Grand Island Public Schools board elects officers, approves calendar and several financial policies

The Grand Island Public Schools Board of Education convened Jan. 9, 2025, administered oaths to newly elected members, held secret-ballot officer elections, and approved multiple routine and financial-policy actions.

Oath and new members: Board members Donna Douglas, Tracy Goodman, Josh Holly and Lisa Albers took the oath of office at the start of the meeting. The oath read aloud requires support for the U.S. and Nebraska constitutions and a pledge not to advocate or join organizations seeking to overthrow government by force; each new member answered "I do" when asked to affirm the oath.

Officer elections: The board accepted nominations for president and held a secret ballot at members' seats. The president vote returned five votes for Hank McFarland and four for Josh Holly; the board announced McFarland will remain president. For vice president, Josh Holly received seven votes and Eric Garcia Mendez received two; Holly was named vice president.

Consent agenda and abstention: The board approved the consent agenda (items 7.1 through 7.9). Lisa Albers stated she would abstain from voting on a single check…