April 9, 2009 at 6:30 PM - Regular Meeting April 9, 2009

Rationale:  It is 6:30 PM and I now call to order the Grand Island Public Schools Board of Education Meeting.  This is the April 9, 2009 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.

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: 

Will Nabity of Knickrehm Elementary School, in recognition of First Place in the 2009 Nebraska Agriculture Poster Contest.   Introduced by Diane Meyer

Will Nabity of Knickrehm Elementary School, in recognition of his First Place in the 2009 Nebraska Arbor Day Foundation Poster Contest.   Introduced by Diane Meyer

The following Grand Island Senior High Students were recognized and introduced by Christa Speed:

- Jennifer Schneider and Margaret Gregory for being selected to the Nebraska Wesleyan Honor Band.
- Elizabeth Prawl for being selected to the Nebraska Wesleyan Honor Orchestra.
- Linda Nguyen, Elizabeth Prawl, Nyssa Nabity, Mollie Bartlett, Kylie Yarns, Donald Nabity, Hanna Taylor, and Lucas Miller for being selected to the UNO Honor Orchestra.
- Margaret Gregory for being selected to the UNO Honor Band.
- Lizzette Osorio and Margaret Gregory for being selected to the Hastings College Honor Band
- Linda Nguyen for being selected to the Hastings College Honor Orchestra


The GISH 2009 Wrestling Team in recognition of winning the Class A State Championship Title.  The team consists of Andrew Riedy, Blake Fruchtl, Carlos Rodriguez, Mike Bolan, Alec Chanthapatheth, Matt Rice, Alex Sheldon, Billy Leetch, Riley Allen, Beau Jepson, Coleman Westerby, Alan Taylor, Nathan Westerby, and Cory Frankenberg. 
Coaches are  Mike Schadwinkel, Matt Sedivy, Geoff Cyboron, Kevin Watson, Jeff Westerby, Rob Riedy, and Les Aguilar.  Introduced by Dr. Mann.

Sue Burch, Director of Technology, in recognition of being the recipient of NETA's 2009 Excellence in Leading with Technology Award.   Introduced by Dr. Joel.

Leah Cox, of GISH, in recognition of winning the NETA Graphic Imagery Contest.  Introduced by Mr. Whitman. 

Rationale:  Will Nabity of Knickrehm Elementary School, in recognition of First Place in the 2009 Nebraska Agriculture Poster Contest.   Introduced by Diane Meyer

Rationale:  Will Nabity of Knickrehm Elementary School, in recognition of his First Place in the 2009 Nebraska Arbor Day Foundation Poster Contest.   Introduced by Diane Meyer

Rationale:  - Jennifer Schneider and Margaret Gregory in recognition of being selected to the Nebraska Wesleyan Honor Band.
- Elizabeth Prawl in recognition of being selected to the Nebraska Wesleyan Honor Orchestra.  Introduced by Christa Speed.

Rationale:  Linda Nguyen, Elizabeth Prawl, Nyssa Nabity, Mollie Bartlett, Kylie Yarns, Donald Nabity, Hanna Taylor, and Lucas Miller in recognition of being selected to the UNO Honor Orchestra.
Margaret Gregory in recognition of being selected to the UNO Honor Band.  Introduced by Christa Speed.

Rationale:  Lizzette Osorio and Margaret Gregory in recognition of being selected to the Hastings College Honor Band
Linda Nguyen in recognition of being selected to the Hastings College Honor Orchestra. Introduced by Christa Speed.

Rationale:  The GISH 2009 Wrestling Team in recognition of winning the Class A State Championship Title.  The team consists of Andrew Riedy, Blake Fruchtl, Carlos Rodriguez, Mike Bolan, Alec Chanthapatheth, Matt Rice, Alex Sheldon, Billy Leetch, Riley Allen, Beau Jepson, Coleman Westerby, Alan Taylor, Nathan Westerby, and Cory Frankenberg. 
Coaches are  Mike Schadwinkel, Matt Sedivy, Geoff Cyboron, Kevin Watson, Jeff Westerby, Rob Riedy, and Les Aguilar.  Introduced by Dr. Mann.

Rationale:  Sue Burch, Director of Technology, in recognition of being the recipient of NETA's 2009 Excellence in Leading with Technology Award.    Introduced by Dr. Joel.

Rationale:  Leah Cox, of GISH, in recognition of winning the NETA Graphic Imagery Contest.  Introduced by Mr. Whitman. 

Rationale:  ACAP - represented by Verna Haberman - addressing the Board concerning April's designation as Child Abuse Prevention month.  Each Board member will be given a blue ribbon to wear in support of this cause.

Rationale:  ACAP - represented by Verna Haberman - addressing the Board concerning April's designation as Child Abuse Prevention month.  Each Board member will be given a blue ribbon to wear in support of this cause.

Rationale:  Education Quest College Access Program Class of 2009, of Grand Island Senior High School, consisting of Adriana Alvarez, Angelica Calderon, Monique Candelas, Richard Cervantes, Roxana Chamul, Erica Contreras, Kimberly Coxaj, Flor Dominguez, Nancy Garcia, Britny Graves-Jacobo, Margaret Gregory, Irasena Interiano, Alexandra Jimenez, Ashante Johnson, Van Le, Samantha Mitchell, Nyssa Nabity, Rolando Perez, Brittany Phouthavong, Maria Rojas, Deyanira Salgado, and Mauro Torres in recognition of being graduates of The Education Quest College Access Program, Class of 2009. Introduced by Gayle Bradley

Rationale:  An four (4) classroom annex to Jefferson Elementary School is currently under design and development.  In order to facilitate the application of necessary building and other necessary permits GIPS needs to enter into a utility easement with the City of Grand Island to accommodate the placement of the annex on the property.

Rationale:  Recent changes by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to 403(b) rules and regulations have resulted in reduced employee participation and investment choices.  Grand Island Public Schools currently self administrates its 403(b) program.  Security Benefit a current 403(b) vendor offers an additional program called "Security Benefit SFR (Security Financial Resources, Inc.) Program".  This program offering reduces employee investment expenses and increases investment choices.  The Security Benefit SFR program has been reviewed and endorsed by both our 403(b) legal council and consultant.

Rationale:  Grand Island Public Schools currently sponsors a 125 Plan via a "Third Party Administrator" (TPA) with a semimonthly non-reimbursed medical sequence.  This means employees must currently 'float' expenses for approximately two weeks between incurring the expense and reimbursement.  Our TPA has added a 'debit card' function, which would allow appropriate non-reimbursed medical expenses to be paid immediately as they are incurred.  Thus eliminating the current two week 'float'.  The cost for this additional feature is $1 per month per employee.

Rationale: 

 

 

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