May 10, 2016 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: 

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 Certificated Employees:

             Changes of Status – 1

             Separations – 1

   b.  Certificated Employees:

             Elections – 11

             Re-Elections New Assignment – 1

             Changes of Status – 2

             Leaves of Absence – 24

             Separations – 14

   c.  Substitute Certificated Employees:

             Elections – 6

             Separations – 46

   d.  Classified Employees:

             Elections – 18

             Changes of Status – 2

             Separations – 19

 

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 May 10, 2016, were previously provided.

Federal Tax ACH Deposit of $5,501,326.36.                   

Procurement Card ACH Transfer of $77,667.19.                   

Office Depot ACH Transfer of $41,026.38.                   

Vendor ACH Transfer of $136,427.48.

b.  PAYROLL FOR RATIFICATION – Payroll for the period ending April 29, 2016, in the amount of $14,357,968.03.

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 cheer squad uniforms and accessories for Southwest; payment of International Baccalaureate school and exam fees; selection of a vendor to construct a concrete walking track at Meadow Lane; the purchase of reading/language arts materials for Wysong; the purchase and installation of playground equipment and rubber tile at Wysong; the purchase of classroom furniture for Nuernberger; the purchase of reading/language arts materials for the district; the purchase of classroom furniture for the district; the purchase of projectors for Wysong, Nuernberger, and Humann; the purchase of AP Human Geography textbooks for East and North Star; the purchase of cheer squad uniforms and accessories for East; the purchase of library media materials for Wysong; an agreement for specialized classroom management training; renewal of agreement for retainer and legal services; agreement for professional development services; agreement for a mathematics professional development partnership; items listed for auction; a resolution of intent regarding Woods Tennis Center; 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 May 10, 2016.

b.  Payroll for the period ending April 29, 2016.

c.  Gifts for Kloefkorn.

d.  Bids/contracts/other routine business for the purchase of cheer squad uniforms and accessories for Southwest; payment of International Baccalaureate school and exam fees; selection of a vendor to construct a concrete walking track at Meadow Lane; the purchase of reading/language arts materials for Wysong; the purchase and installation of playground equipment and rubber tile at Wysong; the purchase of classroom furniture for Nuernberger; the purchase of reading/language arts materials for the district; the purchase of classroom furniture for the district; the purchase of projectors for Wysong, Nuernberger, and Humann; the purchase of AP Human Geography textbooks for East and North Star; the purchase of cheer squad uniforms and accessories for East; the purchase of library media materials for Wysong; an agreement for specialized classroom management training; renewal of agreement for retainer and legal services; agreement for professional development services; agreement for a mathematics professional development partnership; items listed for auction; a resolution of intent regarding Woods Tennis Center; and any other bids/contracts/routine business as presented.

Rationale: 

On February 23, 2016, the Board adopted a resolution to accept option students for the 2016-17 school year.  Applications have been received from students requesting that they be accepted as option students for the 2016-17 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 23, 2016.      

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 23, 2016.  Staff recommends approval of these applications.      

Proposal  
That the Board adopt the following resolution:  

WHEREAS, the students who have been assigned student numbers 215020, 407558, 407556, 407555, 407557, 208126, 412663 (for purposes of confidentiality, assigned numbers are being used) meet one or more of the criteria of the Board resolution of February 23, 2016, 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:  *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 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 what 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:

Prairie Village North, Annexation Ordinance #20312, for 2015-16 school year:  Pershing Elementary School, Mickle Middle School, and Northeast High School.

Grandview Estates 1st Addition, Annexation Ordinance #20308, for 2015-16 school year:  Maxey Elementary School, Pound Middle School, and Southeast High School.

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

Rationale: 

Each year, the Business Affairs Office makes recommendations to the Board of Education for tuition charges for regular and special education programs.  This is done in accordance with Policy 3300 and Regulation 3300.1.

Explanation
The following is the recommendation for tuition charges for the 2016-17 school year for the programs noted.  The rates are intended to recover the district’s anticipated actual costs for the 2016-17 school year.

1.  Regular Instructional Program:

2016-17 Rates                      Per Year                     Per Semester              Per Day           
Grades K-6                        $  9,050.00                     $4,525.00                 $51.42           
Grades 7-8                        $10,850.00                     $5,425.00                 $60.28           
Grades 9-12                      $12,650.00                     $6,325.00                 $70.28           

Based on 176 days elementary and 180 days secondary.

2.  Specialized Services for Special Education Programs:

Special education tuition rates will be determined using the calculation provided by the Nebraska Department of Education.  The rate will include Lincoln Public Schools’ cost per student calculated pursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. 79-598(3) plus Lincoln Public Schools’ average cost per student for special education services adjusted upward for students receiving an even more intense program.

Proposal
That the Board discuss the proposed tuition rates.

Rationale: 

The Community Health Endowment (CHE) of Lincoln is a municipal endowment dedicated to making Lincoln, Nebraska, the healthiest community in the nation. To achieve this vision, CHE invests in health-related nonprofits and agencies; works to ensure a strong healthcare safety net and access to quality, coordinated care and medical homes; and convenes the community around important health issues. Availability of funds is announced twice annually and applications are accepted through a competitive grant process.  Current applicants will apply for a preliminary Phase I proposal in June, and based on a review, may be invited to apply with a more comprehensive Phase II proposal in September. Awards made through the current cycle will start January 1, 2017, and depending on the request made, run up to three years—through December 31, 2020.

Current priorities include:

• Innovative practices that result in health care and behavioral health providers taking an active role in helping patients stay healthy outside of a clinical setting, including non-traditional collaborations between health care, behavioral health, and social/human services;
• Intentional linkages between housing, health, neighborhood organizations, financial institutions, and economic development; and
• Prevention-focused efforts that foster healthy behaviors and lead to improved health outcomes.

CHE also encourages applicants to consider the relationship of poverty to the issue being addressed.

Explanation
Lincoln Public Schools proposes to request Community Health Endowment (CHE) support to modify its existing Transition program for high school students. Currently, Student Services oversees two Transition classrooms: one each at Lincoln High and Southeast High School, both of which help students transitioning into high school from multiple situations such as other districts, juvenile justice settings, hospitalizations, etc. A teacher and para-educator in a dedicated classroom help these students re-acclimate to the coursework, schedule and school environment, and communicate with their teachers as appropriate. Meanwhile, students returning to home and school from acute care or residential mental health programs receive little of the formal support or follow-up necessary to help them continue with recovery, which often results in lost school time, recidivism and, ultimately, dropping out of school.

A CHE grant will support the salary of a full-time licensed therapist, contracted through a community partner organization, to join the Transition classroom at Lincoln High (the classroom will utilize the existing teacher and para-educator). This will allow the district to pilot a broader scope of transition for students returning from acute or long-term mental health placements back into the school environment with mental health support.  Based on attendance, behavior and academic outcomes of students involved in the pilot, the district may expand the program to include Southeast High School’s Transition classroom at the end of the grant. Through developing partnerships with local and regional placement providers, a better system of communication will also be developed through the pilot so that LPS is more aware of the population of students returning from such placement. The gradual transition from the program back into the general school population will be very individualized and will be informed by a wellness plan developed with each student at discharge from placement.

Proposal
That the Board consider the submission of a Phase I proposal to the Community Health Endowment for up to $100,000 per year for up to three years. This grant would provide the funds for LPS to pilot a new service by contracting with a licensed therapist to become part of the Transition classroom team at Lincoln High School. No matching funds are required for this proposal, which is due June 3, 2016.

Rationale: 

The Community Health Endowment (CHE) of Lincoln is a municipal endowment dedicated to making Lincoln, Nebraska, the healthiest community in the nation. To achieve this vision, CHE invests in health-related nonprofits and agencies; works to ensure a strong healthcare safety net and access to quality, coordinated care and medical homes; and convenes the community around important health issues. Availability of funds is announced twice annually and applications are accepted through a competitive grant process.  Current applicants will apply for a preliminary Phase I proposal in June, and based on a review, may be invited to apply with a more comprehensive Phase II proposal in September. Awards made through the current cycle will start January 1, 2017 and depending on the request made, run up to three years with an end date of December 31, 2020.

Current priorities include:

• Innovative practices that result in health care and behavioral health providers taking an active role in helping patients stay healthy outside of a clinical setting, including non-traditional collaborations between health care, behavioral health, and social/human services;
• Intentional linkages between housing, health, neighborhood organizations, financial institutions, and economic development; and
• Prevention-focused efforts that foster healthy behaviors and lead to improved health outcomes.

CHE also encourages applicants to consider the relationship of poverty to the issue being addressed.

Explanation
Several years ago, LPS worked with the Lancaster County Medical Society and Community Health Endowment to purchase automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for all secondary schools. This equipment has been proven valuable each year, as one or two incidents due to sudden cardiac arrest happen per school year somewhere in the district. Last year, for the first time ever, one such incident occurred at an elementary school involving a student with an undiagnosed heart condition who almost died as a result of sudden cardiac arrest. Thankfully, school staff performed CPR on the student until an ambulance arrived and treated the student successfully.

According to Student Services, 596 students within LPS have a known cardiac condition, a statistic that continues to rise with the incidence of childhood obesity, as does the likelihood of undiagnosed cardiac conditions. In an emergency situation, AEDs are easy to use and save lives.

Lincoln Public Schools proposes to request Community Health Endowment (CHE) support to help purchase AEDs for all elementary schools in the district. CHE has agreed to consider support for the purchase of AEDs specifically in the twenty elementary schools that serve the highest proportion of low-income students, or Title I schools.  It is estimated that 20 AEDs will cost approximately $32,500.  Of this amount, $20,000 may be awarded to LPS without a match requirement.  The remaining $12,500 must be matched dollar for dollar.  LPS and the Foundation for LPS (FLPS) are working to secure this match.  FLPS is also working with LPS to secure funding for an additional $32,500 to purchase AEDs for the remaining 19 elementary schools and the new Marilyn Moore Middle School.

Proposal
That the Board consider the submission of a Phase I proposal to the Community Health Endowment for up to $32,500 for the one-time purchase of AED equipment for 20 elementary schools. Dollar for dollar match is required for $12,500 of this amount, for which staff are working to secure.

This proposal is due June 3, 2016.

Rationale: 

The U.S. Department of Education through Title VII of the ESEA provides funds to fulfill the Federal Government’s unique and continuing trust relationship with and responsibility to the Indian people for the education of Indian children. These funds support the goal of ensuring programs that serve Indian children are of the highest quality and provide for not only the basic elementary and secondary educational needs, but also the unique educational and culturally related academic needs of these children. The purpose of this program is to support American Indian and Alaska Native students in meeting the same challenging state student academic achievement standards as all other students are expected to meet. The district has received federal funds for services for Native American students since the mid-1980’s. 

Explanation
Lincoln Public Schools Indian Education program will provide support to Native American students in grades PK-12 in the 2016-17 school year. Native American students are enrolled in all schools across the district representing about 60 tribes as designated by the parent. The funding from federal grants specifically for Native American students is $146,179. Decisions regarding the use of these funds are made in consultation with the Native American Advisory Committee.

Proposal
That the Board approves the submission of the required application for year three of the Indian Education grant to the U.S. Department of Education for $146,179. The original four-year grant was approved by the Board of Education in May 2014. No district-funding match is required.  

The grant application has a submission date of May 13, 2016. 

Rationale: 

May 11
TCA Joint Board Meeting, TCA, 8:30 am
Face the Chamber, Country Club of Lincoln, 12:00 pm
LEAccolades, Firefighter's Hall, 5:30 pm

May 13, LPS Asian American Student Recognition, Lincoln Community Foundation, 6:00 pm

May 16, Board Organizational Meeting, LPSDO, 5:30 pm

May 17, VOICE Student Recognition, Bryan Medical Plaza, 6:30 pm

May 19
Last day of School
Bryan Community Graduation, Southwest High School, 7:00 pm

May 22
East High Graduation, Pinnacle Bank Arena, 12:00 pm
North Star Graduation, Devaney Sports Center, 1:30 pm
Southeast Graduation, Pinnacle Bank Arena, 3:00 pm
Lincoln High Graduation, Devaney Sports Center, 4:30 pm
Northeast Graduation, Pinnacle Bank Arena, 6:00 pm
Southwest Graduation, Devaney Sports Center, 7:30 pm

May 24
Leadership LPS Reception, LPSDO, 4:30 pm
Board Meeting, LPSDO, 6:00 pm

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.