October 11, 2012 at 6:30 PM - Regular Meeting October 11, 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 October 11, 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:  Mrs. Martin, Principal of Gates Elementary, will introduce Sara Robinson as the recipient of the Milken Educator Award.  This is a National honor that carries a prestigious designation along with an award of $25,000.  Only 40 teachers across the nation will be awarded this honor and Ms. Robinson is the only teacher in Nebraska to receive this designation.  Ms. Robinson is a fourth grade teacher at Gates.

Rationale:  Mr. Kutlas will review a revenue generating proposal from Varsity Group Marketing concerning an LED advertising sign at the GISH west gymnasium.  The cost of the sign is paid over several years and then additional revenue is received.  Throughout the proposal net proceeds are shared 50/50.

Rationale:  A request is being made to approve a contract between GIPS and Robert J. Miller & Associates to actively seek, write, and monitor major competitive grants for GIPS. The district can contract quarterly or yearly with fees based on needs for GIPS. The quarterly rate ranges from $8000.00 to $10,000.0 and the yearly rate ranges from $32,000.00 to $40,000.00. Administration is asking the Board to approve the district entering into an agreement beginning December 2012, as this is grant season.

Rationale:  Mr. Gearhart will present the Board with information necessary to consider the need to expand our Internet access beyond our current structure.  The changes we've made to our standard operating procedure in the delivery of teaching and learning has changed the nature of our need for urgent and critical reliance upon Internet access.  Our current need for Internet access continues to grow exponentially.

Rationale: 

District past practice is to review and adopt a budget calendar for the subsequent fiscal year in order to properly communicate, plan, and administer the various duties associated with the budget cycle.  The Facilities and Finance Committee has reviewed the attached fiscal year 2013 - 2014 budget calendar for adoption and would like the full Board of Education to review prior to adopting at the regularly scheduled November Board meeting.

Rationale:  Due to both overall middle school enrollment increases and direct increased participation in 7th grade athletics administration will review for the Board a plan to implement a 7th grade developmental league in volleyball, girls and boys basketball at all three middle school plus additional wrestling 'space' at barr middle school.  Due to safety issues\concerns and the timing of schedules the administration is seeking consensus from the Board to implement the plan the following week.  The cost of the plan includes one-time expenditures of approximately $6,618 and annual operational expenses of roughly $20,270 plus transportation for wrestling practices.  These cost can be accounted for by reallocating current general fund expenses from other areas.  Additionally, a gym curtain needs to be installed at Barr to match what is currently already at Walnut and Westridge.

Rationale:  Mr Petsch will present an overview of the necessary right-of-way, easement(s), and deed(s) to carry out the Walk-To-Walnut project as this project moves forward.

Rationale:  Mr. Petsch will provide an overview of the Howard HVAC QCPUF project and our engineering consultant's contract for professional services.

Rationale:  A request is being made to approve a contract between GIPS and Robert J. Miller & Associates to actively seek, write, and monitor major competitive grants for GIPS. The district can contract quarterly or yearly with fees based on needs for GIPS. The quarterly rate ranges from $8000.00 to $10,000.0 and the yearly rate ranges from $32,000.00 to $40,000.00. Administration is asking the Board to approve the district entering into an agreement beginning December 2012, as this is grant season.

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.