in the Governance Committee.
 

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

Rationale: 

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

Rationale:  Sept 3 - 5:30pm
Budget Workshop; Budget Hearing; and Property Tax Hearing
Sept 10 - 5:30pm
Regular BOE Meeting