December 11, 2008 at 6:30 PM - Regular Meeting December 11, 2008

Rationale:  It is 6:30 PM and I now call to order the Grand Island Public Schools Board of Education Meeting.  This is the December 11, 2008 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.

May we please call the roll?

Rationale: 

The Mission  

Every Student, Every Day, a Success
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 experience a sense of belonging, contribution, and success; and
- every student will develop responsibility and show respect for others as well as oneself.  
In educating students, we teach hearts as well as minds.

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? 

Rationale:  Christa Speed is being recognized for being selected for induction into the Nebraska Music Educators Association (NMEA) Hall of Fame.

Rationale:  Grand Island students and staff members rely heavily on networked resources to support teaching and learning, as well as management tasks.  Current wide area network bandwidth is beginning to limit access to resources in a timely manner.  In order to provide efficient access to critical online resources, incremental increases to bandwidth are needed.

Rationale:  An overview of a strategic alliance that is being developed for consideration by the Board of Education which will enhance GIPS ability to attract and develop highly qualified teachers to teach in Grand Island Public Schools.

Rationale:  Grand Island Public Schools is moving all twelve month and less than twelve month classified employees enrolled as of October 1, 2008 (grandfathered) in the District sponsored grough health insurance into a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) [$1,250 deductible] with an associated Health Savings Account (HSA) effective January 1, 2009.  In order to be in compliance with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rules and regulations concerning the operation of a limited (vision and dental only) 125 plan in concert with a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA) the District is updating and modifying the the classified employees 125 plan document accordingly.

Rationale:  Grand Island Public Schools is offering all certified and administrative employees eligible to participate in the District sponsored grough health insurance the opportunity to participate in a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) [$1,250 deductible] with an associated Health Savings Account (HSA) effective January 1, 2009.  In order to be in compliance with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rules and regulations concerning the operation of a limited (vision and dental only) 125 plan in concert with a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA) the District is updating and modifying the the certified and administrative employees 125 plan document accordingly.

Rationale:  As a communication, planning, management, and accountability tool the facilities and finance committee of the Grand Island Public Schools annually proposes a budget development calendar for the ensuing fiscal year.  It is assumed outside influence upon the dates, times, sequence and completeness of the various tasks identified within the calendar will necessitate flexibility and change as the year progresses.  The proposed calendar is based upon the best known information at the time.

Rationale:  January 8, 2009 - Regular Board Meeting - 6:30 P.M. - Kneale Administration Building Board Room

January 23 & 24, 2009 - Board Retreat - Lincoln, Nebraska