January 10, 2019 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 January 10, 2019 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 Grand Island Senior High Brass Quintet will perform the National Anthem.

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, or does anyone have a potential conflict of interest? 

Rationale:  Mrs. LaBrie and Dr. Laing will recognize the following band honors:
Grant Cole - All State Jazz Band, Trumpet
Reid Beilby - All State Concert Band, Tuba

Rationale:  Charity LaBrie will recognize the following for All State Chorus honors: Lydia Eliason, Sam Harvey and Tyler Murphy.

Rationale:  The Nebraska State Fair entered the cobra weave chain reaction that students from Barr and Walnut Middle Schools and Engleman Elementary School presented at the State Fair in the International Association of Fairs and Expositions competition in the "Fair Activity to Increase Awareness of Competitive Exhibits" category. It was awarded first place. The winners are:

Engleman Elementary - Jaycek Green, Kaelynn Joseph, Nolan Kier, Ella Mittelstaedt, Justin Niedfelt, Elizabeth Walton and Jordyn Watson.
Barr Middle School - Eli Anson, Samantha Gearhart and Emily Reimers.
Walnut Middle School - Alberto Bermudez, Kobe Callahan, Hannah Dankert, Hannah Madison, Olivia Madison, Ava Miller, Caitlyn O'Neill and Elli Ward.

These students will be invited to the 2019 Statehood Day Student Recognition Event held in the Warner Chamber of the State Capitol. This event is held annually on the Friday closest to March 1 and is sponsored by the NEBRASKAland Foundation and the Nebraska State Fair. Students who excelled at the previous year's State Fair are recognized.

Rationale:  Grand Island Public Schools is one of 373 districts across the United States and Canada that has earned the distinction of inclusion on the 9^th Annual AP Honor Roll. Districts on the AP Honor Roll have simultaneously increased access to Advanced Placement® coursework while maintaining or increasing the percentage of students earning scores of 3 or higher on AP Exams. Honor Roll Districts defy the expectation that expanding access automatically results in a decline in the percentage of exams earning scores of 3 or better.  

Rationale:  A motion is necessary to adjourn the 2018 Board of Education and appoint Robin Dexter, Secretary of the Board, as acting Chairman, to call the 2019 Board of Education to order and preside during the election of the 2019 President of the Board of Education.

Rationale:  Dr. Dexter will administer the Oath of Office to the newly-elected board members who consist of Carlos Barcenas, Dr. Dan Brosz, Kelly Enck, Bonnie Hinkle and Erika Wolfe.

Rationale:  The Board Operating Principles, Policy 2111, give guidance as to how the board functions and how board members interact with each other and the public. Each board member, at the time the new board is convened, will sign the acknowledgment of the Board Operating Principles to indicate he/she understands and agrees to function under these guidelines. The signed documents will be placed on file with the minutes from the January 2019 Board Meeting.

Rationale:  Each Board member will sign the Internet Safety and Acceptable Use Agreement.

Rationale:  The Secretary of the Board will entertain a motion for nominations for President of the Board of Education, conduct a written ballot, and announce the results.  The newly elected President will then chair the remainder of the meeting.

Rationale:  The Board President will convene and call to order the 2019 Grand Island Public Schools Board of Education.

Rationale:  The President of the Board of Education will entertain a motion for nominations for Vice President of the Board of Education, conduct a ballot, and announce the results of the election.

Rationale:  The President will inform Board members of the Standing Committees and Special Committees for 2019 and ask them to consider which committees they would prefer.

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:  James Tews, Wasmer Elementary Principal, will present on their Math Night Joint Adventure with local businesses. This opportunity created practical applications of the school curriculum with families in real-world experiences. 

Rationale:  DW Holley, Jessica Liberator and students from West Lawn will perform with their ukuleles purchased through the GIPS Foundation grant.

Rationale:  Dr. Mintken and students will present on the Academy of Freshman Exploration's college campus visit to University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Rationale:  Mr. Harden and Lt. Col. McQuown will present proposed revisions to the Air Force Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (AFJROTC) Memorandum of Agreement.

Rationale:  Shanna Gannon, Director of Curriculum and Professional Learning, and Cindy Beaman, PK-12 Math Coordinator, will present the proposal for the new K-5 math resources. 

Rationale:  Shanna Gannon, Director of Curriculum and Professional Learning, and Brittney Bills, ELA and Social Studies Curriculum Coordinator, will present a proposal for LETRS Training.

Rationale:  Fawn Gernstein and Jeff Gilbertson will present a proposal to offer John Baylor On To College ACT Prep to Grand Island Senior High students. 

Rationale:  Dr. Dexter will present a contract with Nebraska Children and Families Rooted in Relationships to assign Grand Island Public Schools as the fiscal agent for $10,000 to be spent January 11, 2019 - June 30, 2019.

Rationale:  Grand Island Public Schools has self-administered our 403(b) and 457(b) program since adopting our current plan on October 9, 2008. Since that time, the IRS implemented a 403(b) Pre-approved Plan Program, which is designed to provide assurance that a 403(b) plan document meets the Code’s requirements. This year, the IRS issued guidance which states that plan sponsors should restate their plan on a pre-approved plan by March 31, 2020. By adopting a pre-approved plan by this date, an eligible employer sponsoring a 403(b) plan may retroactively correct defects in the form of its plan back to the first day of the remedial amendment period, which is later of January 1, 2010 or the plan’s effective date. Adopting a pre-approved plan ensures the document complies with the requirements of Code Section 403(b). The Facilities and Finance Committee recommends entering into a new plan document with Union Bank & Trust for Third Party 403(b) and 457(b) for Grand Island Public Schools on behalf of our employees who choose to participate in this voluntary employee benefit. The proposed "PLAN", administrative agreement, and IRS Opinion Letter are attached for the BOE review. All documents are undergoing legal review prior to BOE approval during the regularly scheduled February meeting.

Rationale:  As a recipient of the GEAR UP PROMISE! grant, Grand Island Public Schools is required to secure an external grant evaluator. Dr. McDowell will present GIPS' recommendation to use Policy Studies Associates (PSA). PSA has extensive experience in the federal grant world and was a part of the writing team. The cost of the contract is covered 100% by the grant. 

Rationale:  Dr. Josh McDowell will present an update on the Academies of Grand Island Senior High. 

Rationale: 

Luis Rodriguez, student representative, will present a report on GISH activities.

Rationale: 

Mr. Petsch will present the construction update. 

Rationale: 

Dr. Grover will present the superintendent report. 

Rationale:  GIPS is one of three Nebraska districts to participate in a 5-year grant to establish a Family Learning Center. The center will be at Lincoln Elementary School. Jennifer Worthington will ask the Board to approve the Memorandum of Understanding with National Center for Families Learning as presented at last month's meeting. 

Rationale:  Dr. Dexter will ask the Board to approve the 2019-2020 district staff calendar as proposed. 

Rationale:  Dr. Dexter will ask the Board to approve the process for Commercial Advertising on the GISH Gym Scoreboards as proposed at last month's meeting.

Rationale:  The district  needs to maintain a competitive substitute teacher pay program to maintain fill rates with qualified substitutes. Wayne Stelk will ask the Board to approve the substitute teacher pay proposal as presented at last month's meeting. 

Rationale:  Shanna Gannon, Director of Curriculum and Professional Learning, and Brittney Bills, ELA and Social Studies Curriculum Coordinator, will ask the Board to approve the proposal for LETTRS Training as presented earlier in the meeting.

Rationale:  Fawn Gernstein and Jeff Gilbertson will ask the Board to approve the proposal to offer John Baylor On To College ACT Prep to Grand Island Senior High students as presented earlier in the meeting.

Rationale:  Dr. Dexter will ask the Board to approve a contract, as presented earlier in the meeting, with Nebraska Children and Families Rooted in Relationships to assign Grand Island Public Schools as the fiscal agent for $10,000 to be spent January 11, 2019 - June 30, 2019.

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 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:  Friday, January 11, 2019 - Board Retreat, 5:30 - 8:30 PM
Saturday, January 12, 2019 - Board Retreat, 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Monday, February 18, 2019 - Regular Board Meeting, 5:30 PM