GIPS Board Brief October 13, 2023
Updates from the GIPS Board of Education
The job is his.
The Grand Island Public Schools (GIPS) Board of Education has announced that Mr. Matthew Fisher may remove the word “Interim” from his job title. After taking a formal Action Item at the October 12 Board Meeting, the Board voted unanimously to remove the “Interim” term from Mr. Fisher’s superintendent title.
“I am very appreciative of this show of support from our Board of Education.” Matt Fisher shared, “I have felt very supported by the board throughout the time I have been at GIPS. This gesture on their part further solidifies that relationship. More importantly, I am grateful to be a part of this great district and to continue the work of supporting our students and staff.”
Fisher has been with GIPS since February of this year. In those eight months he has served on an interim basis leading the district through a 17-month contract. His appointment capped a month-long search process after the previous Superintendent, Dr. Tawana Grover, resigned from her position in December of 2022.
As one of three finalists for the interim gig, Fisher was selected to step-in and lead GIPS until the Board had sufficient time to decide whether they wanted to launch a nationwide search for a permanent Superintendent, or offer Mr. Fisher the job.
No stranger to the community, Mr. Matt Fisher has called Grand Island home for over a decade.
Prior to joining GIPS, Fisher served as the Director of Public Finance at First National Capital Markets. Most notably, he is perhaps best known for his time serving as Superintendent of Northwest Public Schools from 2012-2019. Entering the classroom in 1986, Fisher began his education tenure as a Math & Computer Science Teacher at Rock County High School. During his 33 year career in education, Fisher has also served as Superintendent of Chase County Schools, Secondary Principal of Chase County High School, and Secondary Principal at Rock County High School. Mr. Fisher carries an Education Specialist, Superintendent (EdS) degree
from UNK.
In joining the district, Fisher has hit the ground running knowing since day one that the best way, he felt, to approach the job was with the intention of staying long term.
Mr. Hank McFarland, GIPS Board President, affirmed the decision.
“Mr. Fisher has done a tremendous job leading our District from the first day he set foot on campus. Mr. Fisher leads with a pragmatic, calming and approachable style. He looks at problems as opportunities, and he dissects problems down to their most elemental parts and provides realistic solutions. He has been extremely supportive of his staff, and teacher morale has significantly improved under his direction. As a Board, we are excited to have him leading our District, and by dropping the “Interim” from his title, wanted the staff and public to know that Mr. Fisher has our full faith and confidence in forging the path of GIPS for the future.”
From building relationships with every school leader, to visiting classrooms across the district, to narrowing the strategic focus for the district, to establishing instruction as the top priority for the 2023-24 school year — Fisher has cultivated a culture of trust at GIPS.
Going forward, the Board’s action of dropping the “interim” from Mr. Fisher’s title also means the Board will not conduct a superintendent search. Fisher will remain on his current 17-month contract which is set to carry through July 2024. The Board of Education will have the opportunity to renegotiate the contract after they complete Fisher’s next evaluation which is likely to be scheduled for November 2023.
Congratulations, Mr. Fisher! GIPS is glad you are staying!
GISH Student Wellness Center
Michelle Hendrickson, Clinic Administrator, shared an update on the GISH CHI Student Wellness Center. The staff of medical professionals from the wellness center were also in attendance.
Since 1997, the Student Wellness Center has been dedicated to improving young people’s access to health services by providing comprehensive, convenient mental and physical health care which results in a healthier student. The center is in partnership with CHI and is housed on the GISH Campus.
Hendrickson provided an update on their valuable work. A few notable highlights from the 2022-23 school year include:
- 657 medical appointments for 313 students
- 1,257 vaccines administered
- 1,351 behavioral health appointments for 142 students
- 52 medication management visits for 16 students
- Most numbers reported are up from the prior school year
Hear Hendrickson's full presentation HERE.
Legislative Preview
Ms. Angela Amack is a lobbyist at the Nebraska State Legislature. She has been working with Grand Island Public Schools as an advocate at the State Government level since 2005. Ms. Amack shared with the Board a brief overview of what we may expect at the upcoming Nebraska legislative session.
A few highlights include:
- Affirming that GIPS was the first schools district in the state to create a health clinic for students at school and first to implement career academies.
- GIPS continues to be a state leader towards better statewide support for English Language Learners and poverty resources.
- GIPS is strengthening relationships at all levels of state government.
- The Education Committee Chair at the State Legislature has changed three times in four years. This is "unheard of".
- Although, for this year, we may expect the same committee and chair to be back as last year.
- We will surely hear a lot of discussion and public debate about LB753.
- "I remain optimistic. I will continue to show-up every single day and continue to fight for our kids and our district."
Ms. Amack's full presentation may be heard 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.
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 UPDATES:
GISH Football lost a close game against rivals Kearny High a few weeks ago. It was an intense but fun game to watch! The football team has another home game (tonight) against Omaha North.
Both the Boys and Girls Cross Country Teams did well at districts! The Boys Team finished 3rd and will compete at state as a team. They also had two medalists in Kaden Boltz & Ruben Caceres. Girls Cross Country had two medalists in Annaka Schlachter & Katie Johnsen who both qualified for State.
Tia Traut surpassed 1,000 kills for GISH Volleyball — a huge accomplishment for a Junior.
Softball Team finished up a strong season.
Girls Golf had one state qualifier in Katherine Lofing.
ACTIVITIES UPDATES:
Tickets for the GISH Fall Musical, “Beauty and the Beast”, are now available!
GISH Marching Band performed well at the "Harvest of Harmony" Parade earning 2nd place in the AA Division.
GISH UPDATES:
- Renowned Poet & Writer, Joaquin Zihuatanejo spent three days at GISH thanks to the GearUp Program. He led workshops with students on how to write powerful personal essays for college and scholarship applications.
- The Annual GISH College Fair was earlier this week. Over 40 colleges and universities were onsite for our students to explore.
- GISH Seniors have selected their Class Themes thanks to the Senior Student Government.
- Class Song: "Good Old Days"
- Class Motto: Never Back Down; Never Give Up
- Class Flower: Rose
- Class Activity: Spring Class BBQ
- Prom Theme: Under the Stars
Hear Adi's full report HERE.
Mr. Fisher shared a Superintendent Report with the Board.
A few highlights include:
- Parent/Teacher Conferences were this week. Everything I saw in the buildings I visited and heard around the district was that things were going well. Had a chance to speak with some Elementary teachers about momentum for the year.
- Earlier this week, I had an opportunity to present alongside Mr. Virgil Harden, GIPS CFO, to some of the GISH Academy Advisory Boards. We shared updates on this year's budget and next year's budget forecast.
- The District Leadership Team has begun some pretty big discussions around next year's budget. We are looking at how we can be more efficient to ensure the district operates well.
- Our ESU Superintendent's group gathered this week. We had the opportunity to meet with the Department of Education's new leader of certification. They seem focused and committed to eliminating barriers to helping potential new teachers become certified teachers — which is a good thing.
- First quarter of the year is nearly finished. The year is flying by!
Hear Mr. Fisher's full report HERE.
