December 12, 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 Monday, December 12, 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:  Dr. Dexter will introduce Dr. Hudnall via zoom. Dr. Hudnall will give an overview of the Hope Squad Program. The Hope Squad Program is under consideration to train GISH students to support their peers in to create a safe school environment, promote connectedness, support anti-bullying, encourage mental wellness, reduce mental health stigma, and prevent substance misuse.

Rationale:  Grand Island Public Schools gave students in PK - 12 the opportunity to submit an original design for the Superintendent's Holiday Card Contest.  Three winners were selected, one from PK-5, one from 6-8, and one from 9-12.  

2022 Winners:
Penelope McCarty, 4th grade, Engleman 
Brooke Miller, 7th grade, Westridge
Marvin Peroj Vicente, 10th grade, Grand Island Senior High (GISH)

Rationale:  The Howard staff wants all students to meet grade level academic goals.

Rationale:  We have used our survey data to continue to improve our culture at Knickrehm. This focus builds our self efficacy so that teachers and students are successful in our day to day learning.

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:  West Lawn 1.0 Social Worker
Dodge 0.5 Paraeducator
Grand Island Senior High 1.0 EL Newcomer Teacher

Rationale: 

Mr. Petsch will present the construction update. 

Rationale: 

Mr. Zach Cloutier will present the student representative's report to the board. 

Rationale: 

Dr. Grover will present the superintendent report. 

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:  Our 7 year adoption of Amplify Science has expired.  After review of our student results, latest research, standards review, and Ed Reports, the recommendation is to fund a 6 year renewal of our current partnership with Amplify Science.

Rationale:  West Lawn 1.0 Social Worker
Dodge 0.5 Paraeducator
Grand Island Senior High 1.0 EL Newcomer Teacher

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:  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 was submitted for review by the entire board of education at the November 10th Board Meeting.  It was also made available to the general public at that time.

I have received no questions or concerns regarding the audit and I do not have any additional information regarding the audit to share.


 

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:  Recognition and farewell to five Board of Education members.

Mr. Carlos Barcenas, 9 1/2 years of service
Mr. Terry Brown, 18 years of service
Dr. Dan Brosz, 8 years of service
Mrs. Bonnie Hinkle, 16 years of service
Ms. Erika Wolfe, 4 years of service
 

Rationale: 

The Board will convene into executive session for the purpose of receiving legal advice for negotiations.

Rationale:  Approval of the Resignation Agreement and Transition with Dr. Tawana Grover
 

Rationale:  Approval of Hiring the Nebraska Association of School Boards to Conduct an Interim Superintendent Search

Rationale:  Approval of the Resignation and Transition Agreement with Dr. Tawana Grover

Rationale:  Approval of Hiring the Nebraska Association of School Boards to Conduct an Interim Superintendent Search

Rationale:  Regular Board of Education Meeting - January 12, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.