January 22, 2013 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:  Bob Henrichs, Lincoln Southwest High School’s theatre director, has been inducted into the Educational Theatre Association Hall of Fame.  Henrichs has taught at Southwest since it opened 11 years ago.

Explanation
The Educational Theatre Association Hall of Fame Award recognizes individuals who have dedicated themselves to the cause of theatre education.

Bob Henrichs has been teaching for 21 years.  He has spent the last 11 years at Lincoln Southwest High School and the previous 2 years at Lincoln Southeast High School.  At Southwest he teaches theater and oral communications classes and has helped build a successful theater program.

Henrichs grew up with two teachers as parents and remembers playing the role of teacher throughout his youth.  He also credits Carol Scott, a teacher at Lincoln East High School, for inspiration to become a teacher.  He would later be Scott’s student teacher while finishing his college education.  Henrichs believes being an oral communications teacher gives him a chance to teach students a skill they will need throughout life:

“Most of them come to oral communications with lots of hesitation or fear of public speaking, so I take it as a personal and professional challenge to try to rid them of that fear, realize it isn't as scary at they thought, hopefully laugh and have fun along the way, so that they will be able to succeed in school, in their everyday life and their future, because the ability to effectively communicate is vital to their success!”

Henrichs is active in the community theater scene, showing a commitment to developing his own abilities as a director, actor, and teacher.  Southwest principal, Rob Slauson, said Henrichs is invested in the success of his own team as much as he is in his own personal success.

“Bob Henrichs sets very high standards.  He has a focus and a commitment that is at the highest level I have seen over my career of 25 years.  Bob is an outstanding educator who takes his work very seriously.  He gets to know students personally and uses his relationship as a tool to take students to a higher level of learning.”

Henrichs notes that one of his former students is now a dentist who, according to the dentist, uses his acting skills every day in his profession.  That goes to show that Henrichs’ belief that the stage is the school’s largest classroom is important no matter what profession the student pursues.

“No matter what they are interested in doing in the future, their ability to communicate, express themselves, be an active listener is so important.  And moreover, it is their ability to be supportive of people who might seem different than them, their ability to adapt and positively work will all kinds of people, and value the talents of everyone that is vital in today's and tomorrow's society.”

Proposal
That the Lincoln Board of Education adopt the following resolution:
 

WHEREAS, Bob Henrichs has been inducted into the Educational Theatre  
Association's Hall of Fame; and,
 

WHEREAS, Henrichs sets high standards for students in his communications and theater classes with an emphasis on developing valuable skills applicable for any  
future profession; and,
 

WHEREAS, Henrichs has earned the respect of his peers and supervisors who appreciate his willingness to nurture students in order to bring out their best efforts; and,

WHEREAS, Henrichs has helped Southwest develop a sense of school spirit and identity through a strong theater program well known for its commitment to high  
quality performances.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Lincoln Board of Education does hereby congratulate Bob Henrichs for being inducted into the Educational Theatre Association’s Hall of Fame and inspiring students to develop critical communications and life skills.

Rationale:  In keeping with Policy 8420, 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.

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.

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 periods ending January 22, 2013, were previously provided.

       Federal Tax ACH Deposit of $12,274.14.

       State Income Tax ACH Deposit of $706,729.33.

       Insurance ACH Transfer of $584.72.

       Retirement ACH Transfer of $4,023,117.90.

       Procurement Card ACH Transfer of $44,721.07.

       Office Depot ACH Transfer of $4,966.15.

       Vendor ACH Transfer of $353.61.

b.    PAYROLL FOR RATIFICATION – Payroll for the periods ending January 15, 2013, in the amount of $114,189.69.

c.    BIDS/CONTRACTS/OTHER ROUTINE BUSINESS – Bids/contracts/other routine business will be presented for approval for Southeast High School chiller replacement; PLAN test materials; psychology textbooks; 47-passenger school buses; wheelchair school bus; office furniture for new district office building; amendment to cell tower lease agreement with STC Five, LLC; external auditing services contract extension; termination of Lincoln Public Schools Employees Retirement Plan; 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 periods ending January 22, 2013.

b.    Payroll for the period ending January 15, 2013.

c.    Bids/contracts/other routine business for Southeast High School chiller replacement; PLAN test materials; psychology textbooks; 47-passenger school buses; wheelchair school bus; office furniture for new district office building; amendment to cell tower lease agreement with STC Five, LLC; external auditing services contract extension; termination of Lincoln Public Schools Employees Retirement Plan; and any other bids/contracts/routine business as presented.

*That the Board is approving routine business and the listed bids and contracts with the information and in the form as presented, and except as to amount bid or total contract price, in such other form as may be approved by the Associate Superintendent for Business Affairs, or his designee, and that the Board hereby authorizes the Associate Superintendent for Business Affairs, or his designee, 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 the transaction as contemplated, for and on behalf of this school district.

Rationale:  On January 24, 2012, the Board adopted a resolution to accept option students for the 2012-13 school year.  Applications have been received from students requesting that they be accepted as option students for the 2012-13 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 January 24, 2012.

Explanation
Staff has examined the application of the student included in this proposal.  The student meets the criteria set forth by the Board in its resolution of January 24, 2012.  Staff recommends approval of this application.

Proposal
That the Board adopt the following resolution:

WHEREAS the student who has been assigned student numbers 253482 (for purposes of confidentiality, an assigned number is being used) meet one of the criteria of the Board resolution of January 24, 2012, 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
In the process of attempting to influence legislation, there are occasions when it is not possible to survey the Legislative Committee of the Board for specific guidance on a particular piece of legislation.  In order for the lobbyist to be most effective, it is recommended that the attached guidelines be adopted so that the representation of Lincoln Public Schools is not hindered.  Whenever possible, the lobbyist will seek direction from the Board prior to engaging in lobbying activities on a given piece of legislation.
That the Board approve the legislative guidelines.

Rationale:  Partnerships for Innovation (PFI) is a unique statewide consortium in Nebraska created to meet the requirements of the 2006 Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act. The Partnerships for Innovation is a collaboration of Nebraska secondary and postsecondary partners focused on building a better statewide system of Career and Technical Education (CTE) to improve student learning and better meet economic development priorities. PFI will do this by introducing innovation in CTE delivery systems to include career academies, professional development, and programs of study with coordinated curriculum between secondary and post-secondary education providers.

Board members discussed this grant application at their January 8, 2013, meeting.

Explanation
Lincoln Public Schools and Southeast Community College would make application for Partnerships for Innovation (PFI) grant funds to address some of the communication and collaboration needs for the regional Capital Career Center. Applications are due January 31 for the grant period of July 1, 2013 through December 31, 2014. No matching funds are required.

Grant funds would be requested to support the following goals of the Capital Career Center that align with the mission and goals of Partnerships for Innovation:

1. Develop regional agreements that create synergy for all partners and effectively implement regional programs and initiatives.
2. Provide professional development for faculty and staff to improve the quality of career education curriculum and to provide training resources that enhance the quality and availability of Career and Technical courses for area students.
3. Provide opportunities for collaboration between secondary and post-secondary programs.
4. Establish communications and marketing materials to serve the regional area in recruitment of students, information about the Capital Career Center, and to establish regional business partnership support.

A single application would be submitted jointly by Lincoln Public Schools and Southeast Community College for approximately $30,000.

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 December 31, 2012, is attached.

Proposal
Information item; no Board action required.

Rationale:  January 30 - 11:30 a.m., Chamber Annual Luncheon at Cornhusker Hotel

February 6 - 8:00 a.m., Chamber Coffee at Chamber Office

February 12 - 5:00 p.m., Board Work Session at City-County Bldg.
                       6:00 p.m., Board Meeting

Rationale:  In keeping with Policy 8420, 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.

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.