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 November Regular Board Meeting.

• Agenda
• Video Stream
• BOARD MEMBERS: Mrs. Lindsey Jurgens was not present but gave prior notice.

Dr. Summer Stephens, GIPS Associate Superintendent, shared an update regarding a unique service GIPS hosted for two days in October to help provide free vision clinic services to students.

VSP Vision is a national organization that brings free vision clinical services and glasses to communities and schools all across the nation. Through a partnership with the Nebraska Foundation for Children's Vision and the Nebraska Department of Education, VSP was able to visit Nebraska last month. GIPS was selected as a sight to host the free vision clinic for two days.

To prepare, GIPS Social Workers worked to identify the highest need students in each school so they may receive a free eye exam and pair of glasses (if needed).

Throughout the two days VSP was in the district, local eye-care providers worked at the free mobile clinic to serve our students. Highlights included:

• 109 students + 1 staff member as patients
• Patients came from all GIPS schools (Elementaries, Middle Schools, & GISH)
• Over 100 pairs of glasses were delivered

Hear Dr. Stephens' full presentation HERE.

Mr. Virgil Harden, GIPS Chief Financial Officer, shared an update with the Board regarding the budgeting calendar for the next fiscal year.

The proposed Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget Calendar outlines the key dates, events, and responsible individual or group(s) for the next fiscal year's budgeting process. The calendar document shows the budgeting steps charting from October 2024 - September 2025.

The full proposed calendar may be found on the agenda item linked above in this newsletter.

This was shared as an Information item and will be up as an "approve" item at December's Board meeting. It will not be an "Action item" as the calendar is a living document that will remain flexible throughout the year based on needs and schedules.

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.

Review of an existing policy.

A proposed change would include removing the required questions for a Board Member Vacancy Candidate interview and instead simply state: "Interview questions will be asked in the same manner for each applicant to ensure consistency in the interview process."

This was shared as Information and will be up as an Action item at December's Board meeting.

Regular review of an existing policy.

No changes are being proposed.

This was shared as Information and will be up as an Action Item at December's Board Meeting.

Regular review of an existing policy.

Proposed changes would be to some of the language around absolute statements including:

• Instead of saying "achieving the greatest educational program for dollars expended" it would read "most beneficial educational program..."
  
  
• Instead of saying "establish maximum efficient procedures" it would read "establish efficient procedures".

This was shared as Information and will be up as an Action Item at December's Board Meeting.

Regular review of an existing policy.

No changes are being proposed.

This was shared as Information and will be up as an Action Item at December's Board Meeting.

Regular review of an existing policy.

No changes are being proposed.

This was shared as Information and will be up as an Action Item at December's Board Meeting.

Update to an existing policy.

The only change would be to add the following two sentences to the existing lengthy policy:

"Electronic communication between staff and students may only take place through school email or district approved communication platforms.""

This was shared as first read in April then additional review was made. This update has been brought back for consideration and will be up as an Action Item at December's Board Meeting.

Matt Fisher, GIPS Superintendent, shared an update from the Grand Island Public Schools Foundation.

Highlights of the report included:

1. The Foundation Board approved 14 Classroom Grants totaling $12,091. Surprising the winning teachers on October 29-30. These grants will impact 6354 students.
   
   
2. The GIPS Foundation will be offering a Scholarship Fair for our students and parents at GISH building on November 20th. There will be presentations on the GIPSF scholarship applications, presentations on FSFA ID’s and booths for students and parents to visit. Numerous College partners have agreed to be there as well as Education Quest and GISH Academy Principals and Counselors.
   
   
3. The Foundation’s college scholarship online application will open December 1 and is accessible on our website: gipsfoundation.org.
   
   
4. The Foundation Board will have the following business before them at their November 13, 2024 meeting:

• Fiscal Year 24 Audit
• Fiscal Year 24 990
• Scholarship Preparation
• New Member Nominations

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:

• Islander Volleyball had a great showing this season finishing 27-10; earning back-to-back State Tournament appearances; and first State Win since 2007.
  
  
• “The Little Mermaid” had a great run of the musical.
  
  
• 17 Islander students were selected as All-State Musicians in Choir, Band, & Orchestra.
  
  
• Unified Bowling won their first meet of the season.
  
  
• Islander Powerlifting updates.

Upcoming Events in GIPS

• Knickrehm created a “Strengthening Families” program to help families improve parenting skills and relationships.
  
  
• SSAC PR Committee creating fun and informative branding and storytelling opportunities to better promote the school.
  
  
• 3rd Grade students were recognized for the GIFD Great Escape Winners and earned a ride to school in a Fire Truck.
  
  
• GISH GearUp is working on the Senior Launch project to help Seniors get prepared to complete the FAFSA.

Staff Shout-Out

• Mrs. Ashley Schulz, AP U.S. Government & Politics and AP World History Teacher; GISH National Honor Society Sponsor; Project Hunger Board Member

Hear Owen's full report HERE.

Mr. Fisher shared a Superintendent Report with the Board.

• The GISH Musical of “The Little Mermaid” was a fantastic production!
  
  
• Watching the Islanders Volleyball Team at the State Tournament was exciting. They played hard and played well.
  
  
• It was fun to see our GIFD community wide “Great Escape” winner at Knickrehm enjoy their ride in the aerial ladder at school.
  
  
• A great group in our community of local Dental Assistants stepped-up to help meet the dental needs of our students at Lincoln Elementary.
  
  
• The State School Board Conference is next week. I will be helping to lead a School Finance workshop.
  
  
• Delivering Staff Shout-Out swag bags has become a wonderfully rewarding experience across the district. Each week we shout-out outstanding staff who are nominated by their colleagues.

• Thinking of the school district as a “community hub”. That feels very connected to who we are.
  
  
• Alternative Paths to Graduation - An impactful exploration of opportunities for students to achieve what they need. There’s a five state study going on right now about these options.

Hear Mr. Fisher's full report HERE.

Brand new proposed policy for the district.

After completing our QCPUF bonding process, a legal recommendation was made that the district actually implement a policy regarding the GIPS Cash Reserve. While the policy would be new, it would simply reflect the standard best practice our district has been following. Highlights of the policy include:

• The District will strive to maintain a cash reserve balance equivalent to three months of operating expenses in the General Fund.
• Lists approved uses for the cash reserves.
• Maps out the process of replenishment of cash reserves if needed.
• Highlights the process of investments regarding the cash reserves.

This was shared as an information item at November's Board meeting.

MOTION PASSED: 8 - 0

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

This was shared as an information item at November's Board meeting.

MOTION PASSED: 8 - 0

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

This was shared as an information item at November's Board meeting.

MOTION PASSED: 8 - 0

Regular review of an existing policy. Proposed changes would include:

• Changing “Physician” to “Healthcare Provider”
• Changing “Emergency Care Plan (ECP)” to an “Emergency Action Plan (EAP)”
• Adding a stipulation to complete and return the form for special dietary needs

This was shared as an information item at November's Board meeting.

MOTION PASSED: 8 - 0

The Board was convened into an executive session for the purpose of discussing negotiations and reviewing the Superintendent's evaluation.

Action to accept the Superintendent Evaluation as a result of the Executive Session was presented.

MOTION PASSED: 8 - 0