September 22, 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: 

Mollie Leisinger, a teacher at Lincoln North Star High School, has been honored as the Novice Art Educator of the Year by the Nebraska Art Teachers Association.  Leisinger is currently in her third year at North Star.  She graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in fine art.  After working for the Lincoln Arts Council for three years, Mollie received her K-12 certification from UNL.      

Explanation
Mollie Leisinger did not consider teaching until she was working with the Lincoln Arts Council.  Through this opportunity, she worked alongside visiting artists in Lincoln Public Schools, helping students with new techniques.  Leisinger credits her mentor for sparking the interest in teaching art at the high school level: “I student taught at North Star, which is now where I teach, with Lynette Fast.  It was because of her mentorship, my experiences with the students and all of the staff of North Star that I figured out that not only did I want to teach this age group, but that I wanted to teach at North Star.”  

Leisinger says watching students grow is meaningful for her: “Seeing my students grow intellectually is what piques my interest as a teacher.  In my first two years, I have taught Level 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 pottery classes and would say that what is most rewarding is the ability to observe students build a strong technical foundation and understanding of the materials we use in class and then transforming their ideas into reality.”  

Leisinger says reflection over the summer has helped her focus on integrating technology into her curriculum: “I decided this summer that I wanted to start this year with technology being a part of my curriculum.  This semester, my classes will be using Google Classroom to do writing and reflection in connection with the standards of Respond, Connect, and Present.  Students will submit assignments in our Google Classroom through Google Docs that demonstrate understanding of how art conveys meaning and how they are able to relate their own artistic ideas to the work of others.  Students will also present their work using their Google accounts through building online portfolios.”      

Proposal
That the Lincoln Board of Education adopt the following resolution:  

WHEREAS, Mollie Leisinger, a teacher at Lincoln North Star High School, has been honored as the Novice Art Educator of the Year by the Nebraska Art Teachers Association; and 

WHEREAS, Mollie Leisinger recognizes the value of the visual learning experience, connecting it to the new state standards and other areas of learning; and  

WHEREAS, Mollie Leisinger has devoted her professional life to teaching high school students the value of art in all its forms in a way that gives students a connection to their learning; and  

WHEREAS, Mollie Leisinger is well-known for her commitment to her students and their growth and well-being and has earned the respect and admiration for her dedication and talent from her peers.  

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Lincoln Board of Education does hereby recognize Mollie Leisinger for having been named the Novice Art Educator of the Year by the Nebraska Art Teachers Association.  

Rationale: 

Shelley Speidell is currently in her thirteenth year at Goodrich Middle School and has taught previously at Pound Middle School.  She is a product of Lincoln Public Schools, having attended Eastridge Elementary, Lefler Junior High, and Lincoln East High School.  Shelley has been honored by the Nebraska Art Teachers Association as the Middle Level Art Educator of the Year.      

Explanation
Since the third grade, Shelley Speidell has wanted to be an art teacher.  She had talent, an artistic father, and a knack for working with kids – a knack that was beneficial when she volunteered at Eastridge Elementary while still a student at East.  

Art allows for people to connect.  Speidell said:
“Art is so personal that being able to share it with my students forms a bond that many past students still have with me and we stay in touch.”  

Speidell noted how things have changed since she began teaching, especially with new technology enhancing the overall learning experience in the art classrooms.  She said: “As digital art programs and apps become available to the middle-level art rooms, I see it enhancing and expanding what we currently teach, but I also see art as a tactile, hands-on experience that students need to immerse themselves in to fully enjoy.  The look on my students’ faces the day we start a clay sculpture unit is so inspiring that I never want art education to lose that.”  

Speidell also finds great joy in specifically teaching middle school students:  In the midst of a time when middle school students are trying to find their place in social settings, those same students are also curiously exploring interests and opportunities without always having to find the right answer.

The visual learning experience opens people’s eyes to knowledge, and Speidell takes great joy and pride in opening the eyes, wonder, and creativity of her students.    

Proposal
That the Lincoln Board of Education adopt the following resolution:  

WHEREAS, Shelley Speidell of Goodrich Middle School has been honored as Middle Level Art Educator of the Year by the Nebraska Art Teachers Association; and

WHEREAS, Shelley Speidell recognizes the value of the visual learning experience, how it develops creative learners with unique talents; and  

WHEREAS, Shelley Speidell has devoted her professional life to teaching middle school students the value of all art forms in a way that gives students a connection to their learning; and

WHEREAS, Shelley Speidell is well known for her commitment to her teaching profession and her co-workers, and has earned their respect and admiration for her dedication and talent.  

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Lincoln Board of Education does hereby recognize Shelley Speidell for having been named the Middle Level Art Educator of the Year by the Nebraska Art Teachers Association.

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.  Certificated Employees:

             Elections – 3

             Changes of Status – 5

             Leaves of Absence – 9

             Separations – 3

   b.  Substitute Certificated Employees:

             Elections – 21

             Changes of Status – 1

             Separations – 3

   c.  Classified Employees:

             Elections – 50

             Changes of Status – 11

             Separations – 21

 

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 September 22, 2015, were previously provided.                

Federal Tax ACH Deposit of $52,344.97.                

State Tax ACH Deposit of $725.408.86.                

Procurement Card ACH Transfer of $122,495.05.                

Office Depot ACH Transfer of $10,682.97.                

Vendor ACH Transfer of $46,360.63.

b.  PAYROLL FOR RATIFICATION – Payroll for the period ending September 15, 2015, in the amount of $191,772.07.

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 LCD projectors for Irving; annual subscription to software service; an agreement implementing the BIST model for the 2015-16 school year; educational service agreements with multiple school districts and agencies; an agreement for CLC services at North Star; 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 22, 2015.  

b.  Payroll for the period ending September 15, 2015.  

c.  Gifts for Northeast, West Lincoln, and the district.  

d.  Bids/contracts/other routine business for the purchase of LCD projectors for Irving; annual subscription to software service; an agreement implementing the BIST model for the 2015-16 school year; educational service agreements with multiple school districts and agencies; an agreement for CLC services at North Star; 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 269369, and 406132 (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 408796 (for purposes of confidentiality we are using an 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 expulsion is 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 CLASS technology plan provides budget resources in the 2015-16 fiscal year for the purchase of enough Chromebooks to provide one for use by each student in grades 3-5.  Twenty-six bids were received from twelve vendors in response to RFQ 8064 and the Dell 11” Chromebook was the lowest cost model that featured a standard three-year warranty.  Moreover, the Dell model scored highest in the evaluation of features and performance, achieving a value quotient twenty percent higher than the nearest alternative.  A complete tabulation of the cost and evaluation scoring is available from the Purchasing Department.

Explanation
Due to the increased use of digital curriculum, including associated on-line assessments, elementary schools are struggling to meet the demand with existing computing resources and this will be even more pronounced in the spring during the NeSA testing season.  Implementation of Chromebooks in grades 3-5 during this school year will be designed to meet existing demands and the implementation plan will be based on the model successfully used in the mid-year implementation of Chromebooks at Sheridan Elementary this past spring.  

It is recommended that the Board award a total of $2,445,900.00 to Sterling Computers (Dakota Dunes, South Dakota) to purchase 9,300 Dell 11” Chromebooks including device management software licensing (Chrome Management); and $36,348.43 to Dell Inc. (Round Rock, Texas) for the purchase of 9,250 KACE asset management licenses and three-year maintenance.  The discrepancy between the quantity of Chromebooks and number of licenses on this order is due to the fact that the licenses are sold in packs of 250.  The remaining 50 licenses will be covered by previously purchased license packs already owned by the district.

Vendor	Description	Cost	Extended Cost
Sterling Computers	Dell Chromebook 11”	$239.00	$2,222,700.00
Sterling Computers	Chromebook Device Management	$24.00	$223,200.00
Dell Inc.	KACE Asset Management (37 packs of 250)	$541.39	$20,031.43
Dell Inc.	KACE 3-year maintenance (37 packs of 250)	$441.00	$16,317.00

This will be an expenditure of $2,482,248.43 from the General Fund.      

Proposal
That the Board discuss the recommendation of an award to Sterling Computers and Dell, Inc. Lead times are six business days for the delivery of Dell Chromebooks to Sterling Computers, five weeks for Sterling to process and deliver all the Chromebooks to LPS for distribution, and approximately eight weeks to distribute the Chromebooks to all elementary schools and prepare elementary teachers in their effective use.  A complete project timeline has been shared with the Board Technology Committee.  The Board, by approving these purchases, hereby designates the Chief Technology Officer, or another person as selected by the Superintendent, or a designee from time to time, as its program administrator under these purchase orders.  

Rationale: 

A hearing was previously held 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 2015-16 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 school 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 2015-16 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 2015-16.  

Staff recommends that the following resolution be adopted so that the 2015-16 budget may be funded as adopted.  A simple majority vote is required.      

Proposal
That the Board of Education approve the following proposed resolution:   THEREFORE Be it resolved that the Board of Education of Lancaster County School District 001 hereby sets the district’s 2015-16 property tax request at a different amount from that of the 2014-15 fiscal year and that, pursuant to State Law Sections 77-1601.02, and other Nebraska laws, does hereby set the 2015-16 Lincoln Public Schools property tax request, including the county’s collection fee and any delinquent tax allowances, as follows:

 

General Fund	$199,801,170.73
Building Fund	0
Bond Fund for High School Bonds Authorized in 1999	5,385,886.81
Bond Fund for Bonds Authorized in 2006	13,061,003.91
Bond Fund for Bonds Authorizes in 2014	11,050,373.63
Qualified Capital Purpose Undertaking Fund	6,505,523.17
Total Lincoln Public Schools Tax Request	$235,803,958.25

 

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: 

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 August 31, 2015, is attached.      

Proposal
Information item; no Board action required.  

Rationale: 

September 25, Brownell 50th Celebration, 2:30-3:30 pm, Brownell Elementary

October 1-3, CUBE Annual Conference, Phoenix, Arizona

October 7, Chamber Coffee, 8:00 am, Chamber Office

                  TCA Joint Board Meeting, 8:15 am, TCA

October 13, 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.