August 8, 2024 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 August 8, 2024 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.

Mrs. Dibbert, will you please call the roll?

Rationale:  Roll Call.

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 3.3? If so, please state the check number that you will be abstaining from voting on.

Rationale:  Standing Committees
 A monthly agenda presented to the board and community on the major items discussed and under consideration in the standing committees.  
 

• Finance and Facilities Committee
• Leading for Learning Committee
• Personnel Committee - None
• Policy Committee
• Public Relations and Partnership Development Committee
• Governance Committee
• GNSA/Legislative Committee - None

Rationale:  34 students will be recognized for stellar results on their respective AP tests, from the 439 AP tests taken by all students. Honorees for the Board Meeting earned the titles of AP Scholar, AP Scholar with Honor, and AP Scholar with Distinction

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:  GIPS Foundation report regarding the Welcome Back, awarding Teacher of the Year awards, Classroom grant applications, and most importantly Harvest.

Rationale:  Summer Programming Overview

Rationale:  Approval of the MOU for the School Resource Officers with GIPD

Rationale:  District Emergency Operations Plan (EOP)

Rationale:  Due to staffing issues our auditors (Porter & Co.) notified us in early July they would be unable to perform our FY 23-24 audit. Due to several factors, none of the least being, school district audits are due November 5th. I reached out to every firm in Nebraska that currently performs single audit act audits and one agreed, albeit with a different than normal timeline. I reached out to NDE and received one-time permission to submit the FY 23-24 audit report on or before January 31, 2025. Our annual financial report (AFR) will still be submitted as required on 11/01/2024.

Rationale:  Neb. Rev. Stat. § 79-3405, at least seventy percent of the Board of Education of the School District affirmatively votes to increase to the School District’s overall property tax request authority by an additional five percent above the base growth percentage, or other maximum amount as permitted by law. The Superintendent or designee is hereby authorized and directed to take any action consistent with this Resolution to ensure that the School District’s overall property tax request complies with this Resolution.

Rationale:  RE: Board Member Katherine Mauldin, Ward C 

 Dear Board Members, I, Katherine Mauldin, regret to inform you that I will be resigning as a Board Member for Ward C of the Grand Island School Board effective immediately.

 It has been an honor to work alongside each and every board member, The reason behind my resignation is that I have accepted a job opportunity in another city, and I’m going to relocate there. 

 The position I’ve held on the Board for the past couple years has taught me more than I could have hoped.

 I am immensely grateful to the families, friends and loyal supporters who helped me get elected and thank you to everyone in our community for allowing me to serve as their representative.

 Thank you for the opportunity, and best wishes to you and the other members going forward. 

 Sincerely yours, Katherine Mauldin

Rationale:  District Emergency Operations Plan (EOP)

Rationale:  Approval of the MOU for the School Resource Officers with GIPD.

Rationale:  During the current Legislative Session, the Unicameral passed new language authorizing "School Safety and Security Concerns" as qualified projects able to be funded through the QCPUF structure. GIPS has identified several projects in this area and proposes to issue Board of Education authorized debt within the ten year three cent level limitations. Mr. Paul Grieger with D.A. Davidson and Mr. Dan Petsch will present an executive summary of the projects and possible funding details.

Rationale:  Due to unique bond market circumstances and the current structure of GIPS Bond Fund debt there may be a special opportunity to save GIPS taxpayers by authorizing and participating in a bond fund tender offer refinancing. Mr. Paul Grieger with D.A. Davidson will present the potential opportunity, structure, and timeline for the Board to consider.

Rationale:  Due to staffing issues our auditors (Porter & Co.) notified us in early July they would be unable to perform our FY 23-24 audit. Due to several factors, none of the least being, school district audits are due November 5th. I reached out to every firm in Nebraska that currently performs single audit act audits and one agreed, albeit with a different than normal timeline. I reached out to NDE and received one-time permission to submit the FY 23-24 audit report on or before January 31, 2025. Our annual financial report (AFR) will still be submitted as required on 11/01/2024.

Rationale:  Neb. Rev. Stat. § 79-3405, at least seventy percent of the Board of Education of the School District affirmatively votes to increase to the School District’s overall property tax request authority by an additional five percent above the base growth percentage, or other maximum amount as permitted by law. The Superintendent or designee is hereby authorized and directed to take any action consistent with this Resolution to ensure that the School District’s overall property tax request complies with this Resolution.

Rationale:  6230 STAFF PROTECTION

Rationale:  8312 EXCESSIVE ABSENTEEISM

Rationale:  8456 STUDENT USE OF PERSONAL ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION DEVICES

Rationale:  8470 WEAPONS AND FIREARMS IN SCHOOL

Rationale: 

Mr. Fisher will present the superintendent report. 

Rationale: 

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

Rationale:  Regular Board of Education Meeting - Thursday, September 12, 2024 at 5:30 p.m.