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 April 2024 Regular Board Meeting.

• Agenda
• Video Stream
• Board Members Lisa Albers, Dave Hulinsky, Katie Mauldin, & Eric Garcia-Mendez were not present but gave prior notice.

Mr. Virgil Harden, GIPS CFO, curated a discussion regarding TIF with the Board of Education.

GIPS Facility & Finance Committee was recently asked by Mayor Steele if the District has an official position on the use of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) by the City of Grand Island/Hall County/Regional Planning Commission.

We reviewed the following points and decided the topic needed the full Board of

Education to weigh in on.

THE CASE FOR TIF:

1. TIF is an important economic development tool that helps the city grow, albeit, in a unregulated fashion. What comes in is what anyone with the means to bring forth a blighted study and therefore, a possible TIF project deems desirable.
   
   
2. Along with everyone else GIPS is experiencing an unprecedented labor shortage.
   
   
3. The community of Grand Island is experiencing a severe housing shortage.
   

THE CASE AGAINST TIF:

1. TIF, in essence, is a form of a wealth transfer mechanism flowing from the average property tax payer to the developer/owner. The developer/owner receives both near and long term financial benefit at the expense of all other property tax payers who in turn pay higher taxes on their properties while the TIF is in play.
   
   
2. TIF adversely impacts GIPS, especially residential projects, because enrollment increases in nearby attendance centers (school buildings). The expense of educating additional pupils is not supported by the property under TIF until such time as the FIT project is completed.
   
   This argument is, in part, negated due to the fact that GIPS is a Equalized school district under the current TEEOSA (Tax Equity and Educational Opportunities Support Act).
   
   A counterpoint can also be made that the State of Nebraska has not fully funded the TEEOSA funding formula for schools. The result is TIF projects do have a negative

• 3. The standard to find a property blighted is low and easy to achieve and therefore, TIF projects are relatively easy to obtain.
  
  
• 4. While TIF project impact GIPS we have zero ability to control the process as other governmental bodies (i.e. City of GI) and or Quasi-Governmental boards (i.e. Regional Planning Commission) have total control and authority.
  
  
• 5. There can be a perception of lack of transparency concerning FIT projects because of the structure of the process currently. Communication between the Regional Planning Commission is good but the timeliness of communication could be better.
  
  
• 6. It appears that each and every TIF project that is brought fourth is approved and funded.

Hear Mr. Harden's full presentation HERE.

Mrs. Megan Stone, GISH English & Capstone Teacher and HOSA Sponsor, introduced three GISH students who shared an update on the Health Occupations Student Organization (HOSA) chapter at Senior High. The three student presenters were: Makenna Garrels, Logain Elmahy, and Aksam Dodban.

• HOSA is for students interested in learning about different medical careers.
• HOSA helps students sharpen leadership skills aimed for the healthcare field.
• HOSA students compete in state and national based events and competitions.
• GISH HOSA had 19 competitors at the State Leadership Conference this year.
• HOSA is also hosting a Healthcare Fair for the community on Saturday, April 13th from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. at the GISH North Cafeteria.

Hear the full HOSA presentation HERE.

Mrs. Karma Lewandowski, GIPS Transition Specialist, invited the Board of Education to attend the GIEA Retirement & Years of Service Celebration. The annual event will take place on Wednesday, May 8th, 2024 at Balz Reception Hall. GIEA members who have served the district for 25, 30, and 35 years will be honored as well as this year's GIEA retirees.

Hear Mrs. Lewandowski's presentation HERE.

Mr. Matt Wichman, Principal of the Academy of Engineering & Technology at GISH, shared an update on the re-launch of the Academies of Grand Island Senior High.

After conducting a thorough five year evaluation process, the GISH Academies re-launched with a slightly new look that will kick-off in the 2024-25 school year. The revamped Academy model will now look like:

• Academy of Freshman Exploration
• Academy of Medical Sciences & Education
• Healthcare Pathway
• Sports Medicine & Therapy Pathway
• Emergency Services Pathway
• Education Pathway
• Academy of Business & Communication
• Finance Pathway
• Entrepreneurship Pathway
• Academy of Technical Sciences
• Automotive & Diesel Pathway
• Construction Pathway
• Manufacturing Pathway
• Academy of Engineering & Technology
• Engineering Pathway
• Architecture Pathway

Along with the Academy re-launch, GISH ensures their offerings of AP and Dual Credit Courses will still be robust and continue with most of the same courses they have offered in the past.

More information may be found on the GIPS website HERE.

Hear Mr. Wichman's full presentation HERE.

Mrs. Kayla Wichman, Westridge Principal, and Mr. Joe Eckerman, Barr Principal, shared updates on the next phase of the Middle School Redesign project.

The main focus for the presentation was to showcase changes to the 2024-25 scheduling options for middle schoolers and how those changes will strengthen the effort of providing consistent guaranteed and viable curriculum across all three GIPS middle schools.

Below are a few highlights.

Core classes will continue to be English Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies. Core instruction will be provided for all students; will meet every day for 60 minutes; and will be graded by semesters.

6th - 8th Grade exploratory classes will be very similar to what they have been in the past. A few course titles have changed to better explain what the class covers. Exploratory instruction will be offered for all students; meet on A/B days for 45 minutes; and will be graded by semesters.

Hear the full presentation HERE.

Dr. Danielle Buhrman, GIPS Mathematics & Coaching Coordinator, provided an update on Secondary Math learning in the district and the needs for continued investment in reliable curriculum resources.

Hear Dr. Buhrman's presentation HERE.

Mrs. Cara Kuhl, GIPS 6-12 ELA Curriculum Coordinator and Gifted & Talented Coordinator, shared an update regarding needs for English Language Arts curriculum resources at the secondary level.

GIPS maintains its commitment to "Implementation of standards-based learning through adoption and implementation of high-quality instructional materials aligned to grade-level standards." The subscription for our high-quality instructional resource for 6-12 ELA, myPerspectives needs to be renewed for 3 years.

These resources will help ensure guaranteed and viable curriculum across the secondary grades.

Hear Mrs. Kuhl's presentation HERE.

Mr. Cory Gearhart, GIPS Chief Information Officer, provided an update on two requests regarding district technology and network needs.

GIPS uses the Zoho product to manage it's fleet of endpoint devices. This system provides, inventory, remote support, and patching services to our endpoints. This is a renewal of an existing agreement. The 3 year agreement provides a substantial discount.

Hear Mr. Gearhart's full presentation HERE.

Continuing his walk through, Mr. Gearhart also provided insight into the desire for consistency across district facilities in supporting network needs.

GIPS is going through a major upgrade to it's WAN facilities this spring, and adding these two data center switches will provide resiliency and support for our daily operations and disaster recovery objectives. The additional professional service will provide needed support for reconfiguring all our existing switching infrastructure to take advantage of the new network architecture as it's built and deployed.

Dr. Robin Dexter, GIPS Chief of Secondary Education, provided an in-depth look into the adjustments being proposed to the Student & Parent Handbook for the next school year.

A team of GIPS administrators annually review the Student/Parent Handbook for needed changes due to changes in policy and/or procedures. Here are a few highlights of the proposed changes:

• Limit students bringing energy drinks as lunch beverages.
• Clarifying language around student transfer requests.
• Parking permit requirements at GISH parking lots.
• Updated language for Elementary grading to be consistent with district practice.
• Middle School progress reports being shared at six and twelve weeks into each semester.
• GISH Academic Lettering will require 20 semester credits (no longer 25).
• AP Courses will carry a weight of 5 and all other courses a weight of 4. Students who do not take the AP exam without a waiver will not receive a weighted grade.

This was shared as an information item and will be up for an Action Item vote at May's Board meeting.

Hear Dr. Dexter'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 are being proposed.

This was shared as first read and will be an Action Item for vote at May's Board meeting.

Regular review of an existing policy. No changes are being proposed.

This was shared as first read and will be an Action Item for vote at May's Board meeting.

Regular review of an existing policy. A few changes are being proposed:

• Update the wording on completing the form for public comment which would say, "present the completed form to the designated staff member."
• Eliminate the part of the policy that stipulates COVID-19 protocols.

This was shared as first read and will be an Action Item for vote at May's Board meeting.

Update to an existing policy. This was originally discussed in October 2023.

The changes specify that GIPS would not accept option enrollment students if the maximum number of grade units were full districtwide with the minimum amount of students per established class size bands.

This was shared as second read and was voted on as an Action Item as April's Board meeting as well.

1. The Foundation will award $414,018 in scholarships for the Class of 2024. This represents 187 scholarships to 97 students.
   
   
2. A record-breaking 86 students who will graduate Summa or Magna Cum Laude were honored at an Academic Honors Ceremony at the GISH Auditorium on April 10 at 7:00 p.m. Home Federal is the corporate sponsor of the event. $64,660 was in scholarships.
   
   
3. The Foundation will host a press conference announcing the totals of the annual Add it Up to Opportunity Staff and Board Campaign on Tuesday, May 13th at 4:30 p.m. at the Bill Marshall Conference Room/ Memorial Stadium Jack Martin Field.
   
   
4. The Foundation has released the nomination forms for the 2024 Teacher of the Year Awards (Teacher/ Staff Member/ Administrator of the Year.) Forms are available online only with a deadline of May 20. The corporate sponsor of this program is First National Bank of Omaha.
   
   
5. The Foundation opens applications for the Dr. Eugene Miller Legacy Scholarship April 15th. This= program is designed as a scholarship for GIPS Staff Members who are pursuing a graduate degree. Applications are online and close on May 31. The fund will support up to a $1,000 award annually.
   
   
6. The Foundation Board will meet on April 17, 2024

Hear the full presentation HERE.

Adi Beltran, GISH Senior and Board Student Representative, shared her latest report with the Board of Education. A few highlights may be found below.

ATHLETICS

• Broxton Barrientos was named the Grand Island Independent Athlete of the Week at the end of March.
• GISH Boys Basketball had four players recognized with Heartland Super Squad honors.
• Powerlifting competed at the National Competition in Louisiana for the first time in school history. They has six qualifiers compete.

ACTIVITIES:

• Four students were selected for the Wayne State Musical Theatre Honor Choir.
• FBLA attended the State Leadership Conference this week in Kearney.
• SkillsUSA will have 46 students competing at the state competition this week here in Grand Island.

Over 80 students were recognized at the annual Academic Honors Night earlier this week.

Hear Adi's full report HERE.

Mr. Fisher shared a Superintendent Report with the Board.

• Academic Honors Night was a wonderful event. Congratulations, as well, to our Student Board Representative, Adi, for being recognized!
  
  

• Inspire Women’s Leadership Awards - Hosted by Lee Enterprises and Grand Island Independent. Dr. Amanda Levos, GIPS EL Director, and Natalia Pazarena, GISH student, were winners.
  
  

• Spent some time with Spencer Schubert, the City Communications Manager. We provided a soundbite endorsing the upcoming “Mayor for a Day” Essay Contest for all city 6th Graders.
  
  

• Spring Concert Season is heating up for our Elementary, Middle Schools, and Senior High.
  
  

• Nebraska College Prep Graduates Ceremony - April 24th at the Bosselman Conference Center.
  
  

• April 26th - GISH Scholarship Reception.
  
  

• GISH Graduation will be Sunday, May 12th.

Hear Mr. Fisher's full report HERE.

Mr. Virgil Harden, GIPS CFO, shared an update on adjustments needing to be made regarding which banking institutions the district uses for the Activities Fund.

In order to streamline Business Office payroll and other procedures concerning the Activity Fund the Business Office would like to move the Activity Fund bank account from Five Points Bank to Wells Fargo Bank. We'll maintain our banking relationship with Five Points Bank albeit via an investment account or other necessary bank accounts.

This was shared as information at March's Board meeting.

MOTION PASSED: 5 - 0

Please see above information item for rationale.

MOTION PASSED: 5 - 0

Please see above information item for rationale.

MOTION PASSED: 5 - 0

Please see above information item for rationale.

MOTION PASSED: 5 - 0

Please see above information item for rationale.

MOTION PASSED: 5 - 0

Please see above information item for rationale.

MOTION PASSED: 5 - 0

Proposal to cut this policy as it is a repeat of another policy and thoroughly covered in the staff handbook.

This was shared as first read at March's Board meeting.

MOTION PASSED: 5 - 0

Please see above information item for rationale.

MOTION PASSED: 5 - 0

Two proposed updates:

1. Remove the previously #9220 Policy entitled, "Reports to the Public", as it is a repeat of Policy #9221.
2. Replacing #9220 would be a new policy called, "Communications & Media Relations".

The proposal would simply put a policy in place that is consistent with already existing standard practice in the district. A few highlights include:

• All media inquiries to visit schools or district buildings must be funneled through the GIPS Communications Director or its designee.
• Requesting outside media coverage must come through the GIPS Communications Department.
• A "No Media List" of students must be kept at each school by the building Principal(s).

These proposed additions would help ensure the safety and personally identifying information of our students.

This was shared as first read at March's Board meeting.

MOTION PASSED: 5 - 0

A proposed new policy that would reflect some existing standard practices in the district and a few new components of online account moderation. Specifically for social media accounts and the district branding they carry.

A few highlights include:

• Each Elementary and Middle School may have one official school account on online platforms approved by the Director of Communications or designee.
• Each High School may have one official school account and one "Activities" account on online platforms approved by the Director of Communications or designee.
• Additional social media accounts at the High School level may be requested, reviewed, and potentially approved.
• All district and school social media posts must be made through a district approved social media management platform.
• The District Communications Team and IT Department will be the caretakers of all district online media account login credentials.
• School Principals will have access to their school, branded online media accounts through the district approved social media management platform. They may appoint other full-time staff members, teachers, or coaches to have posting access.

This was shared as first read at March's Board meeting.

MOTION PASSED: 5 - 0