December 13, 2018 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 December 13, 2018 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.

Ms. Celmer, will you please call the 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, or does anyone have a potential conflict of interest? 

Rationale: 

Have a GRAND Holiday!  That was the theme for the 3rd annual Superintendent's Holiday Card Contest. Students from PK through 12th grade were given the opportunity to enter their artwork design for the front cover of the Superintendent's Holiday Card. Three winners were chosen with each receiving a $50 gift card and one having their design printed on the holiday cards. The winners will be recognized.  

Irelynn Sughroue - 3rd Grade, Gates Elementary School
Brenda Lazaro Romero - 8th Grade, Walnut Middle School
Dylan Cooley - 11th Grade, Grand Island Senior High - GIPS Card for 2018

 

Rationale:  Brian Exstrum will be recognized for his service on the Grand Island Public Schools Board of Education.

Rationale: 

• Each individual addressing the board will be allowed 5 minutes. The Board of Education has the prerogative to limit speaking to 3 minutes when there are three or more patrons to allow speakers an opportunity to address the Board in a timely manner.
• We will not engage in dialogue with patrons presenting to the Board
• The Board president and superintendent will identify staff to follow-up on information requested from patrons
• The Board president may share a statement on behalf of the Board when addressing a major issue in the district

Rationale:  Walnut Middle School Student Council members: Hannah, Madison and Kaitlyn with Jami Barrientos (counselor) and Ashley Beckman (21st century) will present on an opportunity for students to connect with the community in a safe environment. The student council demonstrated leadership and community service to develop an event where small children had a safe environment to trick or treat on Halloween. This event empowered students to be leaders, contributed to a welcoming environment, and engaged them in an authentic activity that impacted others. 

Rationale:  Mrs. Worthington and Jason Weseman will provide an update on the Makerspace TMC Lab.

Rationale:  GIPS is one of three Nebraska districts to participate in a 5-year grant to establish a Family Learning Center. The center will be at Lincoln Elementary School. The project requires a Memorandum of Understanding with National Center for Families Learning.

Rationale:  Dr. Josh McDowell will present an update on the Academies of Grand Island Senior High. 

Rationale:  The District Calendar Committee met and they are proposing the 2019-2020 calendar for board approval in January 2019. 

Rationale:  As part of the fundraising activities for the Memorial Stadium project, the Board had previously approved Naming Gift Agreement donations for various areas of the Memorial Stadium project. The Marshall Family and Five Points Bank have entered into a Naming Gift Agreement under that effort for the meeting room area per the attached documentation. Mrs. Skalberg will present the Naming Gift Agreement.
 

Rationale:  The district  needs to maintain a competitive substitute teacher pay program to maintain fill rates with qualified substitutes. Wayne Stelk will present the substitute teacher pay proposal. 

Rationale:  Virgil Harden will present the process for Commercial Advertising on the GISH Gym Scoreboards.

Rationale:  Grand Island Public Schools has self administered our 403(b) and 457(b) program since adopting our current plan on October 9, 2008. Since that time, the IRS implemented a 403(b) Pre-approved Plan Program, which is designed to provide assurance that a 403(b) plan document meets the Code’s requirements. This year, the IRS issued guidance which states that plan sponsors should restate their plan on a pre-approved plan by March 31, 2020. By adopting a pre-approved plan by this date, an eligible employer sponsoring a 403(b) plan may retroactively correct defects in the form of its plan back to the first day of the remedial amendment period, which is later of January 1, 2010 or the plan’s effective date. Adopting a pre-approved plan ensures the document complies with the requirements of Code Section 403(b). The Facilities and Finance Committee issued Requests for Proposals (RFP) and received four (4) responses back from Union Bank & Trust, Security Benefit, National Life Group, and Waddell & Reed. After reviewing the responses, the Committee recommends entering into an agreement with Union Bank & Trust for Third Party 403(b) and 457(b) for Grand Island Public Schools on behalf of our employees who choose to participate in this voluntary employee benefit.

Rationale:  Per Board policy 4510 Naming of Facilities, a special one time committee met to consider the renaming of the old Starr (current Jefferson) elementary school building. The committee recommends renaming the building the "Wyandotte Learning Center" on a temporary basis.

Rationale: 

Luis Rodriguez, 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:  As part of the fundraising activities for the Memorial Stadium project, the Board had previously approved Naming Gift Agreement donations for various areas of the Memorial Stadium project. The Marshall family and Five Points Bank have entered into a Naming Gift Agreement under that effort for the meeting room area per the attached documentation. Mrs. Skalberg will request the Board's acceptance of the Naming Gift Agreement.
 

Rationale:  Per current state statute, Nebraska school districts are required to have an independent audit conducted annually. Grand Island Public Schools contracts with the independent audit firm of Almquist, Maltzahn, Galloway, & Luth, P.C. to conduct the annual audit. Virgil Harden will request that the Board take action to accept and place the 2017-2018 audit report on file.  Additionally, the audit report is posted on the District's web site along with past years' reports.

Rationale:  Mr. Harden will ask the Board to approve the proposed lobbyist contract renewal as presented at last month's Board of Education Meeting. Grand Island Public Schools has employed Angela Amack as a lobbyist for the District since 2009 on matters of interest before the Nebraska Unicameral. Effective with the 2010 calendar year, we have entered into three year agreements (i.e. 10-11-12,13-14-15). With the 2019 Legislative session scheduled to convene on Wednesday, January 9, 2019, now is the time renew our agreement for another three years. The annual fee has increased 3% for the last three years. Due to the effects of term limits on expenses administration is recommending a 3% increase for each of the three years covered by the agreement. The fee is an all inclusive fee and no other external lobbying expenses are incurred by the district.

Rationale:  Due to modifying the street configuration in front of the new Jefferson Elementary building, we need to supplement the original Grand Island Public Schools Jefferson First Subdivision with the attached second plat. Dan Petsch will ask the Board to approve the second plat supplementation to the Jefferson First Subdivision as presented at last month's Board meeting.

Rationale:  The Board will be asked to approve the CPI Construction Contract. Grand Island Public Schools will be adding on to and remodeling the current Career Pathways Institute building to transform the space into part of the Academies of Grand Island Senior High. Administration has reviewed the bid responses and and recommends the construction contract (base bid $2,766,000 plus alternate #1 $231,000 [East Parking Improvements] be awarded to Sampson Construction Company in the total amount of $2,997,000 to be paid from any fiscal resources as necessary (All Funds).

Rationale:  Per Board policy 4510 Naming of Facilities, a special one time committee met to consider the renaming of the old Starr (current Jefferson) elementary school building. Mr. Harden will ask the Board to approve the committee's recommendation of renaming the building the "Wyandotte Learning Center" on a temporary basis.

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 (formerly 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 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 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.

Rationale:  Thursday, January 10, 2019 - Regular Board Meeting, 5:30 PM
Friday, January 11, 2019 - Board Retreat, 5:30 - 8:30 PM
Saturday, January 12, 2019 - Board Retreat, 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM