June 23, 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: 

Lincoln Public Schools has been selected as a 2015 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School District Sustainability Awardee. The honor is given to schools and school districts for work that includes environmental education, a focus on health and wellness improvement, and reducing environmental impact and costs.

Explanation

Lincoln Public Schools is one of 14 school districts across the nation to have earned this award.  The district earned the award for its emphasis in environmental education, promoting healthy living for students and staff, and reducing its own environmental impact and costs.

James Blake, science curriculum specialist for LPS, said:  “Green schools require a collaborative effort on the part of many within our large district. Putting together all of the pieces helped us recognize how far our district has come in making our schools health conscious and environmentally green.”

Geothermal system heat and cool 85 percent of the district square footage. Once new construction projects are complete, the percentage will increase to approximately 90 percent. Projects include new construction and indoor air quality projects. LPS has found that through the implementation of geothermal system we can now heat and cool facilities for the same cost as heating in the past.

Composting and recycling are other examples where schools have taken ownership to help make the school district green. Six schools now practice composting school lunch leftovers, with one school turning food and food product waste into 90 percent compost materials.  This is made possible through the help of students, nutrition services staff, and school staff.

In addition, the award recognized that LPS has been a community partner in improving health and wellness efforts for students, staff, and families through an active district wellness program. The wellness program has also increased the district’s strong academic gains in both achievements and course offerings in science curriculum.

In a letter to Superintendent Steve Joel, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said:

“You are using your achievements in these areas to cut your district’s costs, improve student health and productivity, and teach your students STEM subjects, civic engagement, and skills for the careers of the future.”

 

Rationale: 

In keeping with Board Policy 8420:

• A time limit of five minutes will be allotted for any speaker.
• Members of the Board of Education will not respond or engage with speakers.
• Persons speaking to the Board during public comment may hand out printed materials to the Board but may not use any other form of media.
• The Board Chair may make adjustments to the public comment guidelines, according to Policy 8420.
• If at any time persons appearing before the Board exceed the time limitations or become abusive in language or behavior, the Chair may declare that person out of order and to refuse permission to continue to address the Board.
• Anyone refusing to be identified will be prohibited from speaking.

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.  Administrator Employees:

             Elections – 1

   b.  Certificated Employees:

             Elections – 45

             Re-Elections Same Assignment – 4

             Re-Elections New Assignment – 1

             Changes of Status –1

             Leaves of Absence – 5

             Separations – 2

   c.  Substitute Certificated Employees:

             Elections – 1

             Separations – 19

   d.  Classified Employees:

             Elections – 16

             Changes of Status –5

             Separations – 31

   e.  Other:

             Workers’ Compensation Lump Sum Settlements – 1

   f.  Approval of proposed agreements with Nutrition Services Workers Association and Technicians for the 2015-16

       school year.

   g.  Approval of amendment to Certificated Administrators Contract for Athletic Director to increase

        number of working days from 220 days to 260 days.

 

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 June 23, 2015, were previously provided.

Federal Tax ACH Deposit of $4,982,633.28.                

State Tax ACH Deposit of $729,865.85.                

Procurement Card ACH Transfer of $149,846.34.                

Office Depot ACH Transfer of $49,342.66.                

Vendor ACH Transfer of $12,449.81. 

b.  PAYROLL FOR RATIFICATION – Payroll for the period ending May 29, 2015, in the amount of $13,188,657.04. 

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 armored car pickup services; purchase of bio-technology equipment for use by TCA students; payment of fees for AP exams taken by East students; purchase of laptop computers for new staff; purchase of English/Language Arts curriculum; purchase of Connected Classroom equipment; purchase of Identity Access Management software; an agreement to provide/receive educational services; an agreement for SCIP staff training; an increase in engineering services related to potential new middle school sites; an agreement for services related to CLC activities; an agreement for the provision of deaf or hard of hearing services; 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 June 23, 2015.  

b.  Payroll for the period ending May 29, 2015.  

c.  Gifts for Eastridge and Goodrich.  

d.  Bids/contracts/other routine business for armored car pickup services; purchase of bio-technology equipment for use by TCA students; payment of fees for AP exams taken by East students; purchase of laptop computers for new staff; purchase of English/Language Arts curriculum; purchase of Connected Classroom equipment; purchase of Identity Access Management software; an agreement to provide/receive educational services; an agreement for SCIP staff training; an increase in engineering services related to potential new middle school sites; an agreement for services related to CLC activities; an agreement for the provision of deaf or hard of hearing services; items to be listed for auction; and any other bids/contracts/routine business as presented.

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 213563, 276116, 301145, 400555, and 400554 (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: 

March 15, 2015, 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 2015-16 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

Requests from students who reside in the Lincoln Public Schools District and wish to attend school outside of the Lincoln Public Schools District have been received after the March 15, 2015, deadline.  The Lincoln Public Schools Board of Education may deny or approve these requests.  If these requests are approved by the Board of Education, they will be forwarded to the option school districts for their approval.                                      

Student Number  Option District                                                                         257938  Waverly

242722   Waverly                                                                                                       

Proposal

That the Board approves these requests for option out for the 2015-16 school year.   

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: 

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 available 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 principle areas of interest:

• Human Services
• Education
• Civic & Community
• Arts & Culture

Principles important to Woods Charitable Fund when funding applications include innovation, impact and scale, institutional and community impact, and sustainable collaboration.

Explanation

In the last school year, 12% of Lincoln High School’s (LHS) student population was either already involved in the juvenile justice system or pending probation. In addition, 28% of students missed 10% or more of the school year when research suggests the high school norm should be approximately 10% of students. These and other statistics (poverty, diversity, ELL) reflect Lincoln High School’s challenge to serve the highest proportion of students at risk for failure, drop-out and involvement in the justice system.

That the Board discuss the submission of an LPS application to Woods Charitable Fund to support social and emotional interventions for students at Lincoln High School. The grant application request will be for approximately $100,000 per year for three years, with no match requirement.

Application due date: July 15, 2015.

 

Rationale: 

Lincoln Public Schools has continually worked with several local providers for services related to Community Learning Centers at various LPS locations.  Agreements have been proposed for the term period of July 1, 2015, through September 30, 2016.      

Explanation

It is recommended that Community Learning Center agreements be entered into between Lincoln Public Schools and the following entities at the costs and locations listed below:  

Boys and Girls Club of Lincoln/Lancaster County; Park                         $  45,500.00

Cedars Youth Services; Clinton/Hartley                                                   55,260.00

Clyde Malone Center; Culler                                                                    71,100.00

Family Service Association; Holmes/Huntington/Prescott/                      272,356.00

Riley/Saratoga/West Lincoln

Lincoln Housing Authority; Arnold                                                             33,940.00

Nebraskans for Civic Reform; Dawes                                                       90,578.00

Northeast Family Center; Brownell/Norwood Park                                    60,050.00

Willard Community Center; Lakeview                                                       25,048.00

YMCA of Lincoln; Lefler/Mickle/Pershing/Elliott                                         102,726.00

                                                                                                           $756,558.00  

This will be a total expenditure of $756,558.00.  Expenditures will be divided as:  $692,458.00 from the Federal Fund and $64,100.00 from the Special Grant Fund.  

Complete copies of the proposed agreements are available in the Purchasing Office.        

Proposal

That the Board approve the Community Learning Center Agreements, as listed above.  As these new agreements are planned to take effect on July 1, 2015, these contracts will need to be executed as soon as possible.  The Board, by approving these agreement with the above named entities, is approving the awards, the contract documents for these projects, and all associated documents related thereto according to the terms and conditions as on file with district records or such other or additional terms and provisions as negotiated and approved by the Associate Superintendent for Business Affairs, or a designee, and the Board is hereby delegating to and authorizing the Associate Superintendent for Business Affairs, or a designee, to sign, execute, and deliver the contract documents and all such related documents, make all contract payments, and to take or cause to be taken any and all other action and sign any other documents as may be necessary to complete the transaction, and to administer, operate, and/or implement the contract and all associated documents related thereto on a day-to-day basis during this project as contemplated thereby, for and on behalf of this school district, and hereby designates the Director of Federal Programs, or another person as selected by the Associate Superintendent for Business Affairs, or a designee from time to time, as its program administrator under these agreements.        

Rationale: 

Each spring a transportation plan is prepared for the following school year.  District policy 3710 is reviewed and recommendations for operational changes are solicited from individual school buildings and various departments.  Schedules are prepared and a summary of needs is balanced against staff and equipment available to the district.  Each year a review of all routes for the current year are reconsidered.      

Explanation

The Lincoln Public Schools Transportation Department will transport only those students who qualify under provisions of state law, including:  

Elementary and Middle School students residing more than four (4) miles from the school in the attendance area within which they reside.  

Special Education students whose individual education plan (IEP) require transportation as essential to learning.  

Students who have been moved for the benefit of the district to relieve overcrowding, due to major facility renovations, efficiency in use of buildings and/or staff.  

In addition, the Board, at its discretion, may approve other transportation areas based upon unique circumstances and for the purpose of equalizing school enrollments and facilitating programs.  

Attached is a tentative listing of all routes recommended for the 2015-16 school year.      

Proposal

That the Board approve the 2015-16 Transportation Plan.

Rationale: 

Lincoln Public Schools (LPS) and Educational Service Unit 18 (ESU 18) have participated in an ongoing interlocal cooperation agreement in which LPS is to provide “Core Services” in the areas of staff development, technology, and instructional materials with ESU 18 reimbursing LPS for said services.  The term of the renewal period for this agreement will be September 1, 2015, through August 31, 2018.      

Explanation

It is recommended that the agreement between LPS and ESU18 be extended.  ESU 18 agrees to reimburse LPS for all expenses incurred in providing services pursuant to this agreement, except that the amount of such reimbursement shall not exceed:  

$4,000,000.00         for 2015-2016

$4,250,000.00         for 2016-2017

$4,500,000.00         for 2017-2018  

A complete copy of the proposed agreement is available in the Purchasing Department.      

Proposal

That the Board approve the Interlocal Cooperation Act Agreement between Lincoln Public Schools and ESU 18 for Core Services.  The Board, by approving this agreement as presented or with such other or additional terms and provisions as negotiated and approved by the Associate Superintendent for Business Affairs, or a designee, is hereby delegating to and authorizing the Associate Superintendent for Business Affairs, or a designee in conjunction with other staff, to select any needed services under the agreement, and the Board is further hereby delegating to and authorizing the Associate Superintendent for Business Affairs, or a designee, to sign, execute, and deliver the agreement and all such other documents, make all contract payments, act as the program administrator and to take or cause to be taken any and all other action as may be necessary to complete the transaction, and to administer, operate, terminate, and/or implement the agreement on a day to day basis during its term as contemplated thereby, for and on behalf of this school district.    

Rationale: 

Lincoln Public Schools (LPS) and Educational Service Unit 18 (ESU 18) have participated in an ongoing interlocal cooperation agreement in which ESU 18 is to provide certain services typically provided by ESUs elsewhere in the state.  Such services include instructional media services, technology, and staff development with LPS reimbursing ESU 18 for said services.  The term of the renewal period for this agreement will be September 1, 2015, through August 31, 2018.      

Explanation

It is recommended that the agreement between LPS and ESU 18 be extended.  LPS agrees to reimburse ESU 18 for actual costs incurred in providing services pursuant to this agreement, except that the amount of such reimbursement shall not exceed:  

$5,500,000.00         for 2015-2016

$6,000,000.00         for 2016-2017

$6,500,000.00         for 2017-2018  

A complete copy of the proposed agreement is available in the Purchasing Department.      

Proposal

That the Board approve the Interlocal Cooperation Act Agreement between Lincoln Public Schools and ESU 18 for Educational Services.  The Board, by approving this agreement as presented or with such other or additional terms and provisions as negotiated and approved by the Associate Superintendent for Business Affairs, or a designee, is hereby delegating to and authorizing the Associate Superintendent for Business Affairs, or a designee in conjunction with other staff, to select any needed services under the agreement, and the Board is further hereby delegating to and authorizing the Associate Superintendent for Business Affairs, or a designee, to sign, execute, and deliver the agreement and all such other documents, make all contract payments, act as the program administrator, and to take or cause to be taken any and all other action as may be necessary to complete the transaction, and to administer, operate, terminate, and/or implement the agreement on a day to day basis during its term as contemplated thereby, for and on behalf of this school district.  

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 May 31, 2015, is attached.      

Proposal

Information item; no Board action required.  

Rationale: 

Thursday, June 25, Public Budget Forum, 7:00 pm, Lefler Middle School

Friday, July 3, Holiday

Wednesday, July 8, TCA Joint Board Meeting, 8:00 am, Southeast Community College Lincoln Campus

Tuesday, July 14, Board Work Session, 5:00 pm, LPSDO

Tuesday, July 28, Board Meeting, 6:00 pm, LPSDO

Rationale: 

In keeping with Board Policy 8420:

• A time limit of five minutes will be allotted for any speaker.
• Members of the Board of Education will not respond or engage with speakers.
• Persons speaking to the Board during public comment may hand out printed materials to the Board but may not use any other form of media.
• The Board Chair may make adjustments to the public comment guidelines, according to Policy 8420.
• If at any time persons appearing before the Board exceed the time limitations or become abusive in language or behavior, the Chair may declare that person out of order and to refuse permission to continue to address the Board.
• Anyone refusing to be identified will be prohibited from speaking.

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.