January 13, 2025 at 6:00 PM - Regular Board of Education Meeting
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1. GPS Board of Education Information
More Information:
The meeting agenda will be kept current and available for public inspection in the office of the Secretary of the Board of Education at the Central Office during regular working hours.
District Vision: Gering Public Schools provides a collaborative community, inspiring excellence and innovation in teaching and learning to empower student growth and leadership in school and life. District Mission: Gering Public Schools exists to equip today's learners with the skills necessary to be tomorrow's leaders. The Open Meetings Act requires and the intention of the Board is that agenda items be sufficiently descriptive to give the public reasonable notice of matters to be considered at the meeting. The Board of Education releases its agenda well in advance of most meetings and desires that all interested persons are fully informed. Any interested person who has a question or needs clarification about the sufficiency of a descriptive item should contact the Office of the Superintendent of Schools. 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 'Patron Comment' section of our meeting. These forms are located by the entry doors of the meeting room. Agenda items are subject to reordering at the discretion of the board president. Board members may request specific agenda item(s) be moved to a different place on the agenda. Please attend the entire meeting to ensure you hear discussion on a particular agenda item. |
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2. Opening Procedures
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2.1. Call to Order by Dr. Nicole Regan, Superintendent
More Information:
The Board of Education reserves the right to enter into Executive Session for the protection of the public interest, or the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual, and if the individual has not requested a public meeting.
Discussion:
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Superintendent, Dr. Regan.
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2.1.i. Oath of new board member.
Matt Kautz |
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2.2. Roll Call
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2.3. Pledge of Allegiance
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2.4. Open Meetings Act
More Information:
Pursuant to Section 84-1412 of the Nebraska Statutes, the public is hereby informed that a current copy of the Nebraska Open Meetings Act is posted in the Board meeting room on the north wall.
Notice of this meeting was published in the Star Herald on Thursday, Jan. 9th, 2025. |
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3. Board Organizational Meeting
By board policy, the Superintendent will chair the election of the President and then the newly elected President will preside over the other elections. 1. Election of School Board President
Discussion:
Greg Trautman had 6 votes (unanimous) to become the School Board President.
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4. Convene the Board of Education to Order
The newly elected Board President will now preside over the meeting. 1. Election of School Board Vice President 2. Dissemination of Ethics/Accountability & Disclosure statutes and Board Member Code of Ethics (Policy # 202.1).
Discussion:
Tracy Wiese had 6 votes (unanimous) to become the School Board VIce President.
Attachments:
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5. Consent Agenda
More Information:
At this time, any Board member may request that any item in the consent agenda be removed from the consent agenda and be considered and voted on separately.
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5.1. Consent Appointments and Designations:
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5.1.i. American Civics, Curriculum & Personnel Committee (Facilitators, Dr. Regan & Kory Knight)
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5.1.ii. Finance & Facilities Committee (Facilitator, Stacy Rodriguez)
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5.1.iii. Board Secretary: Audrey Nightingale, Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent
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5.1.iv. Board Treasurer: Stacy Rodriguez, Director of Finance & Facilities
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5.1.v. Appoint Superintendent Dr. Nicole Regan as the Authorized Representative to secure funds for Gering Public Schools.
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5.1.vi. Federal Authorized Representative: Dr. Nicole Regan, Superintendent of Schools.
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5.1.vii. Depository for Funds:
1. Platte Valley Bank 2. Riverstone Bank 3. BOK Financial Services 4. Wells Fargo Corporate Trust Services |
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5.1.viii. School Physician: Regional West Physicians Clinic
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5.1.ix. Designation of Legal Council:
5. KSB School Law 6. Perry Law Firm |
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5.1.x. Designation of District Newspaper of Record: Star Herald
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5.1.xi. Designation of ADA Compliance Officer: Julie Siebke, Director of Student Services
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5.1.xii. Designation of Title IX & XIII Officer: Dr. Nicole Regan, Superintendent of Schools
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5.2. Minutes from the previous month's board meeting(s)
Attachments:
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5.3. Approval of Claims/Bills
More Information:
Fund Amount 01 General $1,164,070.51 03 Employee $302.50 05 Activity $108,000.44 06 School Nutrition $126,004.78 07 Bond $700.00 08 Special Building $294,585.64 09 QCPUF $11,771.03 Fund Totals: $1,705,434.90 |
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5.4. Board Policy Adoption
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5.4.i. First Reading of Board Policies
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5.4.ii. Second Reading of Board Policies
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5.5. Personnel Items
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5.5.i. Certified Staff Contract(s)
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5.5.i.1. Colby Elliott - GHS Math Teacher
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5.5.ii. Certified Staff Retirement(s)
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5.5.ii.1. Melody Abel - Middle School Math
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5.5.ii.2. Kim Cardwell - Middle School ELA
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6. Celebration of Excellence
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6.1. Student Achievements
Mock Trial
Discussion:
Jenn Sibal presented to the board how the Mock Trial has done so far. They are district champions and received 3rd at State. Ruby Giess was a state champion for her individual competition.
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6.2. Jen Sibal - Annual Report
Discussion:
Jenn Sibal gave the Annual Report for the 23/24 school year.
Attachments:
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6.3. Dr. Nicole Regan - Strategic Priority #3 - Modernizing Infrastructure
Gering Public School District will invest in safe and inviting facilities for the purpose of fostering an optimal learning environment.
Discussion:
Dr. Regan presented to the board on the Gering Middle School. She went over all the survey results that were conducted over the last couple of weeks. We have strong support, over 80%. We have a strong financial rating, so the hope is that we can make a lease agreement to complete a track. The track will be taken out of our bond amount. We have started to have tours of the Middle School to hopefully get the community in there to see the conditions. Our costs are over 355% higher at the middle school than any other school in the district. Andy Forney also commented that we have money being levied into our special building fund for the track and other projects.
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7. Reports & Discussions
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7.1. Board Committee Report: Curriculum & Personnel
Discussion:
John Maser presented to the board. He talked about the progress of the middle school and how he recently took a tour. It was an eye-opening experience. He discussed some of the second semester updates. Exciting to have 5 conference champions so far in our athletic programs! And excited that we are offering united bowling. The After-School Program recently received a $250,000 grant, and they are currently buying things to expand their program. Currently, we are in negotiations for the 25/26 school year.
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7.2. Board Committee Report: Business & Facilities
Discussion:
Josh Lacy presented to the board on how they have been talking with Andy Forney about the bond for the middle school, and we have a new resolution. He also talked about negotiations for the 25/26 school year. Our contracted services have decreased. For example, we decreased our seats in Vauts since we were not using them all. We are currently getting an RFP for food service next school year. He also talked about the facility update on the auditorium at the high school. Still needs some work, as the HVAC is still having issues. We need to upgrade our cameras throughout the district. We did receive a grant of $36,000 to help with the cost of this.
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7.3. Superintendent's Report
Discussion:
This month, Board Appreciation begins January 26. I want to take this opportunity to express my gratitude and appreciation for Matt Kautz for accepting his appointment tonight as well as John Maser, Josh Lacy, Greg Trautman, Tracy Wiese and Brian Copsey for their unwavering support and leadership in Gering Public Schools and the Gering Community. Last week at our board retreat, Dr. Jim Sutfin reminded us of the importance of board leadership. The greatest influencer to our community and the state of Nebraska resides in these 6 seats. As board members, you are very humble in your servant leadership. Each of you have cast your vision with core values on Gering pride, growth and opportunities in our school community. You have fostered an environment of trust which will carry the future of our district into opportunities and growth for all to benefit. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your leadership, your dedication, sacrifice and inspiration to make our district shine. |
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8. Public Comments: 204.12
Discussion:
Mary Winn addressed the board.
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9. Action Items
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9.1. Discuss, consider and take action on a resolution to call an election to authorize $43 million in general obligation bonds for construction additions, renovations, and improvements for the safety, security, and structural stability of the Gering Middle School building, effectively replacing the $45 million election resolution adopted in December.
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10. Board Comments
Discussion:
Brian Copsey - Was absent at the last meeting, wanted to give a shout-out to B.J. on his 20 years with the board.
Tracy Wiese - Love Mary's comments about getting elementary families into the middle school and getting people registered to vote. Sad to know we are spending so much on the middle school that could be allocated for other things in the district. Loves seeing the community at the board meetings. Matt Kautz - no remarks at the time John Maser - Happy New Year! Thanks to the Middle School Committee and thanks on so many positive comments about the bond. Welcome to Matt! Congrats Greg and Tracy. Josh Lacy - Congrats to Mocktrial. Thanks to the Middle School Committee. Welcome Matt and congrats to Greg and Tracy! Greg Trautman - Thanks for voting me as president. Welcome to Matt. Thanks to the community members. Please register to vote, and we need to get people into the middle school to see its condition. |
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10.1. Tentative Upcoming Board Meeting/Event Dates
More Information:
Future Board MeetingsTentative Monthly Board Meeting Work Session: Tues, Jan. 28th, 2025 @ 12:00 p.m. (Central Office)Regular Meeting: Mon, Feb. 10th, 2025 @ 6:00 p.m. (Freshman Academy) Tentative Committee Meeting Dates:Personnel & Curriculum Committee: Tues, Feb. 4th, 2025 @ 7:00 a.m. (Central Office)Middle School Improvement Committee: Wed, Feb. 5th, 2025 @ 4:30 p.m. (Central Office) Policy Review Committee: Thurs, Feb. 6th, 2025 @ 4:00 p.m. (Central Office) Finance & Facilities Committee: Thurs, Feb. 6th, 2025 @ 4:30 p.m. (Central Office) Upcoming Event Highlights:Gering Middle School Discovery Tours - Every Wednesday in January at 6:00 p.m, or Saturday, Jan. 25th, at 10:30 a.m.NDE Superintendent Advisory Committee Meeting - Jan. 23rd School Board Recognition Week - Jan. 26th |
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11. Adjourn
Discussion:
The meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
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