December 9, 2010 at 6:30 PM - Regular Meeting December 9, 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 December 9, 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:  Nine (9) participants and three (3) alternates have been selected for the 2010 Nebraska Music Educators Association All-State Chorus and will represent GISH.  Those selected are Mitchell Alcorn, Hannah Benson, Daylan Fargo, Manuel Medina, Colby Roseberry, Sarabeth Swift, Laura Gregory, Joshua Mathews, Anna Toner, Luke Friesen, Sarah Ronne, and Dylan Holloway.

Rationale:  Christa Speed of Grand Island Public Schools received the 2010 Distinguished Service Award from the Nebraska Music Educators Association.

Rationale:  Mr. Stelk will present the evaluation processes for teachers, administrators, and the superintendent for approval to meet Rule 10 assurances. 

Rationale: 

The district received a 3-year $426,00 grant from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln which provides funds for math coaches to support math instruction in both elementary and secondary grades. The term of the grant is from January 2009 and through May 2013. The GIPS personnel currently funded through the grant are:

• Secondary math coach (Karey Killion): 0.25FTE in AY2009-10, 0.33 FTE in AY2010-11, and 0.33 FTE in AY 2011-12.

• Elementary math coach (Linda Woitaszewski): 1.0 FTE in AY2010-11, AY2011-12, and AY2012-13

 Additionally, the grant was to provide an additional 1.0 FTE elementary math coach in 2011-12 & 2012-13.

The T & L department has determined that the district is experiencing a significant need to support teachers in teaching 9th grade algebra.  UNL has approved modifying the grant to increase the secondary math coach FTE from .33 to 1.0 starting January 2011 through AY 2012-2013 - this would take the place of the elementary math coach planned for AY2011-2013.  There would be no impact to the general fund.

Rationale:  Due to the recent credit crisis the U.S. economy has experienced our issuing bank for District credit cards is updating and seeking new agreements with their credit card customers.  The District pays credit card charges within the 'grace' period to avoid all interest and fee charges.  Therefore, we are at very little risk of experiencing any issues with the current or this new agreement.  Additionally, the District expects to issue Request For Proposals (RFP) for purchasing cards (Pcards) within the next quarter.  However, until such time that we move to Pcards it is appropriate to renew\update our agreement with the credit card issuing bank.  This agreement will be presented during the January meeting for approval.

Rationale:  Per current state statute Nebraska school districts are required to have an independent audit conducted annually.  Grand Island Public School District contracts with the independent audit firm of Almquist, Maltzahn, Galloway, & Luth, P.C. to conduct the annual audit.  Marcy Luth with the firm of (AMGL) will be on hand to give an executive overview of the 2009 - 2010 audit report and answer questions that Board members might have.  An action item to accept and place the 2009 - 2010 audit report on file will appear on the January 2011 meeting agenda.  Additionally, the audit report is posted on the District's web site.

Rationale:  The 2011-2012 Calendar is presented for approval.

Rationale: 

The district received a 3-year $426,00 grant from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln which provides funds for math coaches to support math instruction in both elementary and secondary grades. The term of the grant is from January 2009 and through May 2013. The GIPS personnel currently funded through the grant are:

• Secondary math coach (Karey Killion): 0.25FTE in AY2009-10, 0.33 FTE in AY2010-11, and 0.33 FTE in AY 2011-12.

• Elementary math coach (Linda Woitaszewski): 1.0 FTE in AY2010-11, AY2011-12, and AY2012-13

 Additionally, the grant was to provide an additional 1.0 FTE elementary math coach in 2011-12 & 2012-13.

The T & L department has determined that the district is experiencing a significant need to support teachers in teaching 9th grade algebra.  UNL has approved modifying the grant to increase the secondary math coach FTE from .33 to 1.0 starting January 2011 through AY 2012-2013 - this would take the place of the elementary math coach planned for AY2011-2013.  There would be no impact to the general fund.

Rationale:  The old "S.A.N.D.S." program is scheduled to be replace with the new "Success Academy" and new building.  The replacement of the old "S.A.N.D.S." building with a new structure is down to the official Board approval of a construction contract.  The funds for the construction of the new Success Academy are 100% from the Build America Bonds (BAB) we issued last school year.

Rationale:  Due to the current economic condition of the State of Nebraska and the expected revenue reduction to the District during the next fiscal year, several steps have been taken to position the District to withstand the downturn of revenue.  One of those steps is to bring forward a "Voluntary Early Retirement Incentive Plan" or VERIP.  This plan has been updated and modified by District legal council (Cline, Williams) from the last time we utilized this action in 2005 - 2006.  The plan and the detail of such were reviewed by the F&F committee.  The key aspects of the plan include, but are not limited to, the following;

1.  Employee would have to have 29 years of service to the District to qualify.
2.  Employee agrees to resign and give up right to a continuing contract for a maximum per employee price of $37,500 ($2,500 more than in FY05-06).
3.  A maximum of seventeen (17) employees can participate.
4.  The anticipated maximin cost of the plan is $637,500 already set-a-side in the employees benefit fund.
5.  The maximin anticipated General Fund reduction for the 2011 - 2012 school year is approximately $701,757.56 (administration feels that the most likely savings outcome of the plan is 75% of this amount). 

Rationale:  Due to the growth of the student body at Howard Elementary School and the resulting overcrowding issues this presents, the administration, after careful review and extensive dialog during the F&F committee meeting recommends the Board authorize the letting of construction bids for the four (4) classroom annex building.

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 quarterly report to the Board and community on the major items discussed and under consideration by the NASB Board of Directors.