August 12, 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 August 12, 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:  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:  Approve MOU with Hall County Community Collaborative to provide grant support for a Full Service Community School Coordinator for Early Childhood Education

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:  Mr. Wayne Stelk will be introducing the new Chief of Human Capital Management, Ms. Kristen Irey to the Board of Education.  Ms. Irey will follow with a short bio.  

Rationale:  Update the BOE on the End of Year data and impact of the High Quality Instructional Materials.

Rationale:  Information on the YWCA MOU to provide wrap-around childcare services at the O'Connor Learning Center and information on the request to post YWCA Signage on the O'Connor Learning Center

Rationale:  Dr. Dexter will share information about the partnership with H3C to support a Full Service Community School Program ing GIPS Early Childhood Education Programs.

Rationale:  Using Evidence-Based Practices related to Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment is one of the tenets of an Effective MTSS system. We need to identify and use Targeted Interventions (Tier 2) and Intensive Interventions (Tier 3) that demonstrate effectiveness with our early struggling readers.

Rationale:  Walnut Middle School is in need of research based intervention to support students with below grade level reading skills.  Language! Live is a comprehensive literacy strategy designed to improve students' literacy skills.

Rationale:  The amendment to the district's 403(b) & 457 plans is being recommended by the program supervisor, Mr. Kevin Kelch, from Union Bank and Trust.  This amendment to the school district's 403(b) & 457 Plan will allow participants privileges that were made available to them through the plan in conjunction with the "CARES Act".

Rationale: 

Mr. Petsch will present the construction update. 

Rationale: 

Dr. Grover will present the superintendent report. 

Rationale:  The board will be presented with On Track to Thrive 2025, the district's new strategic plan.  

Rationale:  GIPS needs to attract and retain an adequate pool of subsitute teachers to cover teacher vacancies so that student learning progresses.  

Rationale:  Provide additional individualized support to address unfinished learning exacerbated by the pandemic.

Rationale:  Using Evidence-Based Practices related to Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment is one of the tenets of an Effective MTSS system. We need to identify and use Targeted Interventions (Tier 2) and Intensive Interventions (Tier 3) that demonstrate effectiveness with our early struggling readers.

Rationale:  Walnut Middle School is in need of research based intervention to support students with below grade level reading skills.  Language! Live is a comprehensive literacy strategy designed to improve students' literacy skills.

Rationale:  A guiding document for the start of the 2021-2022 school year. 

Rationale:  The amendment to the district's 403(b) is being recommended by the program supervisor, Mr. Kevin Kelch, from Union Bank and Trust.  This amendment to the school district's 403(b) Plan will allow participants privileges that were made available to them through the plan in conjunction with the "CARES Act".

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:  No monthly report. 

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

Rationale: 

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

Rationale:  Classified staff make up approximately 40% of our district workforce. Classified staff play a significant role in the district's ability to achieve strategic plan objectives and the board of education's student commitments. Overall, GIPS experienced a 35% turnover rate of classified staff in 2020-2021. With key classified positions even higher; paras (41.8%), sped paras (40.2%), Skills paras (81.2%), food service assistants (36%) As of April 2021, Grand Island’s UE rate was 2.9%, Nebraska’s UE rate was 2.8%. GIPS administrators are spending too much of their time on the issues related to high classified turnover and a limited available workforce, i.e. covering vacancies, adjusting schedules, frequent interviewing, etc. This takes administrators away from working with teachers and students. Employers throughout the state are addressing these issues in part by increasing wages, to retain existing staff staff, and to attract new applicants to fill vacancies.  GIPS needs a classified compensation schedule in place for the beginning of the 2021-20222 school year to attract and retain a qualified classified workforce.

Rationale:  Each year the school board and superintendent consider administrative compensation for the upcoming contract term for the purpose of adjusting administrative compensation, as required to attract and to retain a solid administrative team district wide.

Rationale:  Regular Board of Education Meeting: Thursday, September 9, 2021, at 5:30 PM