February 2, 2021 at 12:00 PM - Special Board of Education Meeting
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1. GPS Board of Education Information
More Information:
The meeting agenda will be kept current and available for public inspection in the office of the Secretary of the Board of Education at the Central Office during regular working hours.
District Vision: Gering Public Schools provides a collaborative community, inspiring excellence and innovation in teaching and learning to empower student growth and leadership in school and life. District Mission: Gering Public Schools exists to equip today's learners with the skills necessary to be tomorrow's leaders. The Open Meetings Act requires and the intention of the Board is that agenda items be sufficiently descriptive to give the public reasonable notice of matters to be considered at the meeting. The Board of Education releases its agenda well in advance of most meetings and desires that all interested persons are fully informed. Any interested person who has a question or needs clarification about the sufficiency of a descriptive item should contact the office of the Superintendent of Schools. Agenda items are subject to reordering at discretion of the board president. Board members may request specific agenda item(s) be moved to a different place on the agenda. Please attend the entire meeting to ensure you hear discussion on a particular agenda item. |
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2. Opening Procedures
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2.1. Call to Order
More Information:
The Board of Education reserves the right to enter into Executive Session for the protection of the public interest; or the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual, and if the individual has not requested a public meeting.
Discussion:
President B.J. Peters called the meeting to order at 12:00 p.m.
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2.2. Roll Call
Discussion:
All school board members were present: Brent Holliday, Brady Shaul, Mary Winn, Josh Lacy, Brian Copsey and B.J. Peters.
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2.3. Excuse Absent Board Member(s)
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3. Pledge of Allegiance
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4. Opening Meetings Act
More Information:
Pursuant to Section 84-1412 of the Nebraska Statutes, the public is hereby informed that a current copy of the Nebraska Open Meetings Act is posted in the Board meeting room on the north wall.
Notice of this meeting was published in the Star-Herald on Friday, January 29, 2021. |
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5. Reports and Discussions
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5.1. Superintendent's Report
Discussion:
Business Manager Tim Meisner noted that he had reached out to the District's 403b Plan consultants to identify the structure related to the proposed VSP. Legal counsel from Perry Law Firm, Rex Schultze, was present at the meeting and addressed IRS/tax guidance shared with him last week citing the proposed option as the "best approach" to allow employees access to funds for expenses like health or dental insurance. An informational meeting between NSEA legal counsel, the school district superintendent and all certificated staff has been set for Wednesday, February 10 at 4:00 p.m. in the media center at Gering High School which will be reflected in the memorandum and timeline to be sent to staff on February 4, 2021. Schultze also noted it was important to differentiate that the proposed option is a non-elective contribution deposited by the school district on their behalf.
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6. Executive Session
More Information:
The Gering Public Schools Board of Education is authorized by state statute to hold closed sessions. Closed sessions may be held when clearly necessary for the protection of the public interest or for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual.
Reasons that meet this standard include but are not limited to: (a) strategy sessions with respect to collective bargaining, real estate matters, pending litigation, or litigation which is imminent as evidenced by communication of a claim or threat of litigation to or by the public body; (b) discussion regarding deployment of security personnel or devices; (c) investigative proceedings regarding allegations of criminal misconduct; (d) evaluation of the job performance of a person when necessary to prevent needless injury to the reputation of a person and if such person has not requested a public meeting; and (e) legal advice.
Discussion:
Executive session was deemed unnecessary and all discussion was held in open meeting.
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7. Reconvene from Executive Session
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8. Action Items
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8.1. Discuss, consider and take all necessary action with regard to the "Addendum to 2020-2021 Negotiated Agreement by and between Gering Public Schools and the Gering Education Association" Article V, Paragraph F which proposes a revision to the date by which an employee seeking to participate in the sick leave buy back incentive must notify Administration of such election should be extended from February 1, 2021 to March 19, 2021.
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8.2. Discuss, consider and take all necessary action with regard to the "2021 Gering Public School District Voluntary Severance Program (VSP) which provides for the payment of certain dollar amounts to certificated employees employed by the School District as a voluntary severance incentive for certificated teachers pursuant to subsection (3) of Section 79-8,142, and Section 77-3442(2)(d)(ii) in exchange for such certificated employee’s resignation at the end of the 2020-2021 school and contract year; and, extend the date by which certificated employees of the School District must provide notice of intent to retire pursuant to Article V, Section F of the 2020-2021 Negotiated Agreement between then School District and the Gering Education Association (GEA) from February 2, 2021 to March 19, 2021.
Discussion:
feb 10 @ 4 pm - 3 can come, but no more. Staff w/ NSEA. Opportunity to ask questions. Tomorrow at 4 pm - Supt. w/ GEA reps. Very transparent process.
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9. Adjourn
Discussion:
President B.J. Peters adjourned the meeting at 12:24 p.m.
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