The Grand Island Public Schools "Board Brief" is an online monthly publication sharing the Board of Education meeting highlights, updates, campus recognitions, and more.

Today's edition recaps the regular July 13, 2023 GIPS Board meeting.

• Regular Meeting Agenda
• Board Meeting Video Stream
• Below are highlights from the regular July Board Meeting.
• Board Member Mr. Josh Sikes was not present but gave prior notice to his absence.

Mr. Zach Cloutier graduated from GISH in May. He also spent the school year serving as the Student Representative on the Board of Education.

The GIPS Board honored Zach with a gift and gracious thank you's for his service at the July Board meeting.

Zach will be headed to the University of Nebraska Lincoln in the Fall with the intention of majoring in Software Engineering. We couldn't be more proud of Zach's leadership and positive impact he's made at his school and our district!

Clark Boettger and Perla Ramirez Castillo (both GISH Class of '23) are this year's recipients of the GIPS PathBack Award.

The PathBack Program awards students who have graduated from the Academies of Grand Island Senior High Education Pathway and offers them an opportunity to come back and teach at GIPS upon completion of their degree and credentials.

• Boettger will be headed to Hastings College to major in Music Education.
• Ramirez Castillo will attend Wayne State College to major in Art Education.

We're looking forward to seeing these future educators shine!

Read the full article on Clark & Perla and the PathBack Program, HERE.

Chief of Human Resources, Dr. Carrie Kolar, presented both the Certified Staff and Classified Staff Handbooks to the Board of Education. This is standard annual procedure before the start of a new school year.

Minor changes in the handbooks include:

• Revising COVID procedures sections
• Updated wording in a few sections

No major changes have been submitted.

Hear Dr. Kolar's full presentation HERE.

Dr. Carrie Kolar, HR Chief, also shared an update with the Board regarding stipends for staff serving as Multi Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) and Assessment Coordinators.

MTSS is a prevention system that includes three tiers of academic, social, emotional, and behavioral supports (interventions) for students. This system is implemented throughout all GIPS schools by teachers, administrators, and support staff.

MTSS Coordinators will monitor the fidelity of Tier 2 and Tier 3 MTSS. They will also ensure compliance and adherence to district procedures; attend all district level MTSS meetings; and monitor progress.

Assessment Coordinators will plan, coordinate, and conduct activities related to State District Assessments and testing programs (DIBELS, MAP, CogAT, NSCAS, Pre-ACT, ACT). They will also coordinate with Special Education and EL departments to ensure accommodations are in place for students taking required state and district assessments along with monitoring process and progress across the district.

These roles have shifted as the number of Academic Coaches in the district has decreased. Both MTSS and Assessments are direct success indicators for GIPS. The coordinators will be conducting these efforts alongside their daily educational job duties at our 14 Elementary Schools.

The proposed stipend total amount for staff taking on these extra duties would be:

• MTSS Coordinators (14) - $41,110
• Assessment Coordinators (14) - $24,500
• Total with Benefits - $77,059

This was shared as an Information Item this month and will be on the agenda as an Action Item at August's Board meeting.

Hear Dr. Kolar's full presentation HERE.

Due to AICPA Standards on the Independence of an Auditor from a Client, AMGL is unable to continue as Auditor for GIPS since Virgil Harden, GIPS Chief Financial Officer, is related (father) to Grant Harden, C.P.A. (son) an employee of AMGL.

Even the appearance of the lack of independence is enough to violate AICPA Standards.

Therefore, GIPS advertised and solicited RFQ (Request For Qualifications) for professional services by advertising in the Grand Island Independent and direct solicitation from CPA firms who currently conduct audits of Nebraska school districts.

GIPS received one reply from Porter & Company, P.C. for a period of five (5) years for the 2022-2023 through 2026-2027 school years. The initial cost of the 2022-2023 school year audit is $39,000 with a price escalator of each year thereafter.

Additionally, the GIPS Foundation is a component unit of GIPS and therefore an annual audit as required. A separate and distinct response for the GIPS Foundation was also requested. The GIPS Foundation Board is free to continue with AMGL or accept the response from Porter & Company, P.C.

Hear Mr. Harden's presentation HERE.

Mr. Matt Fisher, GIPS Interim Superintendent, shared the following proposed Policy Updates to the Board. These potential updates have been discussed at great length through the Board Policies Committee and reflect the committee's recommendations for the district.

ATTENDANCE OFFICER

A proposed update reads "The Grand Island Public Schools sets the minimum amount of days at 90% of days that the student's school is open and in session." This would set 90% of available days attended as the minimum requirement for students to attend school without reaching "Excessive Absenteeism". This policy was last revised in 2016.

METAL DETECTOR SCREENING

An entirely new proposed policy. Our district Safety & Security Team requested the Policy Committee consider adopting a policy that would map out protocols and procedures regarding use of metal detectors at our schools. As currently proposed, hand-held metal detector "wands" (similar to what is used at airports) may be used in specific instances where there is reasonable suspicion of something on that person or in that person's backpack or parcel to do an initial search in lieu of pat downs.

PART TIME ENROLLMENT

A policy requirement as a result of state legislative actions. The proposed policy states that in order for a student to participate in extracurricular activities at GIPS, a student must be enrolled in no more than one class in order to be eligible. The previous requirement used to be two classes. The NSAA will adopt these guidelines as well.

STUDENT GROUPS

Another policy requirement as a result of state legislative actions. The proposed policy states GIPS must allow student groups that meet U.S. designations to provide one opportunity annually for those groups to present to students. Some of the groups that meet the criteria are:

• Boy Scouts of America
• Legion Baseball
• American Society of Horticulturists
• And others
  
  

Opportunities to present to students would be acquiesced by the district if the groups requested the time.

SUSPENSION, EXPULSION, AND REASSIGNMENT

An additional policy requirement as a result of state legislative action. This would modify an existing district policy. The modifications would include:

• Mapping out steps Principals may take when considering/implementing a short-term suspension.
• If a student has been expelled for more than five days the student has a right to a district hearing, during the time of waiting for a hearing (exclusionary period), students will not be required to attend an alternative education site.
• Summer review processes for students that have been expelled.

ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION

A modification to an existing policy that states: "In the event action is being taken to expel a student from this school district, the Administration may offer the student an alternative school, class, or education program..." but it will not be required.

OPTION ENROLLMENT

An additional policy requirement as a result of state legislature action. Per legal recommendation from Perry Law Firm (the district's choice for legal representation) the existing policy for option enrollment would be completely updated in order to meet the new requirements mandated by the new state action. The most noteworthy change to our existing policy would be how capacity levels are measured at the district to identify room for Special Education students. Previously GIPS measured capacities by building grade level. The new state requirement would be to measure capacity by district grade level availability.

These updates were shared as Information Items and will be on the agenda as Action Items at August's Board Meeting.

Hear Mr. Fisher's full presentation HERE.

Mr. Fisher shared a Superintendent Report with the Board.

A few highlights include:

• The District Leadership Team (DLT) has spent quite a bit of time the last few weeks preparing for the annual Lead GIPS Retreat. Our Lead GIPS group is made up of the leaders and department heads from across the district (80+ individuals). Our one-day retreat (scheduled for July 25th) will be spent with this group establishing our focus for the 2023-24 school year and providing key updates and resources for the new year.
  
  
• August 4th is new staff orientation day.
  
  
• Full Staff will be back on August 10th for our annual All Staff Welcome Back Event which will be held at Grand Island Senior High.
  
  
• August 15th is the first day of school for Kindergarten, 6th Grade, and 9th Grade. Those students will have a chance to get their feet under them at their new schools that day.
  
  
• August 16th is the first day of school for all students together in buildings.
  
  
• Our new Associate Superintendent, Dr. Summer Stephens, is here! She has officially started in her new role. We look forward to the energy and expertise she'll bring to our district. We're encouraged by the unique opportunity we have with she and Dr. Dexter to work together this year as we hand-off responsibilities for that role.

Hear Mr. Fisher's full report HERE.

This combines two policies into one.

Previously Policy Adoption and Policy Implementation were two separate policies. This presented revision would permit the Board and the District to have one unified policy titled, "Policy Adoption & Implementation".

This was presented as "first read" information at last month's Board Meeting.

Motion Passed: 8 - 0

One revision was proposed for this existing policy last month. The revision reads:

"No member of the Board of Education shall be employed on a regular basis by the Grand Island Public Schools."

The underlined "on a regular basis" would be an addition to the policy. If approved, this would allow qualified Board members to be also serve as substitute teachers in the district.

This was presented as "first read" information last month.

Motion Passed: 8 - 0

The second required motion regarding to Policy Adoption & Implementation - 2160 Action Item (above). Policy 3320 would be deleted because it has been combined with Policy 2160.

Motion Passed: 8 - 0

An addition to an existing policy due to the continued receiving of ESSER funds, federal grants, and the like. The additions update the policy to keep in accordance with the changing federal requirements. Details include:

• Spells out actions needed by the district.
• Legal references.
• Referencing additional policies that support this policy.
• Cost sharing and compensation protocols.
• Updated requirements from the Davis-Bacon Act.

This was presented as "first read" information at last month's Board Meeting.

Motion Passed: 8 - 0

The motion would approve a minor language change in the already existing policy to state: Designates that the Superintendent, or their designee, is responsible for inventory.

Motion Passed: 8 - 0

No changes made to the existing policy. This motion would approve the annual review of the policy by the Board.

Motion Passed: 8 - 0

No changes made to the existing policy. This motion would approve the annual review of the policy by the Board.

Motion Passed: 8 - 0

See above Information Item for details.

Motion Passed: 8 - 0

Mr. Wayne Stelk, Interim HR Chief, shared a proposal at last month's Board meeting to add a few extra standard roles within the district. Extra standard positions are paid opportunities such as athletic coaches and club or program sponsors. Due to exciting growth in student participation in a number of activities across the district, the following roles have been proposed:

• Middle School Assistant Soccer Coaches (2) - Barr
• Assistant Dance Team Coach - GISH
• Assistant Varsity Volleyball Coach - GISH
• Head 9th Grade Football Coach - GISH
• Middle School Assistant Volleyball Coaches (2) - Westridge
• Assistant Video & Sound System Coordinator - GISH

The total financial ask for adding these roles to the district for the 2023-24 school year is $23,211.

Mr. Stelk's full presentation may be found HERE.

Motion Passed: 8 - 0

Wholeness Healing has been a GIPS partner for a number of years. Specifically to make an Employee Assistant Program (EAP) of free mental health supports/short-term counseling options available to all GIPS staff as part of their benefits offerings.

Janie Pfiefer Watson, Wholeness Health Owner & Counselor, and Wayne Stelk shared a proposal at last month's Board Meeting to renew the contract with Wholeness Health and GIPS for an additional three years. The new contract would provide:

• Continued free access to mental health supports for GIPS Staff.
• Opportunities for immediate family members to receive free mental health supports.

A key aspect of the partnership is Wholeness Healing has provided this service at a significantly reduced rate for GIPS. In order to maintain competitive costs and attract qualified counselors to be available in the program, Wholeness Health is proposing an increased rate for the renewed contract.

GIPS spent $73,600 in 22-23 for EAP services ($45,600 with Wholeness Healing and $28,000 with ESI Employee Assistance Group). The contract with ESI has not been renewed, with those dollars being applied to the the increased cost for Wholeness Healing contract.

The new three-year contract total would be: $83,200 (or averaging $52 per employee per year).

Watson and Stelk's full presentation may be found HERE.

Motion Passed: 7 - 0

(Mrs. Lisa Albers abstained from the vote due to her relationship with one of the Wholeness Healing representatives and did not want to have a conflict of interest.)

The GIPS Board of Education convened into an Executive Session for the purpose of Superintendent Evaluation for Mr. Fisher's first six months of service as Interim Superintendent.

Here is the resulting action as a result of the Executive Session:

• Accepting the Executive Summary Provided by NASB - Motion Passed: 8 - 0.