March 10, 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
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 by board president Greg Trautman, at 6:01 p.m.
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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, March 6th, 2025. |
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3. 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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3.1. Minutes from the previous month's board meeting(s)
Attachments:
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3.2. Approval of Claims/Bills
More Information:
Fund Amount 01 General $707,081.82 03 Employee $269.50 05 Activity $78,066.84 06 Nutrition $124,702.75 08 Special Building $32,520.16 Fund Totals: $942,641.07
Attachments:
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3.3. Board Policy Adoption
Attachments:
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3.3.i. First Reading of Board Policies
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3.3.ii. Second Reading of Board Policies
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3.4. Personnel Items
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3.4.i. Certified Staff Contract(s)
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3.4.ii. Certified Staff Resignation(s)
Mai Lee Olsen - GHS Science Teacher
Kristian Schank - GHS Social Studies
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4. Celebration of Excellence
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4.1. Student Athletics and Accomplishments:
State Wrestling Medalist
Rileigh Dane
Frost Wallace
Isaiah Murillo
Reece Knight
Discussion:
Jennifer Sibal presented to the board. She announced all our GHS boys and girls wrestlers who qualified for state.
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4.2. Building Report - Gering High School
Discussion:
Mario Chavez, building principal, presented to the board. He talked about the Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 levels of focus for high school. Tier 1 is focused on 9th graders and career pathways. Tier 2 is our JAG program. Dylan Bairn, our JAG instructor, presented to the board what he is currently doing in JAG. Tier 3 is focused on our LINKS program. Two students gave their feedback on the program and how it has helped them graduate. Mario also talked about the ACT coming up and how their 8th transition night was a huge success.
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5. Reports & Discussions
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5.1. Board Committee Report: Curriculum & Personnel
Discussion:
John Maser presented to the board. He talked about the new negotiated agreement and the webinar that Dr. Regan held. Certified staff received a 4.6% raise and our comp study shows we are 100.4% of the array. He also talked about how we are working on the school calendar for next school year and some of the changes happening with state testing.
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5.2. Board Committee Report: Business & Facilities
Discussion:
Matt Kautz presented to the board. He discussed our monthly finances and the new plans for the HVAC system needed at the high school. We are also moving the LINKS program over to the high school. He also gave an update on the new teacher salary package.
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5.3. Superintendent's Report
Discussion:
"There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about." - Margaret J. Wheatley To the Say YES to GMS committee—words can hardly capture the depth of our gratitude for the incredible work you’ve done. Your leadership, dedication, and heart have been nothing short of extraordinary. You've stood alongside us in the arena, fighting for a better future for our students, our staff, and the entire community of Gering. Your countless hours of attending events, hosting fundraisers, putting up signs, engaging in meaningful conversations, and even standing strong against keyboard warriors have made an immeasurable impact. You’ve walked this building more times than we can count, tirelessly working to ensure that our message is heard. Through it all, you’ve remained unwavering in your commitment to a brighter future. Your heartfelt letters of support have touched us deeply, reminding us just how much you believe in Gering schools. Your dedication has filled us with hope and renewed our spirits at times when we needed it most. You have given so much of yourselves—your time, energy, and heart—and the impact you’ve made will be felt for years to come. On behalf of the entire Gering School Board and administration, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Your passion, kindness, and generosity have been such a gift to us throughout this process. |
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6. Public Comments: 204.12
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7. Action Items
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7.1. Discuss, consider, and take action to approve an Auditorium HVAC replacement design in the amount of $41,000.00
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8. Board Comments
Discussion:
Tracy Wiese - Thanks to the GMS committee for all your hard work on the bond campaign. Thanks to GHS for their presentation. It's nice to see the JAG program and LINKS programs are working.
John Maser - Thanks to the GMS committee for all your hard work on the bond campaign. Thanks to GHS for their presentation. Matt Kautz - Thanks to the GMS committee. Thanks to D'Angelo and the maintenance team for al their hard work. Greg Trautman - Thanks to the GMS committee. Excited for Spring! The 5th grade and 8th grade transition nights were awesome to be apart of. |
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8.1. Tentative Upcoming Board Meeting/Event Dates
More Information:
Future Board Meetings:Special Meeting: Tues, March 25th, 2025 @ 12:00 p.m. (Central Office)Regular Meeting: Mon, April 14th, 2025 @ 6:00 p.m. (Freshmen Academy) Tentative Committee Meeting Dates:Personnel & Curriculum Committee: Tues, April 1st, 2025 @ 7:00 a.m. (Central Office)Middle School Improvement Committee: Wed, April 2nd, 2025 @ 4:30 p.m. (Central Office) Policy Review Committee: Thurs, April 3rd, 2025 @ 4:00 p.m. (Central Office) Finance & Facilities Committee: Thurs, April 3rd, 2025 @ 4:30 p.m. (Central Office) Upcoming Events:
NASB Open Meetings Workshop: March 25th @ Gering Civic Center |
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9. Adjourn
Discussion:
The meeting was adjourned at 6:37 p.m.
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