January 14, 2010 at 6:30 PM - Regular Board Meeting- January 14, 2010

Rationale:  It is 6:30 PM and I now call to order the Grand Island Public Schools Board of Education Meeting.  This is the January 14, 2010 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. Wagner, will you please call the roll?

Rationale:  Roll Call.

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:  A motion is necessary to adjourn the 2009 Board of Education and appoint Robin Dexter, Secretary of the Board, as acting Chairman, to call the 2010 Board of Education to order and preside during the election of the 2010 President of the Board of Education.

Rationale:  The Secretary of the Board will entertain a motion for nominations for President of the Board of Education, conduct a written ballot, and announce the results.  The newly elected President will then chair the remainder of the meeting.

Rationale:  The President of the Board of Education will entertain a motion for nominations for Vice President of the Board of Education, conduct a ballot, and announce the results of the election.

Rationale:  The President will inform Board members of the Standing Committees and Special Committees for 2010 and ask them to consider which committees they would prefer.

Rationale:  With Alltel being purchased by Verizon the District took the opportunity to review our business relationship with a Verizon governmental relations representative.  Verizon offers governmental entities a percentage discount on both equipment and service plans and extends the discount on equipment to all District employees.  The attached contract is a multi state competitive contract that will be presented at the February board meeting for approval.  The Facilities and Finance Committee reviewed the contract and recommends Board review and approval.  A summary of the benefits, in part, follows;

1.  One year commitment rather than two.
2.  All District paid phones will be converted from Alltel to Verizon phones.
3.  Additional service options for select employees are available from Verizon
4.  Heavy duty phones for trade professionals
5.  Push-To-Talk technology that should help us reduce our monthly expense

 

Rationale:  With the Shoemaker building addition a utility easement is necessary for both the water main for fire protection for the new addition and the primary electrical lines and transformer for the entire building.  Mr. Petsch presented the details to the Facilities and Finance Committee, which recommends the approval of this utility easement with the City of Grand Island.  This item will be presented for approval on the February 2010 Board agenda.

Rationale:  The Personnel Committee has the opportunity to issue full time contracts ot two very qualified elementary candidates who are mid-year graduates.  The recommendation is to offer these two candidates full time contracts, effective Jaunary 4, 2010 and utilize them as full time substitutes for the remainder of the year.  Both staff members would then be assigned to a vacancy for the 2010-11 school year.

Rationale:  Part of the 2009 - 2010 certification of state aid to Nebraska school districts included American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009 (ARRA) - State Fiscal Stabilization Funds (SFSF) monies.  Grand Island, like all Nebraska school districts who received these funds, had to submit and receive approval for our spending plan as it relates to these Federal monies.  One component of the ARRA - SFSF spending plan included data warehouse expenditures.  Grand Island Public Schools Director of Management Information Systems, Mr. Maurice Shellhaas presented information during the December meeting reviewing the specifics of the data warehouse spending plan and respond to questions.  The Facilities and Finance committee reviewed the proposal during their December meeting and recommends moving forward with the plan as presented.  These funds are on a reimbursement basis from the State of Nebraska.

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 Teaching and Learning Committee.

Rationale:  A monthly report to the Board and community on the major items discussed and under consideration by the Grand Island Education Foundation.

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

Rationale:  Board Retreat - Crane Meadows at I-80 and Alda Road -

January 21, 2010 - 5:30 P.M. till 9:30 P.M
January 23, 2010 - 8:00 AM till 1:00 P.M.

Rationale:  February 18, 2010 - 6:30 P.M. - Regular Board Meeting - Kneale Administration Building

Rationale:  March 15, 2010 - 6:30 PM - Regular Meeting - Kneale Administration Building - Board Room