November 13, 2008 at 6:30 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting Nov 13,2008

Rationale:  It is 6:30 PM and I now call to order the Grand Island Public Schools Board of Education Meeting.  This is the November 13, 2008 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.

May we please call the roll?

Rationale:  Mrs. Wagner, will you please call the roll.

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:  Jayden Falldorf, Becca Meyer, and Ashtyn Tuttle, fifth grade students at Gates Elementary School, in recognition of being selected to the 2008 Nebraska Choral Directors Association Sing Around Nebraska Children's Honor choir.  Introduced by Mr. Larry Decker.

Rationale:  The Grand Island Public Schools will offer all three classes of employees (certified, classified, and administrative) the opportunity to participate in a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with an associated Health Savings Account (HSA) effective January 1, 2009.  These HSA are owned by the employees and can be funded with tax-free contributions from the employee, employer, or a combination of both.  HSA are used to pay for up-front employee personal or family related medical expenses.  The District must enter into a administrative services agreement with a banking institution to administer these accounts in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.  The cost of administering these accounts are paid with District funds as an employee benefit.

Rationale:  As required by current Nebraska State Statutes Grand Island Public Schools contracts with a local C.P.A. firm to conduct an annual financial audit.  The attached report is for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2008, which indicates an unqualified opinion from the auditor that the financial statements represent fairly the financial condition of the District.  The Board of Education needs to officially accept the report and place on file as a public document without specifically giving approval of the audit report, which would place undue liability on the District and individual Board members.

Rationale:  December 11, 2008 - Regular Board Meeting - 6:30 P.M. - Kneale Administration Building