The Grand Island Public Schools Board of Education recognized students at its Jan. 8 meeting who had earned the 2025 Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy. (Carol Bryant, Central Nebraska Today)
GRAND ISLAND – The Grand Island Public Schools Board of Education recognized 10 students Jan. 8 who earned the 2025 Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy.
Amanda Levos, the school district’s English Language director, gave a presentation about the program.
Superintendent Matt Fisher commented to the senior students that having the 2025 Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy was something that could appear on their resumes for a lengthy period of time.
The program recognizes students who have achieved proficiency in English and at least one other language upon graduation.
The program was established in Nebraska in 2020. Applications are open three times a year, with deadlines on April 1, Aug. 1, and Nov. 1. The Seal is awarded at three levels: Silver, demonstrating intermediate-mid proficiency; Gold, demonstrating intermediate-high proficiency; and Platinum, attaining advanced-low proficiency or higher.
Grand Island Public Schools staff began researching the program in the summer of 2023.
Reasons for applying for the Seal of Biliteracy include: recognizes multilingualism as academic achievement; honors students’ identities, cultures, and linguistic assets; encourages continued biliteracy development; strengthens college and career readiness with a recognized credential; and provides postsecondary benefits, with nearly 90universities nationwide offering credit (institution-specific), including UNL, UNO, UNK, Doane University, and Wayne State.
The school district submitted an application by Nov. 1.
For English, the students have to meet these guidelines: ELA Coursework (including AP) six completed semesters with a grade of C or above; ACT: composite/ ELA 18; AP English Language and Composition Test: 3; and ELPA21: proficient in high school.
For another language (Spanish), these guidelines must be met: Coursework (Heritage/NativeSpanish-Speakers): six completed semesters of Spanish for Spanish Speakers, AP Spanish with a grade of C or above (silver); AP Language and Culture Test/AP Literature and culture, 3, 4, or 5.
Winter 2025 awardees were: David Diaz Hinojosa, Silver; Kimberly Fuentes Ochoa, Silver; Elizabeth Gabriel Pintor, Gold; Jackelyn Garcia Yucute, Silver; Lincy Lopez Perez, Silver; Juan Pablo Magana Garcia, Gold; Jesenia Pedroza Sotelo, Silver; Eva Raymundo Paiz, Silver; Kevin Sanchez Barrios, Silver; and Katherin Xicara Ramos, Gold.
It is important to provide information about the program to ninth-graders so that they can take needed classes.
In another item, current Board of Education President Hank McFarland was re-elected by a 4-3 vote, defeating Board Vice President Josh Hawley. Hawley was re-elected for another term as vice president.
In another item, the Board of Education accepted the resignation of Board Member Josh Sikes, who is moving to another community. Sikes serves Ward A. The Board has 45 days to appoint a replacement. Applications are due Feb. 9, and candidates will be interviewed at the Feb. 12 Board of Education meeting.
The Board voted 7-0 to approve a two-year contract with Superintendent Matt Fisher. Board members Lisa Albers and Josh Sikes (who has submitted his resignation) were absent. Fisher will be paid $296,000 per year.
The Board voted 7-0 to approve the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 Academic calendars
The Board approved a bid of $1,948,778 from Hamilton Information Systems to install wired networks at Gates, Howard, Knickrehm, Lincoln, and Wasmer Elementary Schools and the Kneale Administration Building.
The Board approved a bid of $137,747 for purchase of wireless networking devices and supporting equipment for the school district.
The Board approved a bid of $248,500 to replace a cooling tower at Grand Island Senior High School.
The Board recognized Grand Island Senior High School’s Unified Bowling Team, which won a state championship.
In the public participation agenda item to address the Board of Education, retired Grand Island Public Schools art teacher Carol Schooley talked to the Board about teaching logic classes in elementary schools. She said that teaching logic was important for students to develop critical thinking skills. She noted that the teaching of logic is currently embedded in curriculum, but she believes that logic should be taught as a course.
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