May 14, 2020 at 5:30 PM - GIPS BOE Regular Meeting

Rationale: 

It is 5:____PM and I now call to order the Grand Island Public Schools Board of Education Meeting.  This is the April 9, 2020 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 viewing the Live Stream meeting to know that they can access the agenda in pdf form and the Open Meetings Act on the GIPS web site. 

Dr. Dexter, will you call roll? 

Rationale:  Roll Call.

Rationale: 

The Mission  

Every Student, Every Day, a Success!  In educating students, we teach hearts as well as minds. 

Student Commitments  

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 be honored for their unique qualities and backgrounds;
- 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.   

 

 

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? (pause)

Does anyone have a potential conflict of interest on agenda item 5.2? If so, please state the check number that you will be abstaining from voting on.

Rationale:  Contract approval for Megan Jaixen, OTR/L to provide occupational therapy services for GIIPS for the 2020-2021 school year - this is a continuing contract up for renewal

Rationale:  Mrs. Stockwell and Miss Miller will present an example of how teachers are verifying learning with students in the virtual classroom environment.  This aligns with our Strategic Plan goal #6: Increased percentage of student connectedness and high commitment to learning and our Theory of Action Pillar-Personalize Learning Pathways for Students

Rationale:  One of our new pathways, Alternative Energy, will add the 2nd course in 2020-21 (Principles of Alternative Energy) at CPI in a double block format.  Students have taken the introductory course this year, and we are in the need of a rigorous, fulfilling curriculum to build the upper courses in Alternative Energy.  We have 11 students that will be taking the 2nd course, and another 11 students in the introductory course.  The capacity of this pathway is 30 students per grade level, for a total of 90.

Rationale:  Proposal to approve funds to renew the Edmentum Contract for the 2021 School Year. Edmentum provides site licenses to all of our GIPS schools and supports the opportunity for personalized learning and supports directly aligned to NE College and Career Standards.

Rationale:   Proposal for the K-5 CKLA resource adoption Skills Program.  CKLA addresses equity and SEL for our students in a number of ways and aligns with Strategic Plan Goals 3, 6 & 7.   A request for approval will be on the June Agenda.
 

Rationale:  Dr. Palmer will share an update on summer school learning opportunities.

Rationale:  Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and its challenging and unknown effects on education, the rate per day, route, and days of service will be mutually agreed upon as the COVID-19 impact on education is clarified.  The appended route listing spreadsheet will be used as a guide, but routes, rate per day, and days of service will be dependent on the circumstances in the 2020-2021 school year and subject to negotiation as the situation develops.
 

Rationale:  In an effort to make the GIPS 403(b) plan as flexible and attractive to employees it's been determined that District desires to amend the 403(b) Plan to provide participants with the ability to make in-service withdrawals upon attainment of age 59½. Mr, Harden will review the proposed 403(b) Plan changes for Board Members consideration.

Rationale:  Discuss, consider and take all necessary action with regard to an extension of the extend employment and compensation of non-exempt educational support employees (clerical staff, custodial staff, bus drivers, para-educators, food services personnel and the like) serving the School District on an on-call basis due to the emergency conditions engendered by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and epidemic sickness and pursuant to the Emergency Declaration Resolution resulting therefrom adopted by this Board of Education on March 16, 2020.

Rationale:  Mrs. Wells reached out to Pepsi concerning the Video Display Board advertisement opportunity and not only did Pepsi purchase a display advertisement but they also proposed additional business relationship agreement that are attached to this agenda item. Mrs. wells will review the proposed agreement for the Board members concideration.

Rationale:  Rationale: Grand Island Public Schools has offered an Employee Assistance Program since 2009. The Employee Assistance Program has been and continues to be a vital component of our employee benefits package. This renewal contract with Wholeness Healing, to administer and provide this confidential wellness benefit coverers three years (through August 30, 2023).

Rationale:  During the planning for utilities for the Memorial Stadium project it became apparent it's in the best interest of GIPS to re-plat the property the stadium occupies to a GIPS subdivision with specifically identified lots and utility locations for current and future needs of the District. Mr. Petsch will review the Subdivision Agreement with the City of Grand Island for Board Members consideration.

Rationale:  Mrs. Hinkle will share the purpose and update the board on the current discussion within the committee.

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Madison Lane, student representative, will present a report on GISH activities.

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Mr. Petsch will present the construction update. 

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Dr. Grover will present the superintendent report. 

Rationale:  Discuss, consider and take all necessary action with regard to an extension of the extend employment and compensation of non-exempt educational support employees (clerical staff, custodial staff, bus drivers, para-educators, food services personnel and the like) serving the School District on an on-call basis due to the emergency conditions engendered by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and epidemic sickness and pursuant to the Emergency Declaration Resolution resulting therefrom adopted by this Board of Education on March 16, 2020.
 

Rationale:  Mr. Phillips and Mr. Wichman will present a proposal to approve funds to purchase the equipment and resources required to fulfill the curriculum requirements for the Alternative Energy Pathway  Robotics Course. The purpose of the Robotics course would be to provide students interested in STEM careers an additional elective outside of their pathway. The VEX Robotics program offers students an exciting platform for learning about programming and mechanical systems utilizing engineering design processes. Beyond that, VEX Robotics encourages teamwork, leadership, and problem solving among groups. The purchase of the robotics equipment will provide students access to quality robotics curriculum and the ability to participate in robotics competitions.  The robotics curriculum will provide a rigorous STEM based elective that requires students to learn mechanical skills, programming skills and how to collaborate effectively as a team and with other teams.

Rationale:  Dr. Dexter will present a proposal for a universal social emotional learning screener and staff/parent survey. (Needs analysis attached)

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 Leading for 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 in the Public Relations and Partnership Development Committee.

Rationale:  A monthly report to the Board and community on the major items discussed and under consideration in the Governance 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 by The Greater Nebraska Schools Association and Legislative Updates.

Rationale:  A monthly update from the Nebraska Association of School Boards.  

Rationale: 

The Board will convene into executive session for the purpose of discussing the superintendents evaluation.