January 8, 2026 at 5:30 PM - GIPS BOE Regular Meeting

Rationale: 

It is 5:____p.m. and I now call to order the Grand Island Public Schools Board of Education Meeting.  This is the January 8, 2026 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:  Elections:
a.   The Board will elect from its members a President and Vice President.
b.   The Secretary of the Board of Education will preside as Chair during the election of a new Board President.
c.   Upon call for nominations for each office by the Chair, nominations shall be made by oral ballot.
d.   Voting will be by written ballot on all members nominated and repeated until a majority is achieved for a nominee.
e.   The President shall assume the chair immediately upon the President's election and preside over the election for Vice President.

Rationale:  The Board Operating Principles, Policy 2111, give guidance as to how the board functions and how board members interact with each other and the public. Each board member, at the time the new board is convened, will sign the acknowledgment of the Board Operating Principles to indicate he/she understands and agrees to function under these guidelines. The signed documents will be placed on file with the minutes from the January 2026 Board Meeting.

Rationale:  Dr. Stephens will lead board members in reading the Board Member Code of Ethics.

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 6.3? 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:  Board of Education Designees for 2026

Rationale:  The 2025 GISH Unified Bowling Team made school history this season by winning the program's first ever Nebraska State Title.  The Islanders took home the 1st Place Championship Trophy at the NSAA State Tournament in December 2025.  Congratulations to the student athletes and coaches on making history!  

STUDENT ATHLETES: 
Broc Cramer 
Wendy Kolar 
Hunter Spanjer 
Eryk Stuchlik 
Bailey Vodehnal 

COACHES: 
Marc DuVall - Head Coach 
Eric Kolar - Assistant Coach 
Ronna Enck - Assistant Coach 

Way to play and represent, Islanders! 

Rationale:  2025 marked Grand Island Public Schools’ first year participating in the Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy. In November 2025, ten GIPS students earned the Seal of Biliteracy, including three at the Gold level and seven at the Silver level in Spanish. These students were among 197 Nebraska high school students recognized statewide for demonstrating proficiency in English and at least one additional language. Earning the Seal reflects strong academic achievement and opens doors to college and career opportunities. It also honors students’ identities, cultures, and linguistic assets, positioning them as confident, capable contributors in an increasingly multilingual world.

• Juan Pablo Magana Garcia: Gold
• Elizabeth Gabriel Pintor: Gold
• Katherin Xicara Ramos: Gold
• Kevin Sanchez Barrios: Silver
• David Diaz Hinojosa: Silver
• Kimberly Fuentes Ochoa: Silver
• Eva Raymundo Paiz: Silver
• Lincy Lopez Perez: Silver
• Jesenia Pedroza Sotelo: Silver
• Jackelyn Garcia Yucute: Silver

Rationale:  January is recognized at National School Board Appreciation Month.  Additionally, the week of January 25th - 31st, 2026 is recognized as School Board Recognition week.  In honor of the GIPS School Board representatives who volunteer their time towards supporting GIPS staff, students, families, and schools — the district wanted to take a moment to thank the Board members for their work.

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:  2140 BOARD/EMPLOYEE LIABILITY/INDEMNITY

Rationale:  2440 RULES OF ORDER

Rationale:  2470 MEETING MINUTES

Rationale:  Presenting the proposed academic calendar for 2026-27 and 2027-28 from the Calendar Committee.

Rationale:  GIPS participates in the E-Rate program to secure funding for its internet and networking devices.  The response to this RFP for Form #470 260007220 will provide a complete replacement of our existing access points, along with additional high density and outdoor access points and controllers to update our district WiFi network. 

Rationale:  The current GISH cooling tower is thirty years old and reached its end of life. This bid is for a new cooling tower (equipment only) with the total replacement cost excepted at $550,000.

Rationale:  As part of the Safety and Security plan funded by the QCPUF $7.2M debt issue of September 2024 GIPS is rewiring buildings in the district to upgrade security cameras, door access, phone systems, etc. This bid is for the second part of the two year plan.

Rationale:  Mr. Josh Sikes has submitted his resignation from the board of education.  The board needs to act to formally accept his resignation.  

Rationale:  An agreement has been reached with the Grand Island Education Association for the 2026 - 27 school year.  Formal action by the Board of Education is required to finalize the agreement.

Rationale:  Approval of a contract to extend the employment of Mr. Matthew Fisher as superintendent needs formal approval by the board of education.  

Rationale:  8463 USE OF VIDEO SURVEILLENCE IN SCHOOLS

Rationale:  9211 DISTRICT ANNUAL REPORT

Rationale:  9501 STUDENT AND STAFF MEMORIALS

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: 

Ms. Xicara Ramos will present the student representative's report to the board. 

Rationale: 

Mr. Fisher will present the superintendent report. 

Rationale: 

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

Rationale:  Regular Board of Education Meeting - Thursday, February 12, 2026, at 5:30 p.m.