December 13, 2012 at 6:30 PM - Regular Meeting December 13, 2012

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 13, 2012 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.

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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:  Cailey Mathews, of Walnut Middle School, in recognition of being selected to the 2012 NE State Bandmasters Assoc. 8th Grade All-State Band.

Rationale:  Kyla Buettner and Carly Wahlmeier, of Grand Island Senior High, in recognition of being selected to the 2012 NE Music Educators Assoc. All-State Band.

Rationale:  Brooke Baxa, Jadan Weber, Haley Friesen, and Mary Swift, of Grand Island Senior High, in recognition of being selected to the 2012 NE Music Educators Assoc. All-State Orchestra.

Rationale:  Abby Kutlas, Anna Toner, Nyanial Rial, Nick Werner, and Jonathan Heredia of Grand Island Senior High, in recognition of being selected to the 2012 NE Music Educators Assoc. All-State Chorus.

Rationale:  As we move forward with iPad deployment throughout the district it is necessary to consider providing students and their families the opportunity to purchase a "iPad Repair Plan".  The "iPad Repair Plan" would provide students and their families with the assurance their iPad would be repaired or replaced at the district discretion regardless of the reason or expense of the repair.  On a second semester trial basis we could offer students the opportunity to purchase upfront $15 "iPad Repair Plan" with a sliding deductible of $10, $25, and $50 for the first, second, and third claim, respectfully.  After a third claim the district would re-evaluate the students ability to take the iPad from the school building.  Prior to the start of the 2013 - 2014 school year we could review our actual experience from expected and make changes to the plan design cost to account for the whole year and other issues as they develop.

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Career Pathways Institute: Informational Technology and Arts and AV.  Scott Fox will present curriculum on the Information Technology Career Pathway and Greg Ulmer will present curriculum on the Arts and AV Career Pathway.

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Josh McDowell will provide an update on IPad deployment at GISH and how IPads will support the new science curriculum.

Rationale:  The GIPS Teaching and Learning Team is recommending the adoption of a curriculum mapping system. This tool would be used by teaching and administrative staff to develop, monitor, and evaluate the implementation of curriculum in all areas. This system would house standards, curriculum maps, lesson plans, assessments, and resources. Mr. McDowell will present the decision process and two possible curriculum tools to purchase. The initial cost is expected to be up to $27,000.00 with an annual cost thereafter of $30.00/instructional staff member.  Online resources will be available for viewing at the BOE meeting.

Rationale:  NDOR has requested that the Board President sign the attached form for donation of right-of-way.  This form verifies that Grand Island Public Schools knowingly waived their rights to have the tracts appraised and receive just compensation.

Rationale:  The State conference for The Nebraska School Boards Association was held in LaVista November 14, 15, and 16, 2012.  Board members will report out on their experiences and the various sessions attended.

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Grand Island Public Schools maintains an Internal Revenue Service 125 Plan as part of our overall employee benefits plan.  In the past we have issued “request for proposals” for administrating our 125 plan.  It is the administration’s recommendation to award a year-to-year contract to our current vendor given the following facts;

1.  The last time a “request for proposals” for administrating our 125 plan was attempted only one other firm responded and their cost where 29% higher than our current vendor
2. The current vendor has successfully acted as our third party administrator for our 125 plan since its inception
3. There is no statutory requirement to seek a competitive bid on services
4. And most importantly the added complexity of the benefit landscape with the advent of Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA)

Rationale:  Presentation of 2013-14 Calendar as developed by the 2013-14 Calendar Committee.

Rationale:  As a standard business rule the Nebraska Department of Roads requires all contracts, agreements, and\or other legal documents executed by public bodies to be signed by an authorized official.  In order to expedite the Walk-To-Walnut project it is therefore necessary to pass the attached "Corporate Resolution" officially authorizing the Board of Education President, Mrs. Jennifer Worthington as the official Board officer authorized to sign contracts, agreements, and\or other legal documents to carry out the Walk-To-Walnut project. 

Rationale:  NDOR has requested that the Board President sign the attached form for donation of right-of-way.  This form verifies that Grand Island Public Schools knowingly waived their rights to have the tracts appraised and receive just compensation.

Rationale:  In the course of doing business it is the districts practice to enter into project specific contracts with our design professional (i.e. engineers and architects) to further protect the districts interest, establish clear communication concerning the specific project, and set fees and other terms and conditions of the engagement.  The specific contract, notwithstanding language to the contrary, is subordinate to the master five-year contract we have with the design professionals.

Rationale:  A team of teachers, community members, outside consultants, and board member worked to develop a philosophy of beliefs for the GIPS High Ability Learner Program. Deb Karle is presenting the philosophy and explanation of the RtI Process for identifying and monitoring HAL learning needs. We ask that you consider the new HAL Philosophy for approval.
HAL Program Review Team: Jon Rosenlund, Brad Wolfe, Andrew Rinaldi, Julie Henke, Maura Hendrickson, Heidi Vahle, Sara Robinson, Jessica Schraeder, Shaun Willey, Stacy Vogel, Mary Unger, Jeff Gilbertson, Deb Harder, Liz Boyle, Jessica Stephens, Erin Runicie

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