Public Meeting Agenda: February 11, 2020 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

1. LPS BOARD OF EDUCATION INFORMATION

Rationale:

Notice of the time and place of the Lincoln Board of Education meeting was e-mailed to an extensive list of local and regional news media. A mailing list is maintained at the Lincoln Public Schools District Office. A public notice was published in the LINCOLN JOURNAL STAR.

The Lincoln Board of Education is empowered to act on any item listed on the Agenda at any time during the meeting, irrespective of the time or order listed. Pages listed, or further detail, are available upon request. The Open Meetings Act requires and the intention of the Board is that agenda items be sufficiently descriptive to give the public reasonable notice of the matters to be considered at the meeting. The Lincoln Board of Education releases its agenda well in advance of most meetings and desires that all interested persons are fully informed. Any interested person who has a question or needs clarification about the sufficiency of a descriptive item should contact the Office of the Superintendent of Schools. The Lincoln Board of Education shall also make available for examination and copying as requested by members of the public, at least one copy of all reproducible written materials to be discussed at the meeting.

2. CALL TO ORDER

3. ROLL CALL

4. ANNOUNCE OPEN MEETING ACT POSTING AND LOCATION

5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Rationale: The attached minutes are intended to accurately reflect the action of the Board at its previous meetings.

Explanation
The minutes have been prepared for Board approval.

Attachments: (1)

minutes -1-28 Board Meeting

1/29/2020 at 3:31 PM

6. SPECIAL REPORTS, PRESENTATIONS AND CELEBRATIONS OF SUCCESS

6.1. STAFF CELEBRATION: Kelleen Browning Named 2019 New Language Teacher of the Year by the Nebraska International Languages Association

Rationale:

The Nebraska International Languages Association is dedicated to the support and promotion of the teaching of languages in the state of Nebraska. Each year the association recognizes outstanding Nebraska teachers of world language education at its fall conference. The Nebraska International Languages Association has named Kelleen Browning, a German teacher at Lincoln Southeast High School, as the 2019 New Language Teacher of the Year.
EXPLANATION:
Kelleen Browning, a German teacher at Lincoln Southeast High School, has been named by the Nebraska International Languages Association as the 2019 New Language Teacher of the Year. The award recognizes a Nebraska language educator that shows great professional promise during the first five years of their teaching career.

Kristen Tangen, a French teacher at Southeast High School, said the following about Ms. Browning in the nomination letter that she wrote for the award:

"Kelleen blends both historical and modern culture into her classes, and cleverly uses technology both for research and communication. I have observed her classroom, and it is evident that students know the expectations, so they are on task, but they are also comfortable and happy in the classroom. As a colleague, Kelleen is willing to share and collaborate with others and she often seeks out opportunities to do so. She also shares what she has learned or done in the classroom with her department, often asking if she can have a few minutes at a department meeting to show us something new. She is actively seeking and contributing to good quality professional development early in her career."

6.2. STAFF CELEBRATION: Jami Holbein Swanson Named 2019 Spanish Teacher of the Year by the Nebraska International Languages Association

Rationale:

The Nebraska International Languages Association is dedicated to the support and promotion of the teaching of languages in the state of Nebraska. Each year the association recognizes outstanding Nebraska teachers of world language education at its fall conference. The Nebraska International Languages Association has named Jami Holbein Swanson, a Spanish teacher at Lincoln North Star High School, as the 2019 Spanish Teacher of the Year.
EXPLANATION:
Jami Holbein Swanson, a Spanish teacher at Lincoln North Star High School, has been named by the Nebraska International Languages Association as the 2019 Spanish Teacher of the Year.

Cara Heminger, a French teacher at Lincoln North Star High School, said this about Ms. Holbein Swanson in the nomination letter she composed:

"Her talents include connecting with students, bringing Spanish culture to life, and managing work groups to get the maximum amount of outcome in the minimum amount of time. She has helped to develop curriculum for Spanish Heritage Speakers, and also contributed to the formation of the new Nebraska State World Language Standards. Jami is happiest in the classroom, surrounded by her students. She is continually coming up with ways to get them to love learning - from reading along with them in Spanish during silent, sustained reading, accompanying them to Spanish events, and sponsoring cultural clubs. She is a deep thinker, a lifelong learner, a well-liked teacher, and a valued friend and colleague to all of her colleagues in Lincoln Public Schools."

6.3. STAFF CELEBRATION: Sasha Van Zandt Named 2019 French Teacher of the Year by the Nebraska International Languages Association

Rationale:

The Nebraska International Languages Association is dedicated to the support and promotion of the teaching of languages in the state of Nebraska. Each year the association recognizes outstanding Nebraska teachers of world language education at its fall conference. The Nebraska International Languages Association has named Sasha Van Zandt, a French teacher at Lincoln Southwest High School, as the 2019 French Teacher of the Year.
EXPLANATION:
Sasha Van Zandt, a French teacher at Lincoln Southwest High School, has been named by the Nebraska International Languages Association as the 2019 French Teacher of the Year.

Lisa Maupin, a French teacher at Lincoln East High School, had this to say about Ms. Van Zandt:

"Sasha Van Zandt is one of the most dedicated teachers I know, and always thinks of her students first. She works tirelessly for their benefit, creating new and exciting activities in the classroom, pushing them in their linguistic skills and opening up in them a love for the language and culture. She is creative in her planning, thoughtful in her implementation and meticulous in her execution and self-evaluation. Not only does she work for her students in the classroom, she also has her students in mind outside of the classroom, starting a French Honor Society and French Club at her school, accompanying students on a trip to France, and presenting at regional and international conferences to grow professionally."

7. PUBLIC COMMENT

Rationale:

In keeping with Board Policy 8420:

Persons speaking during Public Comment will be called forward individually by the Board Chair to the location identified for such purpose.
A time limit of five minutes will be allotted for any speaker. At the discretion of the chair, the speaker may be allotted additional time. Board members may share, address or consider comments from the public during public comment, at the end of public comment or when related business is on the agenda.
Each individual speaking to the Board will be required to identify himself or herself prior to giving public comment. A "Record of Appearance" card is provided for this purpose.
Persons wishing to appear will be heard in the order in which the Chair of the meeting determines appropriate.
In cases where more than one person wishes to speak on the same topic, their presentations to the Board may, at the discretion of the chair, be grouped together by topic.
If the number of people wishing to speak under the public participation portions of the agenda is large, the chair may rule that a public hearing be scheduled or the discussion be limited on the issue in question.
Persons speaking to the Board during public comment may make printed materials available to the Board but may not use any other form of media.

If at any time persons appearing before the Board exceed the time limitations set forth in this policy or on the agenda or if persons appearing before the Board or who are present at the Board meeting or public hearing become abusive in language or behavior, it shall be the responsibility of the chair to declare that person or persons out of order and to refuse permission to continue to address the Board, require a change in behavior and may require the person or persons to leave the premises of the Board meeting.

8. CONSENT AGENDA

Rationale:

8.1. Human Resources Matters

Rationale: The Human Resources Division also includes the Office of Risk Management. As such, in addition to the Lincoln Board of Education approving all contractual agreements with employees, all employee benefit issues, all personnel actions, and all other matters within the scope of the Human Resources Division, as part of the Human Resources Matters agenda; the Lincoln Board of Education also must approve the settlement of Workers’ Compensation claims, take action on tort claims filed against the district, and take action on all other matters within the scope of the Office of Risk Management.

Explanation:
This report includes routine Human Resources changes:

a. Certificated Employees:
Elections - 1
Change of Status - 2
Re-Election Same Assignment - 1
Separations - 8

b. Substitute Certificated Employees:
Elections - 8

c. Classified Employees:
Elections - 24
Change of Status - 1
Separations - 15

Proposal:
That the Board approve the Human Resources items presented in the attachment(s).*

*The information in the attachment(s) may be protected by privacy legislation until the Board of Education takes action on the staff recommendations. Therefore, this attachment(s) is not included in agenda materials provided the public and the news media. Any information in the attachment(s) that is not protected by privacy legislation, however, is available for public inspection from the Associate Superintendent for Human Resources upon request.

That the Board is approving the Human Resources items attached with the information as presented or as on file with official district records and documents relating to each such item, or in such other form as may be approved by the Associate Superintendent for Human Resources, or the Associate Superintendent’s designee, and that the Board hereby authorizes the Associate Superintendent for Human Resources, or the Associate Superintendent’s designee, to transact and complete each such item approved hereby, and to sign, execute, and deliver necessary documents or contracts, and to take or cause to be taken any and all other action as may be necessary to complete each such item of transaction as contemplated, for and on behalf of this school district.

8.2. Routine Business

Rationale:

At each meeting, the Board of Education is asked to approve certain items of routine business of the school district.

Explanation
The items included in routine business for this meeting are:

a. REGULAR CLAIMS - Claims for the period ending February 11, 2020, were previously provided.

                Federal Tax ACH Deposit of $5,922,330.67.

                State Tax ACH Deposit of $950,830.38.

                Procurement Card ACH Transfer of $111,411.64.

                Child Support ACH Transfer of $15,674.71.

                Blue Cross/Blue Shield ACH Transfer of $5,468,212.62.

                Term Life/Disability ACH Transfer of $201,680.63.

b. PAYROLL FOR RATIFICATION - Payroll for the period ending January 31, 2020, in the amount of $16,954,659.11.

c. BIDS/CONTRACTS/OTHER ROUTINE BUSINESS - Bids/contracts/other routine business will be presented for approval for the purchase and installation of a new baseball scoreboard; roofing repairs; the purchase of two plasma cutting tables; the purchase of Chromebook bags; software licensing fees and installation of applications; an amended and restated interlcoal agreement; an annexation and zoning agreement amendment; items listed for auction; and any other bids/contracts/routine business as presented.

Proposal
That the Lincoln Board of Education approve the following items of routine business:

a. The regular claims for period ending February 11, 2020.

b. Payroll for the period ending January 31, 2020.

c. Bids/contracts/other routine business for the purchase and installation of a new baseball scoreboard; roofing repairs; the purchase of two plasma cutting tables; the purchase of Chromebook bags; software licensing fees and installation of applications; an amended and restated interlocal agreement; an annexation and zoning agreement amendment; items listed for auction; and any other bids/contracts/routine business as presented.

Attachments: (1)

2-11 Bids & Contracts

2/5/2020 at 2:14 PM

8.3. Late Requests for Enrollment Option Out 2019-20

Rationale:

March 15, 2019, was the deadline for enrollment option applications to be completed for students wishing to attend school in a district other than the one in which they reside for the 2018-19 school year. The Lincoln Public Schools Board of Education has authority to waive the deadline for late enrollment option requests (NDE Rule 7, Section 004.05).

Explanation
Requests from students who reside in the district of Lincoln Public Schools and wish to attend school outside of Lincoln Public Schools have been received after the March 15, 2019, deadline. The Lincoln Board of Education may deny or approve these requests. If the requests are approved by the Board of Education, they will be forwarded to the option school districts for their approval.

Student Number Option District
435595 Norris
435591 Norris
297494 Raymond Central

Proposal
That the Board approves the requests for option out for the 2019-20 school year.

9. FIRST READING, ACTION AT NEXT MEETING

Rationale: *The Lincoln Board of Education is empowered to act on any item listed on the Agenda at any time during the meeting, irrespective of the time or order listed. Pages listed, or further detail, are available upon request. The Open Meetings Act requires and the intention of the Board is that agenda items be sufficiently descriptive to give the public reasonable notice of the matters to be considered at the meeting. The Lincoln Board of Education Board releases its agenda well in advance of most meetings and desires that all interested persons are fully informed. Any interested person who has a question or needs clarification about the sufficiency of a descriptive item should contact the Office of the Superintendent of Schools.

9.1. From Board Committees

9.1.1. Policy 5400 - School-Wide Multi-tiered System of Support for Behavior and Regulations 5400.1 and 5400.2

Rationale:

Lincoln Public Schools reviews policies on an on-going basis and updates policies to ensure that they accurately reflect the ever-changing work of the district.

Explanation
The revisions to Policy 5400 and Regulations 5400.1 and 5400.2 are recommended to make the language of Policy 5400 (previously Student Conduct and Discipline) consistent with the District’s Multi-tiered System of Support for Behavior.

Proposal
That the Board discuss revisions to Policy 5400.

Attachments: (1)

5400 redline 2-3-20

2/3/2020 at 11:23 AM

9.2. From the Superintendent

10. SECOND READING, RECOMMENDED FOR ACTION

10.1. From Board Committees

10.2. From the Superintendent

10.2.1. Resolution for Option Enrollment Students 2020-21

Rationale: Nebraska students may attend a school other than the one in the district in which they reside under the option enrollment statutes.

Explanation
The attached resolution would admit any K-12 option students who meet the statutory and legal conditions and whose application is received by July 31, 2020.

The resolution specifies the circumstances under which late-filed applications would be accepted.

Proposal
That the Board approve the option resolution for the 2020-21 school year.

Attachments: (1)

01 28 20 OPTION ENROLLMENT RESOLUTION

2/3/2020 at 8:08 AM

10.2.2. United Way Proposal for Two Generation - Family Literacy

Rationale: United Way of Lincoln and Lancaster County is a vital resource to support community-based services in our community. We are fortunate as a community that United Way conducts an annual community campaign to raise funds that support important initiatives focusing on its local strategic priorities which are to serve children through activities that lead to graduation and to address the needs of persons in crisis.

United Way recently announced that it is accepting competitive applications for projects under a two-year funding cycle, from July 2020 through June 2022. Projects must be ready to implement programs under one of three strategic pillars, one of which is education. Lincoln Public Schools operates a successful Two Generation Family Literacy Program which is considered an ideal Educational Support strategy. LPS currently receives a grant from United Way for $17,500 annually, which will expire in June 2020.

Explanation
LPS serves a minimum of 180 refugee and immigrant parents of LPS students, all of whom have a desire to be more proficient in speaking English and in understanding and supporting their children at school. Parents attend a Two Generation Family Literacy Program at one of the following LPS elementary schools: Belmont, Campbell, Clinton, Elliott, Everett, Hartley, Lakeview, Prescott, Randolph or West Lincoln (plus a program at McPhee that is part of United Way’s more comprehensive "Engage. Empower. Graduate." initiative). An additional program site is located at Culler Middle School. Languages spoken by these participants have included Arabic, Chin-Zomi, Dinka, Farsi, Karen, Karenni, Kurdish, Nuer, Russian, Spanish, Ukrainian, Urdu, and Vietnamese. Typically, 100% of these families qualify for the Free and Reduced Lunch Program.

The evidence-based Family Literacy model followed by LPS includes the following four components:

Adult Education Instruction—provided through high quality ESL classes
Children's Education—teaching literacy through a viable district curriculum
Parent and Child Together Time (PACT)
Parenting Education Classes

An award from United Way in the amount of $20,000 per year will assist in providing general operating support for all twelve sites.

Proposal
That the Board approve the submission of a proposal to United Way of Lincoln and Lancaster County to support the Two Generation Family Literacy Program in the amount of approximately $20,000 per year for a two-year funding cycle.

Applications are due to United Way in February, 2020.

10.2.3. U.S. Department of Justice Federal Grant - STOP School Violence Grant Program

Rationale: Lincoln Public Schools proposes to write a competitive application to the Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance, within the U.S. Department of Justice. This application is in response to the Students, Teachers, and Officers Preventing (STOP) School Violence Grant Program. This program intends to fund school safety projects that address one of two purpose areas: (1) To provide training to school personnel on preventing student violence against others and themselves, including how to respond to mental health crises; or (2) To develop and implement threat assessment and/or intervention teams, which must coordinate with law enforcement agencies and school personnel.

Explanation
Lincoln Public Schools utilizes a 4-person district threat assessment team, which responds to potential threats identified in over 60 schools and programs, making it crucial that school personnel clearly understand how to identify and respond to potential threats and how to work collaboratively with the district team.

The district will apply for grant funds to develop and provide half-day threat identification training for all staff in the six high schools and focus programs over the course of three summers, as well as a more specialized half-day threat management training for clinicians, administrators, Special Education staff and School Resource Officers in these buildings. Such training will increase competency at the building level for supporting the work of the district threat assessment team, including development of common language and protocols and determining the role of building level teams for multi-tiered behavioral support system (MTSS-B). Grant funds will also enhance the training of the district team and include training opportunities for community organizations with whom LPS partners in schools to support the behavioral health of students.

Proposal
That the Board approve the submission of the STOP School Violence Grant application for up to $500,000 for a 36-month period. There is no match requirement.

The grant application is due March 3, 2020.

10.2.4. Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for the Data Center at LPSDO Project #9809

Rationale:

On or about November 26, 2019, the Board of Education approved Contract Documents and Cheever Construction Company to provide services as the Construction Manager as Constructor (CMC) for Lincoln Public Schools (LPS) at a fixed fee subject to an increase or decrease due to a change in Project Scope or schedule, all as provided in and by the terms of the Contract Documents and CMC contract.

Explanation
The CMC contract calls for the CMC to submit a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP). The Board, by approving this agenda item, hereby approves all necessary scope and contract changes or modifications to complete the Data Center project (hereinafter referred to as "the Project") and the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) and related documents submitted by Cheever Construction Company, as CMC for the construction of the Project. Copies of all such documents are on file with official district records and documents and are available for review in the Purchasing Department upon request.

Proposal
The GMP and related documents have been negotiated and agreed upon by and between the CMC and the district and includes the Cost of the Work, Expenses to be Reimbursed, and the Construction Manager's Fee, in the total sum of $1,146,301.00, with the contractual provisos that (1) the Guaranteed Maximum Price shall be subject to all allocations, assumption and clarifications set forth by the CMC in its GMP submittal, if any, and any additions and deductions by the related documents, or changes in the Scope of the Work, changes in the date of Substantial Completion or other adjustments as provided in the Contract Documents; and (2) pursuant to paragraph 1.4.8 of the Agreement, if the Guaranteed Maximum Price is exceeded, except as permitted by the related documents or the Contract Documents, the CMC shall be responsible for payment from its own resources with no contribution from the owner of the difference between the final price as defined at paragraph 1.4.10 of the Agreement and the guaranteed maximum price; and further hereby authorizes and directs the Associate Superintendent for Business Affairs or designee to execute and deliver all documents, and take all action necessary to carry the Project and this action into effect.

11. EXPEDITED/EMERGENCY ACTIONS

12. ITEM(S) REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA

13. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS/REPORTS

13.1. From Board Committees

13.2. From The Career Academy

13.3. From the Superintendent

13.3.1. Superintendent Update

14. ANNOUNCEMENTS OF UPCOMING EVENTS FOR THE BOARD

Rationale: February 12: Face the Chamber, 12:00 pm, Lincoln Country Club
February 17: No Elementary School
February 18: LPS Learning Lunch, 12:00 pm, LPSDO
February 19: GNSA Meeting, 9:30 am, NCSA
February 25:
TCA Jt Board Meeting, 8:00 am, TCA
Board Meeting, 6:00 pm, LPSDO

15. PUBLIC COMMENT

Rationale:

In keeping with Board Policy 8420:

Persons speaking during Public Comment will be called forward individually by the Board Chair to the location identified for such purpose.
A time limit of five minutes will be allotted for any speaker. At the discretion of the chair, the speaker may be allotted additional time. Board members may share, address or consider comments from the public during public comment, at the end of public comment or when related business is on the agenda.
Each individual speaking to the Board will be required to identify himself or herself prior to giving public comment. A "Record of Appearance" card is provided for this purpose.
Persons wishing to appear will be heard in the order in which the Chair of the meeting determines appropriate.
In cases where more than one person wishes to speak on the same topic, their presentations to the Board may, at the discretion of the chair, be grouped together by topic.
If the number of people wishing to speak under the public participation portions of the agenda is large, the chair may rule that a public hearing be scheduled or the discussion be limited on the issue in question.
Persons speaking to the Board during public comment may make printed materials available to the Board but may not use any other form of media.

If at any time persons appearing before the Board exceed the time limitations set forth in this policy or on the agenda or if persons appearing before the Board or who are present at the Board meeting or public hearing become abusive in language or behavior, it shall be the responsibility of the chair to declare that person or persons out of order and to refuse permission to continue to address the Board, require a change in behavior and may require the person or persons to leave the premises of the Board meeting.

16. REQUEST FOR CLOSED SESSION

Rationale:

The Lincoln Board of Education is authorized by state statute to hold a closed session by the affirmative vote of a majority of its voting members if a closed session is clearly necessary for the protection of the public interest or for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual. The subject matter and the reason necessitating the closed session are to be identified in the motion to close. Closed sessions may be held for, but shall not be limited to, such the subject matter and the reasons set forth in the Proposal section below.

Explanation
At this point, it is appropriate for the Board to meet in closed session for one of the stated matters and/or any other permissible closed session matters in compliance with the law.

16.1. Request for Closed Session - Negotiations/Collective Bargaining, Property/Real Estate, Litigation, Security, Criminal Misconduct, Personnel, and Legal Advice Matters

Rationale: The Lincoln Board of Education is authorized by state statute to hold closed sessions. Closed sessions may be held when clearly necessary for the protection of the public interest or for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual. Reasons that meet this standard include but are not limited to: (a) strategy sessions with respect to collective bargaining, real estate matters, pending litigation, or litigation which is imminent as evidenced by communication of a claim or threat of litigation to or by the public body; (b) discussion regarding deployment of security personnel or devices; (c) investigative proceedings regarding allegations of criminal misconduct; (d) evaluation of the job performance of a person when necessary to prevent needless injury to the reputation of a person and if such person has not requested a public meeting; and (e) legal advice.

Explanation

At this point, it is appropriate for the Board to meet in closed session for one of the stated matters and/or any other permissible closed session matters in compliance with the law.

PROPOSAL:

That the Board hold a closed session:

1. For strategy session with respect to negotiations/collective bargaining clearly necessary for the protection of the public interest or for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual in compliance with the law.

2. For strategy session with respect to property/real estate matters clearly necessary for the protection of the public interest or for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual in compliance with the law.

3. For strategy session with respect to pending litigation, or litigation which is imminent as evidenced by communication of a claim or threat of litigation to or by the public body clearly necessary for the protection of the public interest or for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual in compliance with the law.

4. For discussion regarding deployment of security personnel or devices clearly necessary for the protection of the public interest or for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual in compliance with the law.

5. For investigative proceedings regarding allegations of criminal misconduct clearly necessary for the protection of the public interest or for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual in compliance with the law.

6. For personnel and the evaluation of job performance clearly necessary for the protection of the public interest or for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual in compliance with the law.

7. For discussions of the legal consequences of specific action and legal advice clearly necessary for the protection of the public interest or for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual in compliance with the law.

17. ADJOURNMENT

February 11, 2020 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Web Viewer