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GIPS Board Brief August 11, 2023
Updates from the GIPS Board of Education
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GIPS Board Brief - August 11, 2023
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 regular August 10, 2023 GIPS Board meeting.
Board of Education Meeting - 8.10.2023
- Regular Meeting Agenda
- Board Meeting Video Stream
- Board President, Mr. Hank McFarland, was not present but gave prior notice to his absence.
- Board Member, Katie Mauldin, arrived late but gave prior notice.
Special Recognitions
High School AP Scholar Recognitions
34 Grand Island Senior High (GISH) students earned recognition for stellar results on their respective AP tests. Some of the highlights include:
- 293 students taking AP courses
- 472 AP tests taken by all students
- 100 students with scores of 3+
- 55 students with scores of 4 or 5
- 34 students earned "AP Scholar" status
Thirteen of the "AP Scholar" students were honored at the Board Meeting last evening. The other honored students will have an opportunity to be showcased at a future Board Meeting as the students' schedules allow.
Information Items
Assessments for 2023-24 and Role for Each Building's Assessment Coordinator
Dr. Jonathan Doll, GIPS Chief of Assessment, Research, & Accountability, shared an updated snapshot of the assessment calendar for the 2023-24 school year.
Notable changes for the new year include:
- Kindergarten - 5th students will no longer be taking the MAP English Language Arts test. GIPS already uses DIBELS assessments for this area and the district wants to avoid unnecessary double testing for students.
- 6th - 8th Graders will no longer take MAP English Language Arts nor will they continue taking MAP Math. Instead, Middle School grades will be utilizing AimsWeb-Reading and AimsWeb-Math. This change was inspired by our Middle School leaders as they believe AimsWeb may be a more effective assessment tool, and it will be a more efficient use of district funds.
- NAEP Testing will be returning to the district specifically for Howard Elementary, Seedling Mile Elementary, West Lawn Elementary, Barr Middle School, and Walnut Middle School. When selected for NAEP Testing, it is a national requirement to complete. Dr. Doll is currently waiting on additional information from the Nebraska Department of Education to confirm what this will look like for these schools. More will be shared at a future Board meeting.
Hear Dr. Doll's full presentation, HERE.
Remove and Replace Authorized Signers for all GIPS Bank Accounts
As a result, both Dr. Ken Schroeder and Dr. Robin Dexter need to be removed as authorized signers on ALL GIPS bank accounts and Mr. Virgil Harden and Dr. Summer Stephens need to be added as such.
Hear Mr. Harden's full presentation, HERE.
Property Tax Authority Resolution (LB 243)
The new concept is a Property Tax Authority Cap (or limitation) for all public school Boards of Education in Nebraska. The new Property Tax Authority Resolution is an additional 5% above the current cap.
This will not impact current property taxes for the community. The action would only grant the Board the authority to ask for up to 5% more if needed in the future. Any future action would require a Board vote.
Hear Mr. Harden's full presentation, HERE.
Summer School Report
Mrs. Jill Buettner, Math Teacher at Walnut Middle School and GIPS Summer Programming Coordinator, shared an update on the 2023 Summer Activities provided by the district.
Highlights include:
- 375 students impacted through Elementary programs such as Title I Summer Strong, K-1 Immigrant Students, ELO Summer Program, Dodge Summer School, Howard Summer School, and Spectacular Summer at Lincoln Elementary.
- Over 145 students participated in POWER Camp at Starr Elementary. Programming was focused on STEAM-based experiential learning.
- Nearly 100 students joined the Summer Academy programs at all three Middle Schools.
- 50 students (3rd - 8th Grade) participated in the second year of the Fine Arts Camp.
- Islander GRIT Robotics Camp launched it's second year and welcomed 26 students to learn about robotics, build bots, code, and engage in problem solving.
- High School Summer School saw 420 students of various classifications enrolled and 41 Seniors graduating.
Hear Mrs. Buettner's full presentation, HERE.
Substitute Rate and Basis
Dr. Carrie Kolar, GIPS Chief of Human Capital, shared a proposal for a potential increase in pay for substitute teachers in the district.
The total proposed increase would be for $261,509. Rates would cover the duration of 187 contract days. The new 2023-24 individual rates would be as follows:
- $164/day for Full Certificate Regular Subs
- $205/day for Full Certificate Long Term Subs
- $179/day for Retired Teacher Regular Subs
- $230/day for Retired Teacher Long Term Subs
Additionally, the proposal includes a systematic approach that would have the base rates for substitute teachers increase alongside base salary adjustments for the district going forward.
This was presented as an Information Item and voted on as well as an Action Item (below) at the August meeting.
Hear Dr. Kolar's full presentation, HERE.
Policy Updates
Mr. Matt Fisher, GIPS Interim Superintendent, shared the following proposed Policy Updates to the Board. These potential updates have been discussed at great length through the Board Policies Committee and reflect the committee's recommendations for the district.
CERTIFIED STAFF CREDIT FOR EXPERIENCE
Update to an existing policy relating to longevity experience in education. The proposed change would state, "New hired non-administrative certified staff shall be granted credit for up to 10 years experience in previous districts..." The previous edition of the policy granted credit for up to eight years.
SPECIAL EDUCATION POLICIES
Update to an existing policy regarding basic special education procedures. The changes reflect the practices the district has been practicing for years, but needed to formally update the language in the policy. Consistent updates include:
- Ensuring all children with verified disabilities through the age of 21 have education available to them.
- Disciplinary procedures for children with disabilities.
- IEP accessibility for staff directly connected to the education of the student.
Again, these are practices the district has been maintaining but needed to ensure the language in the policy matched the practices.
BEHAVIORAL POINTS OF CONTACT
A new policy required from the State Legislature. This would permit the Superintendent to identify (or delegate) specific points of contact for behavior related support at each school in the district. This new policy would state that GIPS has identified the school counselors and/or school social workers as the behavior point of contact. If the policy is adopted, GIPS will share that information with the Nebraska Department of Education and post the information on the district website.
WEAPONS & FIREARMS IN SCHOOL
Update to an existing policy to better ensure safety in our schools. The update would clarify that it is still unlawful for individuals to carry concealed firearms in school, in a school-owned vehicle, or at a school-sponsored activity or athletic event regardless of the "concealed and carry" stipulations in the state.
These updates were shared as Information Items and will be on the agenda as Action Items at September's Board Meeting.
Hear Mr. Fisher's full presentation, HERE.
Superintendent Report
Mr. Fisher shared a Superintendent Report with the Board.
A few highlights include:
- All Staff Welcome Back (hosted yesterday 8/10) was a success! It's the one time a year we welcome all GIPS staff under the same roof to celebrate and kick-off the year. Thank you to the Board of Education for attending the event as well and helping to encourage and support our staff.
- We welcomed over 100 new Certified Staff training last Friday and Monday of this week. Thank you to GIEA for their support of of the event as well with providing breakfast the first day and lunch the second day.
- August 15th is the first day of school for Kindergarten, 6th Grade, and 9th Grade. And on August 16th next week, all students are back.
- Area Membership Meetings are coming up for the State School Board Association. The next one will be this month in York. Board members are encouraged to attend. We will also have some Board members receiving some recognitions.
- Labor Relations meetings are coming up as well. Some Board members will be part of the negotiation process that labor relations leads. October will be the next opportunity to meet.
- Earlier this week, I shared an interview with NTV News about Social Emotional Learning (SEL). Our focus was to explain what SEL looks like at GIPS. More specifically, to clarify any confusion about what it actually is and what it isn't. As the conversation around this topic grows with elected officials at the state level, I think it is important for our community and staff to understand what we really mean when we talk about SEL. Here is what SEL means for GIPS:
"The skills that are being taught as part of the GIPS social emotional learning focus are skills that have been taught by schools and families for decades. Over time this type of instruction has fallen under different labels, citizenship, counseling, social skills and now social emotional learning. While Social Emotional Learning (SEL) may take on different meanings in other arenas, at GIPS it is as simple as teaching students to be respectful of other people, how to have good relationships with family and friends, and how to make good decisions."
Hear Mr. Fisher's full report HERE.
Action Items
Stipends for MTSS & Assessment Coordinators
Dr. Carrie Kolar, HR Chief, also shared an update with the Board regarding stipends for staff serving as Multi Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) and Assessment Coordinators.
MTSS is a prevention system that includes three tiers of academic, social, emotional, and behavioral supports (interventions) for students. This system is implemented throughout all GIPS schools by teachers, administrators, and support staff.
MTSS Coordinators will monitor the fidelity of Tier 2 and Tier 3 MTSS. They will also ensure compliance and adherence to district procedures; attend all district level MTSS meetings; and monitor progress.
Assessment Coordinators will plan, coordinate, and conduct activities related to State District Assessments and testing programs (DIBELS, MAP, CogAT, NSCAS, Pre-ACT, ACT). They will also coordinate with Special Education and EL departments to ensure accommodations are in place for students taking required state and district assessments along with monitoring process and progress across the district.
These roles have shifted as the number of Academic Coaches in the district has decreased. Both MTSS and Assessments are direct success indicators for GIPS. The coordinators will be conducting these efforts alongside their daily educational job duties at our 14 Elementary Schools.
The proposed stipend total amount for staff taking on these extra duties would be:
- MTSS Coordinators (14) - $41,110
- Assessment Coordinators (14) - $24,500
- Total with Benefits - $77,059
This was shared as an Information Item this month and will be on the agenda as an Action Item at August's Board meeting.
This was presented as "first read" information at last month's Board Meeting.
Motion Passed: 8 - 0
Substitute Rates and Basis
See above information item for details.
Motion Passed: 8 - 0
Remove and Replace Authorized Signers for All GIPS Accounts
See above information item for details.
Motion Passed: 8 - 0
Property Tax Authority Resolution
See above information item for details.
Motion Passed: 8 - 0
Attendance Officer
A proposed update reads "The Grand Island Public Schools sets the minimum amount of days at 90% of days that the student's school is open and in session." This would set 90% of available days attended as the minimum requirement for students to attend school without reaching "Excessive Absenteeism". This policy was last revised in 2016.
This was presented as "first read" information at last month's Board Meeting during the policy updates segment.
Motion Passed: 8 - 0
Metal Detector Screening
An entirely new proposed policy. Our district Safety & Security Team requested the Policy Committee consider adopting a policy that would map out protocols and procedures regarding use of metal detectors at our schools. As currently proposed, hand-held metal detector "wands" (similar to what is used at airports) may be used in specific instances where there is reasonable suspicion of something on that person or in that person's backpack or parcel to do an initial search in lieu of pat downs.
This was presented as "first read" information at last month's Board Meeting during the policy updates segment.
Motion Passed: 8 - 0
Part-Time Enrollment
A policy requirement as a result of state legislative actions. The proposed policy states that in order for a student to participate in extracurricular activities at GIPS, a student must be enrolled in no more than one class in order to be eligible. The previous requirement used to be two classes. The NSAA will adopt these guidelines as well.
This was presented as "first read" information at last month's Board Meeting during the policy updates segment.
Motion Passed: 8 - 0
Student Groups
Another policy requirement as a result of state legislative actions. The proposed policy states GIPS must allow student groups that meet U.S. designations to provide one opportunity annually for those groups to present to students. Some of the groups that meet the criteria are:
- Boy Scouts of America
- Legion Baseball
- American Society of Horticulturists
- And others
Opportunities to present to students would be acquiesced by the district if the groups requested the time.
This was presented as "first read" information at last month's Board Meeting during the policy updates segment.
Motion Passed: 8 - 0
Suspension, Expulsion, and Reassignment
An additional policy requirement as a result of state legislative action. This would modify an existing district policy. The modifications would include:
- Mapping out steps Principals may take when considering/implementing a short-term suspension.
- If a student has been expelled for more than five days the student has a right to a district hearing, during the time of waiting for a hearing (exclusionary period), students will not be required to attend an alternative education site.
- Summer review processes for students that have been expelled.
Motion Passed: 8 - 0
Alternative Education
A modification to an existing policy that states: "In the event action is being taken to expel a student from this school district, the Administration may offer the student an alternative school, class, or education program..." but it will not be required.
This was presented as "first read" information at last month's Board Meeting during the policy updates segment.
Motion Passed: 8 - 0
Option Enrollment
An additional policy requirement as a result of state legislature action. Per legal recommendation from Perry Law Firm (the district's choice for legal representation) the existing policy for option enrollment would be completely updated in order to meet the new requirements mandated by the new state action. The most noteworthy change to our existing policy would be how capacity levels are measured at the district to identify room for Special Education students. Previously GIPS measured capacities by building grade level. The new state requirement would be to measure capacity by district grade level availability.
This was presented as "first read" information at last month's Board Meeting during the policy updates segment.
Motion Passed: 8 - 0
Option Enrollment Resolution
A separate component of Option Enrollment protocols for the district. GIPS is legally required to vote on the "resolution" annually in October. The motion here was to push the adoption vote to October as to avoid approving it now in August and voting on it again a second time in October.
Motion to Table the Vote until October 2023 Passed: 8 - 0
September 2023 Board of Education Meeting
Live stream for the Board meeting will be available on the GIPS YouTube channel.