August 13, 2019 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting
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1. LPS BOARD OF EDUCATION INFORMATION
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. |
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2. CALL TO ORDER
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3. ROLL CALL
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4. ANNOUNCE OPEN MEETING ACT POSTING AND LOCATION
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5. PUBLIC HEARING ON 2019-20 PROPOSED BUDGET
Rationale:
This public hearing is conducted under the provisions of the Nebraska Budget Act and other Nebraska laws. The purpose of this hearing is to receive input regarding the proposed budget for the 2019-20 school fiscal year. The input received in this hearing will be taken into consideration by the Board when it takes action on the proposed budget.
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6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
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.
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7. SPECIAL REPORTS, PRESENTATIONS AND CELEBRATIONS OF SUCCESS
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7.1. Staff Celebration: TeamMates Mentoring Program of Lincoln Wins the 2019 Pillar of Achievement Award
Rationale:
The TeamMates Mentoring Program of Lincoln has been honored with the 2019 Pillar of Achievement award. The TeamMates Mentoring Program bestows this award to a chapter that has demonstrated a commitment to helping high school senior mentees pursue and earn scholarships for post-secondary education and training. This past year alone, TeamMates Mentoring Program of Lincoln fundraised and awarded $27,500 in scholarships to thirty-four senior mentees. Coordinator, Jim Bennett, and his staff commit every year to meet with each senior individually to supply information and help them plan their post-secondary future.
EXPLANATION: TeamMates Mentoring Program of Lincoln has been honored with the 2019 Pillar of Achievement Award. The TeamMates Mentoring Program bestows this award to a chapter that has demonstrated a commitment to helping high school senior mentees pursue and earn scholarships for post-secondary education and training. John Neal, Lincoln Public Schools Assistant Superintendent for Governmental Affairs and General Administration, had this to say about the honor: "What many people don't realize, and what is a crucial part of this award's recognition, is that the TeamMates Mentoring Program of Lincoln assists students in their journey through elementary, middle and high school, preparing them for their post-secondary life. TeamMates of Lincoln continues that support to ensure that youth experience smooth transitions across that bridge to their post-secondary life. Its dedicated staff does this through post-secondary planning and follow-up, the TeamMates Plus program and post-secondary scholarships." |
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8. PUBLIC COMMENT
Rationale:
In keeping with Board Policy 8420:
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9. CONSENT AGENDA
Rationale:
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9.1. Human Resources Matters
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: |
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9.2. Routine Business
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 period ending August 13, 2019, were previously provided. Federal Tax ACH Deposit of $5,881,076.30. Procurement Card ACH Transfer of $226,259.16. Child Support ACH Transfer of $17,355.38. Office Depot ACH Transfer of $39,626.15. Blue Cross/Blue Shield ACH Transfer of $5,174,907.98. Vendor ACH Transfer of $146,152.53. b. PAYROLL FOR RATIFICATION - Payroll for the period ending July 31, 2019, in the amount of $16,498,818.17. 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 the purchase of filters; Early Childhood supplies; show choir costumes; USB-C connectivity adapters; the publication of "Community News"; an agreement for mental health services; agreements for family literacy; items listed for auction; 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 period ending August 13, 2019. b. Payroll for the period ending July 31, 2019.
c. Gifts for Southeast.
d. Bids/contracts/other routine business for the purchase of filters; Early Childhood supplies; show choir costumes; USB-C connectivity adapters; the publication of "Community News"; an agreement for mental health services; agreements for family literacy; items listed for auction; and any other bids/contracts/routine business as presented.
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9.3. Option Enrollment Student Applications for 2019-20
Rationale:
On March 26, 2019, the Board adopted a resolution to accept option enrollment students for the 2019-20 school year. Applications for enrollment during the 2019-20 school year have been received and are in compliance with the Board resolution of March 26, 2019. Explanation
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9.4. Late Requests for Enrollment Option Out 2019-20
Rationale:
March 15, 2019, 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 Student Number Option District |
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10. FIRST READING, ACTION AT NEXT MEETING
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.
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10.1. Superintendent Evaluation Policies and Procedures
Rationale:
Annually, the Board prepare an evaluation of the Superintendent. The evaluation appraisal instrument is periodically reviewed and modified to current practice. The Superintendent’s appraisal instrument has been updated and recommended for Board approval.
Explanation: Nebraska law and LPS policy require that the Board of Education of the Lincoln Public Schools evaluate its Superintendent of Schools each year. Completed evaluations are confidential reports that are placed in and a part of the Superintendent’s personnel file. Section 79-8,109.
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10.2. From Board Committees
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10.2.1. 2019-20 Lincoln Public Schools Budget Adoption
Rationale:
The Board of Education held a public hearing on the 2019-20 budget on August 13, 2019.
Explanation Staff recommends that the Board review the budget statement (Attachment One) prepared in compliance with the Nebraska Budget Act, the Tax Equity and Educational Opportunities Support Act, State Law Sections 79-1081, 79-1085, 79-10,110 and 79-10,110.01 R.R.S. Neb., et. seq., and other Nebraska laws. After Board review, the following resolution will be presented for approval on August 27, 2019. RESOLVED by the Board of Education of Lancaster County School District 001:
$244,974,482 - To provide for the financing of all facets of services rendered by the school district, inclusive of operations and maintenance, and further known as the General Fund. $34,380,335 - To provide for payment of interest and the retirement of the school district’s unlimited tax general obligation bonds, further known as the Bond Fund. $2,355,524 - To provide for acquisition or improvement of sites and/or construction, alteration or improvement to facilities of the school district, further known as the Building Fund. $5,175,929 - All of the previously identified Qualified Capital Purpose Undertaking Fund projects have been completed, and as such, in full compliance with all prerequisites, approved itemized estimates, procedures and requirements as provided by Sections 79-10,110 R.R.S. Neb., et. seq. and other Nebraska laws, sometimes known as the Qualified Capital Purpose Undertaking Fund laws, to provide for the payment of principal and interest on bonds issued in accordance with such laws for (a) environmental hazard abatement and accessibility barrier elimination projects; (b) Qualified Zone Academy Bond projects; (c) American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 Academy Bond projects; and (d) building modifications to address life safety code violations, indoor air quality, and mold abatement/prevention.
Proposal
That the Board review and discuss the 2019-20 budget statement, itemized estimate, and resolution. Please note that the numbers presented are preliminary and subject to change before actual adoption.
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10.2.2. 2019-20 Insurance Rates
Rationale:
For 24 years, Risk Management has arranged for the district’s insurance coverage through an Owner Controlled Self-Insurance program. The advantages of self-insurance are: 1) lower premiums, 2) district holds funds [in the Insurance Fund] until needed to pay claims, 3) district legal counsel is involved in all lawsuits, 4) all claim settlements are approved by the district, 5) LPS staff and legal counsel are involved in claims from the beginning.
The LPS insurance broker, UNICO, provides Risk Management with a report comparing the estimated premium costs for standard insurance coverage to the actual Owner Controlled Protected Self-Insurance program costs and estimates a savings to the district of more than one million dollars per year in premium costs alone. Explanation: Risk Management annually solicits quotes for all property and all liability insurance coverage, as well as excess Workers’ Compensation insurance coverage, Boiler and Machinery insurance, and the third party claims handling service for property/liability through the Arthur J. Gallagher (AJG) Company and UNICO, the LPS insurance consulting and brokering firm. Proposal: That the Board review the 2019-20 insurance rates.
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10.3. From the Superintendent
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10.3.1. Computer Laptops for Certificated Staff #9768
Rationale:
The CLASS Technology Plan specifies a six-year lifecycle for the proposed computers wherein certificated staff use the computers for the first three years after which they are used an additional three years in middle and elementary school computer labs. The proposed purchase continues this CLASS Plan practice begun in 2016 thereby providing certificated staff with new computers, updating labs in all middle and elementary schools, and retiring six-year-old computers.
The six-year lifecycle of the proposed computers, as well as those they are replacing, is a documented expenditure in the CLASS Technology Plan aligned with Objectives 2, 4, and 5 of the Student Learning goal, and Objectives 1, 2, and 4 of the Resources for Teaching and Learning Goal. Explanation It is recommended that the Board award Apple Inc. (Cupertino, California) with the purchase of 3,900 Macbook Air computers (8th Generation 1.6Ghz Intel Dual-Core i5, 8GB RAM, 128GB Solid-State Drive). Intel-based Apple computers support both the Macintosh and Windows operating systems, allowing the district to maintain a single hardware platform while also providing teachers the opportunity to select the platform that best meets their productivity and instructional needs. This flexibility also allows the device to be moved from serving professional productivity needs to instructional program needs, each of which vary considerably. Cost summary:
This will be an expenditure of $3,642,600.00 from the General, Depreciation, and Special Grants Funds. Proposal That the Board approve this award. The Board, by approving these purchases, hereby designates the Chief Technology Officer or another person as selected by the Superintendent for Business Affairs or a designee from time to time as its program administrator under these purchase orders. |
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11. SECOND READING, RECOMMENDED FOR ACTION
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11.1. From Board Committees
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11.2. From the Superintendent
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12. EXPEDITED/EMERGENCY ACTIONS
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13. ITEM(S) REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA
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14. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS/REPORTS
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14.1. From Board Committees
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14.2. From The Career Academy
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14.3. From the Superintendent
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14.3.1. Superintendent Update
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15. ANNOUNCEMENTS OF UPCOMING EVENTS FOR THE BOARD
Rationale:
August 22: NASB Area Membership Meeting, 5:00 p.m., LaVista
August 27: LPS Board and ESU 18 Board Meeting, 6:00 p.m., LPSDO |
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16. PUBLIC COMMENT
Rationale:
In keeping with Board Policy 8420:
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17. REQUEST FOR CLOSED SESSION
Rationale:
The Lincoln Board of Education is authorized by state statute to hold a closed session by the affirmative vote of a majority of its voting members if a closed session is clearly necessary for the protection of the public interest or for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual. The subject matter and the reason necessitating the closed session are to be identified in the motion to close. Closed sessions may be held for, but shall not be limited to, such the subject matter and the reasons set forth in the Proposal section below.
Explanation |
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17.1. Request for Closed Session - Negotiations/Collective Bargaining, Property/Real Estate, Litigation, Security, Criminal Misconduct, Personnel, and Legal Advice Matters
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.
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. That the Board hold a closed session: 1. For strategy session with respect to negotiations/collective bargaining clearly necessary for the protection of the public interest or for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual in compliance with the law. 2. For strategy session with respect to property/real estate matters clearly necessary for the protection of the public interest or for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual in compliance with the law.
3. For strategy session with respect to pending litigation, or litigation which is imminent as evidenced by communication of a claim or threat of litigation to or by the public body clearly necessary for the protection of the public interest or for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual in compliance with the law.
4. For discussion regarding deployment of security personnel or devices clearly necessary for the protection of the public interest or for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual in compliance with the law.
5. For investigative proceedings regarding allegations of criminal misconduct clearly necessary for the protection of the public interest or for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual in compliance with the law.
6. For personnel and the evaluation of job performance clearly necessary for the protection of the public interest or for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual in compliance with the law.
7. For discussions of the legal consequences of specific action and legal advice clearly necessary for the protection of the public interest or for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual in compliance with the law. |
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18. ADJOURNMENT
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