May 12, 2011 at 6:30 PM - Regular Meeting May 12, 2011

Rationale:  It is 6:30 PM and I now call to order the Grand Island Public Schools Board of Education Meeting.  This is the May 12, 2011 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:  The proposed revisions for the 2011-2012  Student and Parent Handbook are presented for first reading.  Lunch and Student Fees will be updated in July 2011.

Rationale:  The 6-12 Counselors are attending the May 12, 2011 BOE meeting as a united group. Jeff Gilbertson and the 6-12 Counselor Steering Committee (Melissa Luthi, Holee Hanke, Dr. Jenna Christensen, and Jeff Westerby) will provide a short presentation on our working progress that has occurred for the 2010-2011 year. The information shared will highlight our professional development sessions with Judy Peterson, a review of the ASCA model rationale, a review of our guiding documents, and an emphasis on program evaluation/next steps. We are proud of our progress and desire to become better counselors for ALL learners in the GIPS system. Ultimately, we will help develop our students into responsible and successful citizens prepared for living in the 21st Century.

Rationale: 

The 7/8th Science C&A team has been meeting to align STEM resources with Nebraska Science standards. This approach will support co-teaching for instruction and learning in Science and Technical skills. The team received quotes from 2 firms in January and the team recommends modular purchases from Moss Enterprises. This quote includes hardware, software, professional development, and service contract.  3 Labs @ $522,240.00 to be paid for with General Funds: T&L Curriculum Resources - 7 year Cycle

Rationale:  Ten years ago the District first centralized the business partner we utilize for printing.  Prior to that time several vendors were used at a much higher cost both organizationally and financially.  That first contract was with Eakes and was again renewed after the first four years up until now for a total of ten years.  Six years ago the renewal included both MFD (Multi-Function Networked Devices) [e.g. scanning, printing, copying, facsimile] AND Hewlett-Packard networked printers.

We've come to the time to revisit our printing needs as an organization.  Several major changes have occurred which include, but are not limited to, the following;

1.  Color printing is cheaper and more common on the MFD.
2.  The number of devices needed has continued to shrink.
3.  HP printing is more expensive and therefore being reduced greatly.
4.  Request For Proposals (RFP) was NOT used as all three vendors won nationally driven RFP via national purchasing groups we hold membership in.
5.  This is NOT a lowest price wins the day decision as this is service and is very subjective in nature
6.  In the past we also used DUPLO devices which are being phased out as old technology

The District prints about 20 million images a year and purchases paper by the multiple semi-tractor loads.

Rationale:  Annually we have our employee benefits legal counsel review our 403(b) plan to ensure we're in complete and full IRS compliance.  This years review brings the recommendation to amend the plan to include the components of the Worker, Retiree, and Employer Recover Act or more commonly The known as "WRERA".

Rationale:  As a low cost way to have critical District information recoverable should a natural or otherwise disaster occur, the Director of Management Information Systems will review a contract for Off-Site Disaster Recovery & File Backup Services with ESU10 in Kearney NE. This will place the District in a position to have double redundancy - On-Site, Off-Site, and Vendor Site for critical District Data and information files.

Rationale:  Please See Attachment.

Rationale:  Grand Island Physical Therapy will provide OT and PT services and will bill out at the Department of Special Education approved rate ($58.00/hour for 2010-2011), mileage (state approved rate), and travel time at $47.50/hr.

Rationale:  Last month, Dr. Dexter presented information on the Maps and Globes Resources which are due to be upgraded this year.   The recommendation is to utilize Maps 101 on line at elementary and middle schools.  The high school is choosing to utilize StrataLogica from Nystrom. Going to an online basis, would mean the District would need to add an additional 66 LCD projectors.  The total projected cost would be $91,000 with commitments for 6 years.

Rationale:  Grand Island Public Schools has a business banking relationship with Wells Fargo Bank. Wells Fargo is consolidating their operations in regards to the collateralization of public funds and wishes the District to sign an agreement outlining new terms and conditions of the processes, methods, and means to be used to properly collateralize excess funds held by Wells Fargo on the behalf of the District. A sample agreement is attached and is being presented for approval.

Rationale:  Grand Island Public Schools has a business banking relationship with the Nebraska Liquid Asset Fund. In order to conduct fund business an official proxy statement must be on file with fund administration. This proxy is only used when the District's official representative is unable to attend meetings and vote on behalf of the District. By position, the Director of Business is the District's representative. Additionally, Mr. Harden is also on the Board of Directors for the Nebraska Liquid Asset Fund as well as representing the District.

Rationale:  Due to the Federal Stimulus funding known as ARRA, which ends with the 2010 - 2011 fiscal year, also known as the "Cliff Effect".  The anticipated and currently projected state aid (TEEOSA) reduction to GIPS in the amount of $5.7 million dollars.  Administration recommended both a large number of and severe spending reductions for the 2011 - 2012 school year.  After input from the public via a town hall meeting, various other methods, a budget workshop, and consideration of the recommendations the Board of Education needs to take action to allow administration the ability to move forward with implementation of the recommendations and the planning of 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 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.

Rationale:  Mrs. Broadwell, Mr. Brown, Mrs. Meidlinger, Ms. Vahle, and Dr. Dexter reported out on the numerous educational sessions they attended, and the key points of interest they brought back to the District from the recent NSBA conference in San Francisco.