May 14, 2009 at 6:30 PM - Regular Meeting May 14, 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 May 14, 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:  Roll Call.

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:  Clancey Hinkle, Abigail Kutlas, Evan McGowan, Makenna Placzek, and Trisha Towne of Barr Middle School, Kathryn Christensen and Riley Williams of Walnut Middle School, and Kayla Brezenski, Jennifer Hammond, Seth Redwine, Nicolas Rozo, Riley Ruzicka, and Braelyn Verba of Westridge Middle School for state and national recognition of their high ACT scores on the 2009 Duke TIP Talent Search tests.           Introduced by Sue Burch  

Nolan Green of Grand Island Senior High in recognition for being named a winner of the 2009 Poetry of Place Celebration contest at UNL.   Introduced by Dr. Mann & April Lambert.

Holly Green of Westridge Middle School, in recognition of winning the 2009 Nebraska State Treasurer's Department Essay Contest.  Introduced by Sue Burch

Rationale:  The lease agreement between Grand Island Public Schools and Head Start Child and Family Development Program, Inc. (Head Start) is for office space at the Early Learning Center (Engleman Elementary) second floor.  Head Start will pay up to $32,000 for the first year with the lease being reviewed annually prior to renewal.  Head Start will utilize two former classrooms and one additional upstairs room. Accessible accommodations will be made on the first floor when they require it.

Rationale: 

Peace Lutheran Church has a purchase agreement in place to purchase lots one (1) and two (2) in the Sussex Place Subdivision, which are currently owned by Lance & Scherry Hermansen.  These two lots are in the southwest corner at the intersection of Cannon Road and North Road, located on the east end of Cannon Road east of Engleman Elementary School.  Peach Lutheran Church is requesting property owners in this subdivision to waive the covenants & restrictions for these two lots.  Which are basically identical to the waivers granted to Grand Island Public Schools and Resurrection Catholic Church.  Grand Island Public Schools owns four (4) lots in this subdivision.

Rationale:  Grand Island Public Schools maintains a master five-year architectural contract with CMBA.  As each project enters the design and development stage we enter into an additional project specific contract which spells out the details of the individual project.  This individual project contract is subordinate to the terms and conditions of the master agreement.  The "Central Kitchen Project" is currently already under design and development and should be out to bid in July and to the BOE for approval in August.  The Central Kitchen Project is a major undertaking that requires specialized design professionals in addition to our architectural and engineering professionals.  The Central Kitchen Project is likely to come in at $5 million or more and require multiple sources of both near-term and long-term financing from various sources.

Rationale:  Grand Island Public Schools maintains a master five-year engineering contract with KEI.  As each project enters the design and development stage we enter into an additional project specific contract which spells out the details of the individual project.  This individual project contract is subordinate to the terms and conditions of the master agreement.  The "Central Kitchen Project" is currently already under design and development and should be out to bid in July and to the BOE for approval in August.  The Central Kitchen Project is a major undertaking that requires specialized design professionals in addition to our architectural and engineering professionals.  The Central Kitchen Project is likely to come in at $5 million or more and require multiple sources of both near-term and long-term financing from various sources.

Rationale:  Grand Island Public Schools, like all Nebraska school districts, is subject to the timing of the certification of state aid by the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE).  This year that certification was delayed from February 1, 2009 until June 1, 2009.  Therefore, making delayed staffing decisions necessary.  After much administrative discussion and dialog the staffing request for the 2009-2010 school year was developed for presentation to the BOE.

Rationale:  In an effort to promote and standardize Grand Island Public Schools merchandise and apparel proposals were sought from firms who are able to publish and support an online apparel store.  During the April 2009 Board meeting representatives from Abante Marketing were on hand to review their response to our request for proposals in this area.  The online store will first concentrate on general apparel merchandise at the District and Grand Island Senior High level.  Thereafter, the merchandise and apparel line up will be expanded to other buildings.

Rationale:  After years of planning and development, including major financial support from District patrons, Grand Island Public Schools is in the position to install and acquire artificial field turf at Grand Island Senior High School - Memorial Stadium.  The additional community use, reduction in the consumption of natural resources, reduction in staff time and attention, and several other factors lend nicely to the benefits of this project.  After review of the proposals and extensive in state and out of state site visits the following recommendation is being offered.

Rationale:  Grand Island Public Schools needs to finance the installation and acquisition of artificial field turf over a seven year lease purchase agreement.  Local financial institutions were asked to provide a rate quote for a loan within a standard seven-year lease purchase agreement.  Additionally, our financial consultants with D.A. Davidson were asked to put together a more formal financing plan via Certificates of Participation (COP) via Wells Fargo Bank.  The D.A. Davidson proposal was NET 65 'basis points' (0.65%) lower than the lowest quote received via local financial institutions.

Rationale:  June 11, 2009 - 6:30 PM - Regular Board Meeting - Kneale Administration Building, Board Room.