June 17, 2019 at 6:00 PM - Regular Board of Education Meeting

Discussion:  2 - Visual impairment computer units and wheeled carts.  

Discussion:  Committee chair, Mary Winn, offered an overview of the discussions that had taken place at the May meeting.  Topics included addressing delinquent student lunch accounts, and continued participation in the VALTS program.  With the support of VALTS, 213 Gering students have successfully graduated from the program.  

Discussion:  Superintendent Hastings reported that wet weather has delayed construction.  The grand opening will be moved to September to ensure full completion prior to unveiling.  

Discussion:  Chairman Lacy presented an increase in meal prices based on USDA guidelines.  Additionally, due to condition, lockers are being updated in the former Freshman Academy, and a new mower has been purchased for use district-wide.  Improvements to the Junior High football field are currently underway.  

Discussion:  Superintendent Hastings highlighted the efforts of a group proposing organization of soccer teams at the junior high level.  To initiate the process, Athletic Director Glen Koski will survey students this fall to gauge interest.  Competition would be localized to limit travel.  Further discussion carried regarding the timeline of this based on board policy and approval procedures.  Next, Hastings provided information pertaining to bond refinancing options as interest rates have been lowered substantially since origination.  The board will consider these options, and discuss in further detail at next week's meeting.  The next topic of conversation was strategic planning.  Board members involved in this year's session as well as those who had participated 5 years ago shared their experience alongside Hastings' report.  The district will formalize the groups findings, and publish this fall.  

Discussion: 

Future Board Meetings

Board of Education Work Session - Tuesday, June 25 @ 12:00 p.m. (Central Office)

July Regular Board Meeting - Monday, July 15 @ 6:00 p.m. (City Council Chambers)

Tentative Committee Meeting Dates:

Personnel Committee - Thursday, June 27 @ 4:30 p.m. (Central Office)

Business Committee - Monday, July 8 @ 4:30 p.m. (Central Office)

Facilities Committee - Thursday, July 11 @ 4:30 p.m. (Gering High School)


Note that there will not be a Curriculum Committee meeting this month.

Discussion:  Spotlighting earlier references to the Foundation's current momentum, Josh Lacy shared his excitement, and commended the group on their efforts.  Mary Winn stated she had not been involved in previous strategic planning sessions, but had the opportunity to do so this year.  She was glad to be a part of it noting a positive energy and many great ideas being shared.  The facilitator brought both guidance and humor to the gathering.  In small groups, one team had noted a vision of being a destination district which Mary highlighted as an "overriding goal of everything we do."  She spoke of confidence that the strategic plan developed will ensure this for students, teachers, and families alike.  Brent Holliday elaborated further on this vision stating that the school district played a major role in their family's decision to purchase a home in Gering. He cited exciting times with the high school construction project and the continued expansion of our Foundation / community engagement pieces among many other things.  He shared his sentiment that the work being done today may not benefit a particular generation or they may never see the completion of those projects, yet it is done with great pride recognizing the foundation being laid for generations to come.  In closing, Brian Copsey noted that although he was unable to attend this year's planning session, he had participated in the previous.  He agreed with Mary and Brent regarding the excitement for where the district is headed as the first set of goals were accomplished and it is now time to head down the road again.  Brian inquired about Oregon Trail Days reunion groups, and offered praise to the Foundation for their outreach.