December 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
School lunches have never been healthier in Lincoln Public Schools than they are today, thanks to the Lincoln Public Schools Nutrition Services team. Edith Zumwalt, director of the department, and her team have continued to expand the menu, and most recently, include more vegetarian options.

These delicious meal offerings include meatless spaghetti, black-bean casseroles, chili, and fresh garden salads. The menu items, along with fresh fruit and vegetables, some of which grown in Nebraska, are available to all students. The team recently organized a local foods day event, where, for example, the lettuce was grown in Nebraska, using a process that requires water, not dirt, and months of planning and growing.

Their work is not just what appears on the lunch tray, but also how it’s presented. The staff dietitian for the Physicians Committee noted:  “By dishing out positive reinforcement and enthusiasm with a side of broccoli and black beans, educators are setting students up for a lifetime of healthful habits.”

Rationale: 

The following employees have achieved the goal of 25-years of professional service to the youth of Lincoln and Lincoln Public Schools:

1. Maria Almazan
2. Cynthia Anderson
3. Christine Barnett
4. Julie Becker
5. Laura Biehl
6. Polly Bowhay
7. Thomas Brogan
8. Kathleen Bubb
9. Debra Buttermore
10. Rosalie Claussen
11. Shelley Clayburn
12. Sally Connell
13. Richard Conradt
14. Mary Davenport
15. Alexander Deabler
16. Trudi Domeier
17. Toni Dutton
18. Bobbie Ehrlich
19. Diane Essink
20. Coleen Finkhouse
21. Kathryn Fleming
22. Amy Francis
23. Penny Hansen
24. Helen Hassebroek
25. Janice Hastreiter
26. Connie Hawkins
27. Alice Hillhouse
28. Heidi Hoffman
29. Jane Holt
30. Denyse Hunsaker
31. Sheryl Johnson
32. Robert jones
33. Gregory Keller
34. Dorothy Ladman
35. Janet Leick
36. Shelley Mattson
37. Karla Miles
38. Scott Nelson
39. Kristi Nelson-Hitz
40. Pamela Olsen
41. Rhonda Parker
42. Amy Peterson
43. Chelley Peterson
44. Lori Pope
45. James Rehm
46. Darla Reinwald
47. Jean Roberts
48. Suzan Schoening
49. Katherine Sechrest
50. Rochelle Senkbeil
51. Gay Sohl-Wahlstrom
52. Catherine Sphon
53. Mary Stelmach
54. Elizabeth Sulllivan Scott
55. Steven Swartz
56. Pamela Thorfinnson
57. Timothy Tidball
58. Debra Vidlock
59. Douglas Wahlstrom
60. Chris Watkiins
61. Kathi Wieskamp
62. Shari Wiles
63. Shelley Wilson
64. Amanda Wright
65. Diana Wright
66. Kent Wurster
67. Margaret Zabel
68. Kristi Zechmann
69. Kimberly Zetterman
    

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 – 4
             Re-Elections Same Assignment – 1
             Changes of Status – 1
             Leaves of Absence – 2
             Separations – 3
   b.  Substitute Certificated Employees:
             Elections – 18
             Separations – 3
   c.  Classified Employees:
             Elections – 19
             Changes of Status – 2
             Separations – 12

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 December 9, 2014, were previously provided.

Federal Tax ACH Deposit of $5,300,513.37.

Procurement Card ACH Transfer of $75,328.77.

Office Depot ACH Transfer of $8,970.33.

Vendor ACH Transfer of $37,899.07. 

b.  PAYROLL FOR RATIFICATION – Payroll for the period ending November 26, 2014, in the amount of $13,983,686.60. 

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 a diesel mower to be used by the Grounds Department; wireless access points to be installed at Dawes, Goodrich, and Park; security and technology improvements at Brownell, Clinton, Pershing, Riley, Mickle, and Northeast; frozen food storage for the Nutrition Services Department; the sale of surplus AS/400 equipment; 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 December 9, 2014.

b.  Payroll for the period ending November 26, 2014.

c.  Gifts for Eastridge, Kloefkorn, and the district.  

d.  Bids/contracts/other routine business for a diesel mower to be used by the Grounds Department; wireless access points to be installed at Dawes, Goodrich, and Park; security and technology improvements at Brownell, Clinton, Pershing, Riley, Mickle, and Northeast; frozen food storage for the Nutrition Services Department; the sale of surplus AS/400 equipment; and any other bids/contracts/routine business as presented.        

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 193540 (for purposes of confidentiality we are using 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 approve the application and all recommendations 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: 

Proposal
That the Board discuss the legislative guidelines.

Rationale: 

Each year a joint LPS/LEA committee, composed of parents, Board members, education association leaders, teachers and administrators, recommends a student calendar for the Board’s consideration. This year, in addition to the Calendar Committee, the Board’s Student Learning Committee reviewed the recommended calendar.  The calendar that is coming before the Board is coming forward with the recommendation of both Board committees.  It has been the practice of the Board to adopt calendars more than a full calendar year before it is in place. 

Explanation
As in previous years, the Calendar Committee has followed Board approved student calendar primary and secondary variables to design and recommend a student calendar that meets the Calendar Committee’s purpose statement, “The school calendar demonstrates the district’s commitment to learning.  It is based on sound instructional considerations and priorities ensuring the continuity, efficiency, and effectiveness of teaching and learning.  LPS established the following calendar variables to be considered by the Lincoln Public Schools Calendar Committee in devising the student calendar.”

The Calendar Committee received input from the Community Curriculum Council, a district parent group with a representative from each school, and from a staff survey.  Additionally, this year, the Student Learning Committee reviewed the calendar and provided feedback prior to recommending it to the full Board.  The perspective of the Student Learning Committee was important to ensure that the recommended calendar is focused on student outcomes while still being responsive to the needs of the community.

Proposal
That the Board discuss the proposed student calendar for the 2016-17 school year.

Rationale:  The Board of Education Technology Committee is bringing forth a proposed resolution for the purpose of directing staff to develop a technology implementation plan within existing funding parameters, providing for appropriate staffing, proposing sufficient professional development, and providing greatly expanded access to technology district-wide all in support of student learning.    

Explanation
The Board of Education Technology Committee brings forth a resolution to guide the implementation of the Lincoln Public Schools Technology Plan.      

Proposal
That the Board discuss the proposed resolution.  

Rationale: 

State Law Section 79-1089, Chapter 1, of Title 92 of the Nebraska Administrative Code, Board Policy 3600, and other state and federal laws and regulations require an annual financial audit for Lancaster County School District 001 (Lincoln Public Schools) and Educational Service Unit No. 18.

Explanation
The 2013-14 audits for the school district and Educational Service Unit No. 18 have been completed.  A representative from Orizon CPAs, LLC will be present to discuss the audits.      

Proposal
Information item; no action is required.  

Rationale:  Tuesday, December 10 - Joint Board Meeting, 11:00 a.m., SCC Lincoln Campus

December 22-January 2, Winter Break, No School All Levels

Tuesday, December 23 No Board Meeting

Wednesday, January 7, Chamber Coffee, 8:00 a.m., Chamber Office

Tuesday, January 13, Board Meeting, 6:00 p.m., 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.