April 10, 2014 at 6:30 PM - Regular Meeting April 10, 2014

Rationale:  It is 6:30 PM and I now call to order the Grand Island Public Schools Board of Education Meeting.  This is the April 10, 2014 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:   

Rationale:  In order to keep current with Federal laws surrounding PPACA (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) and reduce the administrative burden of properly administering a 125 plan it is necessary to update Grand Island Public Schools (GIPS) current 125 plan.  Major changes include, but are not limited to, the follow; 1.) Merge the two current 125 plans, one for classified employees and one for certified/administrative employees into one 125 plan for all GIPS employees.  2.) Automatically enroll all eligible employee benefits into the 125 plan unless an employee provides written notice to the District of their desire not to participate.  3.)  Make the necessary 125 plan changes to comply with PPACA.

Rationale: 

The GIPS Online Curriculum committee began by exploring five different online courseware providers.  After their initial exploration they narrowed the field to three providers (Plato, FuelEd, and Gradpoint).  These three vendors were invited to give presentations.  After the presentations and careful consideration the committee is recommending Plato Courseware. Plato would replace Class.com, which will be defunct as of June 30, 2014.  About Plato:  Plato Courseware is a standards-based online learning program grounded in a tradition of solid research, sound pedagogy, and applied innovation. It includes rigorous, relevant curriculum that challenges students with a 21st century approach - engaging them with interactive, media-rich content. Plato Courseware can be used in a lab setting, a blended model in which online courses supplement the traditional classroom, or through a completely virtual experience. Plato also works well with Study Island resources. Committee Members: Katrina Rother, Laurie Clark, Janice Luth, Renee Hunt, Maggie Mintken, Ken DeFrank, and Josh McDowell.

Rationale:  Mr. Barcenas, Mr. Brown, Mrs. Worthington, Mrs. Schutz, and Dr., Winter will report out on their recent attendance at the National NSBA Conference in New Orleans.

Rationale:  Grand Island Public Schools is entering into an inter-local agreement with the City of Grand Island to designate maintenance responsibilities of the new Walk-to-Walnut drive area.  The inconsistency of the new property lines warrant this agreement.

Rationale: 

The Teaching and Learning Team recommends the adoption of Northwest Education Agency Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) as GIPS Norm Referenced Assessment to meet NE Rule 10 and the use of Study Island for instructional resource support.

Rationale: 

The GIPS Social Studies Task force recommends the adoption of resources to support the recently adopted Nebraska Social Studies Standards. This team has worked since the summer of 2012 through 2014 to align teaching and learning to NE Social Studies Standards and to develop curriculum content and skills. The Social Studies Task Force reviewed four different curriculum resources and makes this recommendation based on alignment with curriculum standards.

Rationale: 

The Early Learning Center Calendar is recommended for the 2014-15 school year. The calendar has gone through major revisions starting with alignment to the Traditional 2014-2015 calendar. Early Learning Center staff worked with Mrs. Petersen to develop the calendar. The ELC team worked to increase the number of student contact days; and to identify time for professional learning and collaborative planning.

Rationale: 

The GIPS Online Curriculum committee began by exploring five different online courseware providers.  After their initial exploration they narrowed the field to three providers (Plato, FuelEd, and Gradpoint).  These three vendors were invited to give presentations.  After the presentations and careful consideration the committee is recommending Plato Courseware. Plato would replace Class.com which will be defunct as of June 30, 2014. About Plato: Plato Courseware is a standards-based online learning program grounded in a tradition of solid research, sound pedagogy, and applied innovation. It includes rigorous, relevant curriculum that challenges students with a 21st century approach - engaging them with interactive, media-rich content. Plato Courseware can be used in a lab setting, a blended model in which online courses supplement the traditional classroom, or through a completely virtual experience. Plato also works well with Study Island resources.  Committee Members: Katrina Rother, Laurie Clark, Janice Luth, Renee Hunt, Maggie Mintken, Ken DeFrank, and Josh McDowell.

Rationale:   

Rationale:  Mr. Stelk, Director of Human Resources, will present the proposed staffing plan for 2014-2015.   The request totals $1,057,000. The Board is being asked to approve the recommendation at this time.

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