November 13, 2025 at 5:30 PM - GIPS BOE Regular Meeting

Rationale: 

It is 5:____p.m. and I now call to order the Grand Island Public Schools Board of Education Meeting.  This is the November 13, 2025 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 so that you may be recognized during the Requests to Address the Board part of our meeting.  If you have not already completed the form, please see the staff person outside the entrance to this room.  Public comment is welcome. We do ask that no signs be brought into the boardroom.

Mrs. Dibbert, will you please call the roll?

Rationale:  Roll Call.

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? (pause)

Does anyone have a potential conflict of interest on agenda item 3.3? If so, please state the check number that you will be abstaining from voting on.

Rationale:  Standing Committees
 A monthly agenda presented to the board and community on the major items discussed and under consideration in the standing committees.  
 

• Finance and Facilities Committee
• Leading for Learning Committee - None.
• Personnel Committee
• Policy Committee
• Public Relations and Partnership Development Committee
• Governance Committee
• GNSA/Legislative Committee - None.

Rationale:  6421 PROHIBITION ON AIDING AND ABETTING SEXUAL ABUSE

Rationale:  6430 CERTIFIED STAFF VACANCIES

Rationale:  6440 SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS

Rationale:  6450 CERTIFIED STAFF PROBATION AND TENURE

Rationale:  6462 CERTIFIED STAFF RESIGNATION

Rationale:  8456 STUDENT USE OF PERSONAL ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION DEVICES (ECDs)

Rationale:  Fourteen Islanders will be representing Grand Island Senior High at the 2025 All-State Music Ensembles at the Lied Center on November 20-22 in Lincoln.  The Islanders (listed below) were selected by the Nebraska Music Education Association (NMEA) and are among the best high school musicians in the state to participate in All-State, which is one of the highest musical honors in Nebraska. Students were chosen by their high school directors to audition and compete against other top students for a spot in the state honor ensembles.  All-State participants rehearse with nationally recognized conductors and perform in concerts at the Lied Performing Arts Center. Ensembles include: concert band, mixed chorus, jazz band, and orchestra.

Congratulations to the 2025 GISH All-State Musicians!

PLEASE NOTE:  Due to scheduling, we'll be honoring the students later in the agenda when they are able to arrive. 

INSTRUMENTAL:

• Katelyn Sodomka, Horn, in Band
• Gabi Meier, Harp, in Orchestra 
• Paige Berglund, Bassoon, in Orchestra

VOCAL:

• Natalie Flores
• Cadence Gidcumb
• Katherine Johnsen
• Malia McNeal
• Reagan Kort
• Isabella Roe
• Madison Wieczorek
• Ulises Acosta
• Coen Thorpe
• Elijah Meier-Juarez
• Cael Wiegert

Rationale:  Katie Johnsen, Senior at GISH, finished the Girls Cross-Country season by becoming the Islanders first State Medalist since 2005.  Johnsen finished 15th overall at the Nebraska State Girls Cross Country meet. Earlier in the season, she also broke a school record with a time of 18:58.77. 

Congratulations to Katie Johnsen! 

Rationale: 

• Each person addressing the board will be allowed 5 minutes. The Board of Education has the prerogative to limit speaking to 3 minutes when there are three or more patrons to allow speakers an opportunity to address the Board in a timely manner.
• We allocate up to 30 minutes for addressing the board at each regular board meeting.
• Please face the Board, not the audience when you speak
• We want to hear what is being said so we ask the audience to refrain from making comments or sounds that make it hard to hear the speaker. 
• No signs are allowed in the boardroom.
• We will not engage in dialogue with patrons presenting to the Board, the purpose of the requests to address the board is to listen to patrons.
• The Board president and superintendent will identify staff to follow-up on information requested from patrons when necessary.
• At regular business meetings any school district-related matter can be presented to the Board, but only agenda items can be acted upon during a given meeting. At special meetings, comments will be limited to the subject of action items of the meeting's agenda. 
• Speakers will not be permitted to make defamatory comments, or use abusive or vulgar language. 
• Expressions of personal complaints about staff or students are discouraged at public meetings. Concerns about individuals should be brought to the attention of the appropriate administrative authority. Specific building or program concerns should be brought to the attention of the building principal or program supervisor.

Rationale:  American Civics Bi-yearly Report is in compliance with Nebraska PL 79-724 and GIPS Board Policy 2230.

Rationale:  Introduce a new program committed to internal growth, fostering a culture of continuous learning and excellence that ultimately benefits our students and the entire school community.

Rationale:  Nutrition Services Update

Rationale:  Accept and place on file the Audit Report for FY 2024-25

Rationale:  Since the District took possession of and renovated the current Kneale Administration Building in 1998, the main parking area has needed resurfacing.  During the 2013-2014 school year, the BOE approved engineering plans and scheduled the project for completion.  However, other projects took priority.  Now is the time for this project to be completed.

Rationale:  6510 CERTIFIED STAFF ASSIGNMENTS AND TRANSFERS (Teacher)

Rationale:  6511 CLASSIFIED STAFF ASSIGNMENTS AND TRANSFERS

Rationale:  6515 CERTIFIED STAFF TUTORING

Rationale:  6610 PROFESSIONAL LEARNING FOR CERTIFIED STAFF

Rationale:  6710 EVALUATION OF CERTIFIED TEACHERS AND INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT STAFF

Rationale:  6711 CLASSIFIED STAFF PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL

Rationale:  GIEA Request for Recognition for 2027-2028.

Rationale:  Accept and place on file the Audit Report for FY 2024-25

Rationale:  Since the District took possession of and renovated the current Kneale Administration Building in 1998, the main parking area has needed resurfacing.  During the 2013-2014 school year, the BOE approved engineering plans and scheduled the project for completion.  However, other projects took priority.  Now is the time for this project to be completed.

Rationale:  Administration proposes a Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget Calendar outlining the key dates, events, and responsible individual or group(s) for review and approval of the Board of Education.

Rationale:  6460 TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT FOR CERTIFIED STAFF

Rationale:  7551 SECONDARY ASYNCHRONOUS LEARNING POLICY

Rationale: 

A monthly report to the Board and community on the major items discussed and under consideration by the Grand Island Public Schools Foundation.

Rationale: 

Ms. Xicara Ramos will present the student representative's report to the board. 

Rationale: 

Mr. Fisher will present the superintendent report. 

Rationale: 

The Board will convene into executive session for the purpose of discussing negotiations.

Rationale:  Regular Board of Education Meeting - Thursday, December 11, 2025 at 5:30 p.m.