May 21, 2014 at 7:00 PM - May 21, 2014 Special Meeting

Rationale:  It is 7:00 PM and I now call to order the Grand Island Public Schools Board of Education Meeting.  This is the May 21, 2014 Special 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:  Rough draft survey results from Research and Associates will be presented and reviewed.

Rationale:  For over a year now the Grand Island Public School Administration and Board of Education endeavored to engage the community in meaningful long term facility planning.  To that end, interested community members helped focus the dialog on facilities in all areas of the district operations including Elementary, Middle, and High School buildings across the entire District.  During late fall and early winter of 2013 monthly meetings of a community wide focus group took the Districts initial planning and refined and focused on the facility needs of student, staff, parents, and the community.  Afterwards, Dr. Robert W. Winter, conducted several town hall information meetings.  These meeting sought to engage the community by informing and seeking additional input on the focus of the planning thus far.  Those ‘pillars’ of the facility planning needs included, but were not limited to, eliminating open concept floor space in elementary buildings, safety and security concerns, delivery of the curriculum, educational programs (both in terms of numbers of pupils and special programs), and aging infrastructure concerns.  Now therefore, it is necessary that funds be provided for the purpose of providing funds for:  (i) land acquisition and site improvements for new and existing property, including any necessary demolition of existing buildings; construction and acquisition of new elementary school buildings and related improvements; additions, renovations and improvements to existing elementary school buildings; renovations and improvements to existing high school building; and providing for the necessary furniture, equipment and apparatus for such school buildings, renovations and improvements (collectively, the “Building Project”); and/or (ii) additions, renovations and improvements to existing middle school building; and providing for the necessary furniture, equipment and apparatus for such middle school building, (the “Middle School Building Project”).