August 8, 2013 at 6:30 PM - Regular Meeting August 8,2013

Rationale:  It is 6:30 PM and I now call to order the Grand Island Public Schools Board of Education Meeting.  This is the August 8, 2013 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: 

On July 19, 2012, Neb. Rev. Stat. §79-777 (Cum. Supp. 2012) authorizing career academies became law. Central Community College and Grand Island Public Schools worked together to finalize the Career Pathways Institute Agreement. This agreement is presented as an information for your review.

Rationale:  GIPS has been asked to become an initial member of the Nebraska Whole Child Project (NWCP) to work together with the Nebraska School Board Association (NSBA) and the Nebraska Council of School Administrators (NCSA) to address student fitness and health issues of Nebraska Children. A representative of
GIPS would act on the behalf of GIPS to bring Nebraska school districts, ESUs, universities, and state colleges together to share best practices for improving student fitness and health; and together student fitness data within Nebraska school districts, ESUs, universities, and state colleges. The first NWCP meeting is scheduled
for November.

Rationale:  Substitute teacher pay was last increased in January 2011. The proposed increase is in an amount consistent with the amount proposed for the other pay classifications (classified, certified and administrative) and will maintain comparability with other districts for whom we compete for substitute teachers.

Rationale:  On a three year basis GIPS enters into a contractual relationship with GI Physical Therapy (PT) for professional PT services at selected activities for Grand Island Senior High (GISH) school as directed by the Activities Director.  The attached is the proposed three year contract for the 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16 school years.  This contract is paid from the GISH general fund accounts.  Since it's been several years since we've accepted bids for this service, it's our stated intent to seek competitive bids for the ensuing three year term following this contract (i.e. FY16-17 and beyond).

Rationale:  Grand Island Public School utilizes non-sufficient funds (NSF) accounts for both the activity and lunch funds.  Recently, a need has developed to create a NSF bank account for the student fees fund.  Our current standard operating practice (SOP) is to fund a NSF bank account and when a NSF check is encountered the bank transfers funds to cover the NSF item and then sends the financial instrument to a collection agency.  Over time if funds remain uncollected that becomes a cost of doing business.  The establishment of a NSF bank account for the student fees fund will make our handling of NSF consistent for account we experience this issue with and stream line the work load for both the business office and buildings when these issue occur.  The recommendation is to approve the establishment of the NSF account for the student fees funds with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and expand the collection agency business to include that account.

Rationale:  The current contract with the Superintendent of Schools is scheduled to expire on June 30, 2015.  Nebraska Statue 79-822 states that an administrator may not hold a contract that exceeds three years.   Past practice in Grand Island has been to offer the Superintendent a three year contract.  It is recommended that the Superintendent contract be extended to June 30, 2016 with the 2014-15 and 2015-16 salary to be determined at a later date. 

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 Public Relations Committee.