By Harold Reutter
harold.reutter@theindependent.com

The focus will be on staffing needs, according to Jim Werth, assistant superintendent for student services.

Part of the district's staffing needs will be driven by enrollment growth, especially in next year's first-grade class, Werth said. This year's kindergarten had a record enrollment, but no additional staff was needed. However, that probably will not be the case next year when the students move into first grade.

The Grand Island school district has received additional state aid for the 2008-09 school year. Part of the increase is due to the number of English language learner students in the district and another part is due to the number of students whose families live in poverty.

But the state aid also comes with a requirement for school districts to show how they are using that money to benefit both groups of students, Werth said.

Eventually, Nebraska school districts that want to be accredited will have to have classes of 20 or fewer students in grades kindergarten through three, Werth said. That also will create staffing needs.

In other action Thursday, the board will be asked to recall $5.825 million in bonds from the 1993 bond issue and issue $5.84 million in bonds at a lower interest rate.

Virgil Harden, Grand Island Public Schools business manager, said that even with the additional $15,000 in principal, the refinancing will save the school district an estimated $160,000 between Sept. 1, 2008, and 2014.

The exact savings should be known when the school board meets this week.

The 1993 bond issue was for $28.6 million. It paid for additions and remodeling work to Dodge, Howard and Knickrehm elementary schools; additions and remodeling work to Barr and Westridge middle schools; a two-story addition at Senior High; and a new West Lawn Elementary School.

A portion of the 1993 bond issue was previously refinanced in 2002.

In other action, the board will be asked to hire Kucirek Engineering as the district engineer for 2008 through 2012 and to hire Cannon, Moss, Brygger and Associates as the district architect during that same time period.

Both firms had performed services for the district as the result of the 2005 bond issue, which built a new Westridge Middle School and also built additions and made improvements to Barr and Walnut middle schools.

However, the board also adopted a 10-year building plan to supplement the 2005 bond issue. Those projects will be financed with district building fund money. One portion of that 10-year plan is already under way with the conversion of the old Westridge Middle School into a new Engleman Elementary school.

However, additional projects such as potential improvements to Shoemaker Elementary School and the possible construction of a centralized food preparation kitchen remain on the drawing board.

District officials also anticipate that elementary schools will need additional improvements, although no specific buildings have been identified at this time.

Because of the need for continuing engineering and architectural services, the district requested proposals. After considering the proposals, the district is staying with Kucirek Engineering and Cannon, Moss, Brygger and Associates, Harden said.

The board also will be asked to approve a month-to-month agreement with Qwest and Charter for Internet access. The month-to-month arrangement will continue until the district has prepared specifications for a five-year agreement on Internet access, Harden said.

In other action, the board will:

* See Greg Morrow and other Barr social studies teacher give a demonstration of the new middle school social studies instructional resources.

* Be asked to approve K-12 social studies standards for each grade level.

* Recognize Lucy Allen, Breanna Casares, Emalie Clement, Margaret Gregory, Amber Kunze, Stacia Marisch, Teagan Nabity, Linda Nguyen, Ben Robbins, Laura Steele and Leslie Steele for being named to the 2008 University of Nebraska Honor Orchestra; Clement, Robbins, Laura Steele and Leslie Steele for being named to the 2008 Hastings College Honor Orchestra; Clement and Leslie Steele for being named to the 2008 Nebraska Wesleyan University Honor Orchestra; Gregory for being named to the 2008 Hastings College Honor Band; and Robbins for being named to a semifinalist in the Coca-Cola Scholars program.