January 27, 2015 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: 

 

Mark Armstrong, athletic director for Lincoln Southwest High School, has been elected president of the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. The National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association preserves, enhances, and promotes the educational values of interscholastic athletics through the professional development of its members in the areas of education, leadership, and service.

Explanation
As athletic director at Lincoln Southwest High School, Mark Armstrong goes far beyond game schedules and sporting events, building a  professional reputation for caring about coaches and student-athletes, and understanding that those positive relationships are essential to helping all students achieve their goals.

Armstrong’s role in developing coaches, helping student-athletes and building on a culture of success at Southwest is evident. The Silver Hawks won the 2013-14 U.S. Cellular Cup from the Nebraska Schools Activities Association, which is based on participation and success in athletic and academic activities hosted by the NSAA.

Armstrong said his election is an honor, one that gives him a voice on issues that impact not only student-athletes and coaches at Southwest, but across the nation. His hope is to share his successes, and learn from other athletic programs in a way that benefits Southwest High School, Lincoln Public Schools, and the entire state.

Armstrong’s principal, Hugh McDermott, notes the Silver Hawks athletic director works to build one cohesive athletic program.

He says Armstrong “... has worked in a very positive and enthusiastic way here at Southwest to unify our coaches in how we approach our academic student-athletes. Mark believes coaches play a significant role in establishing positive relationships with their athletes and helping each of our coaches reach his or her potential in making this happen."

LPS Athletic Director Kathi Wieskamp, said Armstrong has been a tremendous asset since coming to Southwest just a year-and-a-half ago. “Mark has quickly built relationships with the coaches, athletes, and school community allowing him to have an immediate impact on the programs at Southwest.  Mark emphasizes the impact that coaches can have through intentional coaching, helping them develop young men and women far beyond the sport itself.”

Rationale: 

The Nebraska Speech, Communication and Theater Association has honored Lincoln Southwest High School English teacher and debate coach Toni Heimes with the John Thurber Distinguished Teacher Award.

Explanation
Toni Heimes is the debate coach and an English teacher at Lincoln Southwest High School. She has used her teaching skills and her own past experiences as a competitor in high school and college to help her students become better debaters. She also focuses on making sure her students become better critical thinkers, an invaluable skill long after high school.

She says: “The capacity to learn and think at an analytical level is a skill that has far-reaching impacts on school and career choices. One of the best parts of my job is watching students from around the city and across the state develop into leaders, educators, and humanitarians.”

Students debate in three formats: Lincoln/Douglas, Public Forum, and Congressional. In all three, students must know the rules and the issue. Not only that, they have to be prepared to debate both sides of an issue, which means they must understand the various elements of a topic. This open-mindedness and understanding of all sides, Heimes said, is helpful in participating or observing a debate, as well as in life.

David Smith, curriculum specialist for Language Arts, notes Heimes’ willingness to fundraise so that all students can participate if they choose. He noted she is also well respected throughout the state.

Smith says:  “In the classroom, Toni is that perfect mix of engaging and demanding.  She has high expectations for her students, but creates the sorts of relationships and scaffolds the instruction in such a way that helps all her students succeed.  Students respect and admire her intelligence and strategic thinking.  Toni creates a sense of family with and among her team members.”

The John Thurber Distinguished Teacher Award is designed to recognize individuals who have displayed exceptional teaching ability, innovation in teaching methods, and contributions to the growth and professionalism of organizations in speech communications and/or publications.

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: 

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.  Administrator Certificated Employees:
             Separations – 1
   b.  Certificated Employees:
             Elections – 1
             Changes of Status – 2
             Leaves of Absence – 1
             Separations – 1
   c.  Substitute Certificated Employees:
             Elections – 18
             Changes of Status – 3
             Separations – 4
   d.  Classified Employees:
             Elections – 48
             Changes of Status – 8
             Leaves of Absence – 1
             Separations – 62
   e.  Board Resolution regarding recognition of the Lincoln Public Schools Association of Office Professionals, the
        Maintenance Employees Association and the Nutrition Service Workers Association as official bargaining agents for
        2015-16.
   f.   Approval of recommended agreement with Alpha Review Corporation to provide medical bill review for
        Workers’ Compensation claims.

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.

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 January 27, 2015, were previously provided.                

Federal Tax ACH Deposit of $39,925.45.                

State Tax ACH Deposit of $16,068.00.                

Procurement Card ACH Transfer of $46,095.85.                

Office Depot ACH Transfer of $11,132.35.                

Retirement ACH Transfer of $4,279,098.48                

Vendor ACH Transfer of $4,914.49. 

b.  PAYROLL FOR RATIFICATION – Payroll for the periods ending December 30, 2014, and January 15, 2015, in the amount of $201,318.28. 

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 vehicles for Grounds, HVAC, Facilities, Electrical, and Building Crafts Departments; gym floor sanding at Lincoln High, Belmont, and Dawes; an agreement regarding refugee children; 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 January 27, 2015.  

b.  Payroll for the periods ending December 30, 2014, and January 15, 2015.  

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

d.  Bids/contracts/other routine business for vehicles for Grounds, HVAC, Facilities, Electrical, and Building Crafts Departments; gym floor sanding at Lincoln High, Belmont, and Dawes; an agreement regarding refugee children; 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:  The Lincoln Community Foundation awards competitive grants to organizations that contribute to the quality of life and welfare of the people of Lincoln and Lancaster County. Grants are awarded in areas that include, but are not limited to: Arts & Culture, Human Services, Children & Families, Older Adults, Animal Welfare, Environment, Youth Development and Education.      

Explanation
Lincoln Public Schools Early Childhood/Preschool Program currently serves over 1,000 children in the Lincoln community. Health and wellness are actively promoted and supported in the preschool program. Health screenings including a vision screening utilizing a LEA test that requires the children to recognize and identify the symbols of apple, house, or umbrella, are conducted by school nurses each year with preschool children within the first 45 days of enrollment. The current vision screening practice presents difficulties for some preschool children who may not be comfortable in their surroundings and for non-English speaking children, as well as children who have developmental challenges. Early Childhood staff consulted with a pediatric ophthalmologist who has approved the use of the vision spot screening tool.   

The grant request is for funds to cover the purchase of the vision spot screening tool at an expense of $7,915.    

Proposal
That the Board discuss the submission of the Lincoln Community Foundation Grant application in the amount of $7,915 for the purchase of a vision spot screening tool. This program does not involve cost sharing or matching.  

The grant application was submitted on December 4, 2014.      

Rationale:  Nebraska students may attend a school other than the one in the district in which they reside under the option enrollment statutes.      

Explanation
The attached resolution would admit any K-12 option students who meet the statutory and legal conditions and whose application is received by August 7, 2015.  

The resolution specifies the circumstances under which late-filed applications would be accepted.       

Proposal
That the Board discuss the option resolution for the 2015-16 school year.    

Rationale: 

Partnerships for Innovation (PFI) is a unique statewide consortium in Nebraska created to meet the requirements of the 2006 Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act.    The Partnerships for Innovation is a collaboration of Nebraska secondary and postsecondary partners focused on building a better statewide system of Career and Technical Education (CTE) to improve student learning and better meet economic development priorities.   PFI will do this by introducing innovation in CTE delivery systems to include Career Academies, professional development and programs of study with coordinated curriculum between secondary and postsecondary education providers.       

Explanation
Lincoln Public Schools Career and Technical Education (CTE) would make application for Partnerships for Innovation (PFI) grant funds to provide the professional development needed to establish a nationally recognized High School of Business program using project-based pedagogy.   This program would begin at our comprehensive high schools with a single course (as a pre-requisite) to The Career Academy for the five additional courses all receiving dual credit from Southeast Community College.   Lincoln Public Schools, Omaha Benson High School, Plattsmouth High School and Southeast Community College would collectively make a single application for statewide professional development delivery and establishment of network support for Nebraska schools.       

The grant would support the following activities that align with CTE standards through High School of Business curriculum professional development and delivery. This application aligns with the PFI mission and goals to (1) develop regional agreements, programs and initiatives, (2) provide professional development and training resources, (3) provide collaboration between secondary and postsecondary programs, and (4) serve regional students and establish business partnership support.    

Activities would include:
National Professional Development for 5+days in summer 2015 for 20+ teachers in Nebraska
National conference with professional development for 12+ teachers in Oklahoma in Fall 2015
National Professional Development for 5+ days for 12+ teachers in Summer 2016
National conference with professional development in fall 2016
Establish Nebraska schools network of support
Establish dual credits with Nebraska postsecondary institutions  

A single application would be submitted to PFI for approximately $70,000 with LPS-CTE serving as fiscal agent.  LPS in-kind curriculum support and supplies would be provided through CTE program funds.      

Proposal
That the Board discuss the submission of the Partnership for Innovation grant application for approximately $70,000 for the grant period of July 1, 2015 through December 31, 2016 dependent upon final funding determination.  No district funding match is required.    

The grant application is due January 30, 2015.      

Rationale: 

The Human Resources Department works with several different employee groups with unique requirements for employment.  As a result, the Human Resources Department maintains several different pools of employee candidates that represent the unique nature of the professional characteristics of these different groups.  The existing policy mentions a single pool of employees, so the language needs to be revised to match the uniqueness of the candidate pools.

Explanation
The revised Policy 4300 recognizes the multiple candidate pools maintained by the district.

Proposal
That the Board approve Policy 4300.

Rationale: 

Early notification programs have been identified as effective ways to determine staffing needs and staffing flexibility, especially when faced with either a large number of potential hires or an uncertain labor market.  While not a required annual program, the option of an early notification program would provide the Human Resources staff the advanced notice they need to make critical decisions early in the hiring process that would be impossible if staff notification did not occur until mid-March, which is well past the prime hiring season.

Explanation
The revised Policy 4620 puts a Human Resource tool in place that can be used when specific circumstances arise and early notification of staff retirements will play a critical role in securing sufficient numbers and quality of instructional staff.

Proposal
That the Board approve Policy 4620.

Rationale: 

As the district continues to grow, many staff within the district must provide support or services to more geographically disparate buildings and those needs may change throughout the year.  The revision in this policy would allow the Associate Superintendent for Human Resources to authorize travel reimbursement stipends to those other groups who face travel requirements similar to administrators in meeting the needs of staff and students across the district.

Explanation
The revised Policy 4650 provides the option to the Associate Superintendent for Human Resources to offer travel reimbursement to other groups beyond administrators if it is appropriate and warranted.

Proposal
That the Board approve Policy 4650.

Rationale: 

Over time, policies can become out of date and need to be revised to reflect new conditions in the schools. The language that has been added to this policy dealing with staff interactions with others captures new media of communication that are regularly used by staff.

Explanation
The revised Policy updates the Policy 4750 to reflect the new electronic means of staff communication, including the use of social media.

Proposal
That the Board approve Policy 4750.

Rationale: 

Over time, policies can become out of date and need to be revised to reflect new language used in the field of Human Resources. The language that has been added to this policy dealing with staff interactions with students clarifies the importance of the boundaries necessary for a positive and effective teacher and student relationship.

Explanation
The revised Policy 4780 highlights the importance of professional boundaries necessary for successful teacher and student relationships.

Proposal
That the Board approve Policy 4780.

Rationale: 

The district seeks to provide an environment in which administrators, teachers, and staff can discover and transmit the knowledge and wisdom which will help to improve the quality of education. The rights of the district and individuals concerning production, ownership, and use of inventions, patentable and copyrightable materials, or other intellectual property or proprietary materials are important to make clear to all parties.

Explanation
The revised Policy 4865 clarifies Work for Hire conditions for employees.

Proposal
That the Board approve Policy 4865.

Rationale: 

The Lincoln Board of Education has recognized the Lincoln Education Association (LEA) as the exclusive bargaining agent to negotiate salary, fringe benefits, and working conditions for members of that employee group.  The negotiation teams, representing LEA and Lincoln Public Schools, have reached a tentative agreement for the 2015-16 year and the LEA has approved the tentative agreement.

Explanation
The proposed agreement calls for a 3.25 percent total package increase for 2015-16.  This settlement is within the parameters set by the Board of Education.  Included in the package increase are all district costs including the district’s contributions to health insurance, state retirement, and Social Security.

Proposal
That the Board of Education ratify the proposed negotiated agreement for the 2015-16 school year with the Lincoln Education Association.

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 December 31, 2014, is attached.      

Proposal
Information item; no Board action required.  

Rationale:  Wednesday, January 28, Chamber Public Policy Forum, 8:00 am, Chamber Office
Wednesday, February 4, Chamber Coffee, 8:00 am, Chamber Office
Tuesday, February 10, Board Work Session at 4:30 pm and Board Meeting at 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.