May 10, 2012 at 6:30 PM - Regular Meeting May 10, 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 May 10, 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:  In recognition of Military Academy appointments:  Thomas Swanson and Donald Nabity to the Naval Academy - Kyle Wojtalewicz to West Point.  CONGRATULATIONS !!

Rationale:  7th Graders who received State Recognition on the Duke Talent Identification Program ACT are:

FROM BARR; Fabiana Almodovar, Reagan Bowen, Harrison Mills, Anna Hornbacher, Sienna Kunze, Zitaanne Reno, Nicholas Schroeder

FROM WALNUT:  Tyler Kress, Jake Rhoads, Thomas Schoenstein

FROM WESTRIDGE:  Carissa Jonak, Nathan Mead, Hunter Moural

Rationale:  Eddy Rosales in recognition of being chosen for the Leadership Enterprise of Diverse American through Princeton University. Eddie will attend a 7 week seminar at Princeton, Harvard, and 8 other Ivy League schools this summer all expenses paid.  70% of students in the LEDA program go on to attend an Ivy League school.

Rationale:  Cindy Sestak, Executive Director, Practice Management in Grand Island and Kearney will give the Board an update on the Student Wellness Center activities.

Rationale: 

ISSUE
Grand Island Senior High School athletics department funding resources from event gate fees.

The proposed practice below is honestly more in line with how most, if not all, other districts currently operate.  GIPS is the only district we know of with such a liberal admission policy for staff.  GIPS is, in essence, giving away the store!

 Current Practice
1.  All GIPS staff members and their entire family receive admittance into GISH activities for free by simply showing their GIPS badge. 

 Proposed Practice
1.  GIPS badge gains staff member plus one other person (family member or otherwise) admission to GISH activities.

OR

2.  GIPS staff can pay $25 for a pass (i.e. operates like current practice).

OR

3.  Sign up to work one (1) GISH activity (without compensation) to get their pass for free (in lieu of compensation for working the activity).

These rules would apply to all classes of GIPS employees (e.g. classified, certified, and administrative).

Likely Outcomes
The proposed future practice will likely result in either increased revenue and\or reduced expenditures for the GISH activities budget, which is the desired outcome.

Rationale:  Mrs. Harder will present an update on progress and activities to bring West Lawn, Starr, and Jefferson in to the Continuous School Calendar schedule.  CSC staff start the 2012-2013 school year on July 6, 2012 and students begin on July 10, 2012.

Rationale:  Discussion concerning the proposed Occupational Therapy contract with Megan Jaixen to provide occupational therapy services for early childhood students in CNSSP - reimbursed at the NDE approved rate of $58.00 / hour plus mileage at the state rate of 55.5 cents/mile.

Rationale: 

The review team has revamped the Student/Parent Handbook to organize detail and to implement needed information.Board members will be updated on proposed changes, with final copy to be approved at the June 12th Board meeting.

Rationale:  Mrs. Palmer will present the proposal to move 9-12 Skills Academy program to Success Academy. High School students are currently served at Westridge Middle School. Then, move 6-8 Success Academy program to Westridge. Middle School students in the Success Academy program are currently served in the Success Academy building. This proposal addresses the need for students to receive educational support services in an age appropriate setting.

Rationale: 

Last year, we knew in the Fall of 2011 that we would have a significant decrease in funding for the 2011-2012 fiscal year; and we were able to engage our staff, board and the community in planning for that funding decrease beginning in November of 2011. This year looking forward to the 2012 – 2013, we had less specific information about our funding until the March and April 2012 period. Thus, we intentionally delayed our activities related to personnel staffing plans until we knew with more certainty what the certified state aid would be. Now that the Legislature has adjourned and funding amounts have been finalized, Mr. Stelk will give an update on the current actions and plans for the 2012-13 staffing process. 

Rationale:  During the 2008-2009 school year Grand Island Public Schools implemented a limited bussing program via the newly enacted poverty plan. The initial contract was for a two year period as we developed expertise and knowledge in the transportation services area. As administration reviewed transportation services within the District, it was decided to expand the contract to include all areas of transportation except for the charter and in-house transportation conducted by Mr. Kutlas and the administration building. To that end, a Request for Proposal was issued and awarded to Holiday Travel. We are asking that you consider renewal of this contract with the noted increase for expenses.

Rationale:  Per Neb. Rev. Stat. §79-473 (Reissue 2008) Grand Island Public Schools and Northwest Public Schools have entered into good faith negotiations regarding the City of Grand Island Annexation Ordinance No. 9363.  Accordingly, the attached 'Annexation Agreement' is being presented to the Board for their consideration and review prior to the June 2012 BOE meeting when the 'Annexation Agreement' will be presented for approval.

Rationale:  A review of the budget timeline and next steps for fiscal year 2012 - 2013.

Rationale:  From time to time it is necessary to enter into utility easement agreements with the City of Grand Island for the orderly maintenance and operation electrical utility services.  The proposed easement ensures Starr Elementary will have electrical service.

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 ($58.00/hour) and $47.50/hour travel time plus mileage. 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:  From time to time it is necessary to enter into utility easement agreements with the City of Grand Island for the orderly maintenance and operation electrical utility services.  The proposed easement ensures Starr Elementary will have electrical service.

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