July 9, 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 July 9, 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:  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:  Two Barr Middle School students were recognized as outstanding scholars in social studies this school year as part of the Nebraska State Civics Bee.  Mya earned first place at the regional Civics Bee held in Kearney this Spring and went on to become Nebraska's first-ever state Civics Bee Champion.  Nora Hilligas earned third place at the regional Civics Bee and also received an invitation to compete at the state Civics Bee.  Both students wrote standout essays on timely issues facing local communities in Nebraska, competed in question rounds on social studies topics, and represented both Barr and GIPS well.   

Congratulations to the following students from Barr Middle School: 

• Mya Bernal - Nebraska State Civics Bee Champion 
• Nora Hilligas - Nebraska Civics Bee Qualifier 

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:  At our June 11 board meeting during the presentation on the purchase of band and orchestra instruments there was a question asked about who the district provided instruments to free of charge.  The information shared at that meeting indicated that they would be provided for all students.  While we work with families to figure out ways that every student who wants to be in instrumental music is able to be, there are financial guidelines that we follow to determine who qualifies to use instruments free of charge.  

Rationale:  Strategic Plan Goal #3 Update

Rationale:  We are currently at the end of our contract and adoption cycle with myPerspective resources. This is an opportunity to build a shared vision of high-quality literacy instruction with all secondary ELA teachers and fully involve them in the research and selection of our ELA instructional resource.

Rationale:  2026-2027 Student Handbook Updates

Rationale:  Summer Programs Overview

Rationale:  Neb. Rev. Stat. § 79-3405, at least seventy percent of the Board of Education of the School District affirmatively votes to increase 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:  3315 ATTENDANCE OFFICER

Rationale:  4440 PURCHASING AUTHORITY

Rationale:  5522 MAIL AND DELIVERY SERVICES

Rationale:  7510 ENROLLMENT OPTION

Rationale:  8210 ENTRANCE AGE ADMISSION AND CONTINUED ENROLLMENT

Rationale:  8312 EXCESSIVE ABSENTEEISM

Rationale:  8340 PART TIME ENROLLMENT

Rationale:  8453 STUDENT SUSPENSION, EXPULSION, AND MANDATORY REASSIGNMENT

Rationale:  8740 GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Rationale:  We are currently at the end of our contract and adoption cycle with myPerspective resources. This is an opportunity to build a shared vision of high-quality literacy instruction with all secondary ELA teachers and fully involve them in the research and selection of our ELA instructional resource.

Rationale:  2026-2027 Student Handbook Updates

Rationale:  7180 MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION

Rationale:  7212 SCHOOL DAY

Rationale: 

Mr. Fisher will present the superintendent report. 

Rationale:  Regular Board of Education Meeting - Thursday, August 13, 2026.