GIPS Board Brief May 9, 2024
Updates from the GIPS Board of Education
GIPS Foundation Scholarships Update
Mrs. Kari Hooker-Leep, GIPS Foundation Executive Director, shared an update on the Foundation's full impact of awarded scholarships. Here are a few highlights:
- 98 Graduates Supported
- 190 Scholarships
- $415,518 in Scholarships Awarded
The GIPS Foundation will also be hosting a public event and press conference to announce the final totals from this year's annual Staff Giving Campaign. Festivities will be on Monday, May 13th, at 4:30 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.
Hear Kari's full presentation HERE.
NWEA MAP Growth Renewal
Dr. Jonathan Doll, Chief of Assessment, Research, and Accountability provided an update on a specific assessment resource in the district, NWEA MAP Growth.
Using NWEA MAP Growth is part of our comprehensive and balanced assessment plan. Rule 10 005.02A also requires districts to implement a system for tracking student achievement and must be approved by the state assessment tool. NWEA is currently an approved tool the district has been using for years.
Currently, GIPS uses MAP as a Math assessment tool for grades Kindergarten - 5th Grade.
NDE has paid for NWEA Map Growth for grades 3-8 for the past 5 years as part of their Statewide Assessment plan. They are no longer offering to pay for this assessment.
Since this is part of our comprehensive assessment framework and provides data that supports teachers in making instructional decisions, the ability to see growth on state standards throughout the year, and projections for success on NSCAS, GIPS would like to continue using K-5 MAP Growth for Math. The NDE is evaluating their current assessment system and may be making changes to the tools, platforms, and assessments that inform NSCAS in the near future. When we know more, we can evaluate alternative/aligned options for the 25-26 school year.
The new cost for NWEA MAP Growth will be $58,375.
This was presented as information and will be up for an Action Item vote at June's Board meeting.
Hear Dr. Doll's full presentation HERE.
GISH Science Resource
Dr. Robin Dexter, GIPS Chief of Secondary Education, and Mrs. Jennie Ritter, Seedling Mile Principal & Science Curriculum Coordinator, shared insights into a need for a dedicated Science Resource for GISH science teachers.
The integrated approach to science was implemented starting in 2018. At that time there were limited resources available aligned specifically to the Integrated Science approach. GISH Science teachers have been creating their own resources by gathering materials from the web, multiple textbooks, open source, and teacher created documents. Three staff members attended the National Teachers of Science conference and focused on finding available resources to meet the needs of GISH science teachers.
A new resource adoption will support the facilitation of high quality Tier 1 Instruction materials as well as support for English Learners and students with disabilities. The Kognity resource addresses the Nebraska Science Standards, includes standards alignment, and assessments with rubrics. This is an online resource and teachers will have access to all science content areas.
Kognity is an award-winning teaching and learning platform that combines the power of technology with the rigor and depth of hiqh-quality content written by experts. Purchase of the license will provide access for up to 2000 students enrolled in GISH Science courses to high quality instructional materials. This includes training for teachers during summer science task force work in order to be prepared for implementation of this resource in the fall of 2024.
The total cost (after negotiating down the sticker price) would be: $10/student - 2004 students - 5 years = $100,200.
This was shared as both an Information Item and a votable Action Item at May's Board meeting.
Hear the full presentation HERE.
Title I "Yes We Can" Professional Learning
Dr. Toni Palmer, GIPS Chief of Elementary Education, presented on an opportunity for professional learning in some Title I Elementary schools.
In order to close the gaps and elevate learning for all students, building a culture of professional growth that provides our staff with tools, resources and opportunity to learn is critical. This training aligns with our continuous improvement efforts to achieve Every Student, Every Day, a Success.
Our goal is to ensure that all students demonstrate the knowledge and skills to meet grade level proficiency with 80% of students meeting grade level proficiency as a result of core instruction. In order to close the gaps and elevate learning for all students, building a culture of professional growth that provides our staff with tools, resources and opportunity to learn is critical. In our schools we have a range of expertise and experience that can be leveraged when all staff are learning together.
Howard, Starr, Lincoln, and Knickrehm staff will engage in a full day of professional learning at Riverside August 30th with a customized agenda co-created with the Solution Tree Consultant. This training aligns with our continuous improvement efforts to build a system of highly effective instruction that allows us to maximize resources to address the needs of all learners.
The total cost for the Solution Tree professional learning opportunity would be $53,500 which would be paid for through Title I funds.
This was shared as both an Information Item and a votable Action Item at May's Board meeting.
Hear Dr. Palmer's full presentation HERE.
Budget Reductions Update
Mr. Matt Fisher, GIPS Superintendent, and Mr. Virgil Harden, GIPS Chief Financial Officer, provided a review of the $5 million budget reduction process the district undertook throughout the school year. Here are a few highlights from the overview:
- Due to adjustments in state aid for GIPS and other factors, the district identified a need to reduce spending by $5 million in the district's General Fund for the 2024-25 school year.
- That work was accomplished through intensive collaboration between the district leadership team, building principals, and staff.
- Looking ahead, GIPS is slated to receive the highest amount available in state provided poverty supportive funds from the state for 2024-25 which will help with the allocation of General Funds going forward.
- GIPS identified $4.6+ million in reductions for the next school year.
- Overall projections show that $4.7 million will likely be the final number of needed reductions to balance the General Fund.
- The outlook is optimistic that GIPS may not have to do aggressive budget reductions next year.
Hear the full presentation HERE.
Classified wage increase for 2024-25
Dr. Carrie Kolar, GIPS Chief of Human Capital Management, shared an update on the increase for Classified Staff wages for the 2024-25 school year.
A few highlights include:
- The schedule itself will not be adjusted for 24-25
- Comply with increase of minimum wage ($15.50 by 1/1/26)
- Offer competitive wages that support district efforts to attract and retain qualified staff
- Adjustment for trades positions
- Responsibility adjustment for head servers in Nutrition Services
- Additional position added to encourage paraprofessionals to work towards becoming a registered behavior technician
- Available for paraprofessionals in specific programs: Skills, CBI/Indra House, ELS, Behavior
The proposed 6.12% increase in Classified Staff Wages would amount to $1,179,920.
This was shared as information and will be up for an Action Item vote at June's Board meeting.
Hear Dr. Kolar's full presentation HERE.
Mr. Fisher shared a Superintendent Report with the Board.
- Thank you, Adi Beltran, for your leadership! It has been great to see Adi grow as a leader both as our Board Student Representative and with the Superintendent Student Advisory Council.
- The Nebraska College Preparatory Academy (NCPA) is such a valuable program at GISH. I echo what Adi shared. It's great to see students making that four year commitment in high school and receiving the debt free opportunity to attend UNL.
- GISH Registered Apprenticeship signing day is another one of those great things we’re doing. We’re still leading the way across the state in placing students in true apprenticeships.
- Capstone presentations by the Academy of Medical Sciences and the Academy of Engineering & Technology were wonderful as well. We had one student who was especially passionate about his engineering project of designing a better, safer seat belt.
- Spring is concert season! One notable display was the Arts Now Grant project presented by GISH Band, Theatre, and Visual Art. It was neat to see the full work on display from the students who created it. Especially cool to hear the original music written by one of our GISH band students.
- I attended the annual stakeholder meeting for Aksarben. A primary focus for them is internships. They spoke highly of us here at GIPS noting the partnership we will be doing with Wayne State. We anticipate this program will help us increase the number of student teachers we’ll have in the district which will then feed our pipeline of subs, apprentice teachers, and full-time teachers.
- Staffing remains a big focus for us at this time. We’re currently about 12 Elementary teaching roles short. With that, we are working on continued hiring efforts and mapping out different possibilities for moving some staff to different buildings to better balance class sizes. We will be meeting with our Elementary Principals this week to discuss options and solutions. For Secondary positions we are in pretty good shape. We are currently only short two Science teachers (offers are out), one Math teacher, and one teacher for the Newcomers program.
Hear Mr. Fisher's full report HERE.