September 28, 2021 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 POLICY 6443 - PARENTAL AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT
Rationale:
The next item on our agenda this evening is the Public Hearing on the Lincoln Public Schools Parental and Family Engagement and Parental Involvement Policy.
I hereby open this public hearing before the Board of Education of Lincoln Public Schools. This hearing is being conducted under the provisions of the Nebraska Parental Involvement Act and other Nebraska and Federal laws. The purpose of this hearing is to receive input regarding proposed Policy 6443. The input received in this hearing will be taken into consideration by the Board when we take action on proposed Policy 6443. |
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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.
Attachments:
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7. SPECIAL REPORTS, PRESENTATIONS AND CELEBRATIONS OF SUCCESS
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7.1. Update - 2021 LPS Pandemic Plan & Procedures and Action if Needed
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8. PUBLIC COMMENT
Rationale:
In the interest of maintaining the orderly decorum of the Lincoln School Board's meetings, the following rules are established for the conduct of all person attending a meeting of the Lincoln Board of Education and for those participating in public comment:
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9. CONSENT AGENDA
Rationale:
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9.1. Human Resources Matters
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: 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. |
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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 September 28, 2021, were previously provided. Federal Tax ACH Deposit of $166,250.21. State Tax ACH Deposit of $961,784.31. Procurement Card ACH Transfer of $77,667.98. Child Support ACH Transfer of $175.61. Term Life/Disability ACH Transfer of $186,632.29. Retirement ACH Transfer of $5,316,571.29. Vision Insurance ACH Transfer of $385.51 Vendor ACH Transfer of $1,862.24. b. PAYROLL FOR RATIFICATION - Payroll for the periods ending September 7 and 15, 2021, in the amount of $532,998.29. 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 trash can liners; gym equipment; additions & renovations; education services; mental health services; materials testing services; aggregate; 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 September 28, 2021. b. Payroll for the periods ending September 7 and 15, 2021.
c. Gifts for Meadow Lane, Northeast, Norwood Park, Southeast, and Southwest.
d. Bids/contracts/other routine business for trash can liners; gym equipment; additions & renovations; education services; mental health services; materials testing services; aggregate; items listed for auction; and any other bids/contracts/routine business as presented.
Attachments:
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9.3. Option Enrollment Student Application for 2021-22
Rationale:
On February 9, 2021, the Board adopted a resolution to accept option enrollment students for the 2021-22 school year. An application for enrollment during the 2021-22 school year has been received and is in compliance with the Board resolution of February 9, 2021.
Explanation The application included in this agenda item has been examined by staff and meets one of the criteria set forth by the Board in the resolution of February 9, 2021. Staff recommends approval of the application. Proposal That the Board adopts the following resolution: WHEREAS, the student who has been assigned student number 441131 (for purposes of confidentiality, assigned numbers are being used) meets one or more of the criteria of the Board resolution of February 9, 2021, 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.
Attachments:
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9.4. Late Requests for Enrollment Option Out 2021-22
Rationale:
March 15, 2021, 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 2021-22 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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9.5. Enrollment of Expelled Students
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 such student prior to expiration of the expulsion period. Student number 267311 (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 is 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 expulsions are completed. Proposal That the Board approves the application and all recommendations of the Department of Student Services. |
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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. From Board Committees
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10.1.1. Policy 6443 - Parental and Family Engagement
Rationale:
According to Neb. Rev. Stat. § 79-533, the board must hold a public hearing on its parental involvement and engagement policy. After the hearing, the Board must either alter and adopt the revised policy or reaffirm it as written.
Explanation: The Student Learning and Technology Committee reviewed Policy 6443 and recommends the current policy be reaffirmed. Proposal: That the Board discuss reaffirming Policy 6443.
Attachments:
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10.1.2. Student and Staff Calendar
Rationale:
The continued COVID-19 pandemic has placed unprecedented demands on students, families, and instructional staff.
Explanation: Staff have continued to teach this year under pandemic protocols, provided additional support to students who returned to in-person learning, have provided services to an unexpected large number of excluded students, and taken on additional duties such as class covers due to limited availability of substitutes in a tight labor market. The Board recognizes the added demands on staff and the stress on families. The Board seeks to enhance the ability of staff to meet these challenges by extending Fall Break by one day. Proposal: That the Board discuss and approve modification of the normal school calendar for the 2021-2022 school year by extending Fall Break for students and staff by making October 19 a non-student day.
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10.2. From the Superintendent
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10.2.1. Woods Charitable Trust Grant Application
Rationale:
Woods Charitable Fund is a private philanthropic foundation created by Frank H. Woods and Nelle Cochrane Woods and their three sons. It was incorporated in Nebraska in 1941 and Frank Woods provided major endowment in 1952 before his death that year. Since that time, the Fund has made grants in Lincoln. This foundation currently operates with a local representative board and is able to respond to the issues, opportunities and creative leadership in our community. Through grants made to eligible organizations, Woods Charitable Fund seeks to strengthen the community by improving opportunities and life outcomes for all people in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Woods supports members of the nonprofit sector who are exploring creative alternatives and promoting more just, effective approaches to meet community needs. Funding is provided in four areas of interest:
Explanation: Lincoln Public Schools would like to apply to Woods Charitable Fund to support partnerships in the community that benefit the Two Generation Family Literacy Program. Family Literacy is a family-centered approach to education that brings children and families together to learn. Participating parents attend their child’s school Monday through Friday, two hours per day. Parents identify educational and career goals, engage in learning English with other parents, and spend time together with their children connecting curricular objectives with family learning activities. A grant from Woods Charitable Fund would allow the program to support new and existing partnerships with organizations in Lincoln that offer education and enrichment to participating families. Proposal: That the Board discuss the submission of an LPS application to Woods Charitable Fund to support partnerships in the community for the Two Generation Family Literacy Program. The grant application request will be for up to $75,000 per year for three years, with no match requirement. Application due date: October 31, 2021. |
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11. SECOND READING, RECOMMENDED FOR ACTION
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11.1. From Board Committees
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11.1.1. 2021-22 LPS Property Tax Request
Rationale:
Proper advance notice was given and a special public hearing has been held on whether the School District should exceed its property tax request from the prior year (Attachment One).
Explanation
Pursuant to Section 77-1632 (previously 77-1601.02) and other Nebraska laws, the 2021-2022 property tax request may not exceed the School District’s property tax request from the prior year, unless the School District first holds a special public hearing and then passes a resolution that includes all requirements of the statutes. The prior year’s property tax request would not correctly fund the 2021-2022 budget which has been formally adopted by the Board of Education. Attachment Two reflects last year’s property tax rates, this year’s initial estimate, and the property tax rates for 2021-2022. Staff recommends that the resolution below be adopted so that the 2021-2022 budget may be funded as adopted. A simple majority vote is required. Proposal That the Board of Education adopt the resolution proposed below: 2021-2022 TAX REQUEST RESOLUTION
FOR Lancaster County School District No. 0001, a/k/a Lincoln Public Schools WHEREAS, public notice was given at least four calendar days in advance of a Special Public Hearing called by the Board of Education (hereinafter "the Board") of Lancaster County School District No. 0001, a/k/a Lincoln Public Schools (hereinafter "the District") in full compliance with all provisions of Section 77-1632 (previously 77-1601.02) and other Nebraska laws for the purpose providing an opportunity to receive public comment, information and evidence from persons in attendance at such Special Public Hearing on the issue of whether the District’s 2021-2022 school fiscal year property Tax Requests should exceed the District’s property Tax Requests from the prior year to be taken into consideration by the Board when discussing and approving or modifying the District’s property Tax Requests for the 2021-2022 school fiscal year for as applicable the General Fund, Special Building Fund, the various Bond Funds, and Qualified Capital Purpose Undertaking Fund of the District; and WHEREAS, such Special Public Hearing was held before the Board of the District at the time, date, and place announced in the notice published in a newspaper of general circulation in the area of the District, a copy of which notice and/or a proof of publication is attached hereto as Attachment One, all as required by law; and, WHEREAS, Attachment One also contains District information including the amount of the property tax request, in total and separately for all District funds and Attachment Two contains estimated and actual proposed levy rates; and, WHEREAS, the Board provided an opportunity to receive public comment, information and evidence from persons in attendance at such Special Public Hearing and has taken such into consideration as part of this action; and, WHEREAS, the total assessed value of the District property differs from last year's total assessed value for the General Fund, Special Building Fund and Qualified Capital Purpose Undertaking Fund by 11.4171%, for the 1999 Bond Fund by 11.1150%, for the 2006 Bond Fund by 10.9755%, for the 2014 Bond Fund by 10.9629%, and for the 2020 Bond Fund 11.3799%, all as detailed more fully in Attachment One as attached; and, WHEREAS, the tax rate which would levy the same amount of property taxes as last year, when multiplied by the new total assessed value of property, would be $1.097071 per $100 of assessed value, all as detailed more fully in Attachment One; and, WHEREAS, the District proposes to adopt a property Tax Request that will cause its tax rate to be $1.210942 per $100 of assessed value, all as detailed more fully in Attachment One; and, WHEREAS, based on the proposed property Tax Request and changes in other revenue, the total operating budget of the District will increase and exceed last year's budget by 10 percent, all as detailed more fully in Attachment One; and, WHEREAS, the Board has now adopted its 2021-2022 school fiscal year budget and after having reviewed the District’s Tax Requests for each of the District’s funds, and after public consideration of the matter, has determined that the Final Tax Requests as listed below are necessary in order to carry out the functions of the District, as determined by the Board in order to correctly fund the budget for the 2021-2022 school fiscal year. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Education of Lancaster County School District No. 0001 a/k/a Lincoln Public Schools that all findings, determinations and the attached Attachment One and Attachment Two as set forth above all of which are hereby adopted, incorporated herein, and made a part of this action and resolution by this reference. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board hereby approves and adopts the District’s 2021-2022 school fiscal year property Tax Requests, including the county’s collection fee and any delinquent tax allowances and that (1) the Tax Request for the General Fund should be, and is hereby set at $289,326,815; (2) the Tax Request for the Special Building Fund should be, and is hereby set at $0; (3) the Tax Request for the 1999 Bond Fund should be, and is hereby set at $0; (4) the Tax Request for the 2006 Bond Fund should be, and is hereby set at $11,632,896; (5) the Tax Request for the 2014 Bond Fund should be, and is hereby set at $6,100,254; (6) the Tax Request for the 2020 Bond Fund should be, and is hereby set at $20,827,334; and the (7) Tax Request for the Qualified Capital Purpose Undertaking Fund should be, and is hereby set at $4,996,496; all as totaled and detailed more fully in Attachment One as attached. BE IT further resolved that if updated valuation, budget, levy, or other pertinent information is subsequently received by Lincoln Public Schools or by Lancaster County, Lincoln Public Schools, its administration, and the County shall adjust the property tax request to reflect the updated information through appropriate administrative actions or pursuant to State Law Sections 77-1632 (previously 77-1601.02) and other Nebraska laws.
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11.1.2. Newly Annexed Property to the City of Lincoln
Rationale:
The Board of Education assigns school attendance areas to property newly annexed to the City of Lincoln or newly platted. This action establishes school attendance areas prior to the sale of residential lots, allowing purchasers to know what schools their children will attend.
Explanation
The City of Lincoln has annexed four parcels of land, which automatically brings these properties into the district of Lincoln Public Schools. These properties need to be assigned attendance centers so that potential purchasers of homes in this area will know which schools they will be attending: Fire Ridge, Annexation Ordinance #21096, for 2021-22 school year: Pyrtle Elementary School, Lux Middle School, East High School Grandview Estates 2nd Addition, Annexation Ordinance #21101, for 2021-22 school year: Wysong Elementary School, Moore Middle School, East High School Proposal That the Board approve the proposed attendance area assignments of the newly annexed properties.
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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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14.3.2. Monthly Financial Report
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 August 21, 2021, is attached. Proposal Information item; no Board action required.
Attachments:
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15. ANNOUNCEMENTS OF UPCOMING EVENTS FOR THE BOARD
Rationale:
October 5: NASB Area Membership Meeting, 5:00 pm, La Vista
October 6: Chamber Coffee, 8:00 am, Chamber Office October 7: Standing Bear High School Groundbreaking, 4:30 pm October 12: Board Meeting, 6:00 pm, LPSDO |
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16. PUBLIC COMMENT
Rationale:
In the interest of maintaining the orderly decorum of the Lincoln School Board's meetings, the following rules are established for the conduct of all person attending a meeting of the Lincoln Board of Education and for those participating in public comment:
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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.
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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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