GIPS Board Brief November 14, 2025

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 2025 Regular Board Meeting.

• Agenda
• Video Stream
• Eric Garcia-Mendez, Hank McFarland, & Josh Sikes were not present but gave prior notice.

Katie Johnsen, Senior at GISH, finished the Girls Cross-Country season by becoming the Islanders first State Medalist since 2005. Johnsen finished 15th overall at the Nebraska State Girls Cross Country meet. Earlier in the season, she also broke a school record with a time of 18:58.77.

Congratulations to Katie Johnsen!

Fourteen Islanders will be representing Grand Island Senior High at the 2025 All-State Music Ensembles at the Lied Center on November 20-22 in Lincoln.

The Islanders (listed below) were selected by the Nebraska Music Education Association (NMEA) and are among the best high school musicians in the state to participate in All-State, which is one of the highest musical honors in Nebraska. Students were chosen by their high school directors to audition and compete against other top students for a spot in the state honor ensembles. All-State participants rehearse with nationally recognized conductors and perform in concerts at the Lied Performing Arts Center. Ensembles include: concert band, mixed chorus, jazz band, and orchestra.

Congratulations to the 2025 GISH All-State Musicians!

INSTRUMENTAL:

• Katelyn Sodomka, Horn, in Band
• Gabi Meier, Harp, in Orchestra
• Paige Berglund, Bassoon, in Orchestra
  
  

VOCAL:

• Natalie Flores
• Cadence Gidcumb
• Katherine Johnsen
• Malia McNeal
• Reagan Kort
• Isabella Roe
• Madison Wieczorek
• Ulises Acosta
• Coen Thorpe
• Elijah Meier-Juarez
• Cael Wiegert

Read more about the All-State vocal and instrumental opportunities for our students HERE.

Mr. Scott Mzour, Epic Discovery Center Program Development Manager, shared an update on the programming that will be provided at the new EPIC center.

Program highlights include:

• Prioritizing programming for children ages 0 - 18 years old.
• 25 static exhibits - a STEAM-based experience.
• Makerspace area for kids and adults to get creative and make things.
• Four rooms dedicated to teenage student exploration with an art studio, clean technology room, a lounge, and a classroom that may be used for programming, clubs, and more.

Mzour shared that EPIC is excited to work with GIPS to support additional educational opportunities.

This was shared as an information item report.

Hear the full presentation HERE.

Mrs. Cara Kuhl, GIPS Social Studies Curriculum Coordinator, & Mrs. Tracy Jakubowski, Westridge Assistant Principal, shared the district's bi-yearly report on American Civics.

The report allows for the Board and the community to stay up to speed on classroom experience for teachers and students surrounding social studies related curriculum and resources for Kindergarten - 12th Grade. The report also helps the district stay in compliance with Nebraska PL 79-724 and GIPS Policy 2230.

Highlights from the report include:

• Overview of curriculum resources and classroom tools.
• Notable American Civics projects for students during key grades.
• How GIPS meets state curriculum standards.
• The positive impact of social studies related discussions in classroom settings.

This was shared as an information item report.

Hear the full presentation HERE.

Mrs. Jessica Myers, Barr Middle School Assistant Principal, shared an update on an exciting new program for the district called "The GIPS Leader Fellowship".

The GIPS Leader Fellowship aims to build leadership capacity for Certified Staff across the district. It is a voluntary, application-based program for up to 12 staff members annually, led by current GIPS administrators and Curriculum Coordinators.

The experience includes workshops, check-ins, and focuses on core areas like Leadership Standards, GIPS Systems, and data-driven improvements. The program is designed to foster internal talent growth, increase employee engagement and retention, and support effective leadership towards student achievement and staff collaboration. The GIPS Leader Fellowship is looking to be in place for the fall of 2026-27, with the application process opening in March 2026.

This was shared as an information item report.

Hear the full presentation HERE.

Oscar Garcia, GIPS Nutrition Services Director, provided an update to the Board on CEP year two, financial standing for the department, and future outlooks.

The Nutrition Services Update reports stable meal participation, with 500,834 meals served through October, and the district is on track to slightly exceed last year's total. Overall, GIPS Nutrition Services projects to potentially serve 1,609,000 million meals.

The department is focusing on financial health through smart spending, being efficient with staffing shifts, and continuing to review food ordering protocols.

For CEP, while year two of the program ensuring meals at no cost is going well, the department is starting to project beyond the next few years. Right now, early forecasts estimate that the 2028-2029 school year could be when we would no longer qualify for the provision. The Board and the Nutrition Services Department will continue monitoring the program.

This was shared as an information item report.

Hear the full presentation HERE.

Mr. Virgil Harden, GIPS Chief Financial Officer, shared an update regarding the recently completed annual Audit Report for the fiscal year of 2024-2025.

The annual audit came back in good standing and reports the district to be in a good financial position. A full look at the full 46-page approved audit may be found on the Board meeting agenda.

This was shared as both an information and action item at the November Board meeting.

Hear the full presentation HERE.

Mr. Dan Petsch, GIPS Director of Buildings, Grounds, & Safety, shared a project update on the outstanding need for renovating the Kneale Administration Building parking lot.

Since the District took possession of and renovated the current Kneale Administration Building in 1998, the main parking area has needed resurfacing. During the 2013-2014 school year, the Board approved engineering plans and scheduled the project for completion. However, other projects took priority.

The district plans to bring this decades-old need back to the projects list for potential completion this Summer. Per standard protocol, the district went to bid for the project.

Four bids were received from potential contractors. The Diamond Engineering Company had the lowest bid at $994,637.45. Construction would start in the Summer of 2026 with a projected completion date would be August 3rd, 2026.

This was shared as both an information item and an action item at the November Board meeting so, if approved, the bid could be accepted and the planning phase could begin.

Hear the 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.

Regular review of an existing policy.

Two proposed changes include:

• Removing "The" in front of "Grand Island Public Schools.
• Updating the job title of HR Chief to the "Chief of Human Capital Management."

This was shared as a first read item and will be up as an action item vote at the December Board meeting.

Regular review of an existing policy.

Only proposed change:

• Expanding the term "The Board" to read "The Board of Education".

This was shared as a first read item and will be up as an action item vote at the December Board meeting.

Regular review of an existing policy.

No proposed changes at this time.

This was shared as a first read item and will be up as an action item vote at the December Board meeting.

Regular review of an existing policy.

Only proposed change:

• Removing "The" from in front of "Grand Island Public Schools".

This was shared as a first read item and will be up as an action item vote at the December Board meeting.

Regular review of an existing policy.

Only proposed change:

• Removing "The" from in front of "Grand Island Public Schools".

This was shared as a first read item and will be up as an action item vote at the December Board meeting.

Regular review of an existing policy.

Only proposed change:

• Removing "The" from in front of "Grand Island Public Schools".

This was shared as a first read item and will be up as an action item vote at the December Board meeting.

1. The Foundation Board approved 7 Classroom Grants totaling $9059. They will be surprising the winning teachers on October 28. These grants will impact 2385 students.
   
   
2. The GIPS Foundation will be offering a Scholarship Fair for area senior students and parents at Grand Island Senior High on December 3rd. There will be presentations on the Grand Island Public School Foundation scholarship applications, presentations on the FASFA plus booths for students and parents to visit. Numerous College partners have agreed to attend. In addition, Education Quest and GISH Academy Principals and Counselors will be present to answer questions.
   
   
3. The Foundation’s college scholarship online application will open on December 1, 2025 and is accessible on our website: gipsfoundation.org.
   
   
4. The GIPS Foundation will be offering over 200 scholarships to the Class of 2026 that will exceed $700,000.
   
   
5. The GIPS Foundation thanks all supporters and attendees of the 2025 Harvest Event. It was a record-breaking success. The event honored Ron & Dan Eakes with the Heart of the Foundation Award. Brian Levander was the Mission Moment speaker, sharing his story of success and determination through the support of mentors and GIPS teachers.
   
   
6. The Foundation Board will have the following business before them at its November 18, 2025 meeting:

• Fiscal Year 25 Audit
• Fiscal Year 25 990
• Scholarship Preparation
• New Member Nominations

Katherin Xicara, GISH Senior, was elected by his peers to represent them on the Board of Education as a Student Representative. At each Board Meeting, she shares a student report.

Highlights from Katherin's report include:

GIPS:

• Mr. Brian Caspar named Neb. Elementary P.E. Teacher of the Year.

• Shoemaker hosted their 14th Annual Literary Pumpkin Parade on Halloween.

• O’Connor Learning Center hosted ‘Dads & Kids Reading Night’.

• Project SEARCH hosted their annual Disability Awareness Fair.

• GIFD honored 3rd Graders from each Elementary School for their “Home Escape Safety” recognition.

Staff Shout-Out:

• Miss Graciela Alegria, Pre-School Para at Lincoln Elementary

Hear the full report HERE.

Mr. Fisher shared a Superintendent Report with the Board.

• Congratulations to the Cast, Crew, & Directors of “Shrek: The Musical” at GISH. It was top-notch!
  
  

• Project SEARCH Disability Awareness Fair is a fantastic event and a wonderful opportunity for students to share and to see them in action.
  
  

• Wednesday, I enjoyed the GIFD celebration at Shoemaker with the 3rd Grade “Fire Safety” competition citywide winner. I even had an opportunity to ride around in the GIFD Ladder Truck.
  
  

• Senator Dan Quick is going to be at Barr Middle School Friday morning to visit the school. He'll share with students during an assembly, visit classes, and record a podcast interview with some 8th Grade students.
  
  

• The State Education Conference starts next week with the main conference on Thursday and Friday. GISH will be leading the 11:15 a.m. breakout season on Thursday presenting on the “Cell Phone Free” approach for the school.
  
  

• State reporting scores will be released to the public on November 26th.
  
  

• State Aid recalculation has shared that our financial funding for poverty support will be less than anticipated going forward due to a calculation error by NDE. While the budget for the district is in good shape and we can absorb the adjustment, we will see less in poverty support funding starting next school year.
  
  

Hear Mr. Fisher's full report HERE.

Dr. Carrie Kolar, GIPS Chief of Human Capital Management, shared the formal annual request from the Grand Island Education Association (GIEA).

Each year GIEA requests that the Board recognize the association as the official bargaining unit for the district covered by the current year's Master Agreement.

This was shared as an Information Item at the October Board meeting.

MOTION PASSED: 6 - 0

Please see above information item for rationale.

MOTION PASSED: 6 - 0

Please see above information item for rationale.

MOTION PASSED: 6 - 0

Mr. Virgil Harden, GIPS Chief Financial Officer, shared the annual update on the next year's budget calendar.

Per standard operating procedure, the district continues to forecast, adjust, and operate under a budget. Best practice efforts of looking ahead to the next year helps keep the district in strong financial footing. The Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget Calendar outlines the key dates, events, and responsible individuals or group for review.

Highlights from the proposed budget planning forecast include:

• Regular monthly Facilities & Finance Board Committee meetings
• Weekly District Leadership Team meetings
• Regular reporting at Board of Education meetings
• Yearly Negotiations with GIEA
• Responding to legislative sessions
• Staff Planning
• Programs Planning
• And More

This was shared as an Information Item at the October Board meeting.

MOTION PASSED: 6 - 0

Regular review of an existing policy.

The only proposed change would be to remove redundant language. Overall, the process for review and action towards termination would remain the same.

This was shared as a first read item at the October Board meeting.

MOTION PASSED: 6 - 0

Regular review of an existing policy.

The original intent of the policy is to map out the the expectations for a process of credit recovery. Proposed language changes would include updating the process to map-out how the district uses online learning for student credit recovery.

This was shared as a first read item at the October Board meeting.

MOTION PASSED: 6 - 0

All other policies from the August Board meeting were voted on and approved in the consent agenda as those policies did not require approved changes or simply fixed grammatical errors.