November 8, 2016 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

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: 

Colleen Finkhouse, a counselor at Lincoln Southwest High School, has been honored with a 2016 Yale Educator Award and was nominated by former student Ashley Pales.

Explanation

Colleen Finkhouse, a counselor at Lincoln Southwest High School, has been honored with a 2016 Yale Educator Award.  The Yale Educator Recognition Program recognizes outstanding educators from around the world who have supported and inspired their students to achieve at high levels.

Finkhouse was one of the first faces of Lincoln Southwest High School that Ashley Pales saw after transferring into the school. This meeting would set the groundwork for Pales to feel like she had someone at the school who truly cared for her success.

Pales said:

“After talking with other students counseled by Mrs. Finkhouse, I knew I wasn’t the only one who felt like she really cared about our futures. Her devotion to our educational success could be seen in the way she went above and beyond to help students with whatever they needed; she made us feel like our education goals were important.”

Finkhouse’s support continued with Pales coming to visit with the counselor when a class was challenging her more than she could handle. When Finkhouse told her that hard work would pay off eventually, Pales listened and succeeded in the class.  But just as importantly, she helped the student lay groundwork for her post-high school career. This involved a wide variety of assistance including letters of recommendation, financial aid, scholarships and advice for selecting a college.

Rationale: 

Explanation

Jason Thomsen, a science teacher and department chair at Lincoln Southwest High School, has been honored with a 2016 Yale Educator Award.  The Yale Educator Recognition Program recognizes outstanding educators from around the world who have supported and inspired their students to achieve at high levels.

When Lincoln Southwest High School student Ashley Pales asked to be included in Thomsen’s Advanced Placement Biology class, it was already considered full.  When Thomsen said yes to taking in one more student, Pales said she was already prepared to love the subject matter.  And she did.

From there, Pales said Thomsen’s class was not only about biology but about completing the work, engaging in class, and taking responsibility for their learning.

Pales said of her teacher:

“Mr. Thomsen always emphasized the fact that taking AP Bio under his instruction would help us prepare for higher education. Now that I have finished the class, I believe him more than ever.  AP Bio was the most challenging class that I’ve ever taken, but during the course I learned valuable skills in time management and group efficiency.”

 

Rationale: 

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.  Certificated Employees:

             Leaves of Absence – 1

             Separations –  2

   b.  Substitute Certificated Employees:

             Elections – 15

             Separations – 1

   c.  Classified Employees:

             Elections – 45

             Changes of Status – 1

             Separations – 13

   d.  Other:

             Employment of Family Member – 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: 

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

a.  REGULAR CLAIMS – Claims for the period ending November 8, 2016, were previously provided.
                   
Federal Tax ACH Deposit of $5,807,966.23.                   

Procurement Card ACH Transfer of $102,183.90.                   

Child Support ACH Transfer of $19,360.76.                   

Office Depot ACH Transfer of $3,598.89.                   

Vendor ACH Transfer of $191,064.60.

b.  PAYROLL FOR RATIFICATION – Payroll for the period ending October 31, 2016, in the amount of $15,184,569.93.

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 the purchase of kitchen equipment for Randolph Elementary; the purchase of supplemental curriculum materials; conveyance of an easement of right-of-way at Lefler Middle School; agreements for educational services; rates for use of LPS facilities; 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 November 8, 2016.

b.  Payroll for the period ending October 31, 2016.

c.  Gifts for Northeast and the district.

d.  Bids/contracts/other routine business for the purchase of kitchen equipment for Randolph Elementary; the purchase of supplemental curriculum materials; conveyance of an easement of right-of-way at Lefler Middle School; agreemetns for educational services; rates for use of LPS facilities; items listed for auction; and any other bids/contracts/routine business as presented.

Rationale: 

On February 23, 2016, the Board adopted a resolution to accept option students for the 2016-17 school year.  An application has been received from a student requesting that they be accepted as an option student for the 2016-17 school year.  Staff recommends that the student referred to in this agenda item be accepted for enrollment as they are in compliance with the Board resolution of February 23, 2016.      

Explanation
Staff examined the application of the student included in this proposal.  The student meets one of the criteria set forth by the Board in its resolution of February 23, 2016.  Staff recommends approval of this application.      

Proposal  
That the Board adopt the following resolution:  

WHEREAS, the student who has been assigned student number 226235 (for purposes of confidentiality, assigned numbers are being used) meets one or more of the criteria of the Board resolution of February 23, 2016, with regard to such option students;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the aforementioned student be accepted as an option student 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:  *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: 

Explanation

The revision of Policy 8400 is to more accurately reflect the definitions of the different types of meetings of the Lincoln Board of Education and to align its language with other policies.

Proposal

That the Board discuss Policy 8400.

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 revision of Policy 8410 is to more accurately reflect the new ways the district uses technology to announce the time and place of meetings of the Lincoln Board of Education.

Proposal

That the Board discuss Policy 8410.

Rationale: 

On February 11, 2014, the legal voters of Lincoln Public Schools approved a proposition to issue bonds in a principal amount not to exceed one hundred fifty-three million, two hundred ninety-five thousand dollars ($153,295,000) for the purpose of paying the costs of:

(1) constructing, furnishing, and equipping technology and security improvements to facilities of the district;
(2) constructing, furnishing, and equipping a new elementary school and a new middle school in the southeast area of the district;
(3) constructing, furnishing, and equipping a career academy high school facility;
(4) constructing additions to and furnishing, equipping, renovating, remodeling, and repairing facilities of the district; and
(5) acquiring sites for school facilities of the district.

Explanation
On April 16, 2014, $120,000,000 of bonds were issued.  The spend-down schedule indicates the majority of these funds will be expended in December 2016.  The Finance Committee recommends the remaining $33,295,000 of the original authorization be issued.  Staff worked with the district’s financial advisor for this financing (Ameritas Investment Corp.), with its bond counsel (Gilmore & Bell), and with its general counsel (Perry, Guthery, Haase & Gessford) to prepare the attached draft resolution and to meet all other requirements necessary for the second issuance of bonds (“Series 2016”) authorized in the February 11, 2014, bond election.

Proposal
That the Board of Education discuss the attached resolution, including the following parameters:

A.  The date of original issue of the Bonds shall not be later than February 15, 2017.
B.  The aggregate principal amount of Bonds to be issued shall not exceed $33,295,000.
C.  The date of final maturity of the Bonds shall not be later than January 31, 2022.
D.  The rate or rates of interest to be carried by each maturity of the Bonds such that the true interest cost on the Bonds shall not exceed 2.50 percent.
E.  The purchase price shall not be less than 99.00 percent of the principal amount thereof, inclusive of aggregate net original issue discount and underwriter’s discount, and which underwriter’s discount may not exceed 1.00 percent.

Rationale: 

Sealed bids were received from interested vendors to provide kitchen equipment for Moore Middle School.

Explanation
It is recommended that award be made to:

Hockenbergs (Omaha, Nebraska)                                                                        $562,819.00

Bid results:

Hockenbergs (Omaha, Nebraska)                                                                         $562,819.00
Douglas Equipment (Bluefield, West Virginia)                                                       $608,309.63
IS Restaurant Design (Sioux Falls, South Dakota)                                                $614,004.00

A complete bid tabulation is available in the Purchasing Office. This will be an expenditure of $562,819.00 from the Nutrition Services Fund.

Proposal
That the Board discuss the proposed award to Hockenbergs.  The Board, by approving this agreement with Hockenbergs, is approving the award, the contract documents for this project, and all associated documents related thereto according to the terms and conditions as on file with district records or such other or additional terms and provisions as negotiated and approved by the Associate Superintendent for Business Affairs or a designee, and the Board is hereby delegating to and authorizing the Associate Superintendent for Business Affairs or a designee to sign, execute, and deliver the contract documents and all such related documents, make all contract payments, and to take or cause to be taken any and all other action and sign any other documents as may be necessary to complete the transaction, and to administer, operate, and/or implement the contract and all associated documents related thereto on a day-to-day basis during this project as contemplated thereby, for and on behalf of this school district, and hereby designates the Director of Purchasing, or another person as selected by the Associate Superintendent for Business Affairs, or a designee from time to time, as its program administrator under this agreement.

Rationale: 

Rationale: 

November 10, Strategic Planning Open Forum, 6:00 pm, Lux Middle School

November 15, Strategic Planning Open Forum, 12:30 pm, Mount Zion Baptist Church

November 16-18, NASB State Education Conference, La Vista, Ne

November 22, Board Meeting, 6:00 pm, LPSDO

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.