August 16, 2021 at 6:00 PM - Regular Board of Education Meeting
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1. GPS Board of Education Information
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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
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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
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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, August 12,2021 |
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5. Consent Agenda
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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) July 19,2021
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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. Personnel Items
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5.3.i. Approval of Certified Staff Contract(s)
More Information:
Zak Griffith-Director of Information Technology
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6. Patron Comments
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7. Reports and Discussions
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7.1. Curriculum/Personnel Committee Report
Discussion:
Board Member Mary Winn reported that the majority of the curriculum time was reviewing the budget and in particular the corrections that need to be made. Kory the curriculum director shared about the progress of the training for PLC.
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7.2. Business/Facilities Committee Report
Discussion:
Vice President Brian Copsey reported on the progress of the repairs taking place at the Jr. High building. Curt Hanson shared the progress with the committee about the HVAC system, gym floor and roofing projects. Overall, all projects are successfully moving forward, keeping in mind cost and effectiveness.
Also, the repair of the tennis courts for the High School continues to move forward. The Gering City Council will be voting on the approval of funds for the project. Once the vote and approval is secured, the next steps of the improvement will begin. Doll Land and Property have partnered with Gering High School for the Construction House Project along with the Gering School Foundation for this year's building project. The foundation will be the recipient of the proceeds, which previously went to an outside source. Board Member Brady Shaul also reiterated the progress of repairs of the facilities, the gym floor has been filled with cement to allow for the installation of new flooring. The board members expressed gratitude for having ESSER fund money to help facilitate these large improvements. Also discussed was the working relationship with Nebraska Department of Education for the upcoming budget agreement. |
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7.2.i. Trial Balance Summary
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7.2.ii. Fund Balances
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7.2.iii. Schedule of Investments
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7.2.iv. Financial Statements
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7.3. Superintendent's Report
Discussion:
Superintendent Regan gave an update about the working retreat for the Board of Education on July 23-24 and an all-school leadership retreat on July 26-27. The purpose of the retreats, was to define goals and priorities for the 2021-22 school year and to continually uphold the commitment to academics, budget and facilities to best serve our students. Ironically, the first day of school was Friday the 13th, however, the enthusiasm of kids, teachers and staff which has been displayed in the Star Herald and our website could only offer a year of hope and promise.
Recently we had an orientation with our high school students participating in dual enrollment courses at WNCC. A lot of collaboration with Miley Olsen and Mario Chaves, to be sure this partnership pathway had strong successful start was evident. The interim dean, Dr. John Marrin was so complimentary in serving Gering high school students. We are certainly trendsetting opportunities in Gering Public Schools. On the other side of education : Early Childhood, 115 young 4-year-olds turned out to embark on their Bulldog journey. Lastly, our Safe School Roadmap is posted on the website. We are all taking precautions to keep our students safe and healthy in our schools and events. A special recognition to Tiffany Leetch and her nursing team handling the new processes and the roll-out of our safety plan. |
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7.4. Announcements of Upcoming Events for the Board
Discussion:
Future Board MeetingsSecond Special Meeting - Tues, Aug 24 @ 12:00 p.m. (Central Office)Regular Board Meeting - Mon, Sept. 13 @ 6:00 p.m. (Freshman Commons @ the High School) Second Special Meeting - Tues, Sept 28 @ 12:00 p.m. (Central Office) Tentative Committee Meeting Dates:Personnel/Curriculum Committee -- Tues, August 31 @ 7:00 a.m. (Central Office)Business/Facilities Committee -- Thurs, Sept. 2 @ 4:30 p.m. (Central Office) Policy Review Committee -- Thurs, Sept. 9 @ 4:30 p.m. (Central Office) |
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8. Action Items
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8.1. Discuss, consider and take action regarding approval of a bid presented by Twin City Roofing in the amount of $269,800 to perform all work on Geil Elementary School EPDM Retrofit (estimated 29,800 sq ft).
More Information:
A request for proposals waws initially released on May 24, 2021. Due to local building code compliance, revisions were necessary. The first revision was published on June 11, 2021, which was later followed-up with a second revision on June 25, 2021, to address supply chain concerns. The review committee met publicly in the presence of one vendor on Thursday, July 1 at 2:00 p.m. at Central office. A total of tree bids were received.
Bid recap is as follows: Schank Roofing $239,541.22 Twin City Roofing $269,800 Weathercraft Roofing $439,613 Due to proven record of performance the business was awarded to Twin City Roofing who presented the second lowest bid. |
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8.2. Discuss, consider and take action regarding the approval of a one-year contract with Bytes Managed IT providing Managed Network Services to the district at a rate not to exceed $6,200/month.
More Information:
A request for proposals was released on July6, 2021 with a 3-week bidding window. The review committee met publicly in the presence of one vendor on Friday, July 30 at 3:00 p.m. at Central Office wit an in-depth analysis of services taking place the following week. A total of four bids were received.
Bid recap is as follows: Bytes Managed IT $6,220/month IntraLinks $6,239 ERH Technology Solutions $6,739/month (initial projection was noted at $6,139; it was later discovered that the necessary off-site storage solutions were an optional add-on) Catalyst IT $30,210/month |
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8.3. Discuss, consider and take action regarding acceptance of the recommendation ot maintain the current pricing for adult meals in accordance with thresholds set forth and published by NDE Nutrition Services on/around August 4, 2021.
More Information:
"Each School Food Authority shall, with respect to participating schools under its jurisdiction, charge adults, at a minimum, an amount equal to the total reimbursement received for a free lunch under Section 4 and 11 of the National School Lunch Act plus the per-meal value of donated foods plus the certified menu reimbursement. For breakfast, adults should be charged the rate established for free breakfasts under Section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act. No reimbursement or donated food is provided for adult meals.”
School districts do not receive reimbursement, not do they get donated foods for the adult meals served. Therefore, the adult meal price is based on portion sizes equivalent to a student tray. Although portion sizes are left up to the discretion of the school district, to serve “extras” or even “double portions" to an adult adds to the cost of the meal. For the 2021-22 school year, the adult meal prices should be set as follows: Lunch: Free reimbursement: $3.66 Donated food value: 0.26 Certified menu reimbursement: +0.07 Recommended adult lunch price: $3.99 (price set at $4.00) Breakfast: Severe Need Free reimbursement: $2.35 State reimbursement: .05 Recommended adult breakfast price: $2.40 (price set at $3.70) |
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8.4. Discuss, consider and take action authorizing the Superintendents to obtain a line of credit with Platte Valley Bank for Expenditures related to the 2021-22 GHS construction project located at 2545 South Ridge Court (Gering) in an amount not to exceed $215,000.
More Information:
The principal and interest will be paid by Doll Land and Property upon taking possession of the property no later than June 15, 2022. Each year this opportunity for the GHS construction trades class is provided through community partnerships. Profits from the project will be used to maintain existing and purchase updated equipment for the program.
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8.5.
Discuss, consider and take action regarding the approval of a payroll overpayment reimbursement agreement.
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9. Board Comments
Discussion:
In closing, Vice President Copsey enthusiastically shared how pleasing it is to see kids back at school, the high school parking lot being filled with cars and the overall excitement of students. He also reiterated the benefit the board members received at the retreat, which included discussing priorities for the district, personal strengths and how to utilize them within the organization for service.
Board Member Brady Shaul expressed appreciation for Dr. Regan and the excitement she has brought to the district and also appreciative for the improvements and repairs taking place at the facilities. Lastly, Mary Winn shared about the New Staff Members Luncheon she participated in last month. She expressed how contagious the staffs' enthusiasm was, and how it brought back fond memories of when she began her first teaching job. Also appreciated,is the diversity of staff we have teaching this year. |
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10. Adjourn
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