[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6485733,"mediaKeyId","5586992-ac6c0b43aebc73e5acbb10ac5e20d226","parentId",5586992,"title","Parent urges board to adopt model hairstyle protections and raises concerns about surprise GIPD seat-belt checks and school enforcement","audioSeconds",545,"startMs",1180000,"endMs",1725000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5586992-ac6c0b43aebc73e5acbb10ac5e20d226&start=1180&end=1725","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5586992-ac6c0b43aebc73e5acbb10ac5e20d226/thumbnail_1180000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6485733/Nebraska/Parent-urges-board-to-adopt-model-hairstyle-protections-and-raises-concerns-about-surprise-GIPD-seat-belt-checks-and-school-enforcement","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6485733-6f4b6cb2f35bd74666b67fbe5ab6cd2f/orig.mp4?Expires=1773560890&Signature=XRVO2ZsG63ctiOa-pRIecgwSjQn8zHBR8gVhS~Lql~B~1pohBRotGFXA3FXfzNn2RE4L1cfEKuqw1XxLgdy1xeFU2lMgHoLOKJ01GWwXuqQUaMpho0Yvv6wc5b4~aySAMTOOE1g9JWPMpSSYFDJlJ-FHXm4d3-FnDf6u4AyZQ53PMCuylPtqfIg1bl5eLybTtJjDCHYUOl8BcE-2cbbrmHaQyvMG4ZUOGjpGOi4geRvOHTjrvSHFhCbyCIHyKySJ0abPGiYso9SObqd6~iiBhiqbtUKkhVRS8GZ65u5mTBYxXvdGWpl4c8pDQeiFD5l1UcvUlISW~Y2rqOcnS-7oxg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Grand Island Public Schools, NE","date","2025-08-14T17:38:23Z","article","Amber Harper, a Grand Island parent who said she works with statewide survivors’ services and chairs the local Grand Island Area Coalition on Trafficking, used public comment time Aug. 14 to press the board on two topics: adoption of the NDE model language on protective hairstyles and district protocols around law-enforcement interactions at schools.

On protective hairstyles she urged adoption of the model policy produced by the Nebraska Department of Education and specifically referenced LB289 and the 2023 statutory language. “Please adopt the model policy that was put out by the State Board of Education... Follow LB289 and continue to protect our students from any and all forms of harassment, bullying, and protect them in our dress code,” Harper said. She described personal experience raising children with diverse hair types and detailed practical barriers and costs associated with maintaining protective styles.

Harper then raised concerns about law-enforcement activities outside schools. She said parents reported surprise Grand Island Police Department seat-belt checks in school drop-off zones, limited signage and one incident in which an officer reached into the back of her vehicle. She also described code-enforcement officers writing parking tickets near Newell Elementary and checking window tint on vehicles during a field-day event.

Her larger concern was readiness for potential ICE enforcement actions. She noted a Nebraska Public Media report that ICE agents can make arrests at schools and asked whether the district had developed clear protocols and whether staff had met with police about those scenarios. Harper said she had emailed administrators in May raising concerns, met with police and district staff, and had not received a follow-up: “No one has followed up with me on this. I sent two emails last May, and no one has followed up. I was told you guys were gonna meet with Grand Island Police Department... and it hasn't.”

Board response and context: Board members said by rule they could only listen during public comment and could not answer questions in that moment. Superintendent Matt Fisher and staff later reported in the meeting that the district has an “extensive plan for, anytime with immigration” and that staff know protocols for supporting students and families; Dr. Stevens said staff and partners had made outreach calls and visits to encourage summer-program participation.

Why it matters: Harper framed the issues as both equity (dress-code protections for students of color) and community trust (how enforcement actions are communicated to families). The public comment requested clearer policy adoption for hairstyle protections and clearer, public protocols for law enforcement interactions at school properties.

Next steps: Harper requested the board adopt the model policy language and asked for explicit district guidance and communication about law-enforcement interactions on school premises. The transcript records her request and the administration’s later verbal summary that protocols exist; the transcript also records no specific, detailed follow-up timeline or formal action directed in the meeting minutes.

Ending: Harper concluded by asking the board to “use your own power and privilege to think ahead” and develop protocols and communications that reassure families and protect students; board and staff said they would continue work on policy and outreach.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","August 14th, 2025 - GIPS Board of Education Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Amber Harper, a Grand Island parent, used public comment time Aug. 14 to urge the board to adopt the state model policy protecting natural and protective hairstyles and to press district leaders for clearer protocols and follow-up after surprise Grand Island Police Department seat-belt checks and parking enforcement near schools.","taxTitle","GRAND ISLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS, School Districts, Nebraska","taxId",13051,"location","Nebraska","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6485743,"Grand Island board adopts model-language nondiscrimination, dress-code and related policies, including protective-hairstyle list",659,4483000,5142000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5586992-ac6c0b43aebc73e5acbb10ac5e20d226&start=4483&end=5142","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5586992-ac6c0b43aebc73e5acbb10ac5e20d226/thumbnail_4483000.jpg","/articles/6485743/Nebraska/Grand-Island-board-adopts-model-language-nondiscrimination-dress-code-and-related-policies-including-protective-hairstyle-list","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6485743-2a6f2202e032ee9445839497f9f8098d/orig.mp4?Expires=1773560890&Signature=BB2XVIVQFOv7oua60DCkQSTo2-XDN8MKuY9M75ONj6FW~1Vce4IM0CGFP5PSD2dwIFpYhjm-0v0F1cnIPGjXpnYSMx4Rdbui31WOnP9ejhxzHsWvquBUEO~H7Ico-VlEm~zf2kjEKhmbrehYA34LxvFf1v6oGGnTqRaICiTDZ1hwjK2VBC~T~iBBY1jw6mv3Kj2H0mMLf2ARlmqwBB9SR5eg5tl315t-GodrXPg0GImHPcEwI6jjc4ZXAyVk7V5tbUDEkMIl8dWi8k7ELFcJvf7Mrhi8B7i9fGtOCsqc~i-Mn4fopQxSe1lINEYr7InNfAnsc2rRtlA0TzS95SGSqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Grand Island Public Schools Board of Education voted Aug. 14 to adopt revised nondiscrimination, dress-code and related policies that add model-language protecting “natural and protective hairstyles” and add military/veteran status to district nondiscrimination statements.

Board members approved the nondiscrimination policy (Policy 13-10) as revised to “include skin color and protective hairstyles, which could include, but are not limited to, braids, locks, twists, tight knots, curls, cornrows, bantu knots, afros, weaves, wigs, and head wraps,” language the administration said matches the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) model policy. Superintendent Matt Fisher described the change as the policy committee’s recommendation after reviewing the statute, the model policy and feedback from building leaders.

Why it matters: The statute enacted in 2023 requires districts to adopt policies that protect natural and protective hairstyles; the board’s action brings district policy language into alignment with the state model and expands nondiscrimination language to explicitly include military and veteran status in staff and student policies.

Board and staff said the explicit list helps administrators applying the rules. “They felt like it was helpful to them in administering the policy to have the the specific hairstyles listed,” Fisher said during the meeting.

The board also approved a group of related policies with similar language changes: bullying and harassment (Policy 13-11), staff bullying and harassment (Policy 62-15), student dress code and grooming (Policy 84-30) and student discipline (Policy 84-50). The student-discipline update added a clause addressing the creation or distribution of obscene or lewd images, including “deepfakes” and computer-generated images, citing recent legislative language.

Votes at a glance: The board made individual motions to approve the nondiscrimination and each related policy and the motions passed. Several motions were seconded by Board Member Lisa Albers; the nondiscrimination motion was recorded as seconded by Board Member Garcia Mendez.

What the board and staff said: Fisher summarized the research the committee conducted — including federal and state precedents, the NDE model policy and conversations with building leaders — and said the committee recommended adopting the NDE phrasing. Board discussion included a request to ensure the military/veteran language appeared consistently across procedural paragraphs.

Public comment and context: During public comment, parent Amber Harper asked the board specifically to adopt the NDE model policy and cited LB289; she described personal experiences with hair-related questions and differential treatment at school and urged the board to “continue to protect our students from any and all forms of harassment, bullying, and protect them in our dress code.”

Next steps: The board folded the new language into the student handbook approval later in the meeting and directed staff to make the handbook consistent with the adopted policies. Fisher and the policy committee said the district will monitor implementation and may make future adjustments based on how the changes play out in practice.

Ending: Board members framed the revisions as alignment with state guidance and an administrative effort to make expectations clearer for staff and families in applying nondiscrimination and dress-code standards.","The Grand Island Public Schools Board of Education voted Aug. 14 to adopt revised nondiscrimination, dress-code and related policies that add model-language protecting “natural and protective hairstyles” and add military/veteran status to district nondiscrimination statements.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6485729,"Board authorizes additional property-tax request authority and renews Holiday Express transportation routes",821,3665000,4486000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5586992-ac6c0b43aebc73e5acbb10ac5e20d226&start=3665&end=4486","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5586992-ac6c0b43aebc73e5acbb10ac5e20d226/thumbnail_3665000.jpg","/articles/6485729/Nebraska/Board-authorizes-additional-property-tax-request-authority-and-renews-Holiday-Express-transportation-routes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6485729-24cdede1e3958816b98d9d735c053c1e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773560890&Signature=W-0DGBDZHpaj3IJPbUnNnbx8CE24d6iAG~pd8Q575in2Jd3RE5fELVWs4-w-Xnma0kLBZT6nA-vYmeEcjc3fXvjJmsjqc0ixlC6-XO2NNOlBKUGfdGLliH9q05YN~Fa8oMhZv96ianr-dCxiB7IFAG76zHK5SfkQ57n7E5pIf84TNrv9t8MAvaB~2jnmf57Bf4GTq7VZkLfbz7H-wpWYwYxpzNjVbkYH8c5B-KYAEO6snEqNiIaoCZZmRmK4IvmcyTXDGZUymYirB5ku2syynbZKR1y2Kiz6IWJiA7DnA642tXrwrDTrcpaxYwzvjAzPm25HSfZXI1PQiSTm6uh44g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Grand Island Public Schools Board of Education on Aug. 14 approved a resolution authorizing the district to access an additional 5% property-tax request authority under state law and approved transportation-route renewals with Holiday Express for the 2025–26 school year.

Property-tax authority: Virgil Harden presented the statutory background on Nebraska’s property-tax request authority (listed in the meeting as Nebraska statute 79-3405). Harden said the district’s total revenue cap figure cited in the Department of Education materials was $140,356,285 and that the proposed resolution would authorize access to $6,784,181 of additional tax-request authority should the board and administration need it. Harden and staff said prior practice is to authorize the additional percentage as a “safety net” and that adopting the resolution does not set a levy or obligate the district to use the additional authority.

“...the additional 5 percent resolution that we’ll be asked to pass an action item later this evening would be a resolution that would authorize access to $6,784,181 worth of additional tax request authority. It does not set the levy. It does not set the taxation. It just gives us access to use it if we need it,” Harden said.

The board voted to approve the property-tax authorization resolution; the motion passed.

Transportation routes and contract renewal: District staff also presented the annual transportation routes document tied to the district’s multiyear agreement with Holiday Express for student transportation. Staff described a routine renewal with a 2% contract-rate increase overall and no major route changes compared with the prior year. The board approved the routes and contract renewals for the 2025–26 school year by motion; the motion passed.

Why it matters: Authorizing additional tax-request authority preserves the district’s option to request more property-tax revenue in future budgets within state limits. Renewing the Holiday Express contract and routes finalizes transportation planning and associated budget assumptions for the coming school year.

Votes at a glance: The board voted to: approve the 2025–26 transportation-route renewals and contract terms with Holiday Express (motion passed); approve the resolution authorizing access to the additional 5% property-tax request authority under statute (motion passed). The transcript records motions and seconds and records that the motions passed; individual roll-call tallies were not provided in the public portion of the transcript.

Ending: Staff said staff will return to the board with final budget and valuation numbers when adopted; the motion to authorize access to additional tax-request authority does not itself change the current levy.","The board approved a resolution authorizing access to an additional 5% property-tax request authority under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 79-3405 and approved transportation routes and contract renewals with Holiday Express for the 2025–26 school year",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6485738,"Grand Island Public Schools reports summer-program expansion and attendance dips tied to immigration concerns",682,1846000,2528000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5586992-ac6c0b43aebc73e5acbb10ac5e20d226&start=1846&end=2528","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5586992-ac6c0b43aebc73e5acbb10ac5e20d226/thumbnail_1846000.jpg","/articles/6485738/Nebraska/Grand-Island-Public-Schools-reports-summer-program-expansion-and-attendance-dips-tied-to-immigration-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6485738-755a388fe4f035d6c1a5eab596c94d74/orig.mp4?Expires=1773560891&Signature=QJ3qLp~CXfD9DJTRjpcFgS0zzIsur0Xgwqc5mdKkwG5~~lOW7HH3pQ~lBU5-8~h7sMDqCRI601H5BeKWaCmxMc4Zf5UBZPrMQJ5sfE0B76nF79Y63JkLdvxSI4Yu2j8uGW6B-5ojMG28ra8tP7qxRMNUzdLKwb8e8kQ80~Bazvx9x86VqvfsqtoO0VDgGW2CeFg1heI0hoXc6BBfvligecOHlPgJxvfBTIkVI9kWD7eyH11xffy5AMnDiGroxJPAu9gwe9~FqQstA9IRg5F6HIZBVKtNNMojFTFtPQ37fsGg8KgcGZ3UixbfL7Fp4rfGSi10Wjr5LaNmqK2XGeW6Nw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District officials presented an overview of summer 2025 programming at the Aug. 14 Grand Island Public Schools board meeting, listing enrollment counts, program types and funding sources and noting that attendance dipped during portions of the summer amid community concern over immigration enforcement.

Dr. Summer Stevens, who presented the report, said the district ran multiple programs: Summer Strong (Title I) served 161 students across eight Title I buildings; afternoon “Power Camp” (funded from Title IV) served initial signups around 225 before weekly counts fell to roughly 150–180; the EL summer program at Stully Park served about 120 students and introduced a “leaders and learners” model pairing older EL students with younger learners; extended school year services for students with IEPs included 29 elementary students and 12 students at middle/high; and GISH credit-recovery programming served about 176 students, producing 1,280 credits and live math instruction in some courses.

Stevens said the district estimated roughly “150 staff” supported summer work (she later said that number was probably closer to 200 when accounting for all employees who contributed) and that the district worked to include feeding sites at program locations. She also described grants and partnerships: a University of Nebraska–Lincoln grant will support after-school STEAM activities at Howard and Dodge schools, and district Jumpstart programs for incoming sixth- and ninth-graders drew several hundred participants combined.

Attendance and outreach: Stevens said participation declined after the first week of some programs as local immigration-related concerns grew. “We saw numbers go down in our kids that were coming to summer feedings, but we also saw that in our summer programs,” she said. Staff made calls and home visits in some cases, and the district worked with the Multicultural Coalition to connect families with resources. “We have an extensive plan for, anytime with immigration. We worked really hard on that last year. We’ve presented it to you all. Staff knows what to do, and they know the protocols of what to do,” Stevens told the board.

Funding: Stevens and other staff broke down funding sources referenced in the report. Summer Strong was funded with Title I funds; Power Camp relied on Title IV; some programs used LEP/EL funds; credit-recovery and Jumpstart programs drew on poverty funds; middle-school camps used Title IV; and district summer-feeding sites used federal meal program funds.

Why it matters: The programs are intended to support learning acceleration and meal access during the summer months; lower participation because of community fear of law-enforcement interactions may reduce the reach of those services.

Board questions and next steps: Board members asked whether programming levels had expanded from previous years and whether additional outreach might have increased participation; Stevens said leaders made home visits and other contacts and that staff would continue to prioritize outreach. The district will continue planning early for next summer — beginning in November/December — and will evaluate which programs to sustain or modify.

Ending: The board received the report as an information item and approved the student handbook later in the meeting; staff said they will continue outreach to families and pursue grant funding to sustain programming.","District staff reported multiple summer programming streams, participation counts, staffing levels and funding sources, and said some summer feeding and program attendance dropped amid rising community immigration concerns.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Parent urges board to adopt model hairstyle protections and raises concerns about surprise GIPD seat-belt checks and school enforcement

Grand Island board adopts model-language nondiscrimination, dress-code and related policies, including protective-hairstyle list

Board authorizes additional property-tax request authority and renews Holiday Express transportation routes

Grand Island Public Schools reports summer-program expansion and attendance dips tied to immigration concerns