November 12, 2015 at 6:30 PM - GIPS BOE Regular Meeting

Rationale:  It is 6:30 PM and I now call to order the Grand Island Public Schools Board of Education Meeting.  This is the November 12, 2015 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:  Mrs. Jennifer Badura, Teaching and Learning Coordinator, will report out on the NeSA results.

Rationale: 

District past practice is to review and adopt a budget calendar for the subsequent fiscal year in order to properly communicate, plan, and administer the various duties associated with the budget cycle.  The Facilities and Finance Committee has reviewed the attached fiscal year 2016 - 2017 budget calendar for adoption and would like the full Board of Education to review prior to adopting at the regularly scheduled December Board meeting.

Rationale: 

Grand Island Public Schools has employed Angela Amack as a lobbyist for the District since 2009 on matters of interest before the Nebraska Unicameral. Effective with the 2010 calendar year we have entered into three year agreements (i.e. 10-11-12,13-14-15). With the 2016 Legislative session scheduled to convene on Wednesday, January 6, 2016 now is the time renew our agreement for another three years. The annual fee has remained flat for the last five years. Due to the length of time since an increase and the effect of term limits on expenses administration is recommending a 2.5% increase for each of the three years covered by the agreement. The fee is an all inclusive fee and no other external lobbying expenses are incurred by the district.

Rationale:  Per Neb. Rev. Stat. §79-473 (Reissue 2008) Grand Island Public Schools and Northwest Public Schools have entered into good faith negotiations regarding the City of Grand Island Annexation Ordinance No. 9544.  Accordingly, the attached Annexation Agreement is being presented to the Board for your consideration and review prior to the December 2015 BOE meeting when the Annexation Agreement will be presented for approval.

Rationale: 

Per current state statute Nebraska school districts are required to have an independent audit conducted annually. Grand Island Public Schools contracts with the independent audit firm of Almquist, Maltzahn, Galloway, & Luth, P.C. to conduct the annual audit. Mr. Virgil Harden, Executive Director of Business will give an executive overview of the 2014 - 2015 audit report and answer questions Board members might have. An action item to accept and place the 2014 - 2015 audit report on file will appear on the December 2015 meeting agenda. Additionally, the audit report is posted on the District's web site along with past years reports .

Rationale: 

As part of the construction efforts at Engleman Elementary School the City of Grand Island and the Grand Island Public Schools need to enter into a formal License Agreement for the following purpose and Real Estate;

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE - The purpose of this License Agreement is to set forth the terms and conditions under which the Licensee may construct, maintain, repair, and utilize the following described improvement which will infringe upon the public utility easement:

Installation, maintenance, and repair of concrete pad for condenser unit to be placed on to serve 1812 Mansfield Road.

DESCRIPTION OF LICENSEE’S REAL ESTATE. The Licensee owns the following described real estate adjacent to the Licensor’s real estate to which this License Agreement shall apply:

LOT NINE (9), XC CITY AND ALL OF LOT TEN (10) AND PART OF VACATED STREET,
SUSSEX PLACE SUBDIVISION, CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, HALL COUNTY,
NEBRASKA.

 

Rationale:   Mr. McDowell will present information on the new software for the Board Room system.

Rationale:  Ms. Harders will give an update on Grand Island Senior High activities.

Rationale:  Mr. Petsch will update the Board on current building and maintenance projects.

Rationale:  Dr. Winter will give the Superintendent Report and update on relevant activities.

Rationale:  Board members will report out on their school building visits and experiences over the past month.

Rationale:  Mr. Kutlas will address the request by Heartland Lutheran High School to Join the Baseball Co-op with GISH, GICC, and GINW.

Rationale:  As part of Grand Island Public Schools comprehensive employee benefits program we offer employees flexible spending accounts within the IRS rules and regulations. over the entire time the program has been offered but more recently within the past four years the cash balance in this fund has increased. This increase is due to a combination of factors but most predominately due to employee forfeitures and interest accumulation. Per auditors recommendations we intend to move $25,000 from the account balance into the General Fund. Per current State Statute this is an accountable receipt and will decrease the GIPS state aid the following year. 

Rationale:  A monthly report to the Board and community on the major items discussed and under consideration in the Facility and Finance Committee.  From this committee, there is also a possibility of a presentation and recommendation for action on any item which might have recently arisen requiring a short turn around time frame.

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 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 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 Public Relations Committee.

Rationale:  A monthly report to the Board and community on the major items discussed and under consideration by The Greater Nebraska Schools Association.