November 12, 2009 at 6:30 PM - Regular Meeting, November 12, 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 November 12, 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:  Gabrielle Foley is being recognized for having been selected to the 2009 fifth- and sixth-grade honor choir for the North Central Division of the American Choral Directors Association.  Gabrielle is being introduced by Mr. Larry Decker.  

Rationale:  Maria Toner is being recognized for having been selected to the 2009 fifth- and sixth-grade honor choir for the North Central Division of the American Choral Directors Association.  Maria is being introduced by Donica Vonderohe.  

Rationale:  Anna Toner is being recognized for winning the 2009 Music Teachers National Association Junior Piano competition at UNO.  Anna is being introduced by Mr. Eckhardt.

Rationale:  Jennifer Schneider is being recognized for having been selected to the 2009 Nebraska Music Educators Association All-State Band.  Jennifer is being introduced by Mr. Louie Eckhardt.

Rationale:  Hannah Benson, Carsten Bosselman, Laura Gregory, Becca Holloway, Joel Jensen, Manuel Medina, Sara Robbins, Colby Roseberry, Evan Stewart, and Sarabeth Swift - along with alternates Mitch Alcorn and Luke Friesen - are being recognized for having been selected to the 2009 Nebraska Music Educators Association All-State Chorus.  The honored students are being introduced by Mr. Adam Lambert.  

Rationale:  Band uniforms for Grand Island Senior High School are on a ten year replacement cycle.  Current uniforms are ten years old and in order to have new uniforms in for the start of the 2010 - 2011 school year an order needs to be placed by the end of December.  Current uniforms where paid for at 100% District expense and over time as a lease purchase.  The GISH Band Director and a student model will be on hand to describe and show Board Members the desired new design and outline fiscal impact.

Rationale:  Per current state statute every Nebraska school district is required to have an independent audit conducted annually.  Grand Island Public School District contracts with the independent audit firm of Almquist, Maltzahn, Galloway, & Luth, P.C. to conduct the annual audit.  Marcy Luth with the firm of (AMGL) will be on hand to give an executive overview of the 2008 - 2009 audit report and answer questions that Board members might have.  An action item to accept and place the 2008 - 2009 audit report on file will appear on the December 2009 meeting agenda.  Additionally, the audit report is posted on the District's web site. 

Rationale:  Part of the 2009 - 2010 certification of state aid to Nebraska school districts included American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009 (ARRA) - State Fiscal Stabilization Funds (SFSF) monies.  Grand Island, like all Nebraska school districts who received these funds, had to submit and receive approval for our spending plan as it relates to these Federal monies.  One component of the ARRA - SFSF spending plan included technology expenditures.  Grand Island Public Schools Director of Instructional Technology, Sue Burch will be on hand to review the specifics of the technology spending plan and respond to any questions that might arise.  The Facilities and Finance committee of the BOE reviewed the proposal during their last meeting and recommends moving forward with the plan as presented.  These funds are on a reimbursement basis from the State of Nebraska.

Rationale:  Annually, legal counsel reviews and make recommendations to ensure GIPS is in compliance with all applicable laws governing the operation of our 403(b) plan.  The only recommended change this year relates to the "Heart Act", which proposes the "Protection of Persons Who Serve in a Uniformed Service" as it relates to 403(b) contribution(s) and survivor rights.  The attached documents outlines the recommended resolutions that will be presented for action during the regularly scheduled December meeting.

Rationale:  In an effort to provide better and more convenient services to immigrant families and to operate the outreach center as efficiently as possible the attached 'Office Space Agreement" is necessary to cost share between the District and the Grand Island Multicultural Coalition.  Currently the office space is at "Old Walnut".  However, that space is now more expensive and not as conducive to serving clientele as the new proposed space.  The agreement is necessary to clearly document that GIPS is willing to cost share as long as funding is available for the outreach center activities.  Additionally, the attached "Outreach Center Cost" document outlines the cost to be incurred on a monthly and annual basis.

Rationale:  Per Nebraska Department of Education Rule 92 on June 7, 2011 all vehicles that were originally manufactures as 15 passenger vans will no longer qualify as a small vehicle and cannot be used to transport students.  Therefore, GIPS need to adopt a plan to replace our current fleet of these vehicles by the deadline.  These vehicles are used by the Central Nebraska Support Services Program (CNSSP).  The Director of CNSSP, Mr. John Street, will review the plan and answer any questions that might come up.  Any vehicles purchased or sold as a result of the plan will follow standard District business practice.

Rationale:  Monthly verbal report from Mr. Dan Petsch, Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds for the Grand Island Public School District updating the Board on the projects and activities currently in the planning or construction mode.

Rationale:  Monthly verbal report from Student Representative, Ms. Audie Aguilar updating the Board on activities and student life issues at Grand Island Senior High School.

Rationale:  Monthly verbal report from Dr. Steve Joel, Superintendent for Grand Island Public School District updating the Board on important matters and issues as appropriate.

Rationale:  Verbal report from Mrs. Lynn Cronk, President of the Grand Island Public School District Board of Education on the review and continuing dialog of Board operating principles.

Rationale:  Federal ARRA legislation authorizes public entities to issue build america bonds to invest in projects that will have an immediate impact on the economy and improve the infrastructure of the public entities.  The District has issued build america bonds to finance the central kitchen project and possible other building projects necessary to further the education of our growing student body.  In order to be in compliance with prior enabling resolutions and actual results the District needs to adopt an updated final Build America Bond Resolution per the attached document.

Rationale:  Grand Island Public School is in the second year of contracting for the services of bus route transportation on a daily basis within the District.  Over the last year it has become apparent that additional support is necessary to be in full compliance with the applicable laws and regulations as it relates to pupil transportation.  Additionally, the District operates in-house SPED, Early Childhood, and fleet vehicle transportation services.

Rationale:  Past practice has been to utilize the State of Nebraska contract with Apple Computer Company to facilitate the purchase of Apple computer or services.  However, this school year for reasons beyond anyone's control, the State of Nebraska has not been able to enter into a new agreement with Apple Computer Company in a timely manner.  To facilitate the purchase of apple computers and\or other products or services as necessary the District needs to enter into a contract with Apple Computer Company directly per the attached agreement.

Rationale:  Current District practice is to review and adopt a Budget Calendar for the next fiscal year in order to properly communicate, plan, and administer the various duties associated with the budget cycle.  The Facilities and Finance Committee of the Board of Education has reviewed and is proposing the attached fiscal year 2010 - 2011 budget calendar for adoption by the Board.

Rationale:  The Destined for Success (DFS) Task Force and the Success and New Directions (SANDS) Transition Team has identified the need to provide extra time and/or a flexible schedule for students to meet graduation requirements. The proposal for an After School Program (ASP) at GISH has been reviewed by the Teaching and Learning Committee, Personnel Committee, and was presented to the Board of Education at the October 2009 meeting. The ASP at GISH requires approval from the Board of Education for implementation in December 2009 through May of 2010.

Rationale:  Traffic in and around Grand Island Senior High School poses a possible physical threat of harm to pedestrians (students and others).  Especially on College street between Custer and Lafayette streets due to the heavy student pedestrian traffic.  Grand Island Senior High School, Memorial Stadium, practice fields, and public/student parking areas are all very busy buildings and\or locations within said area.  Closing College Street between Custer and Lafayette streets will stop unnecessary traffic flow through the campus.  Additionally, closing College Street between Custer and Lafayette streets will not adversely affect drop-off, pick-up, traffic flow, and parking because Grand Island Public Schools has developed a viable detailed comprehensive site development plan to better manage the area making it easier for safety vehicles, buses, and shuttles to get through and park for major events at the various buildings and\or locations within the area.

Rationale:  A monthly report to the Board and community on the major items discussed and under consideration in the Facility and Finance Committee.

Rationale:  A monthly report to the Board and community on the major items discussed and under consideration in the Teaching and Learning Committee.

Rationale:  A monthly report to the Board and community on the major items discussed and under consideration by the Grand Island Education Foundation.

Rationale:  A monthly report to the Board and community on the major items discussed and under consideration in the Legislative Committee.

Rationale:  A monthly report to the Board and community on the major items discussed and under consideration in the Personnel Committee.

Rationale:  A monthly report to the Board and community on the major items discussed and under consideration in the Policy Committee.

Rationale:  A monthly report to the Board and community on the major items discussed and under consideration in the Public Relations Committee.

Rationale:  December 10, 2009 - 6:30 P.M. - Regular Meeting, Board Room, Kneale Administration Building .

January 14, 2010 - 6:30 P.M. - Regular Meeting, Board Room, Kneale Administration Building.

January 21, 2010 - 4 PM - Annual Retreat - Place to be determined.

Rationale:  Tentative retreat date is set for January 21st - a Thursday evening - from 4 PM till 10 PM - site to be determined. 

Rationale:  Regular meeting in February is set for February 11.  There is no school for students on February 11 however, staff will be working on a PD Day.   Staff and students are off on Friday, February 12. 

The normal March meeting would be held on March 11.  That is the week of Spring Break.  Typically the March meeting would be moved to either March 18 or back to March 4.