November 10, 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 November 10, 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 completed 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. Dibbert, 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:  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 4.3? 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:  How successful this new position has been at Engleman.  The impact is being felt throughout the building.

Rationale:  It's the perfect example of what our students appreciate about our extracurricular opportunities.  The club was started by students wanting to connect with each other.  It provides a skill that students can use to communicate with others, while also increasing their knowledge and skill base.  It's fun!  It's inclusive!

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:  Westride is requesting to update their "letter" secondary logo to be updated and more aligned with the other 2 schools.

Rationale:  Our 7 year adoption of Amplify Science has expired.  After reviewing of our student results, latest research, standards review, and Ed Reports, the recommendation is to renew our current partnership with Amplify Science.

Rationale:  During Dr. Grover's listening tour, a common theme from buildings was to increase Para-professional pay.  Special Education Para-professional positions are increasingly difficult to fill in every building.  Some buildings are short special education para-professionals.

Rationale:  Dr. Dexter will present an update on the GIPS Extracurricular Excellence 2025 Plan.

Rationale:  Dr. Dexter will present the proposed calendar for the 2023-2024 school year. The calendar was developed by the District Calendar team with representatives from each school. This calendar is for information and discussion and will be considered for formal approval at the December BoE Meeting.

Rationale:  Governance and Policy Committee Board members will share and discuss proposed changes to policy 2111 BOARD OPERATING PRINCIPLES

Rationale:  Annually, all Nebraska school districts are required to have an independent audit and file an annual financial report (AFR). For the Fiscal Year ending August 31st.  The audit report is attached to this agenda item for BOE and the public to review.  

A draft of the Audit was provided to the Facility & Finance Committee for review and consideration at their November 1st meeting.  Both the annual audit and the AFR were submitted to the proper local, state, and federal agencies in a timely manner. The AFR matches the audit report, so only the audit report will be presented as an action item next month for the BOE to approve and to  place on file.

Highlights of the Audit Include:

• The school district increased its cash reserves during the 2021-22 fiscal year.
• General Fund cash reserves increased by $2.7 million.
• Depreciation Fund cash reserves increased by $1.1 million.
• General Fund revenues were $126.7 million, $2.7 million more than expenses.
• General Fund operational costs were $123.9 million, a 4.7 percent increase, which was caused primarily due to increased spending for federal programs (ESSERs).
• The school district decreased its long term by 5.0%

If board members, staff, or members of the public have questions or concerns pertaining to the audit, they are encouraged to contact Grand Island Public Schools Chief Financial Officer, Ken Schroeder, who will be happy to answer any questions they may have.

 

Rationale: 

Mr. Petsch will present the construction update. 

Rationale: 

________ will present the student representative's report to the board. 

Rationale: 

Dr. Grover will present the superintendent report. 

Rationale:  Westridge is requesting to update their "letter" secondary logo to be updated and more aligned with the other 2 schools.

Rationale:  Amie Gamboian is a senior consultant for The Table Group and facilitates sessions around the work of Pat Lencioni.  She met with LEAD GIPS this summer and with Cabinet this fall.  We want her to finish the work with these two groups.

Rationale:  Cannon Moss Brygger & Associates, P.C. contract between Grand Island Public Schools - Howard Elementary and Walnut Middle School.

Rationale:  Dr. Dexter will present information on Policy 8220 Admission of Resident Students to seek input on class size definitions.

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: 

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

Rationale:  Regular Board of Education Meeting - December 12, 2022 at 5:30 p.m.