July 13, 2023 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 July 13, 2023 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 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:  Recognition of Clark Boettger and Perla Ramirez Castillo, selected as the PathBack Program recipients.

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:  Staff Handbooks

Rationale:  Stipends for MTSS and Assessment Coordinators

Rationale:  Due to AICPA Standards on the Independence of an Auditor from a Client, AMGL is unable to continue as Auditor for GIPS since Virgil Harden, GIPS Chief Financial Officer is related (father) to Grant Harden, C.P.A. (son) an employee of AMGL.  Even the appearance of the lack of independence is enough to violate AICPA Standards. Therefore, GIPS advertised and solicited RFQ (Request For Qualifications) for professional services by advertising in the Grand Island Independent and direct solicitation from CPA firms who currently conduct audits of Nebraska school districts.  GIPS received one reply from Porter & Company, P.C. for a period of five (5) years for the 2022-2023 through 2026-2027 school years. The initial cost of the 2022-2023 school year audit is $39,000 with a price escalator of each year thereafter. Additionally, the GIPS Foundation is a component unit of GIPS and therefore an annual audit as required. A separate and distinct response for the GIPS Foundation was also requested. The GIPS Foundation Board is free to continue with AMGL or accept the response from Porter & Company, P.C.

Rationale: 

Mr. Petsch will present the construction update. 

Rationale: 

Mr. Fisher will present the superintendent report. 

Rationale:  Due to AICPA Standards on the Independence of an Auditor from a Client, AMGL is unable to continue as Auditor for GIPS since Virgil Harden, GIPS Chief Financial Officer is related (father) to Grant Harden, C.P.A. (son) an employee of AMGL.  Even the appearance of the lack of independence is enough to violate AICPA Standards. Therefore, GIPS advertised and solicited RFQ (Request For Qualifications) for professional services by advertising in the Grand Island Independent and direct solicitation from CPA firms who currently conduct audits of Nebraska school districts.  GIPS received one reply from Porter & Company, P.C. for a period of five (5) years for the 2022-2023 through 2026-2027 school years. The initial cost of the 2022-2023 school year audit is $39,000 with a price escalator of each year thereafter. Additionally, the GIPS Foundation is a component unit of GIPS and therefore an annual audit as required. A separate and distinct response for the GIPS Foundation was also requested. The GIPS Foundation Board is free to continue with AMGL or accept the response from Porter & Company, P.C.

Rationale:  Extra Standard for SY 2023-24

Rationale:  Wholeness Healing EAP

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: 

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

Rationale:  Regular Board of Education Meeting - Thursday, August 10, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.