September 9, 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 September 9, 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 so that you may be recognized during the Requests to Address the Board part of our meeting.  If you have not already completed the form please see the staff person outside the entrance to this room.  Public comment is welcome, we do ask that no signs be brought into the boardroom. 

We realize there was a discrepancy last month in the collection of forms to address the board.  We have put new protocols in place, so that won't happen in the future.  In order to rectify the discrepancy last month we have decided to make a one time adjustment and all those who competed a form and thought they would be able to speak at the last board of education meeting will speak tonight.  

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:  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:  Introduction and Oath of Office for Student Board of Education Representative

Rationale:  The College Board's Advanced Placement (AP) program enables willing and academically prepared students to pursue college-level courses while in high school.  Students who are enrolled in AP courses at GISH are encouraged to complete an AP exam for each class.  AP exams are scored on a scale of 1 to 5.

Mr. Gilbertson will recognize students who scored a 4 or 5 on one or more AP exams taken during the spring of 2020  He will also honor students who have earned an AP Scholar Award in 2021. These awards take into account tests taken not only this past school year, but in years past.

Rationale:  We realize there was a discrepancy last month in the collection of forms to address the board. We have put new protocols in place, so that won’t happen in the future. In order to rectify the discrepancy last month we have decided to make a one time adjustment and allow those who completed a form and thought they would be able to speak time tonight to speak.

• Each person 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 allocate up to 30 minutes for addressing the board at each regular board meeting.
• Please face the Board, not the audience when you speak
• We want to hear what is being said, so we ask the audience to refrain from making comments or sounds that make it hard to hear the speaker. 
• No signs are allowed in the boardroom.
• We will not engage in dialogue with patrons presenting to the Board, the purpose of the requests to address the board is to listen to patrons.
• The Board president and superintendent will identify staff to follow-up on information requested from patrons when necessary.
• 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: 

• Each person 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 allocate up to 30 minutes for addressing the board at each regular board meeting.
• Please face the Board, not the audience when you speak
• We want to hear what is being said, so we ask the audience to refrain from making comments or sounds that make it hard to hear the speaker. 
• No signs are allowed in the boardroom.
• We will not engage in dialogue with patrons presenting to the Board, the purpose of the requests to address the board is to listen to patrons.
• The Board president and superintendent will identify staff to follow-up on information requested from patrons when necessary.
• 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:  Closure of the requests to address the board of education agenda item and transition to information items.  

Rationale:  In order for the District to effectively and timely respond to the ever changing COVID-19 situation, the Board hereby desires to delegate certain authority and decision-making responsibility to the Superintendent or Superintendent’s designee so that the Superintendent or Superintendent’s designee may continue to plan for and ultimately implement without delay a safe-return to school in-person instruction during the 2021-2022 school year.
 

Rationale:  The Facilities & Finance Committee is proposing offering a Voluntary Early Retirement Incentive Plan (VERIP) during the 2021-22 school year for qualifying employees.  The goal of a VERIP is to offer early retirement to staff members for the purpose of reducing total staff cost for the upcoming school year.

The proposed VERIP draft materials attached to this agenda item have been created by the Chief Financial Officer, Chief of Human Capital, and the Facilities & Finance Committee with the assistance of district legal counsel. 

The Chief Financial Officer is offering the proposed materials for review in advance of the October 2021 Board of Education meeting, with the hopes that the VERIP will be approved at that meeting.

Rationale: 

Mr. Petsch will present the construction update. 

Rationale: 

Isabela Prado Gomez presented the Student Representative report to the Board of Education.  

Rationale: 

Dr. Grover will present the superintendent report. 

Rationale:  In order for the District to effectively and timely respond to the ever changing COVID-19 situation, the Board hereby desires to delegate certain authority and decision-making responsibility to the Superintendent or Superintendent’s designee so that the Superintendent or Superintendent’s designee may continue to plan for and ultimately implement without delay a safe-return to school in-person instruction during the 2021-2022 school year.

Rationale:  This meeting is held to approve the proposed budget of the 2021-2022 fiscal year.  A public hearing was held on September 2, 2021 giving the public an opportunity to speak in support, opposition, criticism, and comments concerning the proposed budget of the fiscal year 2021-2022.  

Rationale:  This meeting is held to approve the proposed tax levy of the 2021-2022 fiscal year.  A public hearing was held on September 2, 2021 giving the public an opportunity to speak in support, opposition, criticism, and comments concerning the proposed tax levy of the fiscal year 2021-2022.  

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:  No report. 

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 in the Governance Committee.

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:  Regular Board of Education Meeting Thursday, October 14, 2021 at 5:30 PM