April 8, 2010 at 6:30 PM - 4-8-10 - Regular Board 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 April 8th, 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:  Evan Ludwig, a student at Knickrehm Elementary School, is being recognized for winning First Place in the 2010 Nebraska Arbor Day Poster Contest.  Evan will be introduced by Mrs. Diane Meyer.

Rationale:  The Westridge Middle School Quiz Bowl Team, consisting of Seth Redwine, Clark Pohlmeier, Ryan Williams, Blaine Morrow, Shae Lott, Jake Sattley, Tanner Shuck, and Chandler Cox is being recognized for placing First in the regional Academic Quiz Bowl Competition.  The team is being introduced by Stacy Vogel.

Rationale:  April is Child Abuse Prevention Month.  Donna Helzer with the ACAP Board will be present to pass out Blue Ribbons to the GIPS Board of Education members.

Rationale:  Education Quest College Access Program Class of 2010, of Grand Island Senior High School, consisting of   Edwin Barrios, Kelsey Castleberry, Karen Claros, Miguel Estevez Jr., Joana Franco, Pedro Garcia, Jonathan Gonzalez, Jaycia Griffin,  Jessica Marisch, Briseida Martinez Castro, Maria Martinez Zurita, Sierra Melgoza, Fernando Mendoza, Deisy Nunez, Jazmin Ortiz-Anguiano, Douglas Perez, Yanira Rivera-Erives, Derek Ross, and Nelson Salas in recognition of being graduates of The Education Quest College Access Program, Class of 2010. Introduced by Gayle Bradley

Rationale:  Ombudsman is an alternative education program designed specifically to help students achieve graduation requirements and to increase graduation rates.  Ombudsman is a performance-based program designed to deliver instruction to students who function better in an alternative setting.  Through consultation with the district, Ombudsman will create a positive, professional learning atmosphere intended to support and enhance the learning needs of students.  Ombudsman will serve adjudicated and expelled youth who struggle to achieve success in a traditional school environment.

Rationale:  Presentation regarding the concept of a continuous calendar school year.  Focused upon issues associated with the planning, development, and implementation of such a calendar, which should be considered based upon administrative study and research on the concept.

Rationale:  Fiscal year 2010 - 2011 administrative recommendations to the Board of Education regarding changes to staffing levels, programs, or other issues as necessary.

Rationale:  Monthly verbal report on student life issues and activities at Grand Island Senior High School from student board member Audie Aguilar.

Rationale:  Monthly verbal report from the Supervisor of Building and Grounds regarding construction projects in various stages of implementation.

Rationale:  Monthly verbal report from Superintendent, Dr. Stephen C. Joel regarding various District matters.

Rationale:  With the impending departure of Dr. Joel as superintendent of GIPS, requests for proposals were sent out to Search Firms to assist in the process of recruiting candidates for the vacancy.  Following review of the proposals, three companies were invited in to interview with the Board on April 7th.  Those firms were Hazard, Young, Attea & Assoc.; Ray & Assoc.; and McPherson & Jacobson. After completing all interviews, the Board is recommending the selection of McPherson & Jacobson to handle the superintendent search process.

Rationale: 

Annually, the Grand Island Education Association (GIEA) seeks to be recognized as the sole bargaining unit for the Districts certificated staff members.  The Board of Education by recognizing the Grand Island Education Association as such officially allows the administration to enter into contract negotiations for the following school year and beyond.

Rationale:  Annually, the administrative team makes recommendations to the Board as to additions, deletions, or changes to programs, projects, staffing, organizational structure, or other District planning issues.  For school year 2010-2011 Grand Island Public Schools administrative team recommends additional programs and staffing as outlined in the document attached.  These recommendations are being phased in due to the anticipated tight fiscal issues in the 2011-2012 school year.

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 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 Legislative Committee.

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