December 18, 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:
This meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm, by President Brian Copsey
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2.2. Roll Call
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2.3. Excuse Absent Board Member(s)
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2.4. Pledge of Allegiance
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2.5. 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 Saturday, December 16, 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. Minutes from the previous month's board meeting(s)
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3.2. Approval of Claims/Bills
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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.ii. Second Reading of Board Policies
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3.3.ii.1. 505.3 SUSPENSION OF STUDENTS
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3.3.ii.2. 902.6 DESIGN-BUILD SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION ALTERNATIVE
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3.3.ii.3. 903.1 SECURITY
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3.3.ii.4. 903.2 ACCESS TO BUILDINGS
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3.3.ii.5. 903.3 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
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3.3.ii.6. 903.4 REQUESTS FOR IMPROVEMENTS
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3.3.ii.7. 903.6 BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS-RECORDS AND REPORTS
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3.3.ii.8. 903.7 TRAFFIC AND PARKING PROCEDURES
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3.3.ii.9. 903.8 VANDALISM
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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.i.1. Alexandria Gustafson, GHS English Teacher for the 2024-2025 school year.
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3.4.i.2. Colby Elliott, GHS Math Teacher for the 2024-2025 school year.
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3.4.ii. Certified Staff Resignation(s)
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3.4.ii.1. Virginia Deam-Neil, GMS Physical Education teacher for the 2023-2024 school year.
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3.4.iii. Approval of Early Graduation Request from Andres Casas (2024-2025 school year)
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4. Reports and Discussions
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4.1. Student Recognitions
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4.1.i. GHS Cheer & POMS All-American
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4.1.ii. GHS Mock Trial Team & Coaches
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4.2. Employee Recognition: "Bulldogs Going Beyond"
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4.2.i. Lindsey Ferguson, Activites Secretary @ GHS
Discussion:
Mr. Randy Plummer spoke on behalf of the nomination he sent in for Lindsey Ferguson. He spoke very highly of what she does as the activities' secretary at GHS. Congrats Lindsey, and thank you for all you do!
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4.3. Board Committee Report: Curriculum & Personnel
Discussion:
Greg Trautman- There was lots of information shared at this committee meeting. Option Enrollments were a hot topic, and there is a lot of behind the scenes work on accepting or declining option students from other districts. As of right now, there are no retirements within the district, and we are nearly fully staffed. Professional Development with consultant, Kristen Anderson was a hit, and she will be back in Gering on January 26, 2024 to continue her work with our staff. A Quest test scores were available to view, and all assessment scores went up. In closing, Greg stated, "You don't have to be perfect to be successful."
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4.4. Board Committee Report: Finance & Facilities
Discussion:
Brian Copsey- The Gering Middle School is always on the list for discussion at these meetings. We are prioritizing updates, and many projects will be completed at the Middle School over Christmas break. HVAC units have arrived, and they are ready to be installed. The Greenhouse project is underway at the High School, and we look forward to seeing it up and running. The new preschool project at Northfield is coming along as well.
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4.4.i. Monthly Finance Summary Report
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4.5. Superintendent's Report
Discussion:
Dr. Nicole Regan-Happy Holidays to you and your families. The season is filled with great gratitude and hope this school year. I am deeply grateful for our Bulldog staff. They have worked beyond the bell to study data, make informed decisions, and drive best practices to offer top tier academic experiences for all students. Key indicators of success include, increased proficiency in math, ELA, and science, increase in ACT scores, and improved state classification ratings, just to name a few. This kind of work is not an easy feat, but our staff is dedicated to the future of our school community. Thank you to all for your continued support and commitment to our mission in GPS.
Also, thank you, families, for sharing your children with GPS. The Gering students are extraordinary individuals, whose talents shine through for a bright academic future. Wishing you all a happy, healthy holiday season and som well-deserved rest and relaxation. |
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5. Enter into Executive Session for the sole purpose of discussing personnel matters to prevent needless injury to the reputation of an individual if deemed necessary.
Discussion:
Entered into executive session at 6:26 pm
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6. Reconvene from the Executive Session.
Discussion:
Reconvenced from executive session at 6:50 pm
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7. Any action deemed necessary as a result of the Executive Session discussion.
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8. Patron Comments
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9. Action Items
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9.1. Discuss, consider, and take action regarding the approval of the JAG (JOBS for America's Graduates) program for the district.
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9.2. Discuss, consider, and take action regarding the review and approval of the Superintendents' 2023-2024 school year evaluation.
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9.3. Discuss, consider, and take action regarding the annual review and approval of the Superintendents' 2024-2025 school year contract and salary.
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10. Board Comments
Discussion:
John Maser-This was the first time I had ever been involved in a Superintendents' evaluation, and I enjoyed being a part of it. Thank you for all you do, Dr. Regan, and Merry Christmas to all!
Josh Lacy- It was great to see a full house this evening. There is so much going on in GPS, and I feel everything is going in the right direction. A special thank you Dr. Regan for all you do! Tracy Wiese- Please try to attend the LINKS graduation tomorrow night to honor the students. Thank you to the staff members that always attend board meetings to stay informed. Thank you Central Office Staff and Dr. Regan, as you're all appreciated. Merry Christmas! Greg Trautman- Being a part of the Strategic Planning was very interesting, and exhausting at the same time. GPS has a thriving atmosphere from activities to the classroom. It has been such a pleasure being a part of the district. Special thank you to Kory Knight for the curriculum changes that have taken place in the district. Also, thank you Dr. Regan for all the hard work you put into our schools. Merry Christmas! BJ Peters-Thank you to the Bulldog Community for the support after having major surgery. I also want to publicly thank my wife for the care she gave me during my recovery time. It feels good to be back to work, and in closing, "It's a special season to be thankful for." Brian Copsey- LINKS is a great ceremony to attend, and I encourage all to attend if possible. The Central Office and Admin team is always transparent, and that is why we have such success. There was a lot of heaving lifting during our Strategic Planning, but we are coming up with the best solutions. There is nothing better than having our community align with the district. Special thank you to Jennifer Sibal and Dr. Regan for the communication they give our community. Merry Christmas! |
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10.1. Tentative Upcoming Board Meeting/Event Dates
More Information:
Future Board MeetingsSpecial Meeting: NO SPECIAL BOARD MEETING FOR DECEMBERRegular Meeting: Mon, Jan 15, 2024 @ 6:00 p.m. (City Council Chambers) Special Meeting: Tues, Jan 23, 2024 @ 12:00 p.m. (Central Office) Tentative Committee Meeting Dates:Personnel & Curriculum Committee: Mon, Jan 8, 2024 @ 7:00 a.m. (Central Office)Policy Review Committee: Thurs Jan 11, 2024 @ 4:00 p.m. (Central Office) Finance & Facilities Committee: Thurs, Jan 4, 2024 @ 4:30 p.m. (Central Office) Upcoming Event Highlights:LINKS Graduation December 19, @ 6:00 p.m. (GHS Auditorium)Early release December 20 @ 11:30 a.m. No school for students December 21, 2023 - January 4, 2024 School resumes January 5, 2024 HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! |
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11. Adjourn
Discussion:
The meeting was adjourned at 7:09 pm
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