Public Meeting Agenda: October 8, 2019 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

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.

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. The Lincoln Board of Education shall also make available for examination and copying as requested by members of the public, at least one copy of all reproducible written materials to be discussed at the meeting.

2. CALL TO ORDER

3. ROLL CALL

4. ANNOUNCE OPEN MEETING ACT POSTING AND LOCATION

5. 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.

Attachments: (1)

minutes -9-24 Board Meeting

10/7/2019 at 8:09 AM

6. SPECIAL REPORTS, PRESENTATIONS AND CELEBRATIONS OF SUCCESS

6.1. Staff Celebration: School Social Work Association of Nebraska Names Carrie Erks the 2019 Nebraska School Social Worker of the Year

Rationale:

The School Social Work Association of Nebraska was established nearly 30 years ago, with the mission to promote professional excellence among school social workers in an effort to enhance the well-being of students, families and community within the state’s educational system. Every year the organization recognizes a School Social Worker of the Year. Carrie Erks from Lincoln Public Schools has been awarded that honor for 2019. School social workers are licensed mental health practitioners who connect students and families to school and community resources in an effort to help students overcome barriers to success. Among her many accomplishments, Erks has led the effort to institute the Second Step curriculum, which teaches social-emotional learning to LPS students in grades kindergarten through seventh grade

EXPLANATION:

The School Social Work Association of Nebraska has named Carrie Erks from Lincoln Public Schools the 2019 School Social Worker of the Year for Nebraska.

Brenda Leggiadro, LPS counseling and school social work supervisor, said this about Erks in a nomination letter for the award:

"As a leader of the school social work team, Carrie provides a powerful voice for her colleagues and for the profession as she models collaboration with counselors, psychologists and nurses to address student needs and help families thrive."

Gabby Danner, a school social worker at the LPS Bryan Community Focus Program, had this to say about Erks:

"She is a beacon of hope both professionally and personally. Carrie emits warmth and genuine empathy for those she encounters. She strives to use her social work skills to make the lives of those she interacts with better."

7. PUBLIC COMMENT

Rationale:

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 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.

8. CONSENT AGENDA

Rationale:

8.1. 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:

a. Certificated Employees:
Elections - 1
Separations - 4

b. Substitute Certificated Employees:
Elections - 18

c. Classified Employees:
Elections - 46
Change of Status - 5
Separations - 15

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.

8.2. 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 October 8, 2019, were previously provided.

                Federal Tax ACH Deposit of $99,927.52.

                Child Support ACH Transfer of $496.36.

                Term Life/Disability ACH Transfer of $198,117.51.

                Vendor ACH Transfer of $73,363.65.

b. PAYROLL FOR RATIFICATION - Payroll for the period ending September 13, 2019, in the amount of $229.248.95.

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 new vehicles and equipment; the purchase of robotics kits; and agreement for provisional counsel; amendments to lease agreements; continuation of the Eagle Feather Program; 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 October 8, 2019.

b. Payroll for the period ending September 13, 2019.

c. Gifts for Northeast.

d. Bids/contracts/other routine business for the purchase of new vehicles and equipment; the purchase of robotics kits; and agreement for provisional counsel; amendments to lease agreements; continuation of the Eagle Feather Program; items listed for auction; and any other bids/contracts/routine business as presented.

Attachments: (1)

10-8 Gifts & Bids

10/2/2019 at 1:28 PM

8.3. 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
Requests from students who reside in the district of Lincoln Public Schools and wish to attend school outside of Lincoln Public Schools have been received after the March 15, 2019, deadline. The Lincoln Board of Education may deny or approve these requests. If the requests are approved by the Board of Education, they will be forwarded to the option school districts for their approval.

Student Number Option District
272281 Lewiston Consolidated Schools

That the Board approve the requests for option out for the 2019-20 school year.
Proposal
That the Board approves the requests for option out for the 2019-20 school year.

9. 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.

9.1. From Board Committees

9.1.1. Legislative Guidelines

Rationale:

Each year, various federal, state, and local governmental bodies will consider legislative and administrative actions that will have an impact on Lincoln Public Schools.

EXPLANATION:
In order to communicate the positions of the Board of Education, the Board approves Legislative Guidelines that provide guidance to district staff and representatives communicating with governmental bodies.

Even though the work of ESU 18, which is essential to the District efforts to achieve the Board's purpose and strategic goals, is captured in Legislative Guideline #6, it is important to make it clear the Board should communicate its support of ESU 18 and the statewide network of ESU's to the legislature and other governmental entities.

Attachments: (1)

2019-20 GR Leg Guidelines(2)

10/3/2019 at 12:59 PM

9.1.2. Policy 1310 - Political Activity

Rationale:

Lincoln Public Schools reviews policies on an on-going basis and updates policies to ensure that their overall clarity and that accurately reflect the ever-changing work of the district

EXPLANATION:

Policies 1420 and 1310 both provide information on Board political activity. The contents of the two policies are closely related, so merging the two policies will make it less likely that individuals looking for insight into this area of Board work will read one of the policies, but miss the other. Regulations under Policy 1420 will become regulations of Policy 1310.

Attachments: (1)

20191008 Policy 1310 & 1420 1ST Reading Rev2

10/8/2019 at 12:24 PM

9.2. From the Superintendent

10. SECOND READING, RECOMMENDED FOR ACTION

10.1. From Board Committees

10.2. From the Superintendent

11. EXPEDITED/EMERGENCY ACTIONS

12. ITEM(S) REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA

13. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS/REPORTS

13.1. From Board Committees

13.2. From The Career Academy

13.3. From the Superintendent

13.3.1. Superintendent Update

14. ANNOUNCEMENTS OF UPCOMING EVENTS FOR THE BOARD

Rationale: October 15: LPS Learning Lunch, 12:00 pm, LPSDO
October 17-18: Quarter Break, No School All Levels
October 21: No Elementary School
October 22:
Board Work Session, 4:30 pm, LPSDO
Board Meeting, 6:00 pm, LPSDO

15. PUBLIC COMMENT

Rationale:

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 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.

16. 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
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.

16.1. 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.

PROPOSAL:

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.

17. ADJOURNMENT

October 8, 2019 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

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