March 16, 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 March 16, 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:  Introduction and Oath of Office for Board of Education Member, Dr. Kenton Mann.

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
• Policy Committee
• Public Relations and Partnership Development Committee
• Governance Committee - None.
• GNSA/Legislative Committee - None.

Rationale:  1211 ANNUAL CENSUS

Rationale:  7210 SCHOOL CALENDAR

Rationale:  8250 STUDENT ATTENDANCE RECORDS

Rationale:  8517 RETURN TO LEARN FROM CANCER

Rationale:  GIPS was well represented at the Hall County Spelling Bee by top spellers from each of our elementary and middle schools. In addition to securing grade-level titles, GIPS students earned the top two overall spots in the competition. Congratulations to these top spellers on their hard work and for representing our district with academic excellence!

Overall Hall County Winners

• 1st Place: Taylor Krebs (8th Grade, Westridge Middle School) 
• 2nd Place: Alec Villarin-Cabrera (5th Grade, Jefferson Elementary)

Grade Level Winners
5th Grade:

• 1st Place: Alec Villarin-Cabrera - Jefferson Elementary
• 2nd Place: Hector Perez-Prado - Dodge Elementary
• 3rd Place: William Budhu - Stolley Park Elementary

6th Grade:

• 1st Place: Ada White - Barr Middle School
• 2nd Place: Ariana Allen - Westridge Middle School
• 3rd Place: Natan Gomez Cotom - Walnut Middle School

7th Grade:

• 2nd Place: Jamileth Hernandez Paxtor - Barr Middle School
• 3rd Place: Gerson Preciado Lopez - Barr Middle School

8th Grade:

• 1st Place: Taylor Krebs - Westridge Middle School
• 3rd Place: Santos Mendoza Juarez - Walnut Middle School

Rationale:  Twelve Grand Island Senior High student artists and writers were recognized by the Nebraska State Art Showcase.  Over a dozen art pieces and original written works were selected to be featured in the State Art Show.  Of those, 3 Gold Keys were awarded — these outstanding pieces will move on to be judged at the national level.  

Congratulations to the 2025-26 GISH Nebraska State Art Showcase Student Recipients: 

• Jocelyn Amaya - Art - Ceramics & Glass
• Hana Butters - Art - Ceramics & Glass; Writing - Shorty Story
• Bryant Canil - Art - Photography 
• Alezaya Flores - Art - Painting 
• Lee Forbes - Art - Drawing 
• Layla Gerber - Art - Drawing, Art - Painting 
• Kelly Gonzalez Rauda - Art - Sculpture 
• Yoselin Lindo-Morente - Art - Painting 
• MariaEllena Ramirez - Art - Ceramics & Glass 
• Alejandro Rios Solorio - Art - Illustration 
• Kiki Teya - Art - Digital Painting, Drawing, & Collage (2) 
• Daniela Monzalvo Tolentino - Writing - Personal Essay & Memoir 

Rationale:  The Grand Island Senior High Bowling Teams had a banner year this season brigning home noteworthy accolades and state hardware.  Throughout the season, both the Girls and Boys teams experienced incredible success.  Among the achievements, the Islander Girls Bowling Team won the program's first ever State Championship while the Islander Boys Bowling Team brought home the 2nd Place Runners-Up State trophy.

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:  2026-2027 Staff Handbooks

Rationale:  Each year GIPS published an annual report to meet state requirements.  The annual report is designed to, at minimum, provide a snapshot of required state reporting to the greater community of Grand Island.  Being as the report is shared with all mailboxes in the community, GIPS views the annual report to expand the storytelling and reporting opportunities.  This year's report is expanded to include a focus on the district Strategic Plan. 

Rationale:  Gates Professional Services

Rationale:  Gates Letter of Intent

Rationale:  GISH Professional Services

Rationale:  4511 SCHOOL MASCOT, LOGO, AND COLORS

Rationale:  6213 STAFF USE OF ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION DEVICES AND ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDELINES FOR NETWORK USE

Rationale:  6280 CERTIFIED STAFF PROFESSIONAL SCHEDULE

Rationale:  8515 DO NOT RESUSCITATE REQUESTS

Rationale:  8680 STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

Rationale:  8810 STUDENT GIFTS AND SOLICITATIONS

Rationale:  9211 DISTRICT ANNUAL REPORT

Rationale:  2026-2027 Staff Handbooks

Rationale:  Each year GIPS published an annual report to meet state requirements.  The annual report is designed to, at minimum, provide a snapshot of required state reporting to the greater community of Grand Island.  Being as the report is shared with all mailboxes in the community, GIPS views the annual report to expand the storytelling and reporting opportunities.  This year's report is expanded to include a focus on the district Strategic Plan. 

Rationale:  Gates Professional Services

Rationale:  Gates Letter of Intent

Rationale:  GISH Professional Services

Rationale:  4305 SUSPENSION AND DEBARMENT

Rationale:  6281 ELEMENTARY CERTIFIED STAFF PREPARATION TIME

Rationale:  6331 CERTIFIED STAFF LEAVE OF ABSENCE: SICK, BEREAVEMENT, AND PERSONAL EMERGENCY

Rationale:  7150 ACADEMIC FREEDOM

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 and real estate.

Rationale:  Regular Board of Education Meeting - Thursday, April 9, 2026