January 24, 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.

Lincoln Public Schools conducted the 2016 Combined Community Campaign held in October and recently received its final results.  This year’s campaign raised $156,447.32.  This year, 3,025 LPS staff members contributed to the campaign setting a three-year high in percentage participation at 48 percent and setting a record for overall number of donors.   LPS’s campaign goal was 50% participation.  Forty-seven buildings and departments met the 50% participation goal, which is a record for percentage of LPS buildings and departments reaching the District’s 50% participation goal.

Explanation
The following high school, middle school, and elementary schools had the greatest percentage of staff participate in the Combined Community Campaign this fall.

• Southeast High School - Principal, Brent Toalson – 55.95%,
• Schoo Middle School - Principal, Bill Schulenberg – 100%,
• Fredstrom Elementary School – Principal, Vicki Schulenberg,
• Beattie Elementary School – Principal, Sean Bailey – 100%

In addition, the following schools and departments met the district goal of fifty percent or greater donor participation:  Accounting Dept/Payroll, Athletics & Activities, Beattie Elementary, Brownell Elementary, Bryan Community Focus Program, Business Affairs Division, Clinton Elementary, Communications Department, Curriculum Division, Dawes Middle School, Eastridge Elementary, Elliott Elementary, ESU/Evaluation, Federal Programs, Fredstrom Elementary, Governmental Relations, Hartley Elementary, Hill Elementary, Human Resources Department, Humann Elementary, Huntington Elementary, Instruction Division, Kahoa Elementary, Kloefkorn Elementary, Lakeview Elementary, Lefler Middle School, Maxey Elementary, McPhee Elementary, Meadow Lane Elementary, Media Department, Morley Elementary, Pyrtle Elementary, Randolph Elementary, Riley Elementary, Rousseau Elementary, Saratoga Elementary, Schoo Middle School, Sheridan Elementary, Sherrill Education Center, Southeast High School, Student Services Department, Superintendent's Department, TeamMates Mentoring Program of Lincoln, The Career Academy, Transportation Department, Yankee Hill Special Education Program, and Zeman Elementary.

Lincoln Public Schools is proud of its employees and would like to thank them for the contributions made to the many agencies represented by the United Way, Community Health Charities of Nebraska, and the Community Services Fund.

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 hand out printed materials 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 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, require a change in behavior and may require the person or persons to leave the premises of the Board meeting.

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 – 11

             Changes of Status – 3

             Leaves of Absence – 1

             Separations – 2

   b. Substitute Certificated Employees:

             Elections – 15

             Changes of Status – 2

             Separations – 21

   c.  Classified Employees:

             Elections – 46

             Changes of Status – 3

             Leaves of Absence – 1

             Separations – 35

   d.  Other:

             Workers’ Compensation Lump Sum Settlements – 1

             Employment of Family Members – 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.

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 students who have been assigned student numbers 278713, 412171, 412172 (for purposes of confidentiality, assigned numbers are being used) meet 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 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.

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 proposes to pilot two full-day, center-based early childhood classrooms in LPS elementary school buildings through this grant. Each classroom will serve 20 children, for a total of 40 children served. The 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 full-day (6 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 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 considers the submission of this Early Childhood Expansion grant application for two full-day classes in the amount of $200,000, with a required 100% match which will be provided through space and equipment 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 March 3, 2017.

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).

In addition, it is proposed to purchase a Chromebook for each second-grade student (3,000 devices) by reallocating 2016-17 CLASS plan budget resources originally targeted to purchase approximately 1,800 tablets for K-2 classrooms.  The plan remains to deploy tablets in K-1 in the 2017-18 school year and the additional fiscal resources required to provide a Chromebook for each 2nd grade student will be offset by moving K-5 from a 3-year to a 4-year replacement schedule.

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.

The use of Chromebooks with 2nd grade students was piloted at Sheridan and Riley elementary schools.  The results from those pilots and feedback from elementary principals serving on a technology advisory committee suggest that providing a Chromebook device for each 2nd grade student has instructional and operational advantages over the four-tablet center-based model initially included in the CLASS plan.  

Implementation of Chromebooks in grade 2 during this school year will be designed to meet existing demands and the implementation plan will be based on the model successfully used in the mid-year implementation of Chromebooks in grades 3-5 last year.

It is recommended that the Board award a total of $2,711,148.00 to Sterling Computers (Dakota Dunes, South Dakota) to purchase 14,421 Dell 11” Chromebooks and $395,549.00 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 $3,106,697.00 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.

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 1000 series of policies was reviewed.  After review, Policy 1500 requires only small formatting changes. 

Explanation

Policy 1500 contains small formatting changes.

Proposal

That the Board approve Policy 1500.

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 Family 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

That the Board of Education approve 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.

January 25 - Strategic Planning Community Study Team Meeting, 4:30 pm, LPSDO

January 27 - NSBA Advocacy Institute in Washington, DC

February 1 - Chamber Coffee, 8:00 am, Chamber Office

Strategic Planning Community Study Team Meeting, 4:30 pm, LPSDO

February 8 - TCA Joint Board Meeting, 8:00 am, TCA

Face the Chamber w/Mayor Beutler, 12:00 pm, Country Club of Lincoln

Strategic Planning Community Study Team Meeting, 4:30 pm, LPSDO

February 14 - Board Meeting, 6:00 pm, LPSDO

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 hand out printed materials 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 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, require a change in behavior and may require the person or persons to leave the premises of the Board meeting. 

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.