February 13, 2014 at 6:30 PM - February 13, 2014 Regular Meeting

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 13, 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:  In an effort to place GIPS in a position, both academically and financially, to endure the continued transition to digital curriculum and to best prepare students for both career and college, the Information Technology and Teaching and Learning departments have collaborated on a six year budget plan.  This plan will accomplish several objectives including stabilization of the replacement schedule due to ARRA funding purchases, providing devices for middle school curriculum delivery, and positioning GIPS to be flexible in device selection for future purchases.

Rationale:  It is the practice of Grand Island Public Schools to annually identify, review, and track new, unmet, or deferred maintenance projects for all district buildings, facilities, and grounds.  In the past we've conducted a board workshop to cover both the project list and facilities long-term building plan. However, due to the long standing work (longitudinal data) and now routine nature of the on-going project list we are presenting this as an information item during the regular board meeting.  The long-term building plan will be reviewed and updated after the March 2014 Board of Education retreat.

Rationale:  Grand Island Public Schools originally entered into an agreement for the AFJROTC program for the 2005 - 2006 school year (see attached original contract).  The time has come to renew the agreement and update our working contractual relationship.  The contract is presented 'as is' from the "Department of Air Force".  Lt. Col. McQuown presented a slide show last month updating board members on the AFJROTC program.  The renewal contract is being presented for approval at this time.

Rationale: 

Grand Island Public School from time to time reviews its long standing business relationships with professional outside advisers and consultants.  To that end, regardless of any possible bond referendum, the time came for a review of financial Underwriters.  Per Nebraska statutes, specifically;

§79-515. Contracts for services, supplies, and collective-bargaining agreements; authorized.

The school board or board of education of any school district may enter into contracts under such terms and conditions as the board deems appropriate, for periods not to exceed four years, for the provision of utility services, refuse disposal, transportation services, maintenance services, financial services, insurance, security services, and instructional materials, supplies, and equipment and for collective-bargaining agreements with employee groups. This section does not permit multiyear contracts with individual school district employees.

 

Annotations:  A contract continuation clause does not create a contract of indefinite duration in violation of this section. Central City Ed. Assn. v. Merrick Cty. Sch. Dist., 280 Neb. 27, 783 N.W.2d 600 (2010).

Grand Island Public School Board of Education Facilities and Finance Committee (F&F Committee) interviewed four (4) firms as possible financial advisors; RBC Capital Markets, D.A. Davidson, Ameritas, and Edward Jones.  After listening to the presentations and reviewing information presented the F&F committee  narrowed the four (4) to two (2), D.A. Davidson and Ameritas.  After further review the F&F committee recommends the District continue it's professional relationship with D.A. Davidson. A 'letter of understanding' regarding the relationship between GIPS and D.A. Davidson is being presented for approval at this time.

Rationale:  Grand Island Public School from time to time reviews its long standing business relationships with professional outside advisers and consultants. To that end, regardless of any possible bond referendum, the time came for a review of architect firms.  Currently, the District has a master agreement for architectural services with Cannon, Moss, Brygger, and Associates (CMBA).

Grand Island Public School Board of Education Facilities and Finance Committee (F&F Committee) sent Request For Qualifications (RFQ) to seven (7) architectural firms as follows; Bahr Vermeer Haecker, BCDM, Cannon Moss Brygger & Associates, DLR, HDR, Jackson-Jackson, Sinclair Hille.  Five (5) firms responded to the RFQ inquiry; 1.  CMBA, 2.  DLR, 3.  HDR, 4.  Jackson-Jackson, 5.  Sinclair Hille.  

Administration and others reviewed the responses received from architectural firms and made a recommendation to the BOE F&F Committee.  After reviewing the information presented the F&F committee decided to conduct interviews of selected firms.  After final interviews the F&F Committee recommends Cannon Moss Brygger & Associates as the Districts architectural firm.  A "master" agreement is being presented for Board approval at this time.

Rationale:  Grand Island Public School from time to time reviews its long standing business relationships with professional outside advisers and consultants. To that end, regardless of any possible bond referendum, the time came for a review of engineering firms.  Currently, the District has a master agreement for engineering services with Kucirek Engineering, Inc. (KEI).

Request For Qualifications (RFQ) were sent to seven (7) engineering firms as follows; Alvine Engineering, DLR, ETI, Farris Engineering, Kucirek Engineering, Inc. (KEI), Morrissey Engineering, Olsson Associates, Schemmer Associates.  Six (6) of the firms responded to the RFQ inquiry; 1.  DLR, 2.  ETI, 3.  Farris, 4.  Kucirek, 5.  Morrissey , 6.  Schemmer.

Administration and others reviewed the responses received from engineering firms and made a recommendation to the BOE F&F Committee.  After reviewing the information presented the F&F committee recommends splitting the Engineering work between Kucirek Engineering and ETI as the District engineers.   "Master" contracts are being presented for board approval 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:  No Report.

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