March 16, 2020 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 March 16, 2020 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.

Mrs. Suhr, 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 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 be honored for their unique qualities and backgrounds;
- 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.   

 

 

Rationale: 

• Each individual 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 will not engage in dialogue with patrons presenting to the Board.
• The Board president and superintendent will identify staff to follow-up on information requested from patrons.
• The Board president may share a statement on behalf of the Board when addressing a major issue in the district.
• 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:  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 5.2? If so, please state the check number that you will be abstaining from voting on.

Rationale:  CPI Change Order 01
Item #1  :  During wall layout, we found two existing columns that interfered with the new walls.  We had to shore up the structure, demo the columns and install the new walls.  Total Add:  $557.00

Item #2  :  During design, CMBA had the academy logos shown in every classroom.  During construction we looked at this again and decided the logo really belongs on walls in the different academy areas, but not each individual classroom.  Total Deduct:  ($20,845.00)

Item #3  :  After the block walls were done, CPI requested us to add two outlets to power  CNC routers in the engineering lab.  Little pricey adding outlets in block walls after the fact.  Total Add:  $3,323.00

Item #4  :  During a walk-thru, we noticed two windows that were cracked in the existing part of the two-story building.  This area is a new classroom and so this is the cost to replace the window glass.  Total Add:  $700.00

Item #5  :  During construction we found that the overhead door motor interfered with a new CMU wall.  This is the cost to relocate the operator.  Total Add:  $264.00

Item #6  :  This is the cost to add five(5) additional EZ Path sleeves for cabling coming from the exiting IT closet.  Engineer didn't account for the amount needed.  Total Add:  $1,467.00

Item #7  :  This is the cost to modify a new HM window frame in the field so it would fit the architectural layout.  Frame was dimensioned differently on the door/frame schedule.  Total Add:  $722.00

Item #8  :  CPI requested us to add a set of signs for Architecture & Design in the existing area.  It wasn't signed prior to bid.  Total Add:  $284.00

Item #9  :  During shop drawing review CMBA identified an additional four(4) ADA lockers that were needed for code.  Total Add:  $489.00

Item #10  :  This is the cost to add some additional green accent wall paint at the entrance area to the Engineering pathway.  Total Add:  $1,457.00  

Item #11  :  This is the cost to add some additional roof flashing where the existing bus barn connection tied into the main building.  We were unable to see the area until after demo.  Total Add:  $1,174.00

Item #12  :  Sampson asked us to complete the seeding at the south end of the new parking area so they would not have to be back next fall.  It was a very fair credit.  Total Deduct:  ($2,727.00)

Item #13  :  We had to add two(2) exit lights after the fire marshal inspection.  No need to argue with the fm.  Total Add:  $962.00

Item #14  :  We directed the electrical contractor to relocate/raise the light above the Aviation doors for aesthetic reasons.  Originally mounted per drawings.  Total Add:  $109.00  (Worth it!)

We recommend to move forward with all changes. 

Rationale:  Discuss, consider and take all necessary action with regard to the emergency circumstances presented by the COVID 19 virus to:

• Authorize the Superintendent of Schools, or designed, to grant a paid leave of absence for a specified number of duty days with full current wages and benefits to exempt and non-exempt employees who are experiencing certain conditions regard to the COVID 19 virus.

 

• Authorize the Superintendent of Schools, or designee, to take all necessary action to (1) work with state and local health department officials for advice on functions that may involve large gatherings of people.

 

• Authorize the Superintendent of Schools, or designee, to take all necessary action to prepare for the Board of Education to declare the COVID 19 virus situation as a "emergency" under the Nebraska Emergency Management Act, Neb. Rev. Stat. §§81-829.36 through 81-829.75.

 

• Authorize the Superintendent of Schools to monitor the COVID 19 virus conditions in the State of Nebraska and the Educational Service Unit No. 10 area, and based upon the directives of the Commissioner of Education and community spread of the disease in the Hall County School District 40-0002 a.k.a. Grand Island Public Schools, Hall County Nebraska to determine and decide all issue related to the close of attendance centers, adjust the school year calendar, take measures to continue educational services assign certificated and non-certificated staff as needed, and extra-curricular activities.

Rationale:  CKLA - Core Knowledge Language Arts Resource Adoption - Shanna Gannon, Executive Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Professional Learning and Brittney Bills, Pk-12 ELA and Social Studies Coordinator will present the proposal for the Pk-2 CKLA resource adoption.

Rationale:  Middle School Math Adoption-Shanna Gannon, Executive Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Professional Learning and Cindy Beaman, Pk-12 Math Coordinator will present the proposal for the Middle School Math Resource Adoption. 

Rationale:  Brittney Bills, Pk-12 ELA and Social Studies Coordinator, will present the request to adopt the new Nebraska Social Studies Standards required by policy. 

Rationale:  Mrs. Skalberg will present the list of criteria being considered for inclusion on the Veteran's Memorial Wall proposed on the interior of East Stadium.  

Rationale:  Mrs. Skalberg will give the Board of Education an update on the Foundation's accomplishments over the past year and introduce the 2020 GIPS Foundation Staff and Board fundraising campaign.

Rationale:  Mr. Dan Phillips will present the proposed Trego-Dugan Aviation Lease Agreement.

Rationale:  Mr. Petsch will present the City of Grand Island Public Utility Easement. 

Rationale:  Mr. Harden and Mr. Petsch will present the Facilities Master Plan including:

• Town Hall Meeting - Tuesday, April 14, 2020 6:00-7:30 p.m.
• Committee ByLaws
• Committee Makeup

Rationale: 

Mr. Petsch will present the construction update. 

Rationale: 

Dr. Grover will present the superintendent report. 

Rationale:  Discuss, consider and take all necessary action with regard to the emergency circumstances presented by the COVID 19 virus to:

• Authorize the Superintendent of Schools, or designed, to grant a paid leave of absence for a specified number of duty days with full current wages and benefits to exempt and non-exempt employees who are experiencing certain conditions regard to the COVID 19 virus.

Rationale:  Discuss, consider and take all necessary action with regard to the emergency circumstances presented by the COVID 19 virus to:

• Authorize the Superintendent of Schools, or designee, to take all necessary action to (1) work with state and local health department officials for advice on functions that may involve large gatherings of people.

Rationale:  Discuss, consider and take all necessary action with regard to the emergency circumstances presented by the COVID 19 virus to:

• Authorize the Superintendent of Schools, or designee, to take all necessary action to prepare for the Board of Education to declare the COVID 19 virus situation as a "emergency" under the Nebraska Emergency Management Act, Neb. Rev. Stat. §§81-829.36 through 81-829.75.

Rationale:  Discuss, consider and take all necessary action with regard to the emergency circumstances presented by the COVID 19 virus to: 

• Authorize the Superintendent of Schools to monitor the COVID 19 virus conditions in the State of Nebraska and the Educational Service Unit No. 10 area, and based upon the directives of the Commissioner of Education and community spread of the disease in the Hall County School District 40-0002 a.k.a. Grand Island Public Schools, Hall County Nebraska to determine and decide all issue related to the close of attendance centers, adjust the school year calendar, take measures to continue educational services assign certificated and non-certificated staff as needed, and extra-curricular activities.

Rationale:  Grand Island Public Schools is currently finishing a $17 million dollar addition and renovation to our historic Memorial Stadium. Previously, the Board was informed on a plan to fund a new, state of the art, display and scoreboard. In order for the unit to be manufactured, installed, and programmed the order must be placed with the vendor in March as soon as possible.

Rationale:  Mr. Dan Phillips will present the proposed Trego-Dugan Aviation Lease Agreement for approval. 

Rationale:  Grand Island Public Schools needs to merge our recently implemented 403(b) Plan with our old (never used) 403(b) Special Pay Plan for early retirement incentive payments. The new 403(b) Plan allows for this and two 403(b) plans is not advisable.

Rationale:  Grand Island Public Schools is moving to pay our accounts payable (AP) via all electronic payments. This includes but is not limited to; electronic check, wire transfer, automated clearing house (ACH), VISA credit card. This new process will allow faster payment times for our vendors and lower our check writing risk to zero with the added benefits of higher bank security and reduced fraud risk.

Rationale:  Our Strategic Plan calls for safe, comfortable, and clean learning environments for students, staff, and the general public. This software solution will provide us with real time data to move to preventative maintenance, work orders, and capital planning all integrated into one software solution.

Rationale:  A monthly report to the Board and community on the major items discussed and under consideration in the Facility and Finance Committee. 

Rationale:  A monthly report to the Board and community on the major items discussed and under consideration in the Leading for Learning Committee.

Rationale:  A monthly report to the Board and community on the major items discussed and under consideration in the Personnel Committee.

Rationale:  A monthly report to the Board and community on the major items discussed and under consideration in the Policy Committee.

Rationale:  A monthly report to the Board and community on the major items discussed and under consideration in the Public Relations and Partnership Development Committee.

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 report to the Board and community on the major items discussed and under consideration by The Greater Nebraska Schools Association and Legislative Updates.

Rationale:  A monthly update from the Nebraska Association of School Boards.  

Rationale: 

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

Rationale:  The Grand Island Education Association has been recognized as the exclusive bargaining agent for the certified non-supervisory staff of the Grand Island Public Schools.  After bargaining in good faith with the GIEA, an agreement was reached for the 2020-2021 contract year.