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

Here's a recap of the February 2025 Regular Board Meeting.

• Agenda
• Video Stream
• All Board members were present.
• Donna Douglas left early before voting but gave prior notice.

Recently, the Boys Islander Powerlifting earned a State Championship from the 2025 Nebraska Raw State competition. The Girls Islander Powerlifting earned State Runner-Up at the same State competition. Overall, they finished State with 16 individual medalists, 4 individual state champions, and 2 "Lifters of the Meet".

Additionally, 10 powerlifters have qualified for the National competition coming-up in March.

The coaches and powerlifters recognized by the Board include:

Coach Pat Doyle, Coach Mallory Olmstead, Kain Ault, Yareydi Chavira-Matal, Hunter Christenson, Chris Cruz, Evelyn Fierro, Jorge Garcia, Jaycee Gilmore, Erik Guerrero, Matthew Hernandez, Giselle Lara, Andrew Larson, Alex Martin, James Martin, Makenah Mazanec, Faith Puente, Gabby Smith, Jaidon So, Jordan Summers, Richard Vandara, & Jeovanna Velasquez Red Elk.

Congratulations, Islanders!

Mr. Matt Fisher, GIPS Superintendent, shared a review of the district's plan for a mass deportation event.

The presentation and ensuing conversation allowed for the board and the public to understand the steps that have been taken to help students and families be secure and supported. Highlights include confirming the following details:

• GIPS does NOT collect legal or immigration status information on families.
• The goal is to — as always — ensure safety, support, and normalcy for all students.
• GIPS has policies and procedures in-place that prevent outside groups, legal entities, or visitors from accessing students unless carrying the proper and verified legal documentation. In this instance, a judge signed federal warrant.
• The same protections under the GIPS policies and procedures apply to school buses.
• GIPS has worked to provide training for all district Administrators, staff, and support staff as they navigate conversations with families.
• GIPS has been working consistently since December to reach out to families to have them update their emergency contact information in ParentVUE.
• For families expressing anxiety or concern regarding immigration, our primary support is to direct folks to the Multicultural Coalition and to provide one of the MC's "Be Prepared Orange Folders".
• Our district has been working on this comprehensive support and safety plan since the Fall of 2024 in collaboration with a number of departments and community partners.
• Ultimately, our goal is the same as it always is, welcoming every student to school and keeping them safe while in our care.

You may read the public statement GIPS has shared with all families and students HERE.

Hear Mr. Fisher's full presentation HERE.

Mr. Brian Kort, GIPS Recruiting Coordinator, shared the proposed staffing plan for the 2025-26 GIPS school year.

Assessing the district needs for the upcoming school year, GIPS continues its primary focus on classroom teachers and support for classroom teachers to directly and positively impact student success. Requested additions to GIPS staffing for the next school year include:

• Teaching staff for a minimum of four new classroom sections in Elementary schools.
  
  
• Two Academic Support Coaches for Grand Island Senior High to help prioritize the academic rigor for GISH.

• Adding positions that were unable to be staffed due to staffing shortages but have been previous roles in the district, such as: Elementary Academic Support coach; Special Education positions; 6-12 English Language Learner Specialist; and a Curriculum Coordinator.

The overall financial impact to the GIPS General Fund (after designated state reimbursement and other factors) would be approximately $900,000.

This was shared as both an information item and a votable action item at the February Board meeting to help the HR Department be proactive in the upcoming hiring season.

Hear Mr. Kort's full presentation HERE.

Mr. Brian Kort, GIPS Recruiting Coordinator, also shared an update on a newly proposed "grow our own" teacher recruitment initiative called the GIPS Educator Fellowship.

The GIPS Educator Fellowship is a newly developed program designed to better support GIPS classified staff who are interested in earning their teaching credentials. After surveying our support staff in the district, we have 70+ staff who've expressed interest in becoming certified to teach. However, we only have three current staff in the "Central Nebraska Teach Program". The number one barrier keeping staff from pursuing the opportunity? Cost.

The GIPS Educator Fellowship program would enable additional future teachers to pursue further education (thru an opportunity like "Central Nebraska Teach" with Wayne State) with minimal disruption by offering financial support to each of the students on an annual basis. The financial support would go towards tuition, books, fees, job security, dedicated GIPS guidance advisor, etc. Part of the fellowship would be to reach out to community partners to see who may be interested in providing generous donations towards this program so that GIPS may remove the largest barrier of classified staff pursuing their teaching credentials -- the cost.

This was shared as both an information item and a votable action item at the February Board meeting.

Hear Mr. Kort's full presentation HERE.

Mr. Cory Gearhart, GIPS Chief Information Officer, shared a series of updates regarding the need to update system and tools to better support the IT and securing data efforts for the district.

In responding to the current technology landscape, the GIPS IT department are making changes to maximize technology investment and ensure sustainability of the equipment management plan for the future. Highlights of the updates include:

• Grades K-6 devices will operate on a six-year cycle and be stored on carts (i.e. not go home with students).
  
  
• Grades 7-12 will operate on a five-year cycle. Students will get new devices starting in 7th grade which will stay with them through high school graduation.
  
  
• Media Center lab changes will include using ChromeOS Flex on existing hardware for grades K-5.
  
  
• Staff will have the choice between two devise options: 14" touchscreen Chromebook or a 13" Macbook Air.

The recommended updates will not only better support the cybersecurity efforts and digital experiences for our students and staff but will also save the district a considerable amount of funds. The projected savings are $175,000 annually for a 10-year average starting in year two.

This was shared as both an information item and a votable action item at the February Board meeting.

Hear Mr. Gearhart's full presentation on all IT related items shared HERE.

Mr. Gearhart also shared an updated regarding digital projectors for classrooms at GIPS.

Projectors are an integral part of classroom instruction and in an effort to remove the management and financial burden from building administrators and building budgets, the district IT department is going to be managing classroom projectors and include them in the District Equipment Management Plan cycle.

This was shared as both an information item and a votable action item at the February Board meeting.

Mr. Gearhart also shared an update on the district cybersecurity efforts.

Cybersecurity incidents are an inevitable consequence of today’s interconnected and increasingly digital world. To effectively react to a cybersecurity incident, organizations need to act prior to an incident occurring by developing an incident response capability. Cybersecurity incident response acts as a component of the organization’s information technology management program and overall cybersecurity strategy.

This was shared as both an information item and a votable action item at the February Board meeting.

Lastly, Mr. Gearhart shared a timely update on the management of equipment for the district IT department.

It is time in the equipment management plan cycle to replace the aging firewalls and logging systems. Both of the devices will reach end of life in the next 6-18 months. The firewalls are 8 years old and need to be upgraded to meet capacity and security needs.

This was shared as both an information item and a votable action item at the February Board meeting.

Mr. Dan Petsch, GIPS Director of Grounds, & Safety, provided insight into a request from the City of Grand Island to complete a project near one of the district's schools.

The project would allow construction access temporarily for contractors while performing the Independence Street improvements north of Engleman Elementary. This project would help create a better, safer pathway through the north area. We recommend this work as it helps support our safety and line-of-sight efforts on and around our property. The project should not impact the regular school activity for Engleman.

This was shared as both an information item and a votable action item at the February Board meeting.

Hear Mr. Petsch's full presentation HERE.

Mr. Virgil Harden, GIPS Chief Financial Officer, shared an update regarding the recently completed annual Audit Report for the fiscal year of 2023-2024.

Annually, all Nebraska school districts are required to have an independent audit and file an annual financial report (AFR). For the Fiscal Year ending August 31st. Grand Island Public Schools submitted our AFR timely but received permission to submit our audit report on or before 01/31/2025 due to a change in auditors.

The annual audit came back in good standing stating "the accompanying basic financial statements present fairly, in all material respectives...". A full look at the 55-page approved audit may be found on the Board meeting agenda.

Hear Mr. Harden's full presentation HERE.

Mr. Fisher shared the latest installment of district policy reviews and proposed updates. Descriptions of the proposals may be found immediately below.

Hear Mr. Fisher's full presentation on policies HERE.

Regular review of an existing policy.

No changes were proposed.

This was shared as a first read item and will be up for vote as an Action Item at the March Board Meeting.

Regular review of an existing policy.

Proposed changes to the policy would be to shorten the content and update some language to better reflect the existing practices within the district. The newly worded policy would read:

"School provided services and products are not income generating for the district. All proceeds from sales and services must be submitted daily to the school office. Funds will be allocated to the appropriate activity revolving account for future purchases or replacements. All financial transactions related to the production of products or services must be conducted through the school's appropriate activity account. School employees are prohibited from using school resources for personal gain."

This was shared as a first read item and will be up for vote as an Action Item at the March Board Meeting.

Regular review of an existing policy.

A proposed change would include removing the job title of “Executive Director of Business” and replacing it with “Chief Financial Officer”.

This was shared as a first read item and will be up for vote as an Action Item at the March Board Meeting.

Regular review of an existing policy.

Proposed changes would be to clean-up some of the wording to read:

"Moneys collected by school employees, student treasurers, and others shall be handled with best practice business procedures. All money collected shall be receipted, counted, and deposited without delay. Moneys left overnight in schools shall be kept in safes provided by the district for safekeeping of valuables. To the extent possible money collected will be deposited daily."

This was shared as a first read item and will be up for vote as an Action Item at the March Board Meeting.

Regular review of an existing policy.

Proposed changes would include removing the job title “Director of Business” and replacing it with “Chief Financial Officer”. Also to include a clarification for delivering physical checks.

This was shared as a first read item and will be up for vote as an Action Item at the March Board Meeting.

Regular review of an existing policy.

Only proposed change would include to remove the “The” in front of the “Grand Island Public Schools” listing.

This was shared as a first read item and will be up for vote as an Action Item at the March Board Meeting.

1. We are in the best season of the year, Scholarship Season!! The deadline for the GIPS Foundation online scholarship application was February 5th. In addition to being user friendly for students, the web-based data also allows the Foundation to revise and perfect the scholarship review process. The review process will involve approximately 100 volunteers. Reviewers do not see personal data as student applicants are assigned a number. Volunteer reviewers start training the last week of February will be busy during the following three weeks. Let us know if you would like to be part of this review. Anyone who would like to volunteer to be part of the scholarship review is welcome as long as he/she is not related to a GISH Senior this year. Contact the GIPS Foundation at 308-385-5525.
   
   
2. The Foundation is also gearing up for the 2025 Annual Staff and Board campaign, kickoff will be April 1, 2025. We have set some amazing goals for the 2025 campaign. Terry & Joel Wiegand are our 2025 Campaign Chairs.
   
   
3. Other action items on the Foundation Board’s Agenda this month include the following: 2025 Scholarship Offer and Award Plan. Approve 2025 Scholarship Reviewers.
   
   
4. The 2024 GIPS Foundation Impact Report is now available on GIPSFoundation.org.

Hear the full Foundation report HERE.

Owen Williams, GISH Senior, was elected by his peers to represent them on the Board of Education as a Student Representative. At each Board Meeting, Owen shares a student report.

Highlights from Owen's report include:

ACTIVITIES:

• Boys and Girls Wrestling Success! Girls team earned 2nd at districts and have six wrestlers qualified for the state tournament. Boys earned 2nd overall at the State Duals tournament.

• Girls Bowling Team earned 2nd Place at State Bowling.

• GISH Speech Team had great success at their most recent event. Lots of medalists.

• Islandaires Dance Team earned 2nd Place at the Lexington Dance Meet. State competition is coming-up soon.

AROUND GIPS:

• GISH hosted the 3rd annual “Clash on the Platte” with over 40 teams from high schools and middle schools around the state.

• You’ll find hearts all around the school at GISH featuring the names of every student and staff member at Senior High. This was a fun effort led by the GISH Student Council.

• Our latest Pep Rally was a success! Showcased winter activities, had games, and hundreds of games participating.

• 15 GISH Students journeyed to the State Capitol building alongside Mrs. Albers courtesy of sponsorship ith Civic Nebraska. We learned about the legislature, sat down with our Senator Dan Quick, heard a debate, heard a hearing, and learned a lot.

STAFF SHOUT-OUT:

• Eddie Felske - One of the lead custodians at GISH

Hear Owen's full report HERE.

Mr. Fisher shared a Superintendent Report with the Board.

• Owen did a nice job of covering the Activities report I had planned to share.
  
  

• We’re nearing the end of Winter Sports.
  
  

• Ms. Loria Lei Thunker, GISH Speech Coach, was honored as the CNFL Director of the Year Award.
  
  

• Registration for the 2025-26 school year is open! The window to register for school at GIPS runs February 3rd - March 31st. Having the registration deadline helps us quite a bit with identifying staffing needs and section accommodations at schools across the district.
  
  

• March 5th is the annual GISH Islander Extravaganza (8th Grade open house).
  
  

• Our Preschool program will be hosting public open house dates for families to explore our preschool opportunities.
  
  

• The GIPS Annual Report is currently live on our website! Deliveries of our printed reports are expected to arrive at the district office in the next few days and then they’ll be hitting Grand Island mailboxes really soon.
  
  

• Our District Leadership Team recently met with our Leading for Learning Team and again with our District Principals to have in-depth conversations around our drafted goals for our new Strategic Plan.
  
  

• National Honor Society Induction will be February 23rd at 4:00 p.m. at GISH.

Hear Mr. Fisher's full report HERE.

See above information item for rationale.

MOTION PASSED: 8 - 0

See above information item for rationale.

MOTION PASSED: 8 - 0

See above information item for rationale.

MOTION PASSED: 8 - 0

See above information item for rationale.

MOTION PASSED: 8 - 0

See above information item for rationale.

MOTION PASSED: 8 - 0

See above information item for rationale.

MOTION PASSED: 8 - 0

Regular review of an existing policy.

The only proposed change would be to update the "Executive Director of Business" job title to the "Chief Financial Officer".

This was shared as a first read item at the February Board meeting.

MOTION PASSED: 8 - 0

Regular review of an existing policy.

Proposed updates would include tweaking the verbiage to be more consistent with our current operational protocols. Also would propose changing the job title of "Executive Director of Business" to the "Chief Financial Officer".

This was shared as a first read item at the February Board Meeting.

MOTION PASSED: 8 - 0

Regular review of an existing policy.

Two proposed changes would include:

• Remove the "The" clarifier before the phrase "Grand Island Public Schools Board of Education".
• Remove the last sentence regarding "pupil accounting" as it does not apply to "financial accounting" for the district.

This was shared as a first read item at the February Board Meeting.

MOTION PASSED: 8 - 0

Regular review of an existing policy.

No changes are being proposed at this time.

This was shared as a first read item at the February Board Meeting.

MOTION PASSED: 8 - 0

Regular review of an existing policy.

Two proposed changes would include:

• Remove the "The" clarifier before the phrase "Grand Island Public Schools Board of Education".
• Change the job title of "Executive Director of Business" to the "Chief Financial Officer".

This was shared as a first read item at the February Board Meeting.

MOTION PASSED: 8 - 0

Regular review of an existing policy.

Two proposed changes would include:

• Remove the "The" clarifier before the phrase "Grand Island Public Schools Board of Education".
• Add a component that the Board may identify a "designee" that may approve any proposed advertising agreement rather than the responsibility being solely up to the Board. This change would be more reflective of the current operating practice.

This was shared as a first read item at the February Board Meeting.

MOTION PASSED: 8 - 0