November 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: 

Explanation
Joni Osborn has been a North Star Gator since the school opened more than a decade ago when she began working immediately to develop a true sense of belonging for all students. She included all students, whether music was their niche, or whether they were simply appreciative of wonderful music.

Osborn created a school mission for music that aims to “enrich the lives of all students through the experiences of creating, performing, and responding to music.”

That mission is working. One North Star music student says:

“Ms. Osborn shows a passion for music that she displays to her students each and every day. She assures every student will get the most out of their experience at Lincoln North Star and prepares them for life after high school. Teaching music and being there for students makes a positive impact on their lives. She gives kids something to be passionate about.”

Osborn is also known for encouraging students to be their best.  A co-worker notes:

“She is the kind of teacher that expects a student’s absolute best effort and will not take any excuses, ever. Over her incredible career, the number of lives she has touched and changed is uncountable. Joni gives all she has for her students, colleagues and her school.”

The Nebraska Music Educators Association believes a teacher who receives this award “should epitomize every facet of excellence in music teaching in Nebraska,” and Osborn was chosen based on her excellence in music-making, total music education, creativity and imagination, and impact on students, the school and the community.

What makes Osborn stand out among music educators is her ability to nurture a welcoming culture in the music wing at the high school, according to North Star Principal Vann Price:

“Our music wing has been a place where students from all backgrounds can find their niche thanks in great part to the culture that Joni has helped establish. …Students find acceptance and a place where their creativity is nurtured and appreciated.”

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: 

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

   a.  Certificated Employees:

             Elections –2

             Re-Elections New Assignment – 1

             Changes of Status – 2

             Leaves of Absence – 3

             Separations – 3

   b.  Substitute Certificated Employees:

             Elections – 9

             Separations – 2

   c.  Classified Employees:

             Elections – 23

             Changes of Status – 4

             Leaves of Absence – 1

             Separations – 4

   d.  Other:

             Workers’ Compensation Lump Sum Settlements – 3

             Civic Leaves – 1

             Employment of Family Members – 1

 

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 November 24, 2015, were previously provided.                    

Federal Tax ACH Deposit of $32,370.57.                    

State Tax ACH Deposit of $751,838.72.                    

Procurement Card ACH Transfer of $95,423.37.                    

Office Depot ACH Transfer of $5,844.10.                    

Vendor ACH Transfer of $84,992.11.

b.  PAYROLL FOR RATIFICATION – Payroll for the period ending November 13, 2015, in the amount of $103,635.63.

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 math instructional books; an agreement arranging Foreign Language study tours; the purchase of a commercial mower; the purchase of technology items for The Career Academy; the purchase of a front-end wheel loader; kitchen equipment for Wysong and Norwood Park Elementary Schools; approval of a resolution requested by NDOR; an amendment providing for additional Northeast band students to travel to London; an agreement to increase internet access for LPS students; 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 November 24, 2015.  

b.  Payroll for the period ending November 13, 2015.  

c.  Gifts for Calvert and Park.  

d. Bids/contracts/other routine business for the purchase of math instructional books; an agreement arranging Foreign Language study tours; the purchase of a commercial mower; the purchase of technology items for The Career Academy; the purchase of a front-end wheel loader; kitchen equipment for Wysong and Norwood Park Elementary Schools; approval of a resolution requested by NDOR; an amendment providing for additional Northeast band students to travel to London; an agreement to increase internet access for lPS students; items 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: 

Lincoln Public Schools is part of a very generous community and has many strong community partners.  As a result, Lincoln Public Schools receives offers of many different types of gifts throughout the year.  The Board encourages donations of gifts to the district, but must weigh financial, facility, and other factors before determining that it can accept the responsibility for receiving gifts.  Policy 3410 outlines those factors.

Explanation
Adds to the other factors that are considered in accepting the gift that it furthers the purpose of the District.

Proposal
That the Board discuss proposed changes to Policy 3410.

Rationale: 

According to State Rule 91, each district is required to set its own Safe Driving Record Standard.  It is reflected in LPS Policy 3760, which was last updated in 2009.

Explanation
After consultation with insurance carriers, Policy 3760 has been updated to reflect comparative standards for a safe driving record and length of driving record that will be considered.

Proposal
That the Board discuss proposed changes to Policy 3760.

Rationale: 

Currently, Policy 3760 sets the standards of safe driving for those employees transporting people and objects.  Since the measures of driver safety is driving records, not district records, any driving offenses by drivers while outside of the school day are not immediately available.  Adding a component that requires affected transportation employees to self-report if involved in traffic violations will assist the LPS Transportation Department in maintaining safe drivers between annual audits of drivers’ records.

Explanation
Policy 4790 is a notification policy requiring employees to notify the district after a law violation under certain circumstances.  The proposed change to 4790 would add driving violation as an office that must be self-reported by employees covered under Policy 3760Safe Driving Record Standard for Drivers.

Proposal
That the Board discuss proposed changes to Policy 4790.

Rationale: 

The Board of Education assigns school attendance areas to property newly annexed to the City of Lincoln or newly platted.  This action establishes school attendance areas prior to the sale of residential lots, allowing purchasers to know which schools their children will attend.      

Explanation
The City of Lincoln has annexed two parcels of land, which automatically brings these properties into the Lincoln Public Schools District.  These properties need to be assigned attendance centers so that potential purchasers of homes in this area will know which schools they will be attending:  

Eastmont at Yankee Hill, Annexation Ordinance #20214, for the 2015-16 school year:  Cavett Elementary School, Pound Middle School, and Southeast High School  

N 70th St & Arbor Road, Annexation Ordinance #20237, for the 2015-16 school year:  Norwood Park Elementary School, Dawes Middle School, and Northeast High School      

Proposal
That the Board approve the proposed attendance area assignments of the newly annexed properties.

Rationale: 

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

Explanation
The 2014-15 audits for the school district and Educational Service Unit No. 18 have been completed.  A representative from Orizon CPAs, LLC will be present to discuss the audits.      

Proposal
Information item; no action is required.

Rationale:  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 October 31, 2015, is attached.      

Proposal
Information item; no Board action required.

Rationale: 

November 25 - November 27, No School All Levels

November 30, No School Elementary Only

December 2, Chamber Coffee, 8:00 a.m. Chamber Office

December 8, Board Meeting, 6:00 p.m., 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.