Minutes

Archive of Meeting Minutes

The regular meeting of the Board of Education of Grand Island in the County of Hall in the State of Nebraska was convened and called to order by President Lynn Cronk in open and public session, at 6:30 o'clock p.m. on Thursday, June 12, 2008, in the Board Room, Administration Building, 123 South Webb Road, Grand Island, Nebraska, the usual meeting place of said Board.

Notice of the meeting was given in advance thereof by publication in the Grand Island Independent, the School District's designated method of giving notice.  Notice of the meeting was given in advance to all members of the Board of Education.  All proceedings hereafter shown were recorded while the convened meeting was open to the attendance of the public.

ROLL CALL:

Roll Call was taken and the following members were present: Mr. Brown, Mrs. Bullington, Mrs. Cronk, Mrs. Hinkle, Mrs. Meidlinger, Mr. Schutz, Mrs. Vahle and Mrs. Worthington.  Absent:  Mr. Harms. 

MISSION STATEMENT:

Read by Mrs. Worthington.

CONSENT AGENDA:

A motion was made by Mrs. Hinkle and seconded by Mrs. Vahle to amend the Consent Agenda to add the Staff Adjustment Addendum that was placed at each board seat and then to approve the Consent Agenda as amended.  The Consent Agenda to be approved is as follows: 08-06-1 May 8, 2008 minutes from the Regular Board meeting, 08-06-2 Claims; 08-06-3 Bids; 08-06-4 Staff Adjustments as amended; 08-06-5 Treasurer’s Report; 08-06-6 Policy 2230, Board Committees, on final reading, 08-06-7  Policy 6710, Evaluation of Teachers and Non-Administrative Certificated Staff, on first reading; 08-06-8 Deletion of Policy 6720, Teacher Evaluation, on first reading; 08-06-9 Policy 4441, Bidding Requirements, on first reading; 08-06-10 Grant Report as presented; 08-06-11 Surplus Property, authorizing the listing and disposal of property as per policy; 08-06-12 Approval of Change Orders on building projects as identified and documented;  and 08-06-13 Agenda.  A vote was taken and all members present voted "aye." Motion carried.
(Attachments A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I,J,K,L)

SPECIAL RECOGNITION:

Stolley Park Elementary Students Blake Coen, Riley Rathje, Nathan Boon, Sydney Armstrong, Bayley Gardner, and Brady Brokaw as members of the Destination Imagination “The Secret Six” team that placed First at Regional Competition, First at State Competition, and qualified for the Global Finals to be held in Tennessee in the 2008 Destination Imagination program.  

Grand Island Public School students Kuulei Hose, Preston Fegley, Susanna Zach, Donald Nabity, and Josh Mathews in recognition of their top placements at the Regional and State 2008 Math Counts Competition.

Grand Island Public School students Hope Jensen, Jarod Kennedy, Michelle Fierro, Jessica Nuno, Brandon Gannon, Alec Redwine, Ryan Earl, Bryce Williams, Tanner Cook, Jacob Eastwood, Walker Roscoe, Hayden Vahle, Ethan Larson, Joe Bamesberger, Zach Kneale, and James Swanson for their top awards in the 2008 State Apple Digies Contest.

Grand Island Public School students Taylor Castaneda and Jarod Kennedy in recognition of winning in their categories in the 2008 Nebraska Educational Technology Association (NETA) state competition.

Grand Island Public School student Morgan Mallory in recognition of being selected as the “Representative Poet” in the  2008 state Poetry of Place writing event.

Grand Island Senior High 2008 Boys Baseball Team, consisting of Adam Brown, Luke Farrar, Kash Kalkowski, Casey Griffin, Max Ayoub, Slade Bolles, Aaron Roberg, A J Fruchtl, Aaron Scarborough, Jimmy Reed, Dylan Meier, Pete Kropp, Grant Baird, Dalton Ryba, Eric Schwieger, Brandon Tjaden, Bobby Yager, Nick Hines, Nate Zook, Kirby Wells, Rick Kissack (head coach), Kevin Kier (varsity assistant coach), Scott Johnson (JV coach), Ryan Hansen (reserve coach), Ryan Kier (reserve assistant) in recognition for winning the 2008 Class A State Baseball Championship.  

Alex Armes of Grand Island Senior High for winning the Gold Medal in the 2008 State 200 Meter Dash.

Brigette Root of Grand Island Senior High for winning the 2008 Class A #2 Singles Tennis State Championship.

PUBLIC FORUM:

None

INFORMATION ITEMS:

08-06-14    K-5 Social Worker Program Review
Dr. Joyce Schmeeckel presented an update on both the TeamMates Mentoring Grant and the Social Worker Grant.  Goals and results were given on both programs and the impact they are making within GIPS.

08-06-15    Construction Update    
Mr. Petsch reported that there have been severe delays with the outside additions due to the excessive rain.  This may put the entire Engleman project behind the estimated completion date.  Work on developing the floor plans at Shoemaker as well as the Centralized Kitchen facility continues.   There have also been two unexpected emergency projects to contend with.  The chiller unit at Knickrehm ceased working and the mechanical room at Barr flooded with the recent rains and will require considerable equipment replacement and floor repair.

08-06-16    Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Joel reminded those in attendance that the Unity Walk will be held the morning of June 28th.  Professional Development and School Improvement Teams will be meeting June 26 & 27.  There will workshops on Grading and Reporting as well.  GNS meetings for Superintendent’s will be taking place next week. In closing, Dr. Joel yielded the floor to Mrs. Cronk who gave an update on the recent e-meeting demonstration that several staff members attended in Lexington.  Mrs. Cronk asked all board members to submit any questions or concerns they might have before the July Board meeting.    

ACTION ITEMS:

08-06-17    Administration Building Naming Committee Update
Mr. Werth reviewed the procedures used by the district for naming a building and presented the recommendation being brought forward as “Dr. Michael S. Kneale Administration Building”. A motion was made by Mrs. Vahle and seconded by Mr. Brown to approve the Grand Island Public Schools Administration Building be named after Dr. Michael S. Kneale.  All present voted “aye”.  Motion carried.

08-06-18    Waive Board Policy 4610 for 4419 Stoneridge Path
Mr. Harden explained Policy 4610 and why the circumstances of 4419 Stoneridge Path would not pertain to that policy.   Following discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Brown and seconded by Mrs. Bullington to approve waiving Board Policy 4610 “School Properties Disposal” for the sale of 4419 Stoneridge Path.  Motion carried.

08-06-19    Agreement for the Sale and Purchase of Real Estate
Mr. Harden stated that this item is the completion of the agreement to sell the property from the previous motion.   A motion was made by Mr. Brown and seconded by Mrs. Bullington to approve the agreement for the sale and purchase of the real estate between Grand Island Public Schools and Dan Kunze in the amount of $100 with purchaser to pay all related closing cost and fees for the real estate located at 4419 Stoneridge Path, Hall County, Grand Island, NE.  Motion passed unanimously.


08-06-20    Extra Standard Committee Recommendation
Following an overview of the committee recommendations by Mr. Stelk, a motion was made by Mrs. Hinkle and seconded by Mrs. Bullington to approve the recommendations of the Extra Standard Committee to modify the Extra Standard Salary Schedule for the 2008-2009 school year, as outlined in the attachment located in the board book.   Motion carried with all present voting “aye”.

08-06-21    Employee Assistance Program Recommendation
Mrs. Hinkle presented the rationale and need for utilizing an EAP and completed her report by offering an overview of the selection process along with names of those providers who supplied proposals.   A motion was made by Mrs. Hinkle and seconded by Mr. Brown to approve and accept the Request for Proposal submitted by Directions Employee Assistance Program.  The recommended option would be the six sessions per incident/per employee and their immediate family/per year at the annual rate of $16 per employee per year.  Plus, the Personnel Committee recommends including the Work Life Option as part of the EAP for an additional cost of $4.00 per employee per year.  The total annual cost is estimated to be $24,000.   Motion carried with all present voting “aye”.

08-06-22    Lunch Fund Meal Prices
Mr. Harden addressed the Board with regard to the need to increase lunch fund prices by 10 cents per meal.  This is an annual review process and the increases this year are being driven by increased fuel and food costs.  Following discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Brown and seconded by Mrs. Bullington to approve the fiscal year 2008-09 Nutrition Services Meal Prices per administration recommendation.  Motion carried unanimously.

08-06-23    Nebraska Liquid Asset Fund Proxy Statement
Per Mr. Harden, this fund used to be a school fund only.  It is now open to municipalities and carries a new name.  The fact that the name has changed will require a new proxy to be placed on file.   A motion was made by Mr. Brown and seconded by Mrs. Bullington to approve the Nebraska Liquid Asset Fund Proxy Statement appointing Virgil D. Harden, Director of Business as Grand Island Public Schools proxy and authorizing Mrs. Cronk and Mr. Harms to sign the Proxy Statement on behalf of the District.  Motion carried with all present voting “aye”.

08-06-24    Finance and Facilities Committee Report Including Action Regarding District Bids
Mr. Brown referred board members to the minutes from the Finance and Facilities Committee that were included in the board packets. The committee held two meetings this month with many of the items being brought forth earlier in this Board meeting.  Various upcoming facility needs were discussed.  ALICAP Insurance was reviewed.  The District will be looking to purchase accounting software as well as Time & Attendance software.  In addition, staffing changes and realignment of duties are being considered in the business office. Mr. Brown closed his report by reminding everyone that the Surplus Property Auction will be held June 14th beginning at 8:30 AM.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Curriculum:  Mr. Schutz opened the Teaching and Learning Report by stating that Grading and Reporting sessions will be held June 26 and 27.  The grading and reporting survey has been completed with 193 teachers responding.  The Committee received updates on the mentor program, the ER1 reading program, and heard preliminary results on ITBS and ITED scores.  A special work session will be held just prior to the August Board Meeting to review test results.
 
Education Foundation:  Mrs. Hinkle stated that the Foundation hosted the first ever “ABC’s of Estate Planning” Seminar.  The attendance was good and information well received.  Foundation volunteers will begin reviewing the nominations for 2008 Teacher/Staff Member/Administrator of the Year awards and also the Classroom Mini-Grant Proposals. In addition the Foundation is working on a strategic plan to assist in focusing the Foundation’s efforts.

Legislative Committee:  No report.

Personnel:  The committee report was given by Mrs. Hinkle.  To date, the district has issued 88 probationary contracts for Certified Staff.  July and August will be spent focusing on classified staff needs – with an estimated 35–50 openings in that area.  EAP proposals were discussed and the recommendation brought forward before the Board earlier this evening.  

Policy:  No Report

Public Relations:  Mrs. Worthington reported that the Public Relations Committee has been continuing work on brochures and promotional materials.  Planning has begun on Principal-For-A-Day.  The committee has also begun looking at customer service and new initiatives to support that issue.

CONVENE TO EXECUTIVE SESSION:

A motion was made by Mrs. Vahle and seconded by Mr. Brown to convene to executive session at 7:52 p.m. for the purpose of discussing personnel negotiations.  A vote was taken and all members present voted “aye”.  Motion carried.

RECONVENE FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION:

A motion was made by Mrs. Hinkle and seconded by Mrs. Vahle to reconvene from executive session at 8:50 p.m.  A vote was taken and all members present voted “aye”.  Motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS:

Mrs. Meidlinger reported on a student wellness item.

NOTIFICATION OF UPCOMING BOARD MEETINGS:

July 10        Facility Planning Session    5:30 pm    Admin Bldg
July 10        Regular Meeting        6:30 pm     Admin Bldg

ADJOURNMENT:

The meeting was adjourned at 8:52 p.m.



        ____________________________________
        Betty Wagner, Recording Secretary



        ____________________________________
        Jim Werth, Secretary to the Board