February 11, 2021 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 February 11, 2021 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. Simmons, 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: 

• 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.
• At regular business meetings any school district-related matter can be presented to the Board, but only agenda items can be acted upon during a given meeting. At special meetings, comments will be limited to the subject of action items of the meeting's agenda. 
• Speakers will not be permitted to make defamatory comments, or use abusive or vulgar language. Expressions of personal complaints about staff or students are discouraged at public meetings. Concerns about individuals should be brought to the attention of the appropriate administrative authority. Specific building or program concerns should be brought to the attention of the building principal or program supervisor. 

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? (pause)

Does anyone have a potential conflict of interest on agenda item 5.2? If so, please state the check number that you will be abstaining from voting on.

Rationale:  Mentor Nebraska currently works with GIPS on the Success Mentor program. They approached GIPS about the STRIVE program. Dr. Amanda Levos has worked with Jeff Gilbertson and Ron Hester. This is a mentor program for refugee students.

Rationale:  December 10, Mrs. Stockwell was recognized with the Nebraska Association of Elementary School Principals’ Outstanding New Principal of the Year Award at the Nebraska Council of School Administrators’ State Principals Conference.

This annual award is presented to a person that has demonstrated outstanding leadership in their school, region and state level.  

Rationale:  Recognition of All State Choir and All State Band Students. 

All State choir:
Madison Bures, Sop I
Sam Gapp, Sop I
Abigail Casarez, Alto II
Gage Brockmeier, Tenor I
Lewis Hendricks, Tenor I
Jackson Kissler, Tenor II
Kendall Bartling, Bass II
Brody Comer, Bass II

All State Band:
Abraham Lopez - Trumpet
Martin Magana - Tenor Saxophone
Ryan Sodomka - Trombone

 

Rationale:  Early data from MAP and DIBELS revealed a need to provide additional and intentional intervention to address reading gaps for students in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade.

Rationale:  Create a unique and engaging experience for our students to receive daily news and information to start our day along with preparing 5th-grade students for speaking and communication skills.

Rationale:  Approval of lease agreement with Danny Oberg for the property at 644 S. Locust. The Workforce Prep Academy is housed in this property as well as Islander Express. This lease if for 3 years with the option to go one more year at a cost of $3100/month funded out of SPED dollars.

Rationale:  Acquisition of the Principal building needs additional network infrastructure investment in order to deliver
network services for staff and students.

Rationale:  Using the E-Rate federal program, GIPS has initiated 2 RFPs for both network hardware and wiring projects.

Rationale:  There is a worldwide need for pilots, and our students have an amazing opportunity to get a significant headstart down this path by achieving the outcomes we have established for this pathway.  All students have the opportunity to receive training using our Redbird Flight Simulators, and will receive at least 5 hours of flight instruction through our program each year during their Junior & Senior years.  Our Aviation instructor is a Certified Flight Instructor with almost 1,000 hours of flight instruction, and our curriculum is provided by AOPA (Airplane Owners and Pilots Association).  Equity and Access - All students, regardless of income, race, gender will have the opportunity to learn to fly.  Diversity is a primary focus in the aviation industry right now, and we have the opportunity to provide opportunities to students that can give them access to career opportunities they may have never been able to get into.  Partner - Our partnership with Trego-Dugan Aviation will expand from the technical side to the flight side.
 

Rationale:  Addressing of the District's Facility Needs. 

Rationale: 

Mr. Petsch will present the construction update. 

Rationale: 

Kendall Bartling, student representative will report to the Board of Education and community.  

Rationale: 

Dr. Grover will present the superintendent report. 

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:  EAB, formerly the Education Advisory Board, is a best practices firm that uses research, technology, and consulting to address challenges within the public PK-16 education industry. EAB is headquartered in Washington, DC, with satellite offices in Richmond, VA, Birmingham, AL, and Minneapolis, MN. Since the 2018 - 2019 school year Grand Island Public Schools (GIPS) has contracted with EBA as a member school district. Membership in the EAB entitles GIPS to on-demand best practices, dedicated consultative support, event and peer networking, etc. The attached agreement is for a three year period (i.e. school years 21-22, 22-23, and 23-24).
 

Rationale:  During the development of the Academies of Grand Island Senior High School one of the five upper academies identified was the Academy of Medical Sciences consisting of three pathways; Emergency Services, Healthcare, Sports Medicine/Therapy. The Academy of Medical Sciences has received the most interest from students based upon the number of pupils expressing this academy as their first choice of Academy placement. The idea of reducing the overcrowding at Grand Island Senior High School (GISH) by housing programs at other locations (CPI, OMB, Coffeehouse, Wyandotte, etc.) is not new but the idea of locating an Academy of Medical Sciences within a hospital is certainly new to GIPS. With the help of outside partners CHI-Saint Francis applied for and received a conditional Pre Grant Award Notice (GAN) for $1.75M. In order to have enough time to work with our partner who might support the project and lock in the $1.75M Federal GAN Traci Skalberg & Virgil Harden talked with Michael Rogers (legal counsel from Cline Williams) about the idea of a (renewable) one-year draw down loan agreement. We have verified with the Federal officials that a (renewable) one-year draw down loan agreement would satisfy their standard for cash (or cash equivalent) in the bank and for the duration of the project timeline.  GIPS intent is to never use the (renewable) one-year draw down loan agreement but to bridge the gap between the March 18, 2021 Federal GAN deadline for cash (or cash equivalent) in the bank and for the duration of the project timeline and GIPS ability to work with our other funding partners timelines. At risk is any amount of interest needing to be paid if we would utilize the (renewable) one-year draw down loan agreement. This would be a General Fund obligation.

Rationale:  There is a worldwide need for pilots, and our students have an amazing opportunity to get a significant head start down this path by achieving the outcomes we have established for this pathway.  All students have the opportunity to receive training using our Redbird Flight Simulators, and will receive at least 5 hours of flight instruction through our program each year during their Junior & Senior years.  Our Aviation instructor is a Certified Flight Instructor with almost 1,000 hours of flight instruction, and our curriculum is provided by AOPA (Airplane Owners and Pilots Association).  Partner - Our partnership with Trego-Dugan Aviation will expand from the technical side to the flight side.  Equity and Access - All students, regardless of income, race, gender will have the opportunity to learn to fly.  Diversity is a primary focus in the aviation industry right now, and we have the opportunity to provide opportunities to students that can give them access to career opportunities they may have never been able to get into.


 

Rationale:  Acquisition of the Principal building needs additional network infrastructure investment in order to deliver
network services for staff and students.

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 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 update from the Nebraska Association of School Boards.  

Rationale: 

The Board will convene into executive session for the purpose of discussing XX.

Rationale:  Approval of any action deemed necessary as a result of executive session.