January 13, 2022 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 13, 2022 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 so that you may be recognized during the Requests to Address the Board part of our meeting.  If you have not already competed the form please see the staff person outside the entrance to this room.  Public comment is welcome, we do ask that no signs be brought into the boardroom.

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 school district of Grand Island:

• Every student has access to high-quality, culturally responsive, and engaging learning environments.  
• Every student will develop literacy skills across disciplines.  
• Every student is socially and emotionally equipped to thrive in school and in life. 
• Every student will graduate as a college, career, and community-ready citizen.  

 

 

 

Rationale: 

Elections:

a.   The Board will elect from its members a President and Vice President.

b.   The Secretary of the Board of Education will preside as Chair during the election of a new Board President.

c.   Upon call for nominations for each office by the Chair, nominations shall be made by oral ballot.

d.   Voting will be by written ballot on all members nominated and repeated until a majority is achieved for a nominee.

e.   The President shall assume the chair immediately upon the President's election and preside over the election for Vice President.

Rationale:  Review policy:

2340 - Conflict of Interest

2112 - Code of Ethics

2111 - Operating Principles - BoE members sign

Rationale:  The Board designates the following:

• Board Secretary - Dr. Robin Dexter
• Treasurer - Mrs. Brenda Anderson
• BoE Committee Assignments (attached) -
  • specifically Committee on American Civics, 79-724 - (L4L)
    • District Lead: Dr. Palmer
    • Dan Brosz 
    • Josh Hawley
    • Erika Wolfe
    • Lindsey Jurgens
• Fund depository - Wells Fargo, Five Points, and NE Liquid Asset Fund
• Legal counsel - GIPS engages with attorneys based on the area of expertise needed such as Cline and Williams, Perry Law Firm, and KSB
• Legal newspaper - Grand Island Independent 
• Method of publicizing meetings - Meetings are publicized in the Grand Island Independent, distributed to local media outlets, and posted on the GIPS website 
• Non-discrimination compliance coordinator - Dr. Robin Dexter 
• State and federal authorized representatives - Dr. Ken Schroeder and Dr. Robin Dexter

 

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:  Standing Committees
 A monthly agenda presented to the board and community on the major items discussed and under consideration in the standing committees.  
 

• Finance and Facilities Committee
• Leading for Learning Committee
• Personnel Committee
• Policy Committee
• Public Relations and Partnership Development Committee
• Governance Committee
• GNSA/Legislative Committee

Rationale:  As a result of the partnership with Heartland Health, Walnut Middle School Students are benefitting from on-site mental health support.

Rationale:  To demonstrate how students are engaging in the new high quality instructional resources to meet grade level standards.

Rationale: 

• Each person 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 allocate up to 30 minutes for addressing the board at each regular board meeting.
• Please face the Board,  not the audience when you speak
• We want to hear what is being said so we ask the audience to refrain from making comments or sounds that make it hard to hear the speaker. 
• No signs are allowed in the boardroom.
• We will not engage in dialogue with patrons presenting to the Board, the purpose of the requests to address the board is to listen to patrons.
• The Board president and superintendent will identify staff to follow-up on information requested from patrons when necessary.
• 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:  Short recess to transition into the information portion of the current agenda.  Members of the public are welcome to stay for the remainder of the board meeting.  

Rationale:  Reconvene from short recess before transitioning into the information items of the current agenda. 

Rationale:  Required by Public Law 79-724 and Board Policy 2230

Rationale:  A strategic approach to ensuring all schools are led by a well-prepared and supported equity-driven leader 

Rationale:  The contract for Cannon Moss Brygger & Associates PC (CMBA) for the addition and renovation of GATES Elementary School consists of a new cafeteria and commons, kitchen, administration area, and classroom space.  Funded by ESSER III. This contract will again come before the board for the February 2022 meeting as an action item. 

Rationale:  The contract for Cannon Moss Brygger & Associates PC (CMBA) for the addition and renovation of Grand Island Senior High School consists of expansions and renovations to the existing band room, cafeteria, main east entry, main west entry, and adjoining spaces.  This will be funded by ESSER III and will come back before the board in February as an action item.  

Rationale: 

Mr. Petsch will present the construction update. 

Rationale: 

Ms. Isabela Prado Gomez will report the student representative report to the board. 

Rationale: 

Dr. Grover will present the superintendent report. 

Rationale:  Pandemic Update and Safe Return to School Plan  

Rationale:  Providing a quality team based extracurricular activity for students who may not be interested or able to participate in traditional extra curricular activities.

Rationale:  This legislative lobbyist's contract for services has been reviewed by the Facilities & Finance Committee and by the board of education as an information item at the December board meeting. 

Grand Island Public Schools has employed Angela Amack as a lobbyist for the school district since 2009 on matters of interest before the Nebraska Unicameral. Since the 2010 calendar year, the district has entered into three-year agreements with Mrs. Amack for her services.  The contract is structured to provide an annual fee increase of 3%.  The fee is an all-inclusive fee and no other external lobbying expenses are incurred by the district.

Rationale:  Present data on the success of OMB and the need to continue with another 3-year contract.  

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 update from the Nebraska Association of School Boards.  

Rationale:  Regular Board of Education Meeting- Thursday, February 10, 2022 at 5:30 pm