October 9, 2025 at 5:30 PM - GIPS BOE Regular Meeting

Rationale: 

It is 5:____p.m. and I now call to order the Grand Island Public Schools Board of Education Meeting.  This is the October 9, 2025 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 3.3? 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 - None
• Policy Committee
• Public Relations and Partnership Development Committee - None
• Governance Committee - None
• GNSA/Legislative Committee - None

Rationale:  6338 CERTIFIED STAFF NONCHARGABLE TEMPORARY LEAVES

Rationale:  6339 JURY DUTY

Rationale:  6410 NONDISCRIMINATION (STAFF)

Rationale:  6411 EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

Rationale:  6420 CERTIFIED STAFF HIRING

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:  This item provides the Board of Education and the community with an update on the K-5 Math pilot. The presentation will detail the policy, a review of our current processes, and progress on its implementation to date.

Rationale:  A strategic plan for helping to focus district efforts to ensure student success has been developed.  While the plan will continue to be refined with strategies and updated data points the 3 primary goals have been established.  The goals will be shared with the board and the public.

Rationale:  GIEA Request for Recognition for 2027-2028.

Rationale:  Grand Island Senior High School is one of only a very few high schools in Nebraska with a dedicated planetarium space. The current planetarium is approximately sixty years old and requires significant upgrades to meet current educational standards and technological advancements. Its outdated equipment and infrastructure limit our ability to provide engaging and up-to-date astronomy and science education. A new planetarium would offer an immersive learning environment, enhance STEM curriculum, and provide unique educational opportunities for students across all grade levels and the broader community. This investment aligns with our strategic goals of enhancing educational opportunities and preparing students for future careers in science and technology.

Rationale:  Administration proposes a Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget Calendar outlining the key dates, events, and responsible individual or group(s) for review and approval of the Board of Education.

Rationale:  6421 PROHIBITION ON AIDING AND ABETTING SEXUAL ABUSE

Rationale:  6430 CERTIFIED STAFF VACANCIES

Rationale:  6440 SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS

Rationale:  6450 CERTIFIED STAFF PROBATION AND TENURE

Rationale:  6460 TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT FOR CERTIFIED STAFF

Rationale:  6462 CERTIFIED STAFF RESIGNATION

Rationale:  7511.1 OPTION ENROLLMENT RESOLUTION

Rationale:  7551 SECONDARY ASYNCHRONOUS LEARNING POLICY

Rationale:  8456 STUDENT USE OF PERSONAL ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION DEVICES (ECDs)

Rationale:  Grand Island Senior High School is one of only a very few high schools in Nebraska with a dedicated planetarium space. The current planetarium is approximately sixty years old and requires significant upgrades to meet current educational standards and technological advancements. Its outdated equipment and infrastructure limit our ability to provide engaging and up-to-date astronomy and science education. A new planetarium would offer an immersive learning environment, enhance STEM curriculum, and provide unique educational opportunities for students across all grade levels and the broader community. This investment aligns with our strategic goals of enhancing educational opportunities and preparing students for future careers in science and technology.

Rationale:  6340 PARENTAL LEAVE

Rationale:  6341 CERTIFIED STAFF EXTRA-STANDARD REIMBURSEMENTS

Rationale:  7419 TEXTBOOK LOANS TO CHILDREN ENROLLED IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Rationale:  7511.1 OPTION ENROLLMENT RESOLUTION

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: 

Ms. Xicara Ramos will present the student representative's report to the board. 

Rationale: 

Mr. Fisher will present the superintendent report. 

Rationale:  Board of Education Retreat - Friday, October 10, 2025, at 8:00 a.m.

Regular Board of Education Meeting - Thursday, November 13, 2025, at 5:30 p.m.