August 11, 2016 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 August 11, 2016 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: 

Students receiving a score of 4 or 5 on Advance Placement exams are: Shane Jacobs, Dylan Spilinek, Matthew Graves, Anna Hornbacher, Sarah Koubek, Erick Lewandowski, William Nabity, Nathan Nielsen, Reagan Bowen, Breanna Buscher, Lizbeth Chavez, Riley Higgins, Taylor Hilderbrand, Hannah Kier, Sienna Kunze, Cailey Mathews, Zitaane Reno, Sarah Smith, Guadalupe Esquivel, Jairo Gamboa, Zachary Kneale, Sarah Salman, Yasmin Askar, Kevin Estrada, Lemuel Grady, Adam Lehechka,  Hunter Moural, Selena Ramirez, Broc Stuhr, Alyssa Wells, Rhett Milner,

Rationale:  GIPS draws from the same substitute teacher pool as other school districts in the immediate area. Maintaining a competitive substitute pay rate is essential to meeting district needs when regular staff are away from their classrooms.

Rationale: 

A 457 plan is a non-qualified, deferred compensation plan established by state and local governments and tax-exempt governments and tax-exempt employers. Eligible employees are allowed to make salary deferral contributions to the 457 plan. Earnings grow on a tax-deferred basis and contributions are not taxed until the assets are distributed from the plan.

 

Rationale:  As part of the strategic planning process Dr. Grover has developed, the administrative team is seeking an additional executive cabinet member for the "Chief of Innovation & Engagement" position. The position will have a total compensation range of between $100,000 - $120,000. Additionally, approximately $10,000 is needed to make a 'market adjustment' for one or more central office administrative positions due to the restructuring of positions and duties. If possible, the increased cost will be offset by the contingency FTEs in the original staffing plan. Under a worst case budgeting scenario this revision to the fiscal year 2016 - 2017 staffing plan would result in an additional $130,000 spending increase.

Rationale: 

Rationale:  As part of the strategic planning process Dr. Grover has developed, the administrative team is seeking an additional executive cabinet member for the "Chief of Innovation & Engagement" position. The position will have a total compensation range of between $100,000 - $120,000. Additionally, approximately $10,000 is needed to make a 'market adjustment' for one or more central office administrative positions due to the restructuring of positions and duties. If possible, the increased cost will be offset by the contingency FTEs in the original staffing plan. Under a worst case budgeting scenario this revision to the fiscal year 2016 - 2017 staffing plan would result in an additional $130,000 spending increase.

Rationale: 

The 6-12 Family and Consumer Science Teachers and Health Teachers are recommending the adoption of the Health Smart Curriculum Resources at a cost of $160,289.00 for seven years. This an online resource that is aligned to the National Health Standards, as well as the Nebraska Standards.

Rationale:  Two students have asked to participate in Cross Country with Barr Middle School. The proposed agreement is for two years or until extended by mutual agreement.

Rationale: 

Grand Island Public Schools employees mandatorily participate in Long Term Disability (LTD). The LTD plan was competitively bid through National Insurance Services, our agent of record for LTD employee benefits. Due to market and competitive forces GIPS was able to secure better pricing from a new vendor for LTD. The LTD plan is being quoted for a three year guarantee. There is a cost savings to the District for the LTD insurance plan. Detailed information was reviewed with the facilities & finance committee members during their monthly meeting.  Mr. Harden will provide a brief executive summary and review the current and proposed pricing.

Rationale: 

Grand Island Public Schools employees voluntarily participate in Group Term Life Insurance plan. The Group Term Life Insurance plan was competitively bid through National Insurance Services, our agent of record for life insurance employee benefits. Due to limited enrollment, claims history, and a blended non-age related rate structure life insurance rates are increasing, also from a new vendor. The life insurance plan is being quoted for a three year guarantee. There is a cost to employees who voluntarily choose to participate in the Group Term Life Insurance plan. Detailed information was reviewed with the facilities & finance committee members during their monthly meeting.  Mr. Harden will provide a brief executive summary and review the current and proposed pricing.

Rationale: 

As the 2015-2016 fiscal year end draws near the need to amend the adopted budget is necessary in both the Bond and Cooperative funds. In the Bond fund an additional fee was charged to the District due to our escrow account closing out on our 2005 general obligation bond refinancing. In the Cooperative fund we reduced the 15-16 budget two-million dollars form the prior fiscal year due to planned reduced spending on Federal below age five programs and several district's withdrawing from the CNSSP cooperative. The slower than planed reduced spending and the additional fee was an unknown budget factor when the original budget was adopted. A public hearing was held earlier this evening giving the public an opportunity to speak in support, opposition, criticism, and comments concerning the proposed fiscal year 2015 - 2016 budget amendment.

Rationale:  The School Resource Officer (SRO) Interlocal Agreement between GIPS and The City of Grand Island - Police Department for a 50%/50% match for up to five (5) School Resource Officers is up for renewal.  This is a five year review of the contract and includes an updated, with major changes in wording, to the Agreement.  One major difference is a better understanding of the duties and responsibilities of SRO's.

Rationale: 

As a matter of practice Grand Island Public Schools maintains master agreements for both Architectural & Engineering professional services. Kucirek Engineering and ETI are the two engineering firms Grand Island Public Schools firm currently does business with. As specific projects are funded and implemented, specific contracts are issued to document our working and contractual relationship on each specific project. The attached contract is the job specific agreement with Kucirek Engineering for the additions and alterations to GISH 100 Wing Remodeling Project.

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 Policy Committee.

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

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