September 9, 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
As coach for all pole vaulters in Lincoln Public Schools, Chris Johnson holds a unique position among coaches. He was appointed coach for all four existing high schools in 1995 and has since taken on student athletes from the two newer high schools in LPS. The decision to appoint him district-wide coach meant all student athletes would benefit from his high standing for safety and success. The decision also led to friendships that go beyond school attendance areas, competitions, and uniforms. Johnson said:

“We get the opportunity to coach kids from the entire city and watch the kids build life-long relationships with students from another school; something that may never have happened if they stayed on their own campuses.”

Johnson also supported the right for girls to compete in the pole vault event at the state level. In addition, he’s helped numerous student athletes win conference, district, and state titles in the events, all with the support of student-athletes from other schools.

The event and Johnson himself depend on coaches identifying athletes who could find success in the unique event. Once they get a feel for the event, they are often hooked, he said. Johnson has earned the respect of his peers across the city, state, and nation.

Kathi Wieskamp, athletic director for Lincoln Public Schools, said:

“Chris has done an outstanding job working with the athletes from all six high schools and has increased both the number of participants in this event as well as the level of performance of the vaulters resulting in several pole vault state champions.  Chris Johnson has done a tremendous job coaching the LPS vaulters and is very deserving of this 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.  Certificated Employees:
             Elections – 1
             Re-Elections New Assignment – 2
             Changes of Status – 11
             Leaves of Absence – 18
             Separations – 2
   b.  Substitute Certificated Employees:
             Elections – 13
             Separations – 12
   c.  Classified Employees:
             Elections – 111
             Changes of Status – 5
             Separations – 53
   d.  Other:
             Civic Leaves – 1
   e.  Approval of recommended renewal of agreement with City of Lincoln Police Department to hire uniformed personnel.

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 September 9, 2014, were previously provided.                

     Federal Tax ACH Deposit of $4,919,816.62.                

     Procurement Card ACH Transfer of $106,669.00.                

     Office Depot ACH Transfer of $18,162.71.                

     Vendor ACH Transfer of $21,027.12. 

b.  PAYROLL FOR RATIFICATION – Payroll for the period ending August 29, 2014, in the amount of $12,796,431.24. 

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 Security and technology improvements at Calvert, Eastridge, Hill, McPhee, Prescott, Sheridan, and Pound; ebooks and audio books for Title I schools; the STAR Reading Program for Culler, Dawes, Goodrich, and Park; Lenovo Yoga computing devices for the Family Learning Program; the purchase of an Electronic Video Surveillance System for six high schools; the purchase of two Dodge Grand Caravans for use by Transportation; an agreement for non-staff lobbying services; educational service agreements with multiple school districts; an educational service agreement with Berniklau Education Solutions Team; an agreement to allow placement of light bulb sculptures on LPS property; items to be 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 9, 2014.  

b.  Payroll for the period ending August 29, 2014.  

c.  Gifts for East, Eastridge, Mickle, Northeast, West Lincoln, and the district.  

c.  Bids/contracts/other routine business for Security and technology improvements at Calvert, Eastridge, Hill, McPhee, Prescott, Sheridan, and Pound; ebooks and audio books for Title I schools; the STAR Reading Program for Culler, Dawes, Goodrich, and Park; Lenovo Yoga computing devices for the Family Learning Program; the purchase of an Electronic Video Surveillance System for six high schools; the purchase of two Dodge Grand Caravans for use by Transportation; an agreement for non-staff lobbying services; educational service agreements with multiple school districts; an educational service agreement with Berniklau Education Solutions Team; an agreement to allow placement of light bulb sculptures on LPS property; items to be listed for auction; and any other bids/contracts/routine business as presented.

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: 

A hearing was held earlier this evening on whether the Board of Education should approve or modify the preliminary property tax request for Lancaster County School District 001 – Lincoln Public Schools (Attachment One).

Explanation
The 2014-15 budget of Lincoln Public Schools has already been adopted.  According to state law Section 77-1601.02, the preliminary tax request for the district shall be the property tax request from the prior year, unless the district holds a hearing and sets the property tax request at a different amount.  The prior year’s property tax request would not correctly fund the 2014-15 budget, which has already been formally adopted by the Board of Education.  Attachment Two reflects last year’s property tax rates, this year’s initial estimate, and the final property tax rates for 2014-15.  

Staff recommends that the following resolution be adopted so that the 2014-15 budget may be funded, as adopted.  A simple majority vote is required.

Proposal
That the Board of Education discuss the following proposed resolution:

  THEREFORE Be it resolved that the Board of Education of Lancaster County School District 001 hereby sets the district’s 2014-15 property tax request at a different amount from that of the 2013-14 fiscal year and that, pursuant to State Law Sections 77-1601.02, and other Nebraska laws, does hereby set the 2014-15 Lincoln Public Schools property tax request, including the county’s collection fee and any delinquent tax allowances, as follows:      

General Fund	$188,006,494.08
Building Fund	0
Bond Fund for Bonds Authorized Prior to 1999	0
Bond Fund for High School Bonds Authorized in 1999	5,632,508.02
Bond Fund for Bonds Authorized in 2006	14,746,077.63
Bond Fund for Bonds Authorizes in 2014	7,354,286.80
Qualified Capital Purpose Undertaking Fund	6,282,337.31
Total Lincoln Public Schools Tax Request	$222,021,703.84

and THEREFORE BE IT further resolved that if updated valuation, budget, 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 pursuant to State Law Sections 77-1601 and other Nebraska laws.  

 

 

Rationale: 

Explanation
The revised Policy 3770 adds provisions to meet this requirement.

Proposal
That the Board approve Policy 3770.

Rationale: 
Explanation

Proposal
That the Board approve Policy 5122.

Rationale: 

Explanation
The revised Policy 6283 adds provisions to meet this requirement, including incorporating the Nebraska Department of Education’s concussion protocol materials.

Proposal
That the Board approve Policy 6283.

Rationale: 

Explanation
The addition of the Omaha World-Herald as an optional means of public notice provides greater flexibility in the meeting the publication deadlines that would ensure that notices are available to the public.

Proposal
That the Board approve Policy 8410.

Rationale:  Update of the Technology Device Pilot at Culler Middle School.      

Explanation
The district continues to enhance instruction in order to provide multiple opportunities for students success across the district.  

Staff will be present to provide additional information about specifics.      

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

Rationale:  September 10
Joint Board Meeting, 11:00 am, SCC Lincoln Campus
Face the Chamber, 12:00 pm, Lincoln Country Club

September 13
Voices for Children, 5:00 pm, Embassy Suites, La Vista

September 18
Chamber's Celebrate Business Awards Luncheon, 11:30 am, Cornhusker Hotel
Student Vote 2014 Kick-Off, 6:00 pm, North Star High School

September 23
Lincoln Board of Education Meeting and ESU 18 Board Meeting, 6:00 pm, LPSDO

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: 

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.

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.