March 24, 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: 

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:
             Substitute Administrator Elections – 1
             Changes of Status – 2
             Separations – 2
   b.  Certificated Employees:
             Elections – 22
             Re-Elections Same Assignment – 4
             Re-Elections New Assignemnt  – 6
             Changes of Status – 2
             Leaves of Absence – 4
             Separations – 56
   c.  Substitute Certificated Employees:
             Elections – 46
             Changes of Status – 12
             Separations – 9
   d.  Classified Employees:
             Elections –63
             Changes of Status – 7
             Leaves of Absence – 5
             Separations – 39
   e.  Other:
             Workers' Compensation Lump Sum Settlements – 1
             Employment of Family Member – 3

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 March 24, 2015, were previously provided.                

Federal Tax ACH Deposit of $5,332,581.96.                

State Tax ACH Deposit of $728,610.52.                

Procurement Card ACH Transfer of $63,360.22.                

Office Depot ACH Transfer of $8,773.41.                

Vendor ACH Transfer of $34,841.31. 

b.  PAYROLL FOR RATIFICATION – Payroll for the period ending February 27, 2015, in the amount of $14,004,106.04. 

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 Academic software and ELVIS equipment, milling and lathe machines, and 3D printers for use at The Career Academy; the purchase of small equipment for Nutrition Services kitchens, high school classrooms, and The Career Academy; the purchase of a plasma cutting table for use at The Career Academy; the purchase of office furniture for The Career Academy; the purchase of specialized teaching and training equipment for The Career Academy; the purchase of a vehicle for use by Nutrition Services; the purchase of musical equipment and supplies for use at all school locations; asbestos abatement services at the old Bryan Facility building; classroom addition/renovation at Pershing; a contract for yearbook publishing; the purchase of band uniforms for Southwest High School; professional consulting services related to asbestos abatement at the old Bryan Facility building; 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 March 24, 2015.  

b.  Payroll for the period ending February 27, 2015.  

c.  Gifts for Eastridge, Hill, North Star, Saratoga, and West Lincoln.  

d.  Bids/contracts/other routine business for the purchase of Academic software and ELVIS equipment, milling and lathe machines, and 3D printers for use at The Career Academy; the purchase of small equipment for Nutrition Services kitchens, high school classrooms, and The Career Academy; the purchase of a plasma cutting table for use at The Career Academy; the purchase of office furniture for The Career Academy; the purchase of specialized teaching and training equipment for The Career Academy; the purchase of a vehicle for use by Nutrition Services; the purchase of musical equipment and supplies for use at all school locations; asbestos abatement services at the old Bryan Facility building; classroom addition/renovation at Pershing; a contract for yearbook publishing; the purchase of band uniforms for Southwest High School; professional consulting services related to asbestos abatement at the old Bryan Facility building; items listed for auction; 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 applications 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 278128, 219689, 207801 and 267655 (for purposes of confidentiality, assigned numbers are being used) meet one or more of the criteria 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:  On February 10, 2015, the Board adopted a resolution to accept option students for the 2015-16 school year.  Applications have been received from students requesting that they be accepted as option students for the 2015-16 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 10, 2015.      

Explanation
Staff has examined the applications of the students included in this proposal.  The students meet one of the criteria set forth by the Board in its resolution of February 10, 2015.  Staff recommends approval of these applications.      

Proposal
That the Board adopt the following resolution:  

WHEREAS the students who have been assigned student numbers 404310, 260470, 213503 and 404652 (for purposes of confidentiality, assigned numbers are being used) meet one or more of the criteria of the Board resolution of February 10, 2015, 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 such student prior to expiration of the expulsion period.  Student number 404743 (for purposes of confidentiality we are using assigned numbers) have 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:  The Sixpence Early Childhood Education Endowment Grant Program was established to serve children from birth to age three. The Endowment expands the Continuation Endowment Grant and is a public-private partnership funded from the state and from the private sector. The fund is used primarily for grants to school districts to provide programs and services for infants and toddlers who are at risk of school failure in partnership with community agencies and child care programs serving this age group. The purpose of the Endowment Grant is to help promote opportunities for children to experience positive environments that provide for their healthy growth and development during their earliest years. The Endowment Grant funds are available to promote community level partnerships that focus on meeting the developmental needs of very young children and to fund services for children birth to age three that will promote their success in school and later in life.      

Explanation
The services to be supported with these funds will greatly improve the current Student/ Child Learning Center program through the addition of home visitation to student parents served by Lincoln Public Schools.  

LPS will request funds to support two full-time home visitors, whose primary role will be to conduct weekly home visits to high school students that are parenting young children and who participate in the Student/Child Learning Centers at Lincoln High School, Northeast High School, North Star High School, and Bryan Community Learning Center.  These home visitors will also conduct additional parent engagement activities at each of the centers. In addition to these two new full-time positions, grant funds will also support 20 additional contract days for two existing home visitors, so that the total of four home visitors maintain the same year-round schedule, allowing student parents to receive more consistent support through the summer.  

Home visitors will provide in-home support by following the Parents as Teachers evidence-based model, which promotes positive parenting and child health and development.  Currently, student parents receive all of their support in the school building, including childcare and parenting education. This additional component would provide more real world practical application of what is learned at school along with additional support in connecting to resources throughout the community that will assist students to graduate and transition to post-secondary education or employment.   

Community partners will include: Nebraska Children’s Home Society, Food Bank, and Community Action of Lancaster and Saunders County Early Head Start.       

Proposal
That the Board discuss the submission of a Sixpence Endowment Grant application to support two full-time home visitors, as well as additional days for two existing home visitors, for student parents with children ages birth – three. The grant application request is for $150,000, which requires a local level match with at least the same amount. The match will come from existing school social worker and nurse time that supports these student parents, and from in-kind services provided through community partners.   

Application due date: March 31, 2015  

Rationale:  In January 2015, the Board of Education adopted a technology 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 staff brings forth a technology implementation plan for Lincoln Public Schools.      

Proposal
That the Board approve the proposed technology implementation plan.  

Rationale: 

Following the review of the 4000 series of policies,  Policies 4100, 4210, 4310, 4320, 4330, 4400, 4420, 4500, 4520, 4615, 4630, 4640, 4670, 4680, 4700, 4710, 4720, 4730, 4740, 4760, 4770, 4775, 4800, 4820-4860, 4870, 4880, 4890, 4900, 4910., 4930, 4950, and 4960 are recommended to remain in effect as written; and policies 4000, 4200, 4220, 4510, 4600, 4610, 4810, and 4910 are recommended to remain in effect with small edits that require correction but do not change the intent of the policies.

Explanation
The revision of the 4000 series of policies identifies these policies as being recommended for continuation as is or with small edits.

Proposal
That the Board approve proposed changes to the 4000 series policies.

Rationale: 

Policy 4790 referenced a “next day” reporting requirement.  The revised Policy 4790 references a “next business day” reporting requirement.  This change in language reflects a more obvious intent of the policy and ensures that no one is found to have violated a policy because it was outside of their control.

Explanation
The revision of Policy 4790 clarifies language to better reflect the policy’s intent.

Proposal
That the Board approve Policy 4790.

Rationale: 

Over time, policies can become out of date and need to be revised to reflect new conditions in the schools. The current middle level instructional plan has changed.  The language in 6210 has been adapted to allow the district to more effectively deliver its non-core curriculum and improve student outcomes.

Explanation
The revision of Policy 6210 reflects changes to the middle level instructional plan.

Proposal
That the Board approve proposed changes to Policy 6210.

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 – 8th 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 28, 2015, through July 9, 2015.   

Tuition:
Tuition for students residing in the LPS district:
2015 Tuition                       Credit Hours  

$ 65.00                               2.5 credit hours
$130.00                              5.0 credit hours
$ 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:
2015 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 2014-15 school year are not eligible for summer school participation.   

Other Summer School Opportunities:  
-- Special Education Summer Programs will focus on meeting the individual needs of    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:  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 February 28, 2015, is attached.      

Proposal
Information item; no Board action required.  

Rationale:  March 29, Lincoln High School 100 Year Anniversary Open House, 2:00-4:00 pm, Lincoln High
April 1, Chamber Coffee, 8:00 am, Chamber Office
April 3, LPS Holiday
April 8, TCA Joint Board Meeting, 8:00 am, SCC Lincoln Campus
April 9, Inspire 2015, 6:00 pm, North Star High School
April 11, BackPack Walk, 10:00 am, East High School
April 14, 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.