January 14, 2021 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 14, 2021 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. Simmons, 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:  This is a modification to the original agreement between Gear Up and UNL signed back in 2018-2019 that is occurring every year for 7 years. Because of COVID, UNL cannot have our students come to their campus for services and GIPS isn't allowing our students to travel on field trips. Basically, we are just making everything virtual and putting it in writing, so there is no confusion. This proposed MOU is our modification for just this academic year. "This agreement shall have a term of the duration of the GEAR UP PROMISE! Grant, ending October 31, 2026.  This MOU will run from October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021.

Rationale:  Addendum to original MOU due to COVID
Virtual tutoring from UNL students to support GISH students

 

Rationale:  Addition to Community School Partnership with Heartland Health Center to provide behavioral health support to Walnut students out of Title 1 Continuous School Improvement Funds

Rationale:  A motion is necessary to adjourn the 2020 Board of Education and appoint Robin Dexter, Secretary of the Board, as acting Chairman, to call the 2021 Board of Education to order and preside during the election of the 2021 President of the Board of Education.

Rationale:  Dr. Dexter will administer the Oath of Office to the newly elected/appointed board members who consist of Mr. Josh Hawley, Mrs. Lindsey Jurgens, Mr. Dave Hulinsky, Mrs. Lisa Albers, and recently appointed, Mr. Terry Brown.   

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 2021 Board Meeting.

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

Rationale:  Dr. Dexter will lead board members in reading the Board Member Code of Ethics

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 2021 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:  Using our student acknowledgement system we will personalize Social Emotional Learning so that students feel connected to the school and empowered to learn.  

Rationale:  Establish a consistent school-wide set of expectations for behavior as well as safety.  In response to a staffing need for a school-wide system of positive praises (token ticket system).  In response to the pandemic establish a high level of safety protocols for all persons at the school.  Track positive data to ensure equity among all students.  Target GAIN plan students in each classroom for extra positive support.  

Rationale:  Mr. Gilbertson will present 1st-semester attendance data and share strategies, interventions, and future action steps to address chronic absenteeism.  

Rationale:  Academy of Education, Law and Public Safety student presentation on research findings from a research study conducted on Mental Health in middle and high school.  

Rationale:  EAB, formerly the Education Advisory Board, is a best practices firm that uses research, technology, and consulting to address challenges within the public PK-16 education industry. EAB is headquartered in Washington, DC, with satellite offices in Richmond, VA, Birmingham, AL, and Minneapolis, MN. Since the 2018 - 2019 school year Grand Island Public Schools (GIPS) has contracted with EBA as a member school district. Membership in the EAB entitles GIPS to on-demand best practices, dedicated consultative support, event and peer networking, etc. The attached agreement is for a three year period (i.e. school years 21-22, 22-23, and 23-24).
 

Rationale:  During the development of the Academies of Grand Island Senior High School one of the five upper academies identified was the Academy of Medical Sciences consisting of three pathways; Emergency Services, Healthcare, Sports Medicine/Therapy. The Academy of Medical Sciences has received the most interest from students based upon the number of pupils expressing this academy as their first choice of Academy placement. The idea of reducing the overcrowding at Grand Island Senior High School (GISH) by housing programs at other locations (CPI, OMB, Coffeehouse, Wyandotte, etc.) is not new but the idea of locating an Academy of Medical Sciences within a hospital is certainly new to GIPS. With the help of outside partners CHI-Saint Francis applied for and received a conditional Pre Grant Award Notice (GAN) for $1.75M. In order to have enough time to work with our partner who might support the project and lock in the $1.75M Federal GAN Traci Skalberg & Virgil Harden talked with Michael Rogers (legal counsel from Cline Williams) about the idea of a (renewable) one-year draw down loan agreement. We have verified with the Federal officials that a (renewable) one-year draw down loan agreement would satisfy their standard for cash (or cash equivalent) in the bank and for the duration of the project timeline.  GIPS intent is to never use the (renewable) one-year draw down loan agreement but to bridge the gap between the March 18, 2021 Federal GAN deadline for cash (or cash equivalent) in the bank and for the duration of the project timeline and GIPS ability to work with our other funding partners timelines. At risk is any amount of interest needing to be paid if we would utilize the (renewable) one-year draw down loan agreement. This would be a General Fund obligation.

Rationale:  NCFF has been a long term partner with GIPS, supporting our expanded learning opportunities.  This contract will provide and additional $155,000.00 to GIPS including $30,000.00 for our TMC Labs, $50,000.00 for JumpStart 6, and $75,000.00 for Thriving Minds.  

Rationale: 

Mr. Petsch will present the construction update. 

Rationale: 

Kendall Bartling, student representative gave the report to the board and community.

Rationale: 

Dr. Grover will present the superintendent report. 

Rationale:  After guidance from the Hall County Election Commissioner, the Board of Education will publicly accept the General Election votes from the General Election held November 3, 2020.  

Rationale:  NCFF has been a long term partner with GIPS, supporting our expanded learning opportunities.  This contrat will provide an additional $155,000.00 to GIPS including $30,000.00 to our TMC Labs, $50,000.00 for JumpStart 6, and $75,000.00 to Thriving Minds.  

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 in the Governance 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.

Rationale:  Notification of upcoming board of education meetings. 

Saturday February 6, 2021, workshop--equity retreat @ 8:00 AM
Thursday February 11, 2021, regular board of education meeting @ 5:30 PM