January 13, 2011 at 6:30 PM - Regular Meeting January 13, 2011

Rationale:  It is 6:30 PM and I now call to order the Grand Island Public Schools Board of Education Meeting.  This is the January 13, 2011 meeting.  Notice of this meeting has been advertised in the Grand Island Independent, which is the District's designated method of giving notice of these meetings.

We want those in attendance to know that copies of the Open Meetings Act are available at the entrance to the Board Room.  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 Public Forum part of our meeting.  These forms are also located by the entry doors of this room.

Mrs. Wagner, will you please call the roll?

Rationale:  Roll Call.

Rationale: 

The Mission  

Every Student, Every Day, a Success
Within the Grand Island Public Schools,
- every student will be taught to read, write, and communicate effectively; solve problems; acquire and apply knowledge; and demonstrate mastery through performance to the best of the student's abilities;  
- every student will be treated with fairness and dignity;
- every student will experience a sense of belonging, contribution, and success; and
- every student will develop responsibility and show respect for others as well as oneself.  
In educating students, we teach hearts as well as minds.

Rationale:  The first item on the agenda tonight is the Consent Agenda.  The Consent Agenda to be approved is as follows:

(items read.)

This is the Consent Agenda as published.  Would anyone like to remove any items or add any items to the Consent Agenda? 

Rationale:  Mrs. Cronk is being recognized for serving on the Grand Island Public Schools Board of Education for 16 years and for serving as president for 11 of those years.

Rationale:  A motion is necessary to adjourn the 2010 Board of Education and appoint Robin Dexter, Secretary of the Board, as acting Chairman, to call the 2011 Board of Education to order and preside during the election of the 2011 President of the Board of Education.

Rationale:  Dr. Dexter will administer the Oath of Office  to the newly elected  and re-elected board members, who consist of:  Tonja Broadwell, Bonnie Hinkle, Jane Meidlinger, Clay Schutz, and Jennifer Worthington.
 
    I, ________________, do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Nebraska, and faithfully and impartially perform the duties as a member of the School Board of School District Number 2 of Grand Island, Nebraska, commencing January 13, 2011 according to law and to the best of my ability, so help me God.

Rationale: 

In past years, the Board established Board Operating Principles and recently updated those principles into Policy #2111 .   Each Board member, at the time the new Board is convened, will sign the acknowledgment of the Board Operating Principles.  The signed the document will be placed on file with the January 2011 Board minutes.  

Rationale:  Dr. Dexter will convene and call to order the 2011 Grand Island Public Schools Board of Education.

Rationale:  The Secretary of the Board will entertain a motion for nominations for President of the Board of Education, conduct a written ballot, and announce the results.  The newly elected President will then chair the remainder of the meeting.

Rationale:  The President of the Board of Education will entertain a motion for nominations for Vice President of the Board of Education, conduct a ballot, and announce the results of the election.

Rationale:  The President will inform Board members of the Standing Committees and Special Committees for 2011 and ask them to consider which committees they would prefer.

Rationale:  Project SEARCH started its second year at SFMC with nine new students.  The one-year internship program is for students ages 18 - 21 with disabilities whose goal is competitive employment.  The program takes place at St. Francis Medical Center where total immersion in the workplace facilitates the teaching and learning process through continuous feedback and acquisition of employability and competitive work skills.   Kris McMullen and Cheri Preister will be presenting an overview of the Project Search accomplishments.

Rationale:  Dr. Dexter will present the Draft Copy of the 2011-2012 calendar for the Continuous School Year schedule being offered at Howard Elementary School.

Rationale:  The IDEA federal grant application deadline for the 2010-11 year was Dec. 30th 2010. This years grant application includes the addition of two (2) Behavior Support paras. These two positions, if approved, would work with students K-12. Under the direction of the RTI team, the behavior support paras would provide behavior support services to students who  have been referred to the RTI process and are being evaluated for placement on an IEP. We anticipate approval of the IDEA grant application by mid-January and would like to begin the recruiting process immediately upon notification of the status of the grant. If the grant was not approved for some reason, we would not move forward with these two positions.

Rationale:  An update on the CTEC Project, the Ombudsman Program, and Mid-Plains.

Rationale:  Last month Mr. Stelk presented the evaluation processes for teachers, administrators, and the superintendent for approval to meet Rule 10 assurances.  The Board is being asked to approve those processes at this month's meeting.

Rationale:  The IDEA federal grant application deadline for the 2010-11 year was Dec. 30th 2010. This years grant application includes the addition of two (2) Behavior Support paras. These two positions, if approved, would work with students K-12. Under the direction of the RTI team, the behavior support paras would provide behavior support services to students who  have been referred to the RTI process and are being evaluated for placement on an IEP. We anticipate approval of the IDEA grant application by mid-January and would like to begin the recruiting process immediatley upon notification of the status of the grant. If the grant was not approved for some reason, we would not move forward with these two positions.

Rationale:  Due to the recent credit crisis the U.S. economy has experienced our issuing bank for District credit cards is updating and seeking new agreements with their credit card customers.  The District pays credit card charges within the 'grace' period to avoid all interest and fee charges.  Therefore, we are at very little risk of experiencing any issues with the current or this new agreement.  Additionally, the District expects to issue Request For Proposals (RFP) for purchasing cards (Pcards) within the next quarter.  However, until such time that we move to Pcards it is appropriate to renew\update our agreement with the credit card issuing bank.

Rationale:  Per current state statute Nebraska school districts are required to have an independent audit conducted annually.  Grand Island Public School District contracts with the independent audit firm of Almquist, Maltzahn, Galloway, & Luth, P.C. to conduct the annual audit.  Marcy Luth with the firm of (AMGL) will be on hand to give an executive overview of the 2009 - 2010 audit report and answer questions that Board members might have.  Additionally, the audit report is posted on the District's web site.  Finally, the audit report has been filed with all required state and regulatory bodies as required by law or regulations.

Rationale:  The District has entered into master design professional contracts for both engineering and architectural services.  However, as each individual project develops it is District practice to enter into a project specific agreement to account for the nuances of one project from another.

Rationale:  A monthly report to the Board and community on the major items discussed and under consideration in the Facility and Finance Committee.

Rationale:  A monthly report to the Board and community on the major items discussed and under consideration in the Teaching and Learning Committee.

Rationale:  A monthly report to the Board and community on the major items discussed and under consideration in the Personnel Committee.

Rationale:  A monthly report to the Board and community on the major items discussed and under consideration in the Policy Committee.

Rationale:  A monthly report to the Board and community on the major items discussed and under consideration by the Grand Island Education Foundation.

Rationale:  A monthly report to the Board and community on the major items discussed and under consideration in the Legislative Committee.

Rationale:  A quarterly report to the Board and community on the major items discussed and under consideration by the NASB Board of Directors.

Rationale:  A monthly report to the Board and community on the major items discussed and under consideration in the Public Relations Committee.