May 22, 2018 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:  As we reach the close of the school year, we celebrate the many ways our schools, teachers, and administrators have developed creative ways to present lessons to students.  Tonight, we highlight a math teacher at Lincoln Southwest High School who developed an original way of teaching statistics.  
 
Presenting are:

•        Josh Males, Curriculum Specialist for Mathematics at LPS.
•        Ashli True, Math Teacher at Lincoln Southwest High School.
•        Lincoln Southwest High School students.

Rationale:  Top fundraising schools:

Maxey Elementary School

Lux Middle School

East High School

Rationale: 

In keeping with Board Policy 8420:

1. Persons speaking during Public Comment will be called forward individually by the Board Chair to the location identified for such purpose. 
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Persons wishing to appear will be heard in the order in which the Chair of the meeting determines appropriate.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.

Rationale: 

Rationale:  Explanation:
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.

This report includes routine Human Resources changes:
   a.  Administrator Certificated Employees:
             Elections - 1
   b.  Certificated Employees:
             Elections - 44
             Re-Elections Same Assignment - 2
             Re-Elections New Assignment - 2
             Changes of Status - 5
             Leaves of Absence - 25
             Separations - 8
   c.  Substitute Certificated Employees:
             Elections - 1
             Separations - 13
   d.  Classified Employees:
             Elections - 26
             Changes of Status - 2
             Separations - 51
   e.  Other:
             Civic Leaves - 1
             Employment of Family Members - 4
             Workers' Compensation Lump Sum Settlements - 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.

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On February 13, 2018, the Board adopted a resolution to accept an option enrollment student for the 2018-19 school year.  An application for enrollment during the 2018-19 school year has been received and is in compliance with the Board resolution of February 13, 2018.      

Explanation
The applications included in this agenda item have been examined by staff and meet one of the criteria set forth by the Board in the resolution of February 13, 2018.  Staff recommends approval of the applications.  

Proposal   
That the Board adopts the following resolution:

WHEREAS, the students who have been assigned student numbers 223567, 291662, 291661 and 247716 (for purposes of confidentiality, assigned numbers are being used) meet one or more of the criteria of the Board resolution of February 13, 2018, 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, 2018, 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  
A request from a student who resides in the district of Lincoln Public Schools and wishes to attend school outside of Lincoln Public Schools has been received after the March 15, 2018, deadline.  The Lincoln Board of Education may deny or approve this request.  If the request is approved by the Board of Education, it will be forwarded to the option school district for their approval. 

Student Number            Option District
233865                            Raymond Central

Proposal  
That the Board approve the request for option out for the 2018-19 school year.

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:  Robert Bosch LLC seeks to invest in communities where they have a presence, including Lincoln, where Bosch Communication Systems (formerly Telex Communications) manufactures various communications equipment. The corporate foundation, Bosch Community Fund, has awarded over $20 million in grants to more than 40 communities since its inception. The focus of these grants is primarily to offer young people hands-on learning experiences in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), though smaller grants focus on the environmental conservation and environmental education with stewardship. Focus must be on activities that impact under-represented groups, such as females, students in poverty or students of color.
    
Explanation
Lincoln Public Schools will request $25,000 from Bosch Community Fund to fund middle school math and science teacher professional development on project-based learning, as well as to purchase equipment for middle schools to use in STEM field projects. 

Proposal
That the Board approve the submission of this grant application to the Bosch Community Fund for $25,000. No district-funding match is required.

This grant application has a submission date of May 29, 2018.

Rationale:  The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is investing in educational opportunities that enable students to develop the knowledge, skills, and agency needed to thrive as adults and contribute to their communities. One such initiative is the To and Through Advising Challenge, to support school systems to enact conditions and develop capabilities needed to adopt a more effective approach to advising high school students. A "to and through" approach to advising requires a deep understanding of students’ identity, motivations and mindsets, and focuses on three important decision points: (1) advising students to apply to and enroll at institutions that support student success; (2) supporting students to successfully navigate financial aid and affordability issues; and (3) avoiding summer melt, which is a phenomenon through which a significant number of students who have already been admitted to postsecondary institutions fail to enroll. Because these issues have a greater impact on low-income and minority youth, grant recipients must include schools that serve a student population of which is at least 50% Black, Latino, and/or low-income.
   
Explanation
Lincoln Public Schools will request a grant from the Gates Foundation, which will allow us to participate in a year-long community of practice with other grantees, receive individualized coaching and technical assistance, receive National College Access Network membership and conference registration, and develop and improve measurement and practices that ensures systemic access to effective advising. LPS will strengthen partnerships with college access organizations and higher education institutions through this grant as well.  Schools that meet eligibility criteria include Lincoln High School, North Star High School, and Northeast High School, though many grant activities will benefit all high schools and the district overall. A request of $75,000 will be made.

Proposal
That the Board approve the submission of this grant application to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for $75,000. No district-funding match is required.

This grant application has a submission date of May 31, 2018.

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The Board of Education of Lincoln Public Schools annually reviews and approves Policy 5520 to ensure that its policy is in accordance with the Public Elementary and Secondary Student Fees Authorization Act.

The district’s general policy is to provide for the free instruction in school in accordance with the Nebraska Constitution and state and federal law.  This generally means that the district’s policy is to provide free instruction for courses which are required by state law or regulation and to provide the staff, facility, equipment, and materials necessary for such instruction without charge or fee to the students.

The district does provide activities, programs, and services to children that extend beyond the minimum level of constitutionally required free instruction. Students and their parents have historically contributed to the district’s efforts to provide such activities, programs, and services. The district’s general policy is to continue to encourage and to the extent permitted by law, to require such student and parent contributions to enhance the educational program provided by the district.

Explanation
Revisions to Policy 5520 reflect changes to fees and the fee waiver eligibility fees to address changes in cost while remaining in compliance with all applicable laws.

Proposal
That the Board approves Policy 5520 and Appendix 1.

Rationale:  United Way of Lincoln Lancaster County (UWLLC) provides grant funding for services provided at Community Learning Center School sites.
    
Explanation
UWLLC will provide Lincoln Public Schools grant funds in the amount of $40,000 to support these services.  This agreement will be renewed annually with actual amounts dependent on availability of funds.

The term of the agreement will be from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018.

A complete copy of the proposed agreement is available in the purchasing office.  The Board, by approving this agreement with the above named entity, hereby designates the Director of Federal Programs 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.

Proposal
It is recommended that the grant agreement be entered into between Lincoln Public Schools and United Way of Lincoln Lancaster County (UWLLC) to provide grant funding to Lincoln Public Schools for services provided at any of the current 26 Community Learning Center School sites.

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Rationale:  May 24:  Bryan Community Graduation, 7:00 pm, East High
May 27:
Southeast High School Graduation, 12:00 pm, PBA
Lincoln High School Graduation, 1:30 pm, Devaney Center
Northeast High School Graduation, 3:00 pm, PBA
Southwest High School Graduation, 4:30 pm, Devaney Center
East High Graduation, 6:00 pm, PBA
North Star High School Graduation, 7:30 pm, Devaney Center
June 12:
Board Public Forum - Budget, 5:00 pm, LPSDO
Board Meeting, 6:00 pm, LPSDO
 

Rationale: 

In keeping with Board Policy 8420:

1. Persons speaking during Public Comment will be called forward individually by the Board Chair to the location identified for such purpose. 
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Persons wishing to appear will be heard in the order in which the Chair of the meeting determines appropriate.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.

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.