November 5, 2018 at 5:30 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 November 5, 2018 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.

Rationale:  The Lincoln Elementary after school singers will perform the Star Spangled Banner.

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; 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.   

 

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, or does anyone have a potential conflict of interest? 

Rationale:  None.

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

Rationale:  Carrie Kolar, Angie Eberle, Kris Spellman and Helen Batenhorst will present on Dodge's school-wide breakfast in the classroom program.

Rationale:  Mr. Covarrubias, Mrs. Pavuk and Ms. Friedel will present on EL Career Connections - student and staff celebrations. 

Rationale:  Ron Hester, Cathy Davis, Laura McQuinn and Grand Island Senior High students will present on the Academy of Education, Law & Environment off-site teacher aide.  

Rationale:  Fawn Gernstein and Ron Hester will present an update on the Academies of Grand Island Senior High. 

Rationale:  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. Virgil Harden will give an executive overview of the 2017-2018 audit report and answer questions. An action item to accept and place the 2017-2018 audit report on file will appear on the December 2018 meeting agenda. Additionally, the audit report is posted on the District's website along with past years' reports.

Rationale:  Grand Island Public Schools has employed Angela Amack as a lobbyist for the District since 2009 on matters of interest before the Nebraska Unicameral. Effective with the 2010 calendar year, we have entered into three year agreements (i.e. 10-11-12,13-14-15). With the 2019 Legislative session scheduled to convene on Wednesday, January 9, 2019, now is the time renew our agreement for another three years. The annual fee has increased 3% for the last three years. Due to the affects of term limits on expenses administration is recommending a 3% increase for each of the three years covered by the agreement. The fee is an all inclusive fee and no other external lobbying expenses are incurred by the district.

Rationale:  Due to modifying the street configuration in front of the new Jefferson Elementary building, we need to supplement the original Grand Island Public Schools Jefferson First Subdivision with the attached second plat. Mr. Petsch will review the details for the Board and this will be presented for approval during the regular December 2018 Board meeting.

Rationale: 

Luis Rodriguez, 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. 

Rationale:  Jennifer Worthington will ask the Board to approve modifications to year two of the strategic plan as presented at last month's meeting. Student Commitments will undergo a slight modification. The focus of Objective 7 will change from 'culturally proficient' to 'equitable' and wording throughout the plan will be updated to match. As part of Objective 8, parent engagement is still very vital to the district, but the district will be stepping away from the Parent University title. The Strategic Plan working project document will be updated to reflect these modifications after approval.   

Rationale:  Mr. Harden will ask the Board to approve the proposed fiscal year 2019-2020 budget calendar as presented at last month's meeting.  The District 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.  

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 (formerly 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 Public Schools Foundation.

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 Greater Nebraska Schools Association and Legislative Updates.

Rationale:  Not yet available for November.

Rationale: 

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

Rationale:  Monday, November 12, 2018 - Special Board Meeting, 5:30 PM
Wednesday, December 5, 2018 - Teacher Haring, 5:30 PM
Thursday, December 13, 2018 - Regular Board Meeting, 5:30 PM