May 8, 2014 at 6:30 PM - May 8, 2014 Regular Meeting

Rationale:  It is 6:30 PM and I now call to order the Grand Island Public Schools Board of Education Meeting.  This is the May 8, 2014 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:  No Report this month.

Rationale:  Stolley Park NETA Student Contest Winners, 2014 ---- Alexander King, First Place, Open Class K-4

Rationale:  Dodge NETA Student Contest Winners, 2014 ----  Kaden McMahan, First Place, Open Class Grade 5-8;  Akela Matthiessen, Juan Sanchez, Ivan Palma Vargas,and Dax Davis, Second Place, Open Class, Grades 5-8;   Mrs. Meyer's Third Grade Class, Second Place, Open Class, Grades K-4;   Nevaeh Chamul, Third Place, Graphic Imagery, Grades K-2;  Jennifer Aguilar, First Place, Brand-It, Grades 5-8;  Briannah Kutschkau, Winner, Creative Comics, Student Division, and Clint Simmons, Winner,Teacher Project Division.

Rationale:  Gates NETA Student Contest Winners, 2014 ----  Myleigh Lawver, First Place, Graphic Imagery, Grade 3-5;  Emma Tennant, Second Place, Graphic Imagery, Grades 3-5;  Jacob Walker, First Place, NETA Logo Design Contest;  Haily Asche, Second Place, Brand-It Contest;  Cassidy Spiehs, Third Place, Brand-It Contest;

Rationale:  The Grand Island Public Schools Professional Learning Task Force began work during the
2013-14 school year to create a comprehensive GIPS Professional Learning System. This system
will support the GIPS board of education strategy to “create a dynamic system of comprehensive
supports to overcome barriers to teaching and learning while developing 21st century skills to
ensure individual student success.” This Professional Learning System will also align with the
board’s professional learning goal to support learning for educators in order to improve
achievement for students, so that “every educator will have the tools, training, and support to
optimize instruction and learning for all students.”

Rationale:  Board members will report out on their small group visits to the school buildings across the district.  Discussion will be held as to how this process worked for individual board members and whether the scheduling for this format will be continued for next year.

Rationale:  Revisions to the Student/Parent Handbook for the 2014-2015 school year will be reviewed.

Rationale:  The middle school technology planning committee decided it was essential to develop a parent/student handbook for the middle school 1:1 program.  The middle school team has spent the last three months writing the handbook. Once the final draft was created two middle school parents were invited to provide feedback on the handbook. The feedback the team received from the parent participants was invaluable. Moving forward, the middle school team is confident in the foundation this handbook creates for a successful 1:1 middle school program. Committee members include: Stacy Sybrandts - 6th Grade, Kim Madison - 7th Grade, Jody Nielsen - 8th Grade, Kirk Ramsey - Guidance Counselor, Lori Toepfer - Integration Specialist, Brian Kort - Middle School Administrator, 2 Parents of Middle School students.

Rationale:  Grand Island Public Schools in cooperation with Saint Francis Medical Center (The Physician Network) operates a Student Wellness Center on the campus of Grand Island Senior High School.  As part of the cooperating activities both parties enter into a formal lease agreement for the space used by the Student Wellness Center.  The lease needs renewed and a proposed amendment to the current lease agreement is attached for the Board of Education's consideration.  The amendment extends the current agreement for a three year period from July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2015.  All other terms and conditions of the current lease remain in effect and unchanged.

Rationale:  In order to keep current with Federal laws surrounding PPACA (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) and reduce the administrative burden of properly administering a 125 plan it is necessary to update Grand Island Public Schools (GIPS) current 125 plan.  Major changes include, but are not limited to, the follow; 1.) Merge the two current 125 plans, one for classified employees and one for certified/administrative employees into one 125 plan for all GIPS employees.  2.) Automatically enroll all eligible employee benefits into the 125 plan unless an employee provides written notice to the District of their desire not to participate.  3.)  Make the necessary 125 plan changes to comply with PPACA.

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.