March 15, 2010 at 6:30 PM - Regular Meeting March 15, 2010

Rationale:  It is 6:32 PM and I now call to order the Grand Island Public Schools Board of Education Meeting.  This is the March 15, 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:  Aubrey Thompson, a sophomore at Grand Island Senior High, is being recognized for having received an Honorable Mention Award from the Belin-Blank Center, who serves as the Multi-state Regional Affiliate with the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers and the National Scholastic Art and Writing Awards.  Ms. Thompson's short science fiction story was selected from over 900 entries submitted from the 16 state regional competition.   Dr. Julie Hehnke is introducing Miss Thompson this evening.

Rationale:  Cindy Rodriguez, a student at Knickrehm Elementary School, is being recognized for winning First Place in the 2010 Nebraska Poison Prevention Week Poster Contest.  Mrs. Diane Meyer is introducing Miss Rodriguez this evening.

Rationale:  Kevin Estrada, a student at Knickrehm Elementary School, is being recognized for winning First Place in  the 2010 Nebraska Missing Children's Day Poster Contest.   Mr. Estrada is being introduced by Mrs. Diane Meyer.

Rationale:  Verna Haberman is being honored for being named the YWCA 2010 Woman of Distinction.  Mrs. Haberman is being introduced by Mrs. Burling.  

Rationale:  Monthly verbal report by Mr. Dan Petsch, Coordinator of Buildings and Grounds to the Board of Education and community on the status of construction projects currently either in planning or in process.

Rationale:  Monthly verbal report by Audie Aguilar, Student Representative to the Board of Education and community concerning student life at Grand Island Senior High School.

Rationale:  Monthly verbal report by Dr. Stephen C. Joel, Superintendent to the Board of Education and community on general and specific matters of importance to the District.

Rationale: 

Child Care Solutions has been an United Way agency since 1999. Previous grant requests have been established for $15,000; however, this year the request has been increased to $18,000 to cover $3,000 in expenses for United Way born-learning materials. Child Care Solutions has hired a fulltime department secretary effective November 30, 2009. Her position is funded by ARRA grant monies through August 2011. Please note that in the attached grant request, some of the operating expenses are estimated based on past history.

Rationale:  Family Leadership Institute (FLI) and Student Leadership Inspired By Consuelo Kickbusch (SLiCK).
Grand Island Public Schools was approached in December 2009 to work collaboratively with the Nebraska Department of Education Migrant Office and Educational Achievement Services, Inc. to plan and implement the Family Leadership Institute (FLI) and Student Leadership Inspired By Consuelo Kickbusch (SLiCK) programs during the second semester of the 2009-2010 school year.  The FLI program consists of ten specifically designed educational modules aimed to provide families of diverse ethnic, racial and cultural backgrounds information to grow as individuals, parents, community members and leaders so they may serve as high level role models for their children.  During the FLI program, middle and high school parents are encouraged to become engaged in their children’s education in an effort to achieve academic success.

Nine FLI sessions will be held on Saturdays at Gtand Island Senior High School from 8:00 AM – 1:30 PM beginning February 13, 20, March 6, 20, 27, April 17, 24, and May 1 with the FLI graduation being held on Monday, May 24^th in the GISH auditorium.

Student Leadership Inspired By Consuelo Kickbusch (SLiCK) in an interactive series of student leadership workshops geared towards nurturing the leadership skills within high school students of diverse ethnic, racial and cultural backgrounds to achieve personal growth, resulting in a desire to graduate from high school and create positive change in their lives and community.  Sixty-five high school students will participate in SLiCK on five Saturdays at Grand Island Senior High School from 8:00 AM – 1:30 PM beginning February 20, March 27, April 17, 24 and May 1. 

Both FLI and SLiCK programs will be fully funded out of Title I, Part C Federal Migrant dollars funded toGrand Island Public Schools.  Planning and programming is the responsibility of the Migrant/ELA Department.

Rationale:  Annually, the Central Nebraska Support Services Program contracts with Educational Service Unit 10 for selected special education services via an Interlocal Agreement.  Currently, this is for a .41 FTE audiology position (same as last year) for an estimated FY10-11 cost of approximately $17,000 to be paid by the CNSSP and billed back to districts utilizing these services.

Rationale:  Earlier this evening the Board and Administration reviewed in detail the proposed FY09-10 school year project list at a Board workshop held specifically to review the proposed projects.  Additionally, the ten year plan was reviewed and facility planning for the alternative educational site of S.A.N.D.S. and the Pentair\Sta-Rite property was reviewed and discussed in detail.

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.