May 12, 2025 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 by Board President, Greg Trautman, 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 Star Herald on Thursday, May 8th, 2025. |
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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
More Information:
Fund Amount 01 General $507,393.20 03 Employee $269.50 05 Activity $74,132.56 06 Nutrition $13,383. Fund Totals: $595,178.27
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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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3.4. Personnel Items
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3.4.i. Certified Staff Contract(s)
Stacey Boutain - SPED Teacher, Northfield Elementary
Peter Hernandez - SPED Teacher, GHS Toni Becker - SLPA/SPED Teacher, Lincoln Elementary Michelle Moore - Counselor, Lincoln Elementary Caleb Moore - Math Teacher, GHS Tony Simonsen - Counselor, Northfield Elementary Stepheni Pitts-Welchlin - Preschool Teacher |
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3.4.ii. Certified Staff Resignation(s)
Brandy Foos - Preschool SPED, Lincoln Elementary
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3.4.iii. Early Graduation Request -
Grayson Hawley
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4. Celebration of Excellence
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4.1. Student Success -
ESports State Journalism National Merit Finalist Bulldogs Helping Bulldogs
Discussion:
Jennifer Sibal presented to the board. She honored all students involved in ESports, who won a state runner-up and a state title for their video games. Natalie Peterson was recognized for her National Merit Scholarship. She also honored the students who went to State Journalism.
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4.2. Building Report - Northfield Elementary
Discussion:
Wendee Powell presented to the board about Northfield Elementary. She talked about their Tier 1 instruction for reading and math. She then had her Title 1 teacher present, Stanna Funk. She talked about what they were doing to implement the WORDS program. She had created a tutoring project that students could take advantage of. They saw significant growth with this project. Then, Micheal Macias presented about what he is doing with the E.L. (English Learners) program. He is trying to be more intentional during W.I.N. time. At just two days a week, he has seen significant growth in those students.
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5. Reports & Discussions
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5.1. Board Committee Report: Curriculum & Personnel
Discussion:
Tracy Wiese presented to the board: All positions are filled. We have seen a lot of growth in test scores. Working on the high school handbook. We have preschool expansions! We have gone from just having two classrooms, to now having ten! We now have the option to have half or full day at all schools for preschool.
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5.2. Board Committee Report: Business & Facilities
Discussion:
Brian Copsey presented to the board: We have good "cash flow". We are currently below our budget. We will have a bid on our HVAC system in the high school auditorium. Our emergency shelter process was updated with Gering P.D.
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5.3. Superintendent's Report
Discussion:
Dr. Regan presented to the board: Such an exciting week! In 5 days we get the honor of saying, "Congratulations Class of 2025" on Saturday morning. John, as a board member and father, it will be such a proud moment for you to be on stage and deliver diplomas to the senior class and, most importantly, to your son. I look forward to these moments for our Board and our families. One of the messages to our 119 graduating seniors this week is about Believing in the Possibility and Pursuing Your Dreams. For my Board leadership, I think a lot of what we have accomplished this year is about believing in the possibility and pursuing the dreams of our future for Gering Public Schools. I am incredibly proud of our students. They are ready for their next chapter. Speaking of next chapters, on Wednesday, May 28 at 6:00 p.m. we are hosting our community listening session with our Say Yes Committee and board leadership. Our focus is Reimagining Gering Middle School: A Community Conversation. It’s a time to listen and understand in open conversations with staff, families, and community members. I encourage you to join us in the conversation, bring a friend you may have had a conversation with about GMS a few months ago, and engage in the session for us to learn more about your perspective. Another summer highlight: Gering Public Schools is launching a new Summer Food Program. We are partnering with JA Foods to have mobile meals available to families of need over the summer throughout 4 sites in Gering and Terrytown. Food insecurity is a challenge in the Panhandle area. 1 in 5 children face hunger in Nebraska and our food insecurity rate of 12.2% surpasses the national average of 11.2%. Summer can be challenging for children, especially when they are home more in the summer, placing a strain on family budgets. Stacy and her team have successfully designed a program with the Department of Education to serve families and our students weekly nutritious food options that they can bring home. More information will be shared at the end of this week. Looking forward: May 28 is State Golf-a great opportunity to host school districts from the east side of the state in a fun, well-attended event. Gering Middle School band concert tonight! |
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6. Public Comments: 204.12
Discussion:
Lonnie O'Brien presented to the board.
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7. Action Items
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7.1. Discuss, consider, and take action to adopt a resolution selecting the construction management at risk contract delivery system for a School Facilities Improvement Project as presented, including designating members of the Construction Manager at Risk Selection Committee.
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7.2. Review, revise, and ratify Policy 902.3 on Construction Management at Risk Contracts.
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8. Board Comments
Discussion:
Matt Kautz - Congrats to Natalie! Thanks to Northfield for presenting.
John Maser - Congrats Natilie! Congrats to ESports and Journalism. Can't wait for summer. Brian Copsey - Thanks for the public comment. Hope to see people at the meeting on the 28th. Great to hear about preschool's growth. Happy about the new food program. Excited about the E.L. program. Tracy Wiese - Thanks for the public comment. Hopeful to come up with a more complimentary plan for GMS. Welcome back to Wendee! Links graduation is May 16th. Greg Trautman - Thanks for public comment. Great to hear from Northfield and all the positive growth they have seen this year. |
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8.1. Tentative Upcoming Board Meeting/Event Dates
More Information:
Future Board MeetingsSpecial Meeting: Tues, May 27th, 2025 @ 12:00 p.m. (Central Office)Regular Meeting: Mon, June 9th, 2025 @ 6:00 p.m. (Freshmen Academy) Tentative Committee Meeting Dates:Personnel & Curriculum Committee: Tues, June 3rd, 2025 @ 7:00 a.m. (Central Office)Middle School Improvement Committee: Wed, June 4th, 2025 @ 4:30 p.m. (Central Office) Finance & Facilities Committee: Thurs, June 5th, 2025 @ 4:30 p.m. (Central Office) Upcoming Event Highlights:Graduation: Sat, May 17th @ 10:00 a.m.Reimagining GMS: A Community Conversation: Wed, May 28th @ 6:00 p.m. (GMS) |
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9. Adjourn
Discussion:
The meeting adjourned at 6:59 p.m.
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