June 11, 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: 

Nancy Childs has been honored by the National Art Education Association as the 2013 Art Educator of the Year for Supervision and Administration in the Western Region.  Childs was honored for her quality art education standards and for increasing public awareness of the importance of art education.

Explanation
Nancy Childs is the curriculum specialist for Visual Arts.  As part of her responsibilities in that position, Childs helps teachers understand new national and state standards and aids them in recognizing how they blend with their current teaching techniques and styles.  Her work with state and national organizations demonstrates a willingness to share and receive high quality knowledge of best practices in art education.  Childs said this requires her to keep appraised of current trends in education so that she can keep art teachers current in their conversations and in their classrooms.

Childs works under the motto of “making the world a safe place for art” and believes that the creative process is useful to students when they are in visual art classes but also in mathematics, science or language arts, and in their lives outside of school.

In addition to her work at LPS, Childs’ impact on the art scene in the community revolves around partnerships she has formed.  Students and staff visit Sheldon Museum of Art, enter art contests, and hold art shows in their schools.  They also share artwork with the community, including student exhibits at the Lincoln Children’s Museum where large pieces of artwork from each elementary school add color and vibrancy to another children’s venue. Under her leadership, student and staff works of art will be placed prominently in the new District Office for Lincoln Public Schools.

Childs believes that a life of visual expression and a connection between fine arts and problem solving must begin early in life.

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

WHEREAS, Nancy Childs, curriculum specialist for Visual Art has been honored as the 2013 Art Educator of the Year by the National Art Education Association’s Western Region Supervision and Administration, and

WHEREAS, Nancy Childs has worked tirelessly to keep visual art at the forefront of the educational process because of its impact on problem solving and creativity, and

WHEREAS, Nancy Childs has cultivated community partnerships where artwork from students and staff of LPS is exhibited and shared throughout the city and nation, and

WHEREAS, Nancy Childs recognizes the impact of art not only in the sense of learning but in the journey of discovery.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Lincoln Board of Education does hereby congratulate Nancy Childs as the 2013 Art Educator of the Year by the National Art Education Association’s Western Region Supervision and Administration.

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: 

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 June 11, 2013, were previously provided.

       Federal Tax ACH Deposit of $4,943,440.88.

       Procurement Card ACH Transfer of $114,911.83.

       Office Depot ACH Transfer of $49,839.91.

       Vendor ACH Transfer of $3,920.82.

b.    PAYROLL FOR RATIFICATION – Payroll for the periods ending May 31, 2013, in the amount of $13,035,210.67.

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 sound amplification systems for Sheridan, West Lincoln, Prescott, Kloefkorn, and Clinton elementary schools; refrigerated, frozen, and shelf-stable food, and Frito-Lay products for all cafeterias for the 2013-14 school year; AP Exam Program for student testing at East and Southeast high schools; computer tables for training rooms at the new district office; furniture for training rooms, conference rooms, reception areas, and the board room at the new district office; a permanent electric utility easement at Goodrich Middle School; an agreement with Ozanam/BIST; an agreement with Travel With Barb, Inc. for travel services for North Star music students traveling to California; an agreement with DirSec Inc. for web filtering solution; 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 June 11, 2013.

b.    Payroll for the periods ending May 31, 2013.

c.    Gifts for North Star, Northeast, Saratoga, Sheridan, and West Lincoln.

e.    Bids/contracts/other routine business for sound amplification systems for Sheridan, West Lincoln, Prescott, Kloefkorn, and Clinton elementary schools; refrigerated, frozen, and shelf-stable food, and Frito-Lay products for all cafeterias for the 2013-14 school year; AP Exam Program for student testing at East and Southeast high schools; computer tables for training rooms at the new district office; furniture for training rooms, conference rooms, reception areas, and the board room at the new district office; a permanent electric utility easement at Goodrich Middle School; an agreement with Ozanam/BIST; an agreement with Travel With Barb, Inc. for travel services for North Star music students traveling to California; an agreement with DirSec Inc. for web filtering solution; 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 February 12, 2013, the Board adopted a resolution to accept option students for the 2013-14 school year.  Applications have been received from students requesting that they be accepted as option students for the 2013-14 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 February 12, 2013.

Explanation
Staff has 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 12, 2013.  Staff recommends approval of this application.

Proposal
That the Board adopt the following resolution:

WHEREAS the student who has been assigned student number 289121 (for purposes of confidentiality, an assigned number is being used) meets one of the criteria of the Board resolution of February 12, 2013, 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:  March 15, 2013, 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 2013-14 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
Requests from students who reside in the Lincoln Public Schools District and wish to attend school outside of the Lincoln Public Schools District have been received after the March 15, 2013, deadline.  The Lincoln Public Schools Board of Education may deny or approve these requests.  If these requests are approved by the Board of Education, they will be forwarded to the option school district for their approval.

                               Student Number                              Option District
                                    206530                                             Norris

 

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:  Lincoln Public Schools offers family literacy programs throughout the district, and is applying for a Dillon Foundation grant to provide additional funding to expand family literacy services. The Family Literacy model includes the following four components:

• Adult Education Instruction
• Children's Education
• Parent and Child Together Time (PACT)
• Parenting Classes

These services are provided at a variety of elementary schools in the district to 15-20 families at each location. The parents commit to participating in at least 12 hours each week in support of their family literacy development.

Explanation
The overarching goal of the Family Literacy Program is to help participating families reach their full potential. These grants will support family literacy services provided to targeted English learning families whose students have been identified through an assessment process. High standards for attendance and performance in the courses are maintained for participating families. 

1) Provide quality adult ESL classes.

2) Host effective family/school/community education classes and events. 

3) Bring adults and children together during Parent and Child Together Time PACT.

4) Teach student literacy through a viable district curriculum. 

The request to the Dillon Foundation is in addition to the previous requests made and approved by the Board of Education.

Proposal
That the Board discuss submission of the Dillon Foundation grant application for the Family Literacy proposal for $10,000 for one year. This program has no cost sharing or match, and has an open deadline for submission.

Rationale: 

In the Fall of 2011, the Lincoln Public Schools Board of Education established strategic goals that included the objective to increase the on-time graduation rate by three percent by the year 2016.  In the furtherance of this goal, during its strategic planning in June of 2012, the Board adopted a 2012-13 priority for Superintendent Steve Joel to complete the research and develop a recommendation for the career and technical high school.  Career and Technical High Schools that adopt certain well-researched strategies have been successful in increasing graduation rates and other academic indicators for decades.  The research and recommendation centers around determining which of the most effective strategies would be the right match for the Lincoln Public Schools in meeting its strategic goals.

Explanation
Research on effective career and technical high schools indicates that only those high schools that utilized effective researched-based practices, were closely aligned with a post-secondary institution, and partnered with local business and industry have demonstrated the types of positive impact that are being sought.

A team consisting of LPS staff, SCC staff, Nebraska Department of Career Education staff, and representatives of local business and industry has collaboratively investigated the potential of a career and technical high school in Lincoln. 

During this investigation, this team of individuals under the coordination of LPS staff took part in the following inquiries:

• Read Educational Research Regarding Best Practices in Career Centers
• Conducted Site Investigations
• Facilitated Meetings among LPS, SCC and other post-secondary Teachers
• Held Input Sessions with Business and Industry Leaders
• Met with Teachers, Counselors, Administrators
• Provided Information Sessions for Parent Groups, Parents, and Students

After the information about best practice was collected, the team determined how the best practices could be implemented in Lincoln and if the potential positive impacts that were seen in other programs were likely to be experienced in Lincoln.

To this end, draft copies of the following studies are included with this recommendation:

• Financial Impact of Program Start-Up and Maintenance
• Programming Outline for Career Guidance and Career Education
• Interlocal Agreement with SCC

 The potential positive impacts could include:

• Higher Graduation Rate
• Higher Grade Point Averages of Students
• Higher Post-Secondary Attendance Rate
• Higher Rate of Completing Post-secondary Degrees in both 2 year and 4 year Institutions
• Greater Engagement with the Community
• Greater Access to Career Programs
• More High School Students Earning College Credits While in High School
• More College Credits being Earned by High School Students
• More Opportunities for Advanced Study in Career Areas
• More Efficient Use of Facilities

Based on the information collected and the determination of staff about our ability and capacity to implement a high-quality Career Center in Lincoln, staff recommends that the Board approve the district’s commitment to a Career and Technical High School and approve staff continuing its development.

Proposal

That the Board discuss the proposed Career and Technical High School.  This item is scheduled to return for recommended action on July 23, 2013.

Rationale:  Each spring a transportation plan is prepared for the following school year.  District Policy 3710 is reviewed and recommendations for operational changes are solicited from individual school buildings and various departments.  Schedules are prepared and a summary of needs is balanced against staff and equipment available to the district.  Each year a review of all routes for the current year are reconsidered.

Explanation
The Lincoln Public Schools Transportation Department will transport only those students that qualify under provisions of state law, including:

1.    Elementary and middle school students residing over four miles from the school in their attendance area within which they reside.

2.    Special education students whose individual education plan (IEP) require transportation as essential to learning.

3.    Students that have been moved for the benefit of the district in instances to relieve overcrowding, major facility renovations, and efficiency in use of buildings and/or staff.  

In addition, the Board, at its discretion, may approve other transportation areas based upon unique circumstances and for the purpose of equalizing school enrollments and facilitating programs.

Attachment One is a tentative listing of all routes recommended for the 2013-14 school year.  Attachment Two details the recommended elimination of bus routes.

Proposal
That the Board discuss the 2013-14 transportation plan, including proposed reductions.

Rationale:  The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) contains numerous mandates for employers.  Many significant mandates concerning employer responsibilities for the provision of adequate, affordable health insurance for full-time employees are effective January 1, 2014.

Rationale:  Tuesday, June 18: 6:00 p.m., Budget Work Session @ Hawthorne Building
Tuesday, June 25: 5:00 p.m., Budget Forum @ County-City Building
Tuesday, June 25: 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.