February 18, 2010 at 6:30 PM - Regular Meeting February 18, 2010

Rationale:  It is 6:30 PM and I now call to order the Grand Island Public Schools Board of Education Meeting.  This is the February 18, 2010 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: 

Child Care Solutions has been an United Way agency since 1999. Previous grant requests have been established for $15,000; however, this year the request has been increased to $18,000 to cover $3,000 in expenses for United Way born-learning materials. Child Care Solutions has hired a fulltime department secretary effective November 30, 2009. Her position is funded by ARRA grant monies through August 2011. Please note that in the attached grant request, some of the operating expenses are estimated based on past history.

Rationale:  Family Leadership Institute (FLI) and Student Leadership Inspired By Consuelo Kickbusch (SLiCK).
Grand Island Public Schools was approached in December 2009 to work collaboratively with the Nebraska Department of Education Migrant Office and Educational Achievement Services, Inc. to plan and implement the Family Leadership Institute (FLI) and Student Leadership Inspired By Consuelo Kickbusch (SLiCK) programs during the second semester of the 2009-2010 school year.  The FLI program consists of ten specifically designed educational modules aimed to provide families of diverse ethnic, racial and cultural backgrounds information to grow as individuals, parents, community members and leaders so they may serve as high level role models for their children.  During the FLI program, middle and high school parents are encouraged to become engaged in their children’s education in an effort to achieve academic success.

Nine FLI sessions will be held on Saturdays at Gtand Island Senior High School from 8:00 AM – 1:30 PM beginning February 13, 20, March 6, 20, 27, April 17, 24, and May 1 with the FLI graduation being held on Monday, May 24^th in the GISH auditorium.

Student Leadership Inspired By Consuelo Kickbusch (SLiCK) in an interactive series of student leadership workshops geared towards nurturing the leadership skills within high school students of diverse ethnic, racial and cultural backgrounds to achieve personal growth, resulting in a desire to graduate from high school and create positive change in their lives and community.  Sixty-five high school students will participate in SLiCK on five Saturdays at Grand Island Senior High School from 8:00 AM – 1:30 PM beginning February 20, March 27, April 17, 24 and May 1. 

Both FLI and SLiCK programs will be fully funded out of Title I, Part C Federal Migrant dollars funded toGrand Island Public Schools.  Planning and programming is the responsibility of the Migrant/ELA Department.

Rationale:  Annually, the Central Nebraska Support Services Program contracts with Educational Service Unit 10 for selected special education services via an Interlocal Agreement.  Currently, this is for a .41 FTE audiology position (same as last year) for an estimated FY10-11 cost of approximately $17,000 to be paid by the CNSSP and billed back to districts utilizing these services.

Rationale:  With Alltel being purchased by Verizon, the District took the opportunity to review our business relationship with a Verizon governmental relations representative.  Verizon offers governmental entities a percentage discount on both equipment and service plans and extends the discount on equipment to all District employees.  The proposed contract is a multi-state competitive contract.   The Facilities and Finance Committee reviewed the contract and recommends Board approval.  A summary of the benefits, in part, follows;

1.  One year commitment rather than two.
2.  All District paid phones will be converted from Alltel to Verizon phones.
3.  Additional service options for select employees are available from Verizon
4.  Heavy duty phones for trade professionals
5.  Push-To-Talk technology that should help us reduce our monthly expense

 

Rationale:  With the Shoemaker building addition a utility easement is necessary for both the water main for fire protection for the new addition and the primary electrical lines and transformer for the entire building.  Mr. Petsch presented the details to the Facilities and Finance Committee, which recommends the approval of this utility easement with the City of Grand Island.

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 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 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 in the Public Relations Committee.