GIPS Board Brief September 13, 2024
Updates from the GIPS Board of Education
GIPS Board Brief - September 13, 2024
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 September Regular Board Meeting.
Board of Education Meeting - 9.12.2024
- Agenda
- Video Stream
- All Board Members were present.
- Please Note: One seat was vacant due to Ms. Katie Mauldin's resignation at the August Board Meeting.
BOARD VACANCY APPOINTMENT
Carlos Barcenas Appointed to Vacant Ward C Seat
A familiar face will be returning to serve on the Grand Island Public Schools Board of Education.
On Thursday, September 12th, 2024, after other regular business was covered, the GIPS Board interviewed two candidates and voted to appoint Carlos Barcenas for the vacant Ward C seat.
Back on August 8th, the GIPS Board accepted the resignation of Board Member Katie Mauldin. Ms. Mauldin’s employment required her to relocate to a different community, rendering vacant her seat on the Board representing Ward C.
“Really grateful for the opportunity to serve on this high-quality Board and to serve our community and GIPS in this role again.” Barcenas said, “Also, I’m really proud of Miguel for his willingness to step-up and volunteer to be of service to our great community.”
READ THE FULL ANNOUNCEMENT HERE.
SPECIAL RECOGNITION
GISH AP Scholar Honors
Last month, 34 Grand Island Senior High (GISH) students were recognized for stellar results on their respective AP tests.
From the 439 AP tests taken by all students, the 34 honorees earned the titles of AP Scholar, AP Scholar with Honor, and AP Scholar with Distinction.
Pictured is Sophia Heminger. She was unable to attend last month's Board Meeting when the large group was recognized. Sophia happily received her recognition at September's meeting.
Read more about the GISH AP Scholars HERE.
INFORMATION ITEMS
Annexation Agreement - Ordinance 9938
Mr. Virgil Harden, GIPS Chief Financial Officer, shared an update on a small land annex update.
Through mutual agreement between GIPS & Northwest Public Schools, when the City of Grand Island annexes land into the City of Grand Island and the corresponding land valuation is moved into the GIPS valuation, we enter into an annexation agreement as proposed for the City of Grand Island Ordinance 9938 - Wildwood Business Park dated 08/22/2023.
The land has an assessed valuation of $727,694. In consideration of the agreement, GIPS will pay NWPS a one-time lump sum payment of $43,090.86 on or before December 31, 2024.
Over time, this annexed farm land will add value to the Grand Island Public Schools valuation.
This was shared as an information item and will be an Action Item at October's Board meeting.
Hear Mr. Harden's presentation HERE.
POLICY UPDATES
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.
Emergency Closing - 5232
Regular review of an existing policy. No changes were proposed.
This was shared as a first read item and will be an Action Item at October's Board meeting.
Student Transportation Services - 5310
Regular review of an existing policy.
The only proposed edit would be to change the label "Elementary students" to simply say "students" so that the policy may be inclusive of all students.
This was shared as a first read item and will be an Action Item at October's Board meeting.
Compulsory Attendance - 8320
Review of an existing policy.
Proposed changes would include:
- Removing “The” in front of Grand Island Public Schools so it would reflect the official name of GIPS.
- Also proposing a change that would specify the legal process and form a student must complete if they are 16 or less than 18 years of age and wanting to withdraw from school.
This was shared as a first read item and will be an Action Item at October's Board meeting.
Student Suspension, Expulsion, & Mandatory Reassignment - 8453
Review of an existing policy.
After discussion with the Nebraska Department of Education, the recommended adjustment would be to clarify that alternative disciplinary measures (while handled on a case-by-case basis) would be "inside the school". Previously the policy was unclear about whether "inside" or "outside" the school.
This was shared as a first read item and will be an Action Item at October's Board meeting.
GIPS FOUNDATION REPORT
Board Representative Mrs. Lindsey Jurgens shared an update from the Grand Island Public Schools Foundation.
Highlights of the report included:
- The Foundation Staff and Board met with organizations operating under our umbrella on Tuesday, August 26 to review policies and procedures and build relationships. The organizations that currently operate under the GIPS Foundation’s Umbrella include boosters clubs, special project clubs, and other ongoing philanthropy-funded ventures.
- The Foundation has opened the online Classroom Grant application. This year there will only be one round of grants shall be for projects that will benefit students after November or during the spring or summer of 2025. Classroom grant requests will be accepted through September 29.
- Classroom grants are designed to fund educational opportunities for students that are not available through the school district's general budget.
- The Foundation will undergo our annual audit next week.
- The Foundation is expanding our team. We have added to our Board a student representative, Jase Jones. The Foundation worked with GISH to vet the best possible representative. Jase is the 2025 Class President.
- The 3rd annual Harvest Gala will be held on September 26 at Riverside Golf Club. Doors will open at 5:30PM Tickets are available at GIPSFoundation.org.
Hear the full Foundation report HERE.
SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
Mr. Fisher shared a Superintendent Report with the Board.
- School is underway! We’re off and running and everyone seems to be getting settled into their routines.
- Total Enrollment for this year right now: 10,072 students
- Last year at this time it was: 10,086 students
- Kindergarten enrollment has dropped: 671 down from 794
- Newcomers program has been a contributor to the enrollment total numbers. If you recall, we welcomed about 1,000 students in the newcomers program last year.
- State aid is connected to enrollment. If our enrollment hold steady, we can count on our state aid to hold steady.
- Activities for Fall Sports are in full swing. I’ve had a chance to see nearly all of the sports and activities at both High School and Middle School. Everything seems to be going pretty good with those opportunities for students.
- Parent Advisory Council met this Tuesday for the first time this school year. It is a stakeholder group with families representing each of our schools that meet with me and the District Leadership Team regularly. Our first meeting had a great turnout of individuals. We shared with them the new make-up of our District Leadership Team and unpacking their rolls. We also asked the Parent Advisory folks to share their feedback on what they’d like to discuss and learn more about throughout the year. Great discussion there.
- Had our second meeting with the Student Superintendent Advisory Council (SSAC) at GISH. We have good momentum with this group of student leaders. The students have identified a project focus for the year is a PR effort to improve GISH’s image.
- You all have likely been following along with the hoax social media threats at schools. We have felt the impact of that and it has generated a lot of angst for students and staff here in GIPS and in schools across Nebraska and the nation. We shared an update with our staff, families, and students this week HERE. We are grateful that our building leaders, security team, and GIPD SROs have been taking great care of our students as everyone has remained safe this week.
- School Safety – We were recognized as one of the ALICAP Honor Roll Schools for Safety! This is great news for our district and our professionals who are taking proactive efforts to ensure our students, staff, and all who enter our schools are safe. ALICAP recognized about 5% of the schools in Nebraska with this honor.
Hear Mr. Fisher's full report HERE.
ACTION ITEMS
District Emergency Operations Plan (EOP)
The Grand Island Public School District has undertaken significant steps to enhance our Emergency Operations Plan (EOP). This comprehensive update includes two critical components: an Emergency Plan for Students/Staff with Disabilities and a Missing Student Action Plan, both of which emphasize support for students with Autism and other special needs.
Recognizing the unique challenges faced by students and staff with disabilities during emergency situations, we have developed specific procedures to ensure their safety and well-being. This plan outlines clear actions and responsibilities, incorporating input from experts in special education and emergency response.
Additionally, our Missing Student Action Plan has been expanded to address the needs of students with Autism and other special needs more effectively. This plan includes tailored strategies for locating and ensuring the safety of these students, recognizing the particular vulnerabilities they may have during such situations.
The updated EOP has undergone a thorough review by the Community Rule 10 Safety Committee, which is composed of representatives from a diverse group of local agencies and organizations. The committee members include:
- Grand Island Fire Department
- Grand Island Police Department
- Hall County Sheriff's Office
- Central District Health Department
- Nebraska State Patrol
- Red Cross
- Salvation Army
- Grand Island Public Schools Safety Committee
Their invaluable feedback and collaboration have been instrumental in refining our emergency procedures, ensuring they meet the highest standards of safety and effectiveness. This collaborative effort underscores our commitment to the safety and security of all students and staff within our district.
This was shared as a first read at the August Board meeting.
MOTION PASSED: 8 - 0
Approval of the MOU for the School Resource Officers with GIPD
Last month, Lee Jacobsen, GIPS Safety Coordinator, and GIPD Chief Denney , shared an overview of the updated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) GIPS has been working on with GIPD.
Every four years, the district reviews the MOU they have with GIPD regarding School Resource Officers (SROs) at GIPS. The collaboration allowed for both parties to discuss and refine the operating process with SROs for a planned 4-year renewal.
This was shared as a first read at the August Board meeting.
MOTION PASSED: 8 - 0
TAKE ACTION TO APPOINT A BOARD MEMBER TO FILL REMAINDER OF TERM IN WARD C
The Board had the opportunity to interview the full field of qualified candidates who applied for the vacant Ward C seat on the Board. Interviews were held in public fashion as part of the Open Meetings Act.
The two candidates interviewed were:
- Miguel Aguilera
- Carlos Barcenas
Miguel Aguilera is a Ward C, Grand Island, resident. Aguilera serves as the Assistant Director of Admissions for the Grand Island Area at Wayne State College.
Carlos Barcenas is a Ward C, Grand Island, resident. Previously, Barcenas served on the GIPS Board of Education from January 2013 - December 2022. Barcenas serves as a professional speaker, coach, and facilitator with “I Choose Purple”.
Each candidate was asked the following questions during their individual public interview:
Please tell us a little about yourself. Where you grew up, where all you have attended school, occupation, family, how long have you lived in Grand Island?
What is your vision for education in the Grand Island Public Schools district?
What qualities, skills, or experiences have prepared you to serve as a board member?
How would you handle the potential conflicts between you and other board members?
What are the current challenges facing education/school boards?
How would you handle a request or concern, if approached, by an individual or special interest group?
Have you discussed the time commitment the Board appointment would require with your employer and your family?
How would you handle misinformation you found on social media about a vote or policy?
The Board of Education is generally considered a nonpartisan board. How will you ensure that your personal political views do not unduly influence your decision-making process on the Board, especially when it comes to policies that impact students, teachers, and the community?
At the conclusion of the interviews and discussion, the GIPS Board took roll call vote on which candidate to offer the appointment to.
ROLL CALL VOTE IN FAVOR OF CARLOS BARCENAS: 6 - 2
The Board then offered the appointment opportunity to Mr. Barcenas. After he accepted, the Board then took a motion to approve Mr. Barcenas' appointment to the Board.
MOTION PASSED: 8 - 0
Watch the full interview, discussion, and voting process HERE.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board entered into a brief Executive Session for the purpose of real estate because it is in the best interested of the public to discuss the matter in closed session.
There was no action resulting from the Executive Session.
Budget Workshop
Live stream for the Board meeting will be available on the GIPS YouTube channel.
Thursday, Sep 19, 2024, 05:30 PM
Grand Island Public Schools Michael S. Kneale Administration Building, South Webb Road, Grand Island, NE, USA
Special Meeting - Budget & Levy Hearings
Live stream for the Board meeting will be available on the GIPS YouTube channel.
Monday, Sep 23, 2024, 05:30 PM
Grand Island Public Schools Michael S. Kneale Administration Building, South Webb Road, Grand Island, NE, USA
Board of Education Regular Meeting - October 2024
Live stream for the Board meeting will be available on the GIPS YouTube channel.