January 10, 2017 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

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 would like to honor and recognize key Lincoln Public Schools employees who have made valuable contributions to the initial phase of Voices for the Future, the first step in the school district’s strategic planning initiative. This evening we honor the facilitators, translators, bilingual liaisons, Education Service Unit research team who were essential in the first phase of presenting to community groups and collecting data. Thanks to these incredible people, our school district reached out to more than 37,500 people – and collected responses from more than 3,800 citizens.

Board of Education members congratulate these LPS employees for a job well done – and offer our sincere gratitude.

Facilitators

Amy Carnie

Amy Clark

Rik Devny

Carrie Foster

Jodi Frager

John Gloe

Brittany Hying

Brandi Jantzen

Monica Jochum

Amanda Krivda

Jamie Mapp

Megan McElfresh

Jennie Murphy

Robert Rickert

Sherri Robinson

Sarah Salem

Sue Showers

Erik Witt

Bilingual Liaisons

Khudhur Ali (Kurdish Bilingual Liaison)

Mohammed Alnajem (Arabic Bilingual Liaison)

Antonio Cubas ((Latino Bilingual Liaison)

Erick Ernesto Saavedra Avila (Latino Bilingual Liaison)

Khalaf Hesso (Kurdish Bilingual Liaison)

Tosh Jock (Nuer - Sudanese Bilingual Liaison)

Ellie Kasab (Russian Bilingual Liaison)

Monica Lieske (Latino Bilingual Liaison)

Nhung Nguyen (Vietnamese Bilingual Liaison)

Hugo Orellana (Latino Bilingual Liaison)

Toan Tran (Vietnamese Bilingual Liaison)

Peh Wah Moo (Karen Bilingual Liaison)

Wah Wah Moo (Karen - Burmese Bilingual Liaison)

Daniel Wal (Nuer - Sudanese Bilingual Liaison)

Education Service Unit research team

Bethany Brunsman

Leslie Eastman

Dawn Mazzie

Rob McEntarffer

Teresa Wanser Ernst

We will have two speakers this evening to represent these groups:

• Oscar Pohirieth, cultural specialist and coordinator for the Bilingual Liaison Program
• Sarah Salem Director, director of Continuous Improvement and Professional Learning

We are now ready to move onto the next steps of our Voices for the Future initiative. 

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.

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 – 2

             Changes of Status – 1

   b.  Certificated Employees:

             Elections – 2

             Leaves of Absence – 2

             Separations – 7

   c.  Substitute Certificated Employees:

             Elections – 2

             Separations – 3

   d.  Classified Employees:

             Elections – 42

             Changes of Status – 7

             Separations – 24

   e.  Board Resolution regarding recognition of Lincoln Education Association as the official bargaining agent

        for 2018-19.

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.

The CLASS technology plan provides budget resources in the 2016-17 fiscal year for the purchase of enough Chromebooks to provide one for each student in the 2017-18 sixth grade class (3,058 devices) and one for each student at the four high schools (8,363 devices) where devices have not been deployed (East, Lincoln High, North Star, and Southwest).

Twenty-six bids were received from twelve vendors in response to RFQ 8064 and the Dell 11” Chromebook was the lowest cost model that featured a standard 3-year warranty. Moreover, the Dell model scored highest in the evaluation of features and performance achieving a value quotient 20 percent higher than the nearest alternative.  A complete tabulation of the cost and evaluation scoring is available from the Purchasing Department.

Explanation
A January 2017 purchase of Chromebooks for distribution to secondary students in fall of 2017 allows the district to save $8 per device ($66,904) and ensures all students are using the same device model.  An advantage of all students using the same model Chromebook is that as devices are retired from service, their parts can be used for repairs on those devices remaining in service saving additional funds that would otherwise be expended on parts.

It is recommended that the Board award a total of $2,147,148.00 to Sterling Computers (Dakota Dunes, South Dakota) to purchase 11,421 Dell 11” Chromebooks and $313,049.61 to Dell EMC, Inc. (Round Rock, Texas) for device management licensing (Chrome Management) and  KACE asset management licenses including 3-year maintenance.

This will be an expenditure of $2,460,197.61 from the General Fund and Depreciation Fund.

Proposal
That the Board approve this award to the above listed vendors.  A complete project timeline has been shared with the Board Technology Committee.  The Board, by approving these purchases, hereby designates the Chief Technology Officer or another person as selected by the Associate Superintendent of Business Affairs, or a designee from time to time, as its program administrator under these purchase orders.

The 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CLCs) federally-funded grant program provides grants to eligible schools for the purpose of creating or expanding Community Learning Centers.  The primary purpose of 21st Century funds is to provide students with academic enrichment opportunities designed to complement their regular academic program.  All CLC services are provided during non-school hours or periods when school is not in session.  The CLC programs and activities are designed to build on the capacity of community partners and neighborhood schools.  Each site is to have an academic focus to assist participating students in meeting state and local academic achievement standards.  Families of students served may also receive services in areas which support family literacy, health, other family support services, and childcare.

Explanation
This 21st Century CLC grant application is a second continuation funding grant for the Belmont Elementary, Brownell Elementary, Prescott Elementary and Culler Middle CLC schools.  The identified schools have specific needs which are in line with the goals of the 21st Century grant process and have successfully achieved stated outcomes in the first continuation grant award.  Community partners that have been identified to serve as the CLC lead agency and to assist in the planning and service provision include:  Lincoln Parks & Recreation, Northeast Community Center, Family Service Lincoln and Malone Community Center.  These community partners and others are essential to the successful delivery of quality expanded learning opportunities for students.  The continuation grant will build on the success these sites have experienced over the past five years.  Successes have included consistently meeting the grant attendance objectives and performance data on NeSA indicates students in expanded learning (ELO) programs meet or exceed in reading and math at a higher percentage than non-attending ELO students.  Expanded learning opportunities will include homework / academic support, STEM, enrichment activities, recreation and leisure, character education and leadership development, and service learning as well as activities to support nutrition and healthy lifestyles.

Other CLC success includes the continued partnership between school and community-based organizations to improve alignment of activities to the school day curriculum, strengthening professional development, and sharing responsibility and accountability for program quality.  It is projected that approximately 921 students will be impacted by the CLC opportunities at these four sites.

The following program goals will guide the program design and delivery:

Goal 1: Improve student learning performance in one or more core academic areas.

Goal 2: Increase social benefits and improve behavior.

Goal 3: Increase family and community involvement in schools.

Proposal
The Board of Education discuss the submission of this federally-funded grant application to the Nebraska Department of Education.  The total grant amount over a five year period is projected to be $687,300.

The 100% match requirement is met through existing community based partners and site based support.

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.  The entire series of policies is reviewed.  After review, many policies do not require revision or only require small formatting changes.  These policies are presented to the Board for approval as a single block of policies.

Explanation
The following policies will be submitted as a group as they contain only small formatting changes: 1100, 1122, 1140, 1330, 1340, 1500, 1600.

The following policies will be submitted for approval as reviewed.  The following policies did not require revisions: 1110, 1111, 1114, 1121, 1210, 1220, 1230, 1235, 1240, 1250, 1310, 1355, 1360, 1410, 1420, 1430, 1510, 1520, 1530. 

Proposal
The Board approve this block of policies.

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 1113 allows for the opportunity for our many business and commercial community members to share information about their school partnerships and the way that they help the district achieve its goals in a section of the Community News or other similar publication that is separate from instruction materials and is optional for students and families.

Proposal
That the Board approve Policy 1113.

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 1370 is an update as technology has allowed for the possibility of sharing photography along with video and audio recordings of students and families.

Proposal
That the Board approve Policy 1370.

The 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CLCs) federally-funded grant program provides grants to eligible schools for the purpose of creating or expanding Community Learning Centers.  The primary purpose of 21st Century funds is to provide students with academic enrichment opportunities designed to complement their regular academic program.  All CLC services are provided during non-school hours or periods when school is not in session.  The CLC programs and activities are designed to build on the capacity of community partners and neighborhood schools.  Each site is to have an academic focus to assist participating students in meeting state and local academic achievement standards.  Families of students served may also receive services in areas which support family literacy, health, other family support services, and childcare.

Explanation
This 21st Century CLC grant application is a new funding grant for Campbell Elementary School.  The identified school has specific needs which are in line with the goals of the 21st Century grant process.  Community partners that will serve as the CLC lead agency and before and after school provider to assist in planning and service provision are yet to be determined.  A request for lead agency partner (RFP) and before and after school provider will be conducted November 2016 through January 2017.  As a result of the RFP the selected community partner(s), along with others, will be essential to the successful delivery of quality after school opportunities for students.  The development of CLC activities at this school will build on the success of Lincoln’s existing 25 CLC schools.  This grant in partnership with United Way of Lincoln, will bring necessary resources and support to establish Campbell as a CLC school.  CLC program activities will be developed and enhanced to include homework / academic support, STEM, enrichment activities, recreation and leisure, character education, and service learning.  It is projected that approximately 100 students will be impacted by programs at this CLC school.

The following program goals will guide the program design and delivery:

          Goal 1: Improve student learning performance in one or more core academic areas.

          Goal 2: Increase social benefits and improve behavior.

          Goal 3: Increase family and community involvement in schools.

Proposal
That the Board of Education approves the submission of this federally-funded grant application to the Nebraska Department of Education.  The total grant amount over a five-year period is projected to be $352,176.

In years four and five, grant funds will step down (year four to 80%, year five to 60% of initial grant funding).  Community partnerships will contribute resources to meet the step down difference.

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 one-year transitional funding cycle, from July 2017 through June 2018.  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 2017.

Explanation
Each year, LPS serves a minimum of 130 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 will attend a Two Generation Family Literacy Program at one of the following LPS elementary schools: Arnold, Campbell, Clinton, Elliott, Everett, Lakeview, McPhee, Prescott, Randolph or West Lincoln. Languages spoken by these participants have included Arabic, Chin-Zomi, Dinka, Farsi, Karen, Karenni, Kurdish, Nuer, Russian, Spanish, Ukrainian, Urdu, and Vietnamese. Typically, 100 percent 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 Classes

These services are provided to 14 or 20 families at each location. The parents commit to participating in at least 12 hours each week in support of their family literacy development.  An award from United Way in the amount of $30,000 will assist in providing general operating support for all ten sites.

Proposal
That the Board approves 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 $30,000 for a one-year funding cycle.

Applications are due to United Way by February 14, 2017.

January 11:  GNSA Executive/Legislative Council Meeting, 9:00 am, Capitol Room 1113

January 13: MLK Freedom Breakfast, 7:30 am, Embassy Suites

January 16: No School All Levels

January 18:  GNSA Meeting, 9:30 am, NCSA

January 24: Board Meeting, 6:00 pm, LPSDO

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.

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.