January 12, 2016 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale: 

The Nebraska Department of Education is again offering funds to Early Childhood Programs in local communities. The Early Childhood Education Grant Program is intended to support the development of children in the birth to kindergarten age range through the provision of comprehensive center-based programs. In most cases, the projects expand and/or combine existing pre-kindergarten programs funded through district, federal, or parent fees. Each project receives funding for up to one-half of the total operating budget of the project per year on a continuing basis, subject to availability of the funds. A public school or an educational service unit is the fiscal agent. Funded projects are required to operate in compliance with NDE Rule 11 Regulations for Early Childhood Education Grant Program. Rule 11 reflects research-based elements of quality early childhood education programs intended to produce strong outcomes for children.

Explanation
Lincoln Public Schools will provide high quality services to up to 200 children in up to ten part-day, center-based classrooms in LPS elementary school buildings through this grant. This program will ensure that each child enters a formal school setting with the same learning advantages as other children. Early childhood staff and partners will seek opportunities to promote the physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and language development of very young children and their families during these crucial early years.

These funds will serve three- and four-year-olds who qualify for participation in an inclusive environment. Services will be provided through a part-day (3.5 hours), five-day-a-week, center-based program, which greatly exceeds the minimum hour per week required by the Nebraska Department of Education. The staff will serve families using the program delivery model as is currently provided in existing school-based early childhood centers.

The program is based on research and best practices in the field of early childhood and family systems. By embracing the child and family in a secure, nurturing, and culturally appropriate environment, the child’s growth and development will flourish. Research demonstrates that the best approach to serve the families of these young children is through quality preschool services to assist with transitions to kindergarten. The program emphasizes the core elements of family involvement through home visitation with an emphasis on family literacy that supports education as a core family value.      

Proposal
That the Board approves the submission of this Early Childhood Expansion Grant application for up to ten additional part-day classes in the amount of $500,000 with a 100% match on the basic grant only. The match will be provided through various grant funds that are already in place.  An additional amount ($25,000) of grant funds will be requested and used for start-up costs (no match required for start-up costs), dependent upon final award.

The grant application is due to the Nebraska Department of Education by February 12, 2016.

Rationale: 

The Nebraska Department of Education is again offering funds to Early Childhood Programs in local communities. The Early Childhood Education Grant Program is intended to support the development of children in the birth to kindergarten age range through the provision of comprehensive center-based programs. In most cases, the projects expand and/or combine existing pre-kindergarten programs funded through district, federal, or parent fees. Each project receives funding for up to one-half of the total operating budget of the project per year on a continuing basis, subject to availability of the funds. A public school or an educational service unit is the fiscal agent. Funded projects are required to operate in compliance with NDE Rule 11 Regulations for Early Childhood Education Grant Program. Rule 11 reflects research-based elements of quality early childhood education programs intended to produce strong outcomes for children.

Explanation
Lincoln Public Schools will provide high quality services to up to 200 children in up to ten part-day, center-based classrooms in LPS elementary school buildings through this grant. This program will ensure that each child enters a formal school setting with the same learning advantages as other children. Early childhood staff and partners will seek opportunities to promote the physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and language development of very young children and their families during these crucial early years.

These funds will serve three- and four-year-olds who qualify for participation in an inclusive environment. Services will be provided through a part-day (3.5 hours), five-day-a-week, center-based program, which greatly exceeds the minimum hour per week required by the Nebraska Department of Education. The staff will serve families using the program delivery model as is currently provided in existing school-based early childhood centers.

The program is based on research and best practices in the field of early childhood and family systems. By embracing the child and family in a secure, nurturing, and culturally appropriate environment, the child’s growth and development will flourish. Research demonstrates that the best approach to serve the families of these young children is through quality preschool services to assist with transitions to kindergarten. The program emphasizes the core elements of family involvement through home visitation with an emphasis on family literacy that supports education as a core family value.      

Proposal
That the Board approves the submission of this Early Childhood Expansion Grant application for up to ten additional part-day classes in the amount of $500,000 with a 100% match on the basic grant only. The match will be provided through various grant funds that are already in place.  An additional amount ($25,000) of grant funds will be requested and used for start-up costs (no match required for start-up costs), dependent upon final award.

The grant application is due to the Nebraska Department of Education by February 12, 2016.

Rationale: 

The Nebraska Department of Education is again offering funds to Early Childhood Programs in local communities. The Early Childhood Education Grant Program is intended to support the development of children in the birth to kindergarten age range through the provision of comprehensive center-based programs. In most cases, the projects expand and/or combine existing pre-kindergarten programs funded through district, federal, or parent fees. Each project receives funding for up to one-half of the total operating budget of the project per year on a continuing basis, subject to availability of the funds. A public school or an educational service unit is the fiscal agent. Funded projects are required to operate in compliance with NDE Rule 11 Regulations for Early Childhood Education Grant Program. Rule 11 reflects research-based elements of quality early childhood education programs intended to produce strong outcomes for children.

Explanation
Lincoln Public Schools will provide high quality services to up to 200 children in up to ten part-day, center-based classrooms in LPS elementary school buildings through this grant. This program will ensure that each child enters a formal school setting with the same learning advantages as other children. Early childhood staff and partners will seek opportunities to promote the physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and language development of very young children and their families during these crucial early years.

These funds will serve three- and four-year-olds who qualify for participation in an inclusive environment. Services will be provided through a part-day (3.5 hours), five-day-a-week, center-based program, which greatly exceeds the minimum hour per week required by the Nebraska Department of Education. The staff will serve families using the program delivery model as is currently provided in existing school-based early childhood centers.

The program is based on research and best practices in the field of early childhood and family systems. By embracing the child and family in a secure, nurturing, and culturally appropriate environment, the child’s growth and development will flourish. Research demonstrates that the best approach to serve the families of these young children is through quality preschool services to assist with transitions to kindergarten. The program emphasizes the core elements of family involvement through home visitation with an emphasis on family literacy that supports education as a core family value.      

Proposal
That the Board approves the submission of this Early Childhood Expansion Grant application for up to ten additional part-day classes in the amount of $500,000 with a 100% match on the basic grant only. The match will be provided through various grant funds that are already in place.  An additional amount ($25,000) of grant funds will be requested and used for start-up costs (no match required for start-up costs), dependent upon final award.

The grant application is due to the Nebraska Department of Education by February 12, 2016.

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.

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.

Rationale: 

Explanation

Lincoln High School was selected this school year for the 2015 NebraskARTS Award presented by the Nebraskans for the Arts. Lincoln High provides a diverse range of opportunities for students to showcase what they create and perform at the community, regional, and national levels.

The school’s International Baccalaureate curriculum in the areas of music, theatre, and visual art specifically allows students to develop meaningful experiences in creating, composing, refining, and presenting their work.

Patsy Koch Johns, Nebraskans For the Arts Board President:  "Lincoln High School is a place where parents, students, teachers, and administrators work together to support, encourage, and celebrate artistic expression.  Lincoln High School is a Title I school and one of the most diverse in the state. It supports its diversity through a spirit of inclusion, promoting a strong sense of community. This spirit of inclusion was highlighted throughout their award application."

Lincoln High School Principal, Mark Larson, said while accepting the award: "At Lincoln High we are known as the Links, which most people don't understand. Our links stand for unity, diversity, tradition, and excellence. I think each of those links are the reason why Lincoln High is accepting this award today as a school that is a champion for the arts."

Rationale: 

In keeping with Board Policy 8420:

• A time limit of five minutes will be allotted for any speaker.
• Members of the Board of Education will not respond or engage with speakers.
• Persons speaking to the Board during public comment may hand out printed materials to the Board but may not use any other form of media.
• The Board Chair may make adjustments to the public comment guidelines, according to Policy 8420.
• If at any time persons appearing before the Board exceed the time limitations or become abusive in language or behavior, the Chair may declare that person out of order and to refuse permission to continue to address the Board.
• Anyone refusing to be identified will be prohibited from speaking.

Rationale: 

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.  Administrator Certificated Employees:

            Elections – 1

            Leaves of Absence – 1

   b.   Certificated Employees:

            Elections –26

            Changes of Status – 6

            Leaves of Absence – 4

            Separations – 5

   c.   Substitute Certificated Employees:

            Elections –48

            Separations – 16

   d.   Classified Employees:

            Elections –52

            Changes of Status – 15

            Separations – 42

   e.  Other:

            Civic Leave – 1

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.

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 January 12, 2016, were previously provided.                    

Federal Tax ACH Deposit of $5,485,304.23.                    

State Tax ACH Deposit of $757,641.01.                    

Procurement Card ACH Transfer of $147,184.18.                    

Office Depot ACH Transfer of $16,714.12.                    

Vendor ACH Transfer of $234,352.68.

b.  PAYROLL FOR RATIFICATION – Payroll for the periods ending December 15 and December 29, 2015, in the amount of $14,442,449.22.

c.  GIFTS – Approval for the gifts listed on the attached gift report. 

d.  BIDS/CONTRACTS/OTHER ROUTINE BUSINESS – Bids/contracts/other routine business will be presented for approval for sanding of gym floors at East, Lincoln High, and Calvert; the purchase of custodial large cleaning equipment; the purchase of vehicles for electrical, environmental, building crafts, paint, HVAC, LPSDO, and Transportation; the purchase of an excavator; mold removal at the Bison Complex; authorization of an easement and conveyance; approval of a resolution providing for the construction of a Federal Aid Project; 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 January 12, 2016.  

b.  Payroll for the periods ending December 15 and December 29, 2015.  

c.  Gifts for Clinton, Hill, Holmes, Huntington, Kloefkorn, North Star, Northeast, Park, Rousseau, Schoo, and the district.  

d.  Bids/contracts/other routine business for sanding of gym floors at East, Lincoln High, and Calvert; the purchase of custodial large cleaning equipment; the purchase of vehicles for electrical, environmental, building crafts, paint, HVAC, LPSDO, and Transportation; the purchase of an excavator; mold removal at the Bison Complex; authorization of an easement and conveyance; approval of a resolution providing for the construction of a Federal Aid Project; items listed for auction; and any other bids/contracts/routine business as presented.  

Rationale:  On February 10, 2015, the Board adopted a resolution to accept option students for the 2015-16 school year.  Applications have been received from students requesting that they be accepted as option students for the 2015-16 school year.  Staff recommends that the students referred to in this agenda item be accepted for enrollment as they are in compliance with the Board resolution of February 10, 2015.      

Explanation
Staff has examined the applications of the students included in this proposal.  The students meet one of the criteria set forth by the Board in its resolution of February 10, 2015.  Staff recommends approval of these applications.      

Proposal  
That the Board adopt the following resolution:  

WHEREAS, the students who have been assigned student numbers 401475 and 269985 (for purposes of confidentiality, assigned numbers are being used) meet one or more of the criteria of the Board resolution of February 10, 2015, with regard to such option students;  

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the aforementioned students be accepted as option students on the condition and with the express understanding that all programs, all classes and all buildings of assignment, except as otherwise required by law, shall at all times and from time to time during attendance at Lincoln Public Schools be determined solely by Lincoln Public Schools.

Rationale: 

March 15, 2015, 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 2015-16 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 has been received after the March 15, 2015, deadline.  The Lincoln Public Schools Board of Education may deny or approve these requests.  If these requests is approved by the Board of Education, it will be forwarded to the option school district for their approval.    

Student Number            Option District
410329                                  Norris                                   
216802                                  Malcolm                                    
286083                                  Malcolm                                    
410431                                  Malcolm
268260                                  Milford      

Proposal 
That the Board approves the requests for option out for the 2015-16 school year.

Rationale: 

Lincoln Public Schools regulation 5460.1 and Nebraska state law provides that if a student has been expelled from any public or private school, and the student has not completed the terms or time period of the expulsion, the student shall not be permitted to enroll in this school district until the expulsion period from such other school has expired, unless the Lincoln Board of Education approves by a majority vote the enrollment of such student prior to expiration of the expulsion period.  Student number 228004 (for purposes of confidentiality we are using an assigned number) has filed the proper application and has requested enrollment.       

Explanation  
The Department of Student Services has reviewed the application and the background information on the student and is recommending that the application be approved and that the student be enrolled in the Lincoln Public Schools Expelled Student Program for the remainder of this school year, subject to such terms and conditions as imposed by the Director of Student Services and all program rules and regulations until the term or time period of the original underlying expulsion is completed.      

Proposal 
That the Board approve the application and all recommendations of the Department of Student Services.

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.

Rationale: 

As part of the three-year policy review rotation, many policies are determined to be appropriate as currently written and are not revised.  Since these policies are recommended to remain in effect in their current form, they are not presented individually, but are moved forward for affirmation as a body of policies.

Explanation

The following policies are recommended to remain in effect as currently written 8000, 8001, 8002, 80003, 8004, 8005, 8100, 8110, 8120, 8121, 8122, 8123, 8130, 8210, 8220, 8230, 8250, 8260, 8270, 8310, 8311, 8314, 8320, 8330, 8340, 8400, 8410, 8420, 8430, 8440, 8441, 8450, 8460, 8470, 8480, 8500, 8501, and 8504.

Proposal

That the Board discuss the recommended affirmation of these 8000 series policies.

Rationale: 

Parliamentary procedures are a set of rules for conduct at meetings that allow everyone to be heard and to make decisions without confusion.  Policy 8442 identifies that unless otherwise noted, the Lincoln Board of Education utilizes Robert's Rules of Order for parliamentary procedures to conduct the orderly procedures of the meetings, protect the minority voice, and express the will of the majority.

Explanation

To provide for consistent and predictable conduct at Board meetings, the revision of Policy 8442 would clarify the required action necessary for Board action and identify who would decide questions of procedure and order.

Proposal

That the Board discuss proposed changes to Policy 8442.

Rationale: 

The Board of Education assigns school attendance areas to property newly annexed to the City of Lincoln or newly platted.  This action establishes school attendance areas prior to the sale of residential lots, allowing purchasers to know what schools their children will attend.      

Explanation
The City of Lincoln has annexed two parcels of land, which automatically brings these properties into the Lincoln Public Schools District.  These properties need to be assigned attendance centers so that potential purchasers of homes in this area will know which schools they will be attending:  

Northbank Preserve, Annexation Ordinance #20264, for 2015-16 school year:  Norwood Park Elementary School, Dawes Middle School, and Northeast High School  

Northbank Preserve, 2nd Addition, Annexation Ordinance #15107, for 2015-16 school year:  Norwood Park Elementary School, Dawes Middle School, and Northeast High School  

Southlake, South 98th Street & Andermatt Drive, Annexation Ordinance #20273 for 2015-16 school year:  Kloefkorn Elementary School, Lux Middle School, and East High School  

HiMark, South 88th Street & Pioneers Boulevard, Annexation Ordinance #20275 for 2015-16 school year:  Maxey Elementary School, Lux Middle School, and East High School      

Proposal
That the Board discuss the proposed attendance area assignments of the newly annexed properties.  

Rationale: 

The Nebraska Department of Education is again offering funds to Early Childhood Programs in local communities. The Early Childhood Education Grant Program is intended to support the development of children in the birth to kindergarten age range through the provision of comprehensive center-based programs. In most cases, the projects expand and/or combine existing pre-kindergarten programs funded through district, federal, or parent fees. Each project receives funding for up to one-half of the total operating budget of the project per year on a continuing basis, subject to availability of the funds. A public school or an educational service unit is the fiscal agent. Funded projects are required to operate in compliance with NDE Rule 11 Regulations for Early Childhood Education Grant Program. Rule 11 reflects research-based elements of quality early childhood education programs intended to produce strong outcomes for children.

Explanation
Lincoln Public Schools will provide high quality services to up to 200 children in up to ten part-day, center-based classrooms in LPS elementary school buildings through this grant. This program will ensure that each child enters a formal school setting with the same learning advantages as other children. Early childhood staff and partners will seek opportunities to promote the physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and language development of very young children and their families during these crucial early years.

These funds will serve three- and four-year-olds who qualify for participation in an inclusive environment. Services will be provided through a part-day (3.5 hours), five-day-a-week, center-based program, which greatly exceeds the minimum hour per week required by the Nebraska Department of Education. The staff will serve families using the program delivery model as is currently provided in existing school-based early childhood centers.

The program is based on research and best practices in the field of early childhood and family systems. By embracing the child and family in a secure, nurturing, and culturally appropriate environment, the child’s growth and development will flourish. Research demonstrates that the best approach to serve the families of these young children is through quality preschool services to assist with transitions to kindergarten. The program emphasizes the core elements of family involvement through home visitation with an emphasis on family literacy that supports education as a core family value.      

Proposal
That the Board approves the submission of this Early Childhood Expansion Grant application for up to ten additional part-day classes in the amount of $500,000 with a 100% match on the basic grant only. The match will be provided through various grant funds that are already in place.  An additional amount ($25,000) of grant funds will be requested and used for start-up costs (no match required for start-up costs), dependent upon final award.

The grant application is due to the Nebraska Department of Education by February 12, 2016.

Rationale: 

At the second Board meeting of the month, information regarding the district’s monthly financial report is presented.      

Explanation
The monthly financial report for the month ending November 30, 2015, is attached.      

Proposal
Information item; no Board action required.  

Rationale: 

January 13 - TCA Joint Board Meeting, 8:15 am, TCA

January 15 - MLK Freedom Breakfast, 7:30 am, Embassy Suites

January 18 - MLK Youth Rally, 10:30 am, State Capitol-Warner Chamber (No School)

January 20 - GNSA Meeting, 9:30 am, NCSA

January 24-26 - NSBA Advocacy Institute, Washington DC

January 27 - Board Meeting, 6:00 pm

Rationale: 

In keeping with Board Policy 8420:

• A time limit of five minutes will be allotted for any speaker.
• Members of the Board of Education will not respond or engage with speakers.
• Persons speaking to the Board during public comment may hand out printed materials to the Board but may not use any other form of media.
• The Board Chair may make adjustments to the public comment guidelines, according to Policy 8420.
• If at any time persons appearing before the Board exceed the time limitations or become abusive in language or behavior, the Chair may declare that person out of order and to refuse permission to continue to address the Board.
• Anyone refusing to be identified will be prohibited from speaking.

Rationale: 

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.

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.