December 8, 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 December 8, 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:  Peace, Love, Joy: Better Together.  That was the theme for the Superintendent's Holiday Card Contest.  Students from PK through 12th Grade were given the opportunity to enter their artwork design for the front cover of the Superintendent's Holiday card.  Three winners were chosen with each receiving a $50 gift card and one will have their design printed on the holiday cards.

Rationale:  Dr. Dexter will administer the Oath of Office  to newly appointed board member Kelly Enck.
 

I, Kelly Enck, do solemnly swear that I will support the constitution of the United States and the constitution of the State of Nebraska, against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely and without mental reservation or for purpose of evasion; and that I will faithfully and impartially perform the duties as a member of the School Board of School District Number 2 of Grand Island, Nebraska, commencing December 8, 2016 according to law and to the best of my ability.  And I do swear that I do not advocate, nor am I a member of any political party or organization that advocates the overthrow of the government of the United States or of this state by force or violence; and that during such time as I am in this position I will not advocate nor become a member of any political party or organization that advocates the overthrow of the government of the United States or of this state by force or violence.  So help me God.

Rationale: 

In past years, the Board established Board Operating Principles and updated those principles into Policy #2111 .   Each Board member will sign the acknowledgment of the Board Operating Principles.  The signed document will be placed on file with the Board minutes.  

Rationale:  Mrs. Enck was sworn in and took her seat on the GIPS Board of Education.

Rationale:  D.W. Holley, Tracy Morrow (4-5), Aleta Thomas (2-3), Amelia Nicolaus (3-4), Diana Martinez-bilingual para, and Brissa Borjas-bilingual para, will present on the 2nd through 5th grade Newcomer Program.

Rationale:  Principal Charity LaBrie and Seedling Mile staff will describe Fall service learning projects completed this year.

Rationale:  Gordon Bye, Patti Bennett, and Maggie Mintken will present the Start on Time Program.

Rationale:  Dr. Dexter will present the draft proposal of the 2017-2018 Traditional Calendar and address items reviewed and changed for the upcoming year.

Rationale:  The Nebraska Education Profile (NEP) was created to provide access to education data and information. The initial release of the NEP includes detailed NeSA assessment results.

Rationale: 

The Grand Island Education Association ("GIEA") requests that the school board of Grand Island Public Schools take action to recognize GIEA as exclusive bargaining agent for all the District's non-supervisory, certificated employees for the 2018-2019 contract year.

Rationale: 

During the 2016 Legislative session the Qualified Capital Purpose Undertaking Fund (QCPUF) was modified in several ways including but not limited to the following, indoor air quality projects was removed and life safety hazards was added to the "qualified" projects, the maximum levy was reduced from 5.2¢ to 3.0¢, and projects can only be for existing facilities. To that end administration began a review of projects that meet the current and revised definition of a 'qualified' project. The attached listing is the official project listing of the Limited Tax Building Improvement Bond, Series 2016 and related resolution and proceedings. Due to the need to close the funding in December 2016 the Board also need to authorize the Chief Financial Officer the authority to finalize all remaining terms of issuance.

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 2015 - 2016 audit report and answer questions Board members might have. An action item is requested to accept and place the 2015 - 2016 audit report on file.  Additionally, the audit report is posted on the District's web site along with past years reports .

Rationale:  Mr Petsch will update the Board on the need to amend the independent contractor contract with Steve Shannon. The Board is being asked to approve the contract amendment.

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 in the Public Relations 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 by The Greater Nebraska Schools Association.