October 16, 2023 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 the 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, Brian Copsey, called this meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
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2.2. Roll Call
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2.3. Pledge of Allegiance
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2.4. Open 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, October 12, 2023. |
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3. 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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3.1. Fund Amount
01 General Fund $1,203,838.83 03 Employee Benefit Fund $215.00 05 Activity Fund $47,963.52 06 School Nutrition Fund $87,990.86 08 Special Building Fund $237,301.56 09 QCPUF Fund $11,670.00 12 Student Fee Fund $33,879.60 Fund Totals: $1,622,859.37 |
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3.2. Minutes from the previous month's board meeting(s)
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3.3. Board Policy Adoption
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3.3.i. First Reading of Board Policies
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3.3.i.1. NEW POLICY
604.16 USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN THE SCHOOL
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3.3.i.2. 901 OBJECTIVES OF BUILDING & SITES
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3.3.i.3. 902.1 BUILDINGS & SITES LONG RANGE PLANNING
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3.3.i.4. 902.2 CONSTRUCTION PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS
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3.3.i.5. 902.3 SITE ACQUISITION
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3.3.i.6. 902.4 BIDS AND AWARDS FOR CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS
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3.3.i.7. 902.5 CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT AT RISK SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION ALTERNATIVE
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3.3.ii. Second Reading of Board Policies
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3.4. Personnel Items
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3.4.i. Certified Staff Contract(s)
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3.4.ii. Certified Staff Resignation(s)
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3.4.ii.1. Glen Koski- LINKS Classroom Teacher
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3.5. Jon Hutchison's amended 2023-24 school year contract of employment.
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4. Reports and Discussions
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4.1. Building Report: Lorna Davis Crisis Team Lead Presentation
Discussion:
Lorna Davis had a jam-packed presentation for the BOE this evening. Some of the things she spoke of during her presentation is the training that the crisis team goes through to make sure our students and staff are getting their needs met in the event of a crisis. The Crisis Team is a combination of teachers and school counselors from all 5 of the schools in the district. Gering Public Schools is so fortunate to have such a well trained team to help the district in the time of need.
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4.2. Community Mediation and Restorative Practices Presentation: Judy Amoo
Discussion:
Judy Amoo and Charles Lieske, of Mediation West, Panhandle Partnership, gave a presentation in regards to what their program is about. GPS partnered with them in 2018, and they are piloting a toolbox to help schools and the communities they serve to rebuild trust. They will be holding listening sessions with different groups in the communities to surface issues, feelings, and perceptions about our school.
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4.3. Board Committee Report: Curriculum & Personnel
Discussion:
Tracy Wiese- Stated that our enrollment numbers are up and we hope to continue to grow. Most students that are opting out of the district are middle school-aged students. Music and PE classes are on schedule to receive a new curriculum this year. She loves seeing the opportunities our teachers have for professional development (PD), and as a district, we are offering more avenues for PD.
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4.4. Board Committee Report: Finance & Facilities
Discussion:
Josh Lacy- A/P was larger this month. However, that is not unusual for the start up of the school year. ALICAP has had a rate increase, so that contributes to larger A/P listing. The construction house closing will be taking place very soon, and we will be breaking ground for the new PK building at Northfield as well. Many facility updates will be taking place at the Middle School, as this is the facility that needs the most work. Lastly, he stated that our 2022-23 school year audit went smoothly with Dana Cole.
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4.5. Superintendent's Report
Discussion:
Dr. Regan- First and foremost, huge shoutout to our Crisis Team and the amount of work they put in to service our staff and students.
It's Homecoming Week. We have a lot of school spirit ahead of us. It was a great kick off our BGB this month in which we get to recognize our star employees of the month to our Board of Education. I am proud of the work we are doing to enhance or school and community feel of "Homecoming". Next week, we are officially "breaking ground" on our student construction pathway project, which will be our new preschool building at Northfield Elementary. Also breaking ground will be our greenhouse at GHS. Over $100,000 of donations have been received by personal and major donors such as PVB, 21st Century, and Healthy Blue Nebraska. Homecoming speaks to our families and community. Thank you Lorna, Judy, and Charles for your presentations. Crisis management is vital for Gering Public Schools. Last week, we were awarded a $154,000 grant from NDE to continue our work on professional learning with safety, Trauma Informed Schools, and mental health services for our students. Lastly, congratulations to our senior, Guri Hayer, for receiving the National Merit Scholarship Commendation. This commitment and hard work by our community, staff, and students doesn't happen over night, and I am deeply grateful to our community for standing with us to see these projects through for our families and students. |
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5. Patron Comments
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6. Action Items
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6.1. Discuss, consider, and take action regarding the purchase of a 2021 Ford Transit Van for the amount of $48,999.00, using ESSER Funds.
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7. Board Comments
Discussion:
Greg Trautman- Thanked the Crisis Team for all their hard work. GPS contributes many resources to the families in the community.
Josh Lacy- It is important to have the Crisis Team available for the students and staff @ GPS. I also want to thank the Mediation West team for their presentation. Tracy Wiese- Special "Thanks" to Jennifer Sibal for how well the communication is handled for the district. I love to see the moral being strong at all the fall sporting events. I am looking forward to homecoming week as well! Brian Copsey- Shout out to the Gering Softball Team for hosting such an amazing tournament. They represented the community very well during districts. Hosting Girls State Golf was another highlight for our community. Compliments to Shawn Seiler for keeping the staff updated on all the extra-curricular activities happening in the district. |
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7.1. Tentative Upcoming Board Meeting/Event Dates
More Information:
Future Board MeetingsRegular Meeting: Mon, Nov 20, 2023 @ 6:00 p.m. (City Council Chambers) Special Meeting: Tues, Nov 28, 2023 @ 12:00 p.m. (Central Office) Tentative Committee Meeting Dates:Personnel & Curriculum Committee: Tues, Nov 7, 2023 @ 7:00 a.m. (Central Office)Policy Review Committee: Thu, Nov 9, 2023 @ 4:00 p.m. (Central Office) Finance & Facilities Committee: Thurs, Nov 2, 2023 @ 4:30 p.m. (Central Office) Upcoming Event Highlights:Oct 20 No School for Students (Teacher Workday)Oct 23-26 Parent-Teacher Conferences Oct 27 No School for Staff & Students |
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8. Adjourn
Discussion:
This meeting was adjourned at 7:04 p.m.
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