April 12, 2012 at 6:30 PM - Regular Meeting April 12, 2012

Rationale:  It is 6:30 PM and I now call to order the Grand Island Public Schools Board of Education Meeting.  This is the April 12, 2012 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:  Veronica Toledo, Knickrehm Elementary, in recognition of winning First Place in the 2012 Nebraska State Poison Prevention Poster Contest.

Rationale:  Amy Saenz of Knickrehm Elementary in recognition of being a State winner in the 2012 Nebraska Department of Aeronautics Poster Contest.

Rationale:  Jake Meister from Knickrehm Elementary in recognition of earning Governor's Choice Award in the 2012 Nebraska Agriculture Poster Contest.

Rationale:  Malec Quandt from Knickrehm Elementary in recognition of winning 2nd Place in the 2012 Nebraska Agriculture Poster Contest.

Rationale:  Juan Torres from Knickrehm Elementary in recognition of winning 3rd Place in the 2012 Nebraska Agriculture Poster Contest.

Rationale:  Per Nebraska Statute 72-2301 to 72-2308 known and cited as the "Public Facilities Construction and Finance Act" Nebraska school districts and\or ESU's can work together to finance joint projects including up to $100,000 per year related to information technology.  The cost of these projects can be covered by issuing a bond up to the $100,000 limit paid by a levy necessary to pay the bond outside the current $1.05 levy restriction.  Based upon GIPS current valuation this impact on our levy would be less than 4/10 of one cent ($0.003921).  This information is new and being presented to the Board to establish a clear consensus to move forward seeking other partner districts and\or ESU's.

Rationale:  In order to support the use of currently deployed wireless computers, as well as support the anticipated growth of computers and personal electronic devices, the acceptance of this proposal allows us to move forward on a project to have full and secure wireless coverage in place in the secondary facilities for the start of the 12-13 school year.

Rationale:  In an effort to support the needs of educators and students using our currently deployed base of Macintosh computers, the Centrify software proposal allows us to integrate Macs and PCs into a single directory structure which will provide authentication, single sign-on, and security policy enforcement.

Rationale:  In order to meet the needs of our district with respect to computer equipment lifetime asset management, we are proposing the purchase of the Absolute Software Suite.  This cross-platform software manages inventory information, licensing, patch management, computer imaging, and auditing.  Additionally this software will be vital to the deployment of additional tablet or mobile devices to meet our future curriculum needs.

Rationale:  Grand Island Public Schools employs an LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) as the school nurse for each of our elementary buildings. It is required by law the LPNs’ receive supervision by an RN (Registered nurse). An LPN cannot function independently as a school nurse without the RN supervision. This year GIPS has four schools participating in the continuous calendar school year initiative beginning July 9th. Due to the law requirement, a request is being made for compensation of a GIPS RN with a per diem wage for the time spent providing supervision during non-contract days. The person assigned will also provide supervision during ELL and Special Education Summer School.  The cost for this compensation would be between $2,000 and $4,000 depending on the RN assignment and would be funded by IDEA/ELL/Title.

Rationale:  The Board will be asked to approve the contract for occupational and physical therapy with Grand Island Physical Therapy for the 2012-2013 school year. Services are provided to preschool (PT) and school age (OT) students in CNSSP. The cost will match the NDE approved rate. CNSSP has one PT and one OT on staff. Current average cost per month is $25,000.00.

Rationale:  The high school science curriculum committee is recommending CINCH Science Online resources to support Biology, Science 1-2 (Physical/Earth), and Environmental Science. We are recommending a 5 year contract for the price of 79,950.00 (quote attached). The use of this resource is dependent on hardware ($550,000.00 for student devices) and infrastructure support at GISH. The Teaching and Learning budget will support the purchase of CINCH and student devices for freshman and sophomores.

Rationale:  The Board will be asked to approve the purchase of Class.com Online Courseware for grades 7-12 online curriculum support. Grand Island Public Schools has been a pilot district for Class.com the last 3 years. We are recommending that the District purchase 100 concurrent user licenses at a cost of $75,000.00. This was budgeted for in the Teaching and Learning budget for 2011-2012.

Rationale:  Grand Island Public Schools has been approached by the Lamar Sign Company about placing a digital billboard at the corner of Webb Road and Old Potash Highway.  Mr. Petsch will report out on the Facility and Finance Committee dialog and thinking and if possible update the whole Board on a meeting with the Lamar Sign Company representative.

Rationale:  Major Federal program changes have occurred which will or already have impacted the operation and results of the school nutrition program.  Additionally, other issues surrounding continuous school year, operational expenses, and other financial issues will be reviewed to update the Board.  Primarily the intent is to expand the depth and breadth of understanding of the factors driving possible full meal price increases that may be necessary for the next fiscal year.

Rationale:  In order to support the use of currently deployed wireless computers, as well as support the anticipated growth of computers and personal electronic devices, the acceptance of this proposal allows us to move forward on a project to have full and secure wireless coverage in place in the secondary facilities for the start of the 12-13 school year.

Rationale:  In an effort to support the needs of educators and students using our currently deployed base of Macintosh computers, the Centrify software proposal allows us to integrate Macs and PCs into a single directory structure which will provide authentication, single sign-on, and security policy enforcement.

Rationale:  In order to meet the needs of our district with respect to computer equipment lifetime asset management, we are proposing the purchase of the Absolute Software Suite.  This cross-platform software manages inventory information, licensing, patch management, computer imaging, and auditing.  Additionally this software will be vital to the deployment of additional tablet or mobile devices to meet our future curriculum needs.

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 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.