December 8, 2011 at 6:30 PM - Regular Meeting Dec 8, 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 December 8th, 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: 

An overview of the program implemented in Aug 2011 will be presented to include current enrollment, student demographics, and referral and transition out processes.

Rationale: 

An overview of the program implemented in Aug 2010 will be presented to include current enrollment, student demographics, referral and transition out process, and graduate numbers.

Rationale: 

An overview of the program will be presented to include current enrollment, student demographics, referral and transition out process, and graduate numbers.

Rationale: 

Secondary counselors have been working to define the secondary counseling program using a model developed by the American School Counselor Association. They will present their progress to date.

Rationale:  Since the implementation of the continuous school calendar at Howard Elementary school, the district has set an expectation for the building principal to go into classrooms during the academic portion of each intersession day (AM’s). The role of the principal will be to observe instruction and student learning and to collaborate with the teacher to insure each student receives the remediation and support to be successful in the regular classroom.
This expectation would be in addition to the regular duties associated with a 230 day Administrative contract, and would encroach on the regular contract days available to principals to work when staff and/or students are not at school.

Rationale: 

Presentation of 2012-13 Calendar as developed by the 2012-13 Calendar Committee. The calendar committee is recommending a later graduation date due to the number of days students are out of school.

Committee members include: B. Hinkle, B. Exstrum, A. Renaldi, B. Kort, C. Jensen, D. Harder, D. Gnuse, D. Jensen, J. Bigley, J. Gilbertson, J. Kutlas, K. Eisenmenger, P. Poppe, R. Brown, R. Dexter

Rationale:  Per Nebraska Statute 79-473, RRS when land is annexed into a city the school districts involved are required to negotiate, in good faith, and the Boards of Education shall consider:
 
(a)  The educational needs of the students in the affected school districts
(b)  The economic impact upon the affected school districts
(c)  Any common interest between the annexed or platted area and the affected school districts and the community which has zoning jurisdiction over the area
(d)  Community Educational Planning

The City of Grand Island has recently (or is about to) finalized several annexations via the following specific ordinances;

Annexation Ordinance No. 9344 - Olson Subdivision
Annexation Ordinance No. 9339 - Eagle Scout Park Area
Annexation Ordinance No. 9340 - Near Bismark and Stuhr Rd, south of JBS/Swift
Annexation Ordinance No. 9341 - Vanosdal Ball Fields
Annexation Ordinance No. 9342 - Husker Highway and 281 area
Annexation Ordinance No. 9343 - Old Potash and North Area
Annexation Ordinance No. 9346 - Former Aurora Coop Site

Mr. Harden will report on the meeting between Grand Island Public Schools Board of Education and Northwest Public Schools Board of Education, which is tentatively scheduled for Monday, December 5, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at the Kneale Administration Building.

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.  Business Director, Virgil Harden  will  give an executive overview of the 2010 - 2011 audit report and answer questions that Board members might have.  An action item to accept and place the 2010 - 2011 audit report on file will appear on the January 2012 meeting agenda.  Additionally, the audit report is posted on the District's web site.

Rationale:  Pursuant to our past practice when we embark upon a new contraction project we enter into a project specific agreement subordinate to our master contract for professional architectural services.  Work has begun in earnest on the Career Pathways Institute (CPI).  Therefore, it is the administration's recommendation that the BOE authorize, approve, and enter into a contractual relationship with CMBA architects for the CPI project.

Rationale:  Pursuant to our past practice when we embark upon a new contraction project we enter into a project specific agreement subordinate to our master contract for professional engineering services.  Work has begun in earnest on the Career Pathways Institute (CPI) and Walnut Middle School SCITECH projects.  Therefore, it is the administration's recommendation that the BOE authorize, approve, and enter into a contractual relationship with KI, engineers for both the CPI and Walnut SCITECH projects.

Rationale: 

The purpose of this item is to introduce the possibility of having the school district participate in a district wide communication audit.  A communication audit would analyze Grand Island Public Schools efforts and practices ultimately providing valuable feedback on our effectiveness in communicating with both our internal public’s students and staff and our external public’s parents and community members at large.  The process would be conducted by an outside consulting firm and would take anywhere from sixty to one hundred and twenty days depending on the firm and start date.

Rationale:  GIPS implements the Well Managed Schools Model district wide for all students. GIPS is required to provide education services for students on IEPís who are suspended from school. In order to decrease suspensions, we would like to partner with Boys Town to provide tutorial services and support for the Boys Town Well Managed Schools Model. This would be at a cost to the district of $60.00 /day compared to reimbursement for tutorial services at the district hourly substitute rate.

Rationale: 

The Director of Support Services provides leadership, direction and coordination for district support services including special education programs, early childhood programs, and health services.  This position also serves as the responsible administrator for the Central Nebraska Support Services Program special education cooperative.  Due to recent changes and additions in job responsibilities, and in response to market adjustments, the recommended revised compensation and job description are being presented for Board approval.

Rationale:  The approval of the 21st Century Director's position is in direct response to the Board of Education's Teaching and Learning goal: indicator (1) "Develop a long range plan to best meet the needs of 21st Century learners."  This position would work directly with the Executive Director of Technology and the Associate Superintendent to ensure students ARE provided with the skill sets necessary to be successful in a global technology-driven work place.

Rationale:  A monthly report to the Board and community on the major items discussed and under consideration in the Facility and Finance Committee.  From this committee, there is also a possibility of a presentation and recommendation for action on any item which might have recently arisen requiring a short turn around time frame.

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:  No Report this month.