January 9, 2018 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

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.

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.

Lisa Maupin, Lincoln East High School French instructor, has been named 2017 French Teacher of the Year by the Nebraska Association of Teachers of French in conjunction with the Nebraska International Languages Association.

EXPLANATION:

Lisa Maupin has been recognized by her peers across the state of Nebraska for her dedication and enthusiasm for the French language.

During her time at Lincoln East High School, Lisa has devoted herself to her students and her passion for teaching. In addition to teaching classes at East, she has started a French class at an elementary school, organized her students to visit middle schools to promote the French program and takes on any opportunity to promote the French culture and language.

The nomination letter for the award stated:

"Lisa is a highly driven teacher, who not only loves teaching French, but who fully invests herself into opening students’ horizons. Just this last year, I witnessed her taking on the challenge of implementing IPA’s, taking French students on the trip to France and becoming a technology early adopter for Lincoln East High."

EXPLANATION:

Marissa Wanamaker has been recognized by her peers across the state of Nebraska for her dedication and enthusiasm for the German language and her ability to build relationships with her students.

During her time at Lincoln High School, Marissa has prepared students to perform at the top level during state foreign language competitions, motivated them to become life-long language learners, and inspired them to experience new cultures.

Lincoln High School World Language Department Chair Dr. Janet Eckerson stated in her nomination letter:

"Marissa is committed to preparing students to be global citizens like herself. She travels widely, supports local exchange students, and maintains relationships around the world. She works actively to support Lincoln High’s International Baccalaureate Program, co-sponsors a student International Club, and leads the German National Honor Society. Her students compete annually at UNL’s Language Fair and German Convention."

In keeping with Board Policy 8420:

• Persons speaking during Public Comment will be called forward individually by the Board Chair to the location identified for such purpose. 
• 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. Board members may share, address or consider comments from the public during public comment, at the end of public comment or when related business is on the agenda.
• Each individual speaking to the Board will be required to identify himself or herself prior to giving public comment. A “Record of Appearance” card is provided for this purpose.
• Persons wishing to appear will be heard in the order in which the Chair of the meeting determines appropriate.
• In cases where more than one person wishes to speak on the same topic, their presentations to the Board may, at the discretion of the chair, be grouped together by topic.
• If the number of people wishing to speak under the public participation portions of the agenda is large, the chair may rule that a public hearing be scheduled or the discussion be limited on the issue in question.
• Persons speaking to the Board during public comment may make printed materials available to the Board but may not use any other form of media.

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.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:

             Elections - 1

   b.  Certificated Employees:

             Elections - 18

             Re-Elections Same Assignment - 2

             Changes of Status - 3

             Leaves of Absence - 2

             Separations - 7

   c.  Substitute Certificated Employees:

             Elections - 13

             Separations - 7

   d.  Classified Employees:

             Elections - 36

             Leaves of Absence - 1

             Changes of Status - 9

             Separations - 28

   e.  Other:

             Workers Compensation Lump Sum Settlements - 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.

EXPLANATION:
The items included in routine business for this meeting are:

a.  REGULAR CLAIMS - Claims for the period ending January 9, 2018, were previously provided.

                Federal Tax ACH Deposit of $6,091,682.09.

                State Tax ACH Deposit of $829,523.79.

                Procurement Card ACH Transfer of $140,576.82.

                Child Support ACH Transfer of $18,909.62.

                Office Depot ACH Transfer of $7,079.44.

                Blue Cross/Blue Shield ACH Transfer of $4,888,742.09.

                Term Life/Disability ACH Transfer of $190,687.79.

                Retirement ACH Transfer of $4,915,819.96.

                Vendor ACH Transfer of $225,237.06.

b.  PAYROLL FOR RATIFICATION - Payroll for the periods ending December 6, December 15, and December 29, 2017, in the amount of $15,904,387.69.

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 replacement computers for Operations; the purchase of an outdoor marquee sign at Lincoln High; elevator repairs at Rousseau; 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 January 9, 2018.

b.  Payroll for the periods ending December 6, December 15, and December 29, 2017.

c.  Gifts for Campbell, The Career Academy, Clinton, Don Sherrill Education Center, East, Lefler, Lincoln High, McPhee, Northeast, Sheridan, Southeast, Southwest, Zeman, and the district.

d.  Bids/contracts/other routine business for the purchase of replacement computers for Operations; the purchase of an outdoor marquee sign at Lincoln High; elevator repairs at Rousseau; items listed for auction; and any other bids/contracts/routine business as presented.

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

93^rd Street and O Street, Annexation Ordinance #20586, for 2017-18 school year:  Pyrtle/Meadow Lane Elementary Schools, Lux Middle School, and East High School.

LES Southeast Service Center, Annexation Ordinance #20575, for 2017-18 school year:  Wysong Elementary School, Moore Middle School, and East High School.

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

EXPLANATION:
It is recommended that award be made to:

Cornhusker International (Lincoln, Nebraska)                            $888,240.00

There were two other proposals:

Truck Center Companies (Lincoln, Nebraska)                            $899,904.00

Nebraska/Central Equipment (Grand Island, Nebraska)             $958,368.00

A complete proposal tabulation is available in the Purchasing Office.

This will be an expenditure of $888,240.00 from the Depreciation Fund.

PROPOSAL:
That the Board discuss this award to Cornhusker International.  The Board, by approving this agenda item, is approving the purchase order and purchase from Cornhusker International according to the terms and conditions as presented or such other or additional terms and provisions as negotiated and approved by the Director of Custodial Services and Transportation or a designee, and the Board is hereby delegating to and authorizing the Director of Transportation or a designee to take possession of the property and to sign, execute, and deliver all necessary contract 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, administer and implement the  stated purchase order and the purchase transaction as contemplated thereby, for and on behalf of this school district.

EXPLANATION
It is recommended that award be made to:

Truck Center Companies (Lincoln, Nebraska)                            $800,722.00

There were three other proposals:

Truck Center Companies-Alternate (Lincoln, Nebraska)             $817,930.00

Cornhusker International Trucks (Lincoln, Nebraska)                  $824,900.00

Nebraska/Central Equipment (Alda, Nebraska)                           $953,412.00

A complete proposal tabulation is available in the Purchasing Office.

This will be an expenditure of $800,722.00 from the Depreciation Fund.

PROPOSAL:
That the Board discuss this award to Truck Center Companies.  The Board, by approving this agenda item, is approving the purchase order and purchase from Truck Center Companies according to the terms and conditions as presented or such other or additional terms and provisions as negotiated and approved by the Director of Custodial Services and Transportation or a designee, and the Board is hereby delegating to and authorizing the Director of Transportation or a designee to take possession of the property and to sign, execute, and deliver all necessary contract 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, administer and implement the  stated purchase order and the purchase transaction as contemplated thereby, for and on behalf of this school district.

Steelcase is an international manufacturer of office furniture, interior architecture and space solutions for offices, hospitals and classrooms. Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, this company prides itself on innovation and diversity, modeling these characteristics in both its business practices as well as its commitment to communities.

To this end, Steelcase invests in visionary educators and educational institutions that promote the advancement of active learning, through its Active Learning Center grant program.  Through its research and innovation in furniture, tools and technologies for learning spaces, Steelcase wants to work with educators to rethink classrooms and other spaces to incorporate user-friendly technology, flexible furniture and other tools to support active learning. Steelcase uses this grant program to advocate for a holistic ecosystem of interdependent pedagogy, technology and space.

Annually, up to 16 grants are awarded to classrooms for grades 6 - 12 or in a college or university in the U.S., Canada or Mexico. The grant provides one active learning classroom (including furniture, design review, installation, onsite training and Learning Environment Evaluation measurement tool). Grant recipients agree to provide sufficient dedicated space, participate in online training, and conduct and share research over a two-year period.

Explanation
Lefler Middle School proposes to redesign a current classroom in order to create a space that is more conducive to problem-based learning. As part of the requirements for an award, Lefler will research, explore and compare student engagement strategies as part of this new design, including both problem-based and project-based learning experiences.

Proposal
That the Board discuss the submission of an LPS application to Steelcase Education to support renovation of classroom space at Lefler Middle School that will better facilitate problem-based learning. The value of the grant is up to $67,000, with no match requirement.

Application due date: February 2, 2018.

The 21^st Century Community Learning Centers (CLCs) federally-funded grant program provides grants to eligible schools for the purpose of creating or expanding Community Learning Centers.  The primary purpose of 21^st Century funds is to provide students with academic enrichment opportunities designed to complement their regular academic program.  All CLC services are provided during non-school hours or periods when school is not in session.  The Community Learning Centers programs and activities are designed to build on the capacity of community partners and neighborhood schools.  Each site is to have an academic focus to assist participating students in meeting state and local academic achievement standards.  Families of students served may also receive services in areas which support family literacy, health, other family support services, and childcare.

Explanation
This 21^st Century CLC grant application is a continuation funding grant for the Everett, Lakeview and Mickle CLC schools.  In 2013 Mickle was removed from 21^st Century funding due to reduced free and reduced numbers.  Those numbers have since increased, adding Mickle back into this funding stream.  Mickle has continued as a CLC site without 21^st Century funds. The identified schools have specific needs which are in line with the goals of the 21^st Century grant process and have successfully achieved stated outcomes in the continuation grant award.  Community partners that have been identified to serve as the CLC lead agency and to assist in the planning and service provision include:  Lincoln Parks and Recreation, Willard Community Center and the YMCA.  These community partners will be essential to the successful delivery of quality after school opportunities for students.  The continuation grant will build on the success these sites have experienced over the past years.  Successes have included:  1) consistently serving an average of 321 thirty plus day students each year and over 750 total students attending after school.  2) NeSA data indicates students in after school programs meet or exceed in reading and math at a higher percentage than non-attending after school students.  3) The CLC sites and partnering agencies have become more intentional in their alignment of before and after school programs with the school day program.  4) In continuation grant years 11 thru 14, these CLC sites exceeded the state benchmark of 3.5 on the State Site Observation Tool which evaluates program quality in six domain areas.  The average score for these sites was 4.63 on a 5.0 scale.  Core program activities will include homework / academic support, enrichment activities, recreation and leisure, character education and development, and service learning as well as activities to support nutrition and healthy lifestyles.  It is projected that approximately 340 students will be impacted by the CLC programs at these three sites.

The following program goals will guide the program design and delivery:

Goal 1: Improve student learning performance in one or more core academic areas.

Goal 2: Increase social benefits and improve behavior.

Goal 3: Increase family and community involvement in schools.

Proposal
That the Board discuss the submission of this federally-funded grant application to the Nebraska Department of Education.  The total grant amount over a five year period is projected to be $519,500.  The 100% match requirement is met by the grant community partners.  No financial match is needed from the Lincoln Public Schools.

United Way of Lincoln and Lancaster County is a vital resource to support community-based services in our community. We are fortunate as a community that United Way conducts an annual community campaign to raise funds that support important initiatives focusing on its local strategic priorities which are to serve children through activities that lead to graduation and to address the needs of persons in crisis.  

United Way recently announced that it is accepting competitive applications for projects under a two-year funding cycle, from July 2018 through June 2020.  Projects must be ready to implement programs under one of three strategic pillars, one of which is education.  Lincoln Public Schools operates a successful Two Generation Family Literacy Program which is considered an ideal Educational Support strategy.  LPS currently receives a grant from United Way for $17,500 annually, which will expire in June 2018.

Explanation
LPS serves a minimum of 160 refugee and immigrant parents of LPS students, all of whom have a desire to be more proficient in speaking English and in understanding and supporting their children at school. Parents attend a Two Generation Family Literacy Program at one of the following LPS elementary schools: Arnold, Belmont, Campbell, Clinton, Elliott, Everett, Hartley, Lakeview, Prescott, Randolph or West Lincoln (plus a program at McPhee that is part of United Way’s more comprehensive "Engage. Empower. Graduate." initiative). Languages spoken by these participants have included Arabic, Chin-Zomi, Dinka, Farsi, Karen, Karenni, Kurdish, Nuer, Russian, Spanish, Ukrainian, Urdu, and Vietnamese. Typically, 100% of these families qualify for the Free and Reduced Lunch Program.

The evidence-based Family Literacy model followed by LPS includes the following four components:

• Adult Education Instruction—provided through high quality ESL classes
• Children's Education—teaching literacy through a viable district curriculum
• Parent and Child Together Time (PACT)
• Parenting Education Classes

These services are provided to 14 or 20 families at each location. The parents commit to participating in at least 10 hours each week in support of their family literacy development.  An award from United Way in the amount of $20,000 per year will assist in providing general operating support for all eleven sites.

Proposal
That the Board approve the submission of a proposal to United Way of Lincoln and Lancaster County to support the Two Generation Family Literacy Program in the amount of approximately $20,000 per year for a two-year funding cycle.

Applications are due to United Way in February, 2018.

EXPLANATION
The monthly financial report for the month ending November 30, 2017, is attached.

PROPOSAL
Information item; no Board action required.

January 10: TCA Joint Board Meeting, 8:00 am, TCA

January 12: MLK Freedom Breakfast, 7:30 am, Embassy Suites, Lincoln

January 17: GNSA Meeting, 9:30 am, NCSA

January 22: NASB Legislative Session

January 23: Board Meeting, 6:00 pm, LPSDO

In keeping with Board Policy 8420:

• Persons speaking during Public Comment will be called forward individually by the Board Chair to the location identified for such purpose.
• 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.  Board members may share, address or consider comments from the public during public comment, at the end of public comment or when related business is on the agenda.
• Each individual speaking to the Board will be required to identify himself or herself prior to giving public comment.  A "Record of Appearance" card is provided for this purpose.
• Persons wishing to appear will be heard in the order in which the Chair of the meeting determines appropriate.
• In cases where more than one person wishes to speak on the same topic, their presentations to the Board may, at the discretion of the chair, be grouped together by topic.
• If the number of people wishing to speak under the public participation portions of the agenda is large, the chair may rule that a public hearing be scheduled or the discussion be limited on the issue in question.
• 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.
• 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, require a change in behavior and may require the person or persons to leave the premises of the Board meeting. 

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.

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.