The GFW School Board held a regular meeting on Monday, August 19, 2024. A summary of the meeting is below.
Watch the meeting on YouTube:
Vice Chair Briese started the meeting with a moment of silence for longtime GFW Bus Driver and community member Richard Hellendrung who recently passed away. “We are thankful to him and his family for his dedicated service and will not soon forget his dry sense of humor and his dedication to safely transporting so many GFW students.”
Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Smith began his report sharing that work is happening quickly to prepare for the 2024-25 school year with hiring more staff and preparing for teacher induction workshops. The district is hiring for substitutes in all areas including paraprofessionals, cooks, custodians, drivers, and teachers in hopes to have a larger list of available substitutes.
The district has been working with a company to update the logo ahead of the transition to being the GFW Firebirds. The board will review the slate of logos and items at their next meeting. The logo is intentionally very similar to the previous logo design with some slight changes to reflect the new brand while connecting to the identity of the community.
New teachers will be participating in several activities through Teacher Induction with all staff attending development days beginning on August 26. The district will continue to enforce the cell phone and electronic device policy that was instituted in the 2023-24 school year. Students are prohibited from using cellphones and other electronic devices during the instructional day with devices held in lockers.
The district is also still working to fill a few open positions for the 2024-25 school year and is preparing for options for an online option for high school Spanish if needed.
Principal Reports
Principal Thompson shared that both principals are excited to meet with new staff members and bring the full staff together this week. There will be training on use of different systems, MTSS, and curriculum. Staff will also be able to meet with Youth Frontiers and will receive training in Everyday Math. The district is also excited to welcome two Amity interns from Spain and El Salvador who will be helping support a lot of activities in the school day including Spanish immersion.
GFW Elementary will host meet and greets on August 28 and September 3 with students starting on September 4. The buildings are looking great thanks to the hard work of Mr. Weir and his team and staff were able to take part in training and additional classes for students over the summer. The T-Bird Way team will have a theme of “go for the gold” and continue to honor real world heroes throughout the school year.
T-Bird Community Arts wrapped up a great production of Annie with strong attendance and great feedback.
School Board Reports
Board members shared updates from committees.
The executive committee shared that they spent time connecting with Dr. Smith and setting the agenda for the meeting.
The finance, facility and long-range planning committee met with Wold Architects and got updates on the construction project which is still on time despite challenges from rainfall. The City of Gibbon has approved the plumbing and will start work on sewer and water soon.
The policy committee will start work again after a brief hiatus.
The community engagement committee had nothing to report.
Dr. Smith also shared that the district received a grant for $24,000 that supports the immersion program and that another grant for community schools was not received.
Consent Agenda, Resolutions and Action Items
The board approved the consent agenda.
The board approved a resolution to approve the Truth in Taxation meeting date and time of December 16, 2024 at 6 p.m.
The board approved a change in the board meeting calendar to move the September 26 meeting to September 23, 2024.
The board approved a memorandum of understanding regarding health insurance.
The board approved a resolution to show commitment to a grant for transportation and infrastructure updates at the new school site with MnDOT.