March 15, 2021 at 6:00 PM - Regular 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. 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 'Patron Comment' section of our meeting. These forms are located by the entry doors of the meeting room. 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.
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2.2. Roll Call
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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 Gering Courier on Thursday, March 11, 2021. |
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5. Consent Agenda
More Information:
At this time, any Board member may request that any item in the consent agenda be removed from the consent agenda and be considered and voted on separately.
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5.1. Minutes from the previous month's board meeting(s)
More Information:
The attached minutes are intended to accurately reflect the action of the Board at its previous meetings.
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5.2. Approval of Claims/Bills
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5.3. Board Policy Adoption
Attachments:
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5.3.i. First Reading of Board Policies
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5.3.i.1. 903.7. TRAFFIC AND PARKING PROCEDURES
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5.3.i.2. 903.8 VANDALISM
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5.3.i.3. 903.9 ENERGY CONSERVATION
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5.3.i.4. 904.2 LEASE, SALE OR DISPOSAL OF SCHOOL DISTRICT PROPERTY
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5.3.i.5. 905.1. FACILITIES INSPECTIONS
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5.3.i.6. 905.2 ANNUAL EMERGENCY SAFETY PLAN
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5.3.i.7. 905.3 WARNING SYSTEMS
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5.3.i.8. 905.4 BOMB THREATS
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5.3.i.9. 905.5 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
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5.3.i.10. 905.6 ACCIDENT REPORTS
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5.3.i.11. 905.7 SAFETY DRILLS
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5.3.i.12. 905.8 SCHOOL CLOSINGS AND CANCELLATIONS
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5.3.i.13. 905.9 EYE PROTECTIVE DEVICES
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5.3.i.14. 905.10 ASBESTOS CONTROL
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5.3.ii. Second Reading of Board Policies
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5.3.ii.1. 901 OBJECTIVES OF BUILDINGS & SITES
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5.3.ii.2. 902.1 BUILDINGS & SITES LONG RANGE PLANNING
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5.3.ii.3. 902.2 CONSTRUCTION PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS
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5.3.ii.4. 902.3 SITE ACQUISITION
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5.3.ii.5. 902.4 BIDS AND AWARDS FOR CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS
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5.3.ii.6. 902.5 CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT AT RISK SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION ALTERNATIVE
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5.3.ii.7. 902.6 DESIGN-BUILD SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION ALTERNATIVE
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5.3.ii.8. 903.1 SECURITY
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5.3.ii.9. 903.2 ACCESS TO BUILDINGS
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5.3.ii.10. 903.3 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
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5.3.ii.11. 903.4 REQUESTS FOR IMPROVEMENTS
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5.4. Personnel Items
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5.4.i. Approval of Certified Staff Contract(s)
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5.4.i.1. Lea Hendrickson - Speech, Language Pathologist, District-Wide
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5.4.ii. Certified Staff Resignation
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6. Patron Comments
Discussion:
Former GHS band teacher Randy Raines spoke about the history of the program as well as _____. 3 years ago 128 students to 52 currently. Morale low. 21 years. Relationship with students. Prokop example - soccer and softball. Summer program. Accomodate. Have to maintain interest. Worked w/ student all last week - auditioned for Marine Band today. Tough stuff / masters degree, and couldn't play it. Dropped Jazz Band. Dick Moore started it and took 1st place first year. Zero hour class. Never used freshmen in marching / stronger. This year it is combined. Won't ever get it back if you cut it back. Focus on excellence. Had all 11 kids / last 2 have dropped. Need more 1:1. COVID part of it, but can't blame 75 students dropping. FT position. Band and choir - difference. Every insturment is treated diffently. If you want students to excel; Music in the brain. Analytical learning and academics affected.
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7. Reports and Discussions
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7.1. Recognition of March Bulldog Staff Member of the Month: Amanda Diedrich, GHS English Teacher
Discussion:
Principal Rocky Schneider commended Mrs. Diedrich following the reading of nomination letters from peers recognizing her commitment to GHS students.
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7.2. Curriculum/Personnel Committee Report
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7.3. Business/Facilities Committee Report
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7.3.i. Trial Balance Summary
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7.3.ii. Fund Balances
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7.3.iii. Schedule of Investments
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7.3.iv. Financial Statements
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7.4. Superintendent's Report
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7.4.i. Presenter: Dr. Brett Gies, School Improvement Specialist
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7.5. Announcements of Upcoming Events for the Board
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8. Action Items
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8.1. Discuss, consider and take necessary action regarding approval of the 2021-22 school calendar.
Attachments:
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9. Board Comments
Discussion:
Brady Shaul voiced opposition to the proposed transition away from block scheduling. He encouraged additional research prior to committing. An article published in the Omaha World Herald indicated the possibility of adopting block scheduling to which Shaul commented "maybe it is not as archaic as we are being told. We need to look at all avenues." He also expressed concern that WNCC credits may not be transferrable to UNL based on feedback he received from students who were required to retake courses previously taken as dual-credit at GHS. Shaul indicated that while he understands budgetary concerns, the Board should not rush to reach a decision. Next, Mary Winn shared her excitement to the news that GPS hired a Speech Pathologist. She also shared kudos to the team for their prep and presentation to the School Improvement audit team. "These are the times that try men's souls. Everything that can happen, has. We persevere," Winn stated. Josh Lacy concurred with this statement. He also addressed the proposed scheduling saying "Although I haven't been as involved in the process (business committee member, not curriculum), Mr. Gies makes good points, but so does Brady. We need to work together with students in mind and take our time." Brent Holliday remarked that the school year had truly been a "perfect storm," but reflected on "great leadership" throughout. He looks forward to continuing that with Dr. Nicole Regan at the helm as he thanked Gary Cooper (interim) for his service as well as all the staff for remaining flexible and creative this year. "Step by step we have progressed. We won't sit back and see all we accomplished until many years later. The pandemic has reshaped us in many ways. It was an honor to see the growth that took place this year," Brent added. The Holliday Family of Companies appreciated being a part of the career fair at GHS. Brian Copsey elaborated further stating that the communications that took place behind the scenes were key. "That is what the school board has envisioned with the addition of the Community Engagement Director. It is exciting to see what is taking off," he said. Copsey had attended the recent community forum highlighting the proposed scheduling revisions. "All of my kids were part of block. The comments this evening are that our budget has driven the look, but I don't know any organization that goes 25 years without internal review. The forum was surprising; the chief complaint from parents and students was concern that they would have homework. For me, this set off a red flag about block scheduling becoming a study hall. Perhaps we have lost the emphasis this model had 25 years ago. It should be about teachers delivering curriculum, and I don't feel that is what we are achieving today," Copsey stated. In closing, BJ Peters shared that the school board's role is to provide for our students. "It won't be an easy task and there are lots of moving pieces, but I remain confident that all six of us have one common goal. We will do what is best for students," said BJ Peters. The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
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10. Adjourn
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