March 25, 2014 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: 

Explanation
In 2013, two Lincoln Public Schools teachers received National Board for Professional Teaching Standards National Board Certification.  Those teachers are:

Alicia K. Davis, a mathematics teacher at Scott Middle School, was certified in Mathematics.

Katie M. Soto, a mathematics teacher at Lincoln Southeast High School, was certified in Mathematics.

Through National Board Certification, Alicia K. Davis and Katie M. Soto have the opportunity to gauge their skills and knowledge against objective and rigorous, peer-developed standards.

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

WHEREAS, Alicia K. Davis and Katie M. Soto have attained National Board Certification by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards; and

WHEREAS, Alicia K. Davis and Katie M. Soto have demonstrated professional skills, knowledge, and accomplishments.   The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards has recognized their highly accomplished practices; and

WHEREAS, Alicia K. Davis and Katie M. Soto have been judged by their peers as teachers who have met high and rigorous professional standards demonstrating the ability, in a variety of settings, to make sound professional judgments about students’ best interest and to act effectively on those judgments.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Lincoln Board of Education does hereby congratulate Alicia K. Davis and Katie M. Soto on National Board Certification by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, and does hereby thank them for their dedication to professional excellence.

 

Rationale: 

Troy Baker has been named the Nebraska School Psychologist of the Year by the Nebraska School Psychologists Association.  Baker is a psychologist at Cavett Elementary School and Pound Middle School, as well as a data coordinator for psychologists in LPS.

Explanation
Troy Baker spends his days at Lincoln Public Schools as a psychologist at Cavett Elementary School and Pound Middle School and as a data coordinator for psychologists in LPS, making school even better for a wide range of students.  He evaluates students for the gifted and special education programs, meets with parents to discuss their child’s progress, helps other school psychologists and works with teachers, staff and administrators throughout the school district.

Recently, Troy Baker was named the Nebraska School Psychologist of the Year by the Nebraska School Psychologists Association.

Baker has seen a lot of changes in the years he has served LPS, most noticeably in the targeted interventions and progress monitoring assessments.

“Instead of testing students after they have failed and fallen behind, we now focus on identifying at-risk students earlier and matching them with good intervention that works.  I love that we have moved towards a model that provides students help earlier.”

School psychologists are being utilized more often in schools for assistance with mental health and behavioral issues, Baker said.  He also helps teachers improve classroom behavior by creating opportunities for students to learn from and engage in activities and earn positive rewards for their efforts.  He hopes to see the emphasis continue for identifying and intervening with students who need the assistance.

Baker explained that he sees himself as part of a team that is providing help for students earlier, before it disrupts the classroom and the student’s academic progress.  In fact, Baker was nominated by a co-worker who noted his colleague’s work ethic and professionalism.  Baker is appreciative to his team for committing to their passion for helping all students succeed.

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

WHEREAS, Troy Baker has been named the Nebraska School Psychologist of the Year by the Nebraska School Psychologists Association; and

WHEREAS, Troy Baker serves as a psychologist at Cavett Elementary School and Pound Middle School, and as a data coordinator for psychologists in LPS; and

WHEREAS, Troy Baker has been recognized by his peers in Lincoln Public Schools and across the state for his commitment to education; and

WHEREAS, Troy Baker has played a leading role in LPS with his commitment to early, targeted intervention by identifying a student’s needs, by evaluating students for the gifted and special education programs, as well as being utilized more often for assistance with mental health and behavioral issues; and

WHEREAS, Troy Baker helps teachers improve classroom behavior by creating opportunities for students to learn from and engage in activities and thus earn positive rewards; and

WHEREAS, Troy Baker improves the lives of his students, his co-workers, and teachers throughout the community.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Lincoln Board of Education does hereby congratulate Troy Baker for being named the Nebraska School Psychologist of the Yea

Rationale: 

Karen Saunders has received the Nebraska State Reading Association's Distinguished Educator of Reading Award.  Karen was nominated by the Eastern Nebraska Reading Council.  The award recognizes people who have made an impact on literacy in their classroom school and community.

Explanation
Karen Saunders, Curriculum Specialist for Elementary Reading and Language Arts, has focused her professional career on improving the teaching of reading to our community’s children. 

Her passion surfaced long ago, when she first struggled to help a third-grade student learn to read.  Undoubtedly, Saunders has now helped thousands of students across the city learn to read, learn to read better, and learn to read at higher levels.

Saunders said:

“When struggling readers, who may learn differently, discover how to unlock the code, they not only experience the excitement of accomplishment after much hard work, they also have new positive feelings about school in general and about themselves as learners.  They have a new resilience that, when nurtured, will allow them to keep growing as readers and learners.”

Recently, Saunders was awarded the Nebraska State Reading Association's Distinguished Educator of Reading Award – nominated by the Eastern Nebraska Reading Council – and recognized for making an impact on literacy in LPS classrooms and schools, as well as the Lincoln community.

Saunders has seen many changes in reading curriculum as a teacher and administrator. She said students are being asked to read text for meaning and use that text to defend their responses.

She believes that through reading, students develop their ideas and those of others, then contribute to a larger conversation that enables young people to better understand all academic subjects. 

This happens at home too, Saunders said.  Encouraging families to make reading a habit to enjoy the benefits of both fiction and non-fiction texts.  When reading is valued at home and school, she said, it lifts students to a new level of comprehension and opens their minds to new ideas and possibilities.

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

WHEREAS, Karen Saunders has received the Nebraska State Reading Association's Distinguished Educator of Reading Award from the Eastern Nebraska Reading Council; and

WHEREAS, Karen Saunders was recognized for making an impact on literacy in LPS classrooms and schools as well as the Lincoln community; and

WHEREAS, Karen Saunders has been recognized by her peers across the state as a highly successful educator in reading skills; and

WHEREAS, Karen Saunders has a passion and belief that in providing all students with the skills for and the love of reading – educators give young people a new resilience that, when nurtured, allows them to keep growing as readers and learners; and

WHEREAS, Karen Saunders challenges students to look beyond the text and understand the meaning of an author’s words, which promotes critical thinking and exposes students to new ideas; and

WHEREAS, Karen Saunders understands the value of reading comprehension for students at all ages, and works with teachers to prepare well-rounded students for an array of career opportunities where reading and critical thinking are essential.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Lincoln Board of Education does hereby congratulate Karen Saunders for having received the Nebraska State Reading Association’s Distinguished Educator of Reading Award

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.

Explanation
This report includes routine Human Resources Changes:
   a.  Administrator Certificated Employees:
             Separations – 1
   b.  Certificated Employees:
             Elections – 16
             Leaves of Absence – 36
             Re-Elections Same Assignment – 2
             Re-Elections New Assignment – 4
             Changes of Status – 3
             Separations – 53
   c.  Substitute Certificated Employees:
             Elections – 37
             Changes of Status – 1
             Separations – 10
   d.  Classified Employees:
             Elections – 42
             Changes of Status – 3
             Leaves of Absence – 12
             Separations – 47
   e.  Board Resolution regarding recognition Custodial Employees Association as the official bargaining agent for 2014-2015.
   f.  Approval of recommended agreement with Gallup Inc. to subscribe to TeacherInsight, PrincipalInsight and SupportInsight.
   g.  Approval of recommended adjustment to pay rate for head clinicians at summer camps.

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 her designee, and that the Board hereby authorizes the Associate Superintendent for Human Resources, or her 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.

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 March 25, 2014, were previously provided.                         
     Federal Tax ACH Deposit of $5,053,763.98.                
     State Tax ACH Deposit of $674,708.78.                
     Procurement Card ACH Transfer of $149,780.18.                
     Office Depot ACH Transfer of $55,404.32.                
     Vendor ACH Transfer of $44,025.40. 

b.  PAYROLL FOR RATIFICATION – Payroll for the periods ending February 28, March 6, and March 14, 2014, in the amount of $13,421,889.10. 

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 individual sound amplification units for use at Huntington Elementary School; the purchase of laptop computers for Park Middle School; the purchase of Cisco IP phones for replacement at fourteen school locations; the purchase of classroom furniture, as needed; the purchase of four-camera security systems for 113 buses, including installation and maintenance; the purchase and installation of outdoor bleachers at the track/football athletic facility and interior bleachers in the pool facility at Northeast High School; the purchase and installation of new bleachers in the Northeast High School and East High School gyms; the purchase of the PowerKnowledge Science Suite for use by all students, grades 6 – 8, during the 2014-15 school year; the purchase of a variety of classroom calculators to provide for annual requests at all school locations; the purchase of music equipment and supplies to provide for annual requests at all school locations for the 2014-15 school year; the purchase of small equipment for Nutrition Services kitchens and high school Family and Consumer Science classrooms; a contract to furnish all labor, materials, and equipment for Site/Utility/Paving work on the joint career academy project; an amendment to the agreement with the Clyde Malone Community Center for CLC services; an agreement for the design of replacement windows at Saratoga Elementary School; authorization for the auction sale of district surplus inventory; 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 March 25, 2014.  

b.  Payroll for the periods ending February 28, March 6, March 14, 2014.  

c.  Gifts for Holmes Elementary, Morley Elementary, Northeast High School, Roper Elementary, and the district.  

d.  Bids/contracts/other routine business for the purchase of individual sound amplification units for use at Huntington Elementary School; the purchase of laptop computers for Park Middle School; the purchase of Cisco IP phones for replacement at fourteen school locations; the purchase of classroom furniture, as needed; the purchase of four-camera security systems for 113 buses, including installation and maintenance; the purchase and installation of outdoor bleachers at the track/football athletic facility and interior bleachers in the pool facility at Northeast High School; the purchase and installation of new bleachers in the Northeast High School and East High School gyms; the purchase of the PowerKnowledge Science Suite for use by all students, grades 6 – 8, during the 2014-15 school year; the purchase of a variety of classroom calculators to provide for annual requests at all school locations; the purchase of music equipment and supplies to provide for annual requests at all school locations for the 2014-15 school year; the purchase of small equipment for Nutrition Services kitchens and high school Family and Consumer Science classrooms; a contract to furnish all labor, materials, and equipment for Site/Utility/Paving work on the joint career academy project; an amendment to the agreement with the Clyde Malone Community Center for CLC services; an agreement for the design of replacement windows at Saratoga Elementary School; authorization for the auction sale of district surplus inventory; and any other bids/contracts/routine business as presented.

Rationale:  On February 25, 2014, the Board adopted a resolution to accept option students for the 2014-15 school year.  Applications have been received from students requesting that they be accepted as option students for the 2014-15 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 25, 2014. 

Explanation
Staff has examined the application of the students included in this proposal.  The students meet one of the criteria set forth by the Board in its resolution of February 25, 2014.  Staff recommends approval of these applications.

Proposal
That the Board adopt the following resolution:

WHEREAS the students who have been assigned student numbers 223196, 269007, 206617, 260444, 208765, 301033, 301034, and 292471 (for purposes of confidentiality, assigned numbers are being used) meet one of the criteria (currently attending, sibling of current option student) of the Board resolution of February 25, 2014, 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:  Lincoln Public Schools regulation 5460.1 and Nebraska state law provides that if a student has been expelled from any public or private school, and the student has not completed the terms or time period of the expulsion, the student shall not be permitted to enroll in this school district until the expulsion period from such other school has expired, unless the Lincoln Board of Education approves by a majority vote the enrollment of this student prior to expiration of the expulsion period. Student # 192081 (for purposes of confidentiality we are using an assigned number) has filed the proper application and has requested enrollment. 

Explanation
The Department of Student Services has reviewed the application and the background information on the student and are recommending that the application be approved and that the student be enrolled in the Lincoln Public Schools Expelled Student Program for the remainder of this school year, subject to such terms and conditions as imposed by the Director of Student Services and all program rules and regulations until the term or time period of the original underlying expulsion is completed. 

Proposal
That the Board approve the application and recommendation of the Department of Student Services.

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

Proposal
That the Board discuss Policy 5480.

Rationale: 

Policy 6740 is supplemental to Policy 5480 and defines that participation in extracurricular activities is a privilege.  Participants are representing not only themselves in these activities but the school and community with their actions.

Explanation

Proposal
That the Board discuss Policy 6740.

Rationale: 

On February 11, 2014, the legal voters of Lincoln Public Schools approved a proposition to issue bonds of the District in a principal amount not to exceed one hundred fifty-three million two hundred ninety-five thousand dollars ($153,295,000) for the purpose of paying the costs of:  

(1) constructing, furnishing, and equipping technology and security improvements to facilities of the district; (2) constructing, furnishing, and equipping a new elementary school and a new middle school in the southeast area of the district;
(3) constructing, furnishing, and equipping a career academy high school facility;
(4) constructing additions to and furnishing, equipping, renovating, remodeling, and repairing facilities of the district; and
(5) acquiring sites for school facilities of the district.  

Explanation
Staff has created a spend-down schedule for the first 36 months to determine the amount needed for the first issuance and has worked with the district’s financial advisor (Ameritas Investment Corp.), with its bond counsel (Gilmore & Bell), and with its general counsel (Perry, Guthery, Haase & Gessford) to prepare the attached draft resolution and to meet all other requirements necessary for the first issuance of bonds (“Series 2014”) authorized in the February 11, 2014, bond election.?

Proposal
That the Board of Education approve the attached resolution, including the following parameters:

a.  The date of original issue of the Bonds shall not be later than July 15, 2014.
b.  The aggregate principal amount of Bonds to be issued shall not exceed $120,000,000.
c.  The date of final maturity of the Bonds shall not be later than January 31, 2039.
d.  The rate or rates of interest to be carried by each maturity of the Bonds such that the true interest cost on the Bonds shall not exceed 5.00 percent.
e.  The underwriting discount, not to exceed 1.00 percent and the price, not less than 98.00 percent of the principal amount thereof, at which the Bonds shall be sold to the Purchaser.

Rationale: 

Explanation
The monthly financial report for the month ending February 28, 2014, is attached.

Proposal
Information item; no Board action required.

Rationale: 

Policy 6130 provides for a voluntary summer school program.   In recent years, Lincoln Public Schools has offered a 9-12 summer school, limited elementary reading and math programs, middle school music camps, limited middle school math programs, ECSE – 8 th grade limited special education services, and a limited technology program for upper elementary and middle school students.       

Explanation    
A summary of the programs follows:

High School (Grades 9-12):

The high school program will be a six-week session housed at North Star High School for general education, ELL, and special education classes - May 29, 2014, through July 10 2014.

Tuition:

Tuition for students residing in the LPS district:
2014 Tuition                       Credit Hours
$  65.00                              2.5 credit hours
$130.00                              5.0 credit hours
$  30.00                              each additional 2.5 credit course
$  60.00                              each additional 5.0 credit course

LPS families qualifying for free or reduced lunch are eligible for a free summer school opportunity.  

Tuition for students NOT residing in the LPS district:
2014 Tuition                 Credit Hours
$175.00                       2.5 credit hours
$350.00                       5.0 credit hours
$350.00                       each additional five credit hours

All non-resident students are charged the full tuition.

There is no tuition charged for LPS special education students currently participating in special education courses.  Special education students participating in general education courses must pay tuition as described above unless they qualify for free or reduced lunch.

Non-resident special education students who did not attend LPS during the 2013-14 school year are not eligible for summer school participation.    

Other Summer School Opportunities:

Special Education Summer Programs will focus on meeting the individual needs for students through Extended School Year (ESY) services.  These services will be available to all students who receive special education services who demonstrate regression in critical skills without timely recoupment.  Preschool classroom-based programs will take place at four elementary schools, with one classroom operating throughout the summer for children who receive continuous services and the other two sites offering two-week programs.   We will offer two-week Read Ahead! programs for K-5 students at four sites across the district.   In addition to ESY services, our high school courses will include English 9 and 10, integrated curriculum, VOICE, and special education support in district summer school courses.

Summer elementary literacy/numeracy programs funded by an NDE Flexible Funding Grant will be offered at multiple sites in the district.

Middle school instrumental and vocal music camps for middle school students and an elementary vocal music camp for 5th grade students.

A limited summer technology program for upper elementary and middle school students.

Proposal
This is an information report; no Board action required.

Rationale:  Wednesday, April 2, 2014 - Chamber Coffee, 8:00 a.m., Chamber Office

Friday, April 4 - Monday, April 7, 2014 - NSBA Annual Conference, New Orleans

Tuesday, April 8, Board Meeting, 6:00 p.m., LPSDO Board Room

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.