November 22, 2011 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: 

Mike Musil, English teacher at Lincoln North Star High School, was honored with the Award of Excellence by the Nebraska Department of Education for his extraordinary teaching talents, abilities, and initiative in working with and inspiring students.  The award specifically honors teachers who have the ability to encourage students of all backgrounds and abilities.

 Explanation

Mike Musil is an English teacher at Lincoln North Star High School.  He is active in working with students in student council and at homecoming and prom activities.

Musil is noted for his use of technology in the classroom, once surprising even his students when he instructed them to use their cell phones as part of a learning exercise.

In an interview with “Nebraska Loves Our Public Schools,” Musil described one of his teaching strategies:  

“I don't want them to memorize for the test and then forget.  I want them to memorize to remember.  Take those skills away so that when you're in the same situation later, you know exactly what to do without really having to think about it.  Go into auto pilot and prove you know it.”

Musil excels outside the classroom as well.  This month he helped coordinate the Nebraska Student Council Convention at North Star.  Last spring, he was selected to travel to Jordan for educational and professional development by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State, and IREX (International Research and Exchanges Board).

Fred Skretta, principal at Lincoln North Star High School, said about Musil:

“Mike has really worked with students and parents on the concept of mastery learning - that is, identifying the essential skills that we want all students to master, and helping kids achieve proficiency through performance.  Mike develops positive relationships with everyone, and his students will tell you that he is a fun teacher and one they really like!”

Proposal

That the Lincoln Board of Education adopt the following resolution: 

WHEREAS, Mike Musil earned the prestigious Award of Excellence from the Nebraska State Department of Education, and,

WHEREAS, Mike Musil embraces technology in the classroom as a way to demonstrate proficiency, helping students master essential skills, and,

WHEREAS, Mike Musil develops positive relationships with students and fellow educators, adding energy and fun to the classroom, and,

WHEREAS, Mike Musil relates to his students because he shows a genuine interest in their lives by attending their school activities, whether as a sponsor or as a spectator,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Lincoln Board of Education does hereby congratulate Mike Musil for earning the Award of Excellence, an honor he truly deserves for his dedication to teaching students skills they can apply in many avenues, and for creating a positive atmosphere in his classroom and his school to make it conducive for learning at a high level.

 

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:  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:
          Elections – 1
          Changes of Status – 1
          Separations – 1  

b.  Certificated Employees:
          Elections – 2
          Leaves of Absence – 2
          Separations – 2  

c.  Substitute Certificated Employees:
          Elections – 25
          Separations – 109

d.  Classified Employees:
          Elections – 31
          Changes of Status – 4
          Leaves of Absence – 1
          Separations – 7

e.  Other:
          Civic Leaves – 1
          Workers’ Compensation Lump Sum Settlements – 2

Recommended Motion:
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 her designee, and that the Board hereby authorizes the Associate Superintendent for Human Resources, or her 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: 
Explanation

The items included in routine business for this meeting are:

a.  REGULAR CLAIMS – Claims for the periods ending November 22, 2011, were previously provided.

     Federal Tax ACH Deposit of $2,375.65.

     State Tax ACH Deposit of $729,794.80.

     Insurance ACH Transfer of $2,616.73.

     Procurement Card ACH Transfer of $100,000.71.

     Office Depot ACH Transfer of $7,302.12.

     Retirement ACT Transfer of $3,662,279.33

     Vendor ACH Transfer of $793.47.

b.  PAYROLL FOR RATIFICATION – Payroll for the period ending November 3, 2011, in the amount of    $53,059.67.

c.  GIFTS – Approval for the gifts listed on the attached gift report.

d.  BIDS/CONTRACTS – Bids/contracts will be presented for approval for fire replacement iPods; computers stolen from Belmont Elementary School; governmental submittals for LPSDO site development; and any other bids and contracts as presented.

Recommended Motion

That the Lincoln Board of Education approve the following items of routine business:*

a.  The regular claims for periods ending November 22, 2011.

b.  Payroll for the period ending November 3, 2011.

c.  Gifts for Clinton, Eastridge, Fredstrom, Kahoa, Kloefkorn, and the district.

d.  Bids/contracts – Bids/contracts will be presented for approval for fire replacement iPods; computers stolen from Belmont Elementary School; governmental submittals for LPSDO site development; and any other bids and contracts as presented.

*That the Board is approving routine business and the listed bids and contracts with the information and in the form as presented, and except as to amount bid or total contract price, in such other form as may be approved by the Associate Superintendent for Business Affairs, or his designee, and that the Board hereby authorizes the Associate Superintendent for Business Affairs, or his designee, 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 the transaction as contemplated, for and on behalf of this school district.

 

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:  Board policies are regularly reviewed to assure consistency with changes in federal or state statutes or administrative directives or recommended changes in district practice.  Following the 2011 Nebraska Legislative session, changes are necessary in several LPS policies.

Explanation

The Policy Review Committee recommends changes to the following policies:
Policy 7000, replacing all policies and regulations in the present 7000 series.


Recommended Motion

That the Board discuss the recommended policy revision.

Rationale: 

Lincoln Public Schools Superintendent Steve Joel has identified the creation of a strategic plan as one of his most significant tasks and responsibilities.  The plan will establish immediate and clear overall priorities for the School District.  In January, February, and March of 2011 the School District held 17 strategic planning sessions—with 425 participants—gathering information from a broad variety of stakeholder and school groups.  Those sessions identified major issues that are vital to the success of students and engaged the community in collecting as many diverse opinions and suggestions as possible.

In March the Superintendent created the LPS/Community Strategic Planning Committee made up of a wide variety of community members and stakeholders.  Committee members came together in April and May to analyze and examine all the information and priorities compiled from the strategic planning forums, to discuss additional priorities, and to work toward creating a draft for a Strategic Plan.  The process involved an organized and directed conversation led by Dr. Larry Dlugosh, professor and former chair of Educational Administration in the College of Education and Human Sciences at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

The Superintendent and the Lincoln Board of Education continued the work this summer, using the framework from the LPS/Community Strategic Planning Committee.  The Board looked closely at the Committee’s priorities and recommendations to develop a working draft of four broad strategic planning goals and objectives.  The Board then identified an Action Writing Committee for each of the Strategic Planning Goals, and those groups met throughout the summer and fall to brainstorm strategies and action steps for each objective.  Action Writing Committee participants included members of the School Board, members from the original LPS/Community Strategic Planning Committee, and LPS staff.

Explanation

The Action Writing Committees have completed their work and have submitted their plans to the Superintendent, who is asking for review and approval from the Lincoln Board of Education.  The major Strategic Objectives are:

• LEARNING:  Increase graduation rate by three percentage points for on-time graduation rate by 2016, with focus on subgroups graduating below average, and continue to support fifth- and sixth-year graduates.
• COMMUNICATION and PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT:  Develop a comprehensive public engagement and partnership plan by September 1, 2012. 
• RESOURCES:  Continually expand efforts to recruit staff reflective of the diverse demographics of our students, and report annually to the Lincoln Board of Education.
• FACILITIES:  Continue 10-year facilities plan and expand scope of annual facilities update, emphasizing well-maintained and high-efficiency facilities.

TECHNOLOGY:  LPS recognizes the critical need for a major goal/objective related to technology in the school district.  Due to time and work constraints, we will undertake an action-writing plan for technology early in 2012.

PROPOSAL:

That the Board discuss the Strategic Plan.

Rationale:  Explanation

The monthly financial report for the month ending October 31, 2011, is attached.

Recommended Motion

Information item; no Board action required.

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 2010-11 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.

Recommended Motion

Information item; no action is required.

Rationale:  Wednesday, November 30 - Chamber Coffee at 8:00 a.m.

Tuesday, December 13 - Board of Education Meeting at 6:00 p.m.

REMINDER:  The Board of Education will only hold one meeting in December - December 13, 2011.

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:  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.

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 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.