August 27, 2013 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: 

Jane Holt has been honored as Distinguished Adviser of the Year by the Journalism Advisers of the Nebraska High School Press Association.  The award is given to high school journalism advisers and is based on characteristics that include years of service, honors earned, the positive impact on students, and additional community involvement

Explanation
Jane Holt is a journalism teacher and adviser for the yearbook and student newspaper, The Oracle, at Lincoln East High School.

East High colleagues report that Holt has a classroom full of energy, one that contributes to the problem-solving mantra that guides her students.  And the teaching methods she uses to help her students solve problems have a lasting impact far beyond the impact on the publications.  Students in fact develop a sense of their identity.

Holt says: “I love the students who are funny, sharp and aware of their worlds.  I love the puzzles, the problems, the pickles we face each day and the way in which we find workable solutions around those thorns.  The journalism classroom is filled with lots of laughter, honest conversations, pretty good music, and all the best in public education.”

Students who participate in Holt’s high school journalism experiences – produce a very visible product and have a hand in its creation from the beginning to the end.  Throughout the year, the students learn about the craft while practicing it.  That’s where Holt can help writers with their skills yet allow students to cover topics, as they deem necessary.

“The yearbook and newspaper staffs determine, create, edit, and distribute the contents of their publications, working collaboratively with the adviser and each other throughout the process. This represents a very important and freeing role in these student journalists' school lives. On a larger scale, these publications offer a sounding board and mirror for student opinions and lives - a snapshot of education and the world from the students' perspectives."

When Holt is not advising students in her journalism and yearbook classes, she is a library media specialist for the high school.

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

WHEREAS, Jane Holt has been honored as Distinguished Adviser of the Year by the Journalism Advisers of the Nebraska High School Press Association, and

WHEREAS, Jane Holt has been recognized by her peers for outstanding commitment to students in her journalism and yearbook classes, and

WHEREAS, Jane Holt creates classrooms and student experiences filled with learning, energy, laughter and life-impacting lessons, and

WHEREAS, Jane Holt finds a balance between instructing students and letting them understand the entire creative process, and

WHEREAS, Jane Holt stresses problem solving in a way that allows students to explore solutions on their own while still learning about all the possibilities.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Lincoln Board of Education does hereby congratulate Jane Holt for receiving the 2013 Distinguished Adviser of the Year by the Journalism Advisers of the Nebraska High School Press Association.

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: 

Rationale: 
Explanation
The items included in routine business for this meeting are:

a.    REGULAR CLAIMS – Claims for the period ending August 27, 2013, were previously provided.

       Federal Tax ACH Deposit of $22,981.83.

       Insurance ACH Transfer of $336.60.

       State Tax ACH Deposit of $645,055.39.

       Procurement Card ACH Transfer of $127,650.32.

       Office Depot ACH Transfer of $32,217.51.

       Vendor ACH Transfer of $26,550.18.

b.    PAYROLL FOR RATIFICATION – Payroll for the period ending August 15, 2013, in the amount of $143,208.29.

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 heat pump modules for Southeast High School; an agreement with Family Service Association of Lincoln for snacks; an agreement with Clyde Malone Center for CLC services at Culler Middle School and North Star High School; an interlocal cooperation act agreement for LPS Southeast Nebraska Region Program and Humboldt Table Rock Steiner and Wahoo Public Schools; an agreement with Heartland Big Brothers Big Sisters for services at Dawes Middle School; a lease agreement with the Lincoln Employees Federal Credit Union; 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 August 27, 2013.

b.    Payroll for the period ending August 15, 2013.

c.    Gifts for Everett, Fredstrom, Huntington, Information Technology Focus Program, Lincoln High, Maxey, Rousseau, Saratoga, Southeast, and the district.

d.    Bids/contracts/other routine business for heat pump modules for Southeast High School; an agreement with Family Service Association of Lincoln for snacks; an agreement with Clyde Malone Center for CLC services at Culler Middle School and North Star High School; an interlocal cooperation act agreement for LPS Southeast Nebraska Region Program and Humboldt Table Rock Steiner and Wahoo Public Schools; an agreement with Heartland Big Brothers Big Sisters for services at Dawes Middle School; a lease agreement with the Lincoln Employees Federal Credit Union; and any other bids/contracts/routine business as presented.

*That the Board, by approving Routine Business, is approving Regular Claims, Payroll for Ratification, and all listed Bids, Contracts, and Other Routine Business items or transactions with the information and in the form as presented, and except as to conclusive award or contract amounts, in such other form and with such other or modified terms and conditions as may be negotiated and/or approved by the Associate Superintendent for Business Affairs, or a designee, and that the Board by this approval delegates to and is hereby authorizing the Associate Superintendent for Business Affairs, or a designee, to (a) sign, execute, and deliver all necessary documents or contracts, (b) make all transaction or contract payments and designate a transaction or program administrator, (c) take or cause to be taken any and all other action as may be necessary to complete the transaction, and (d) administer, operate, exercise renewals, terminate, and/or implement each listed and approved item or transaction and all matters thereto on a day-to-day basis during its term as contemplated, for and on behalf of this school district.

Rationale:  On February 12, 2013, the Board adopted a resolution to accept option students for the 2013-14 school year.  Applications have been received from students requesting that they be accepted as option students for the 2013-14 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 12, 2013.

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 12, 2013.  Staff recommends approval of these applications.

Proposal
That the Board adopt the following resolution:

WHEREAS the students who have been assigned student numbers 264567 and 296220 (for purposes of confidentiality, assigned numbers are being used) meet one of the criteria of the Board resolution of February 12, 2013, 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:  March 15, 2013, was the deadline for enrollment option applications to be completed for students wishing to attend school in a district other than the one in which they reside for the 2013-14 school year.  The Lincoln Public Schools Board of Education has authority to waive the deadline for late enrollment option requests (NDE Rule 7, Section 004.05).

Explanation
Requests from students who reside in the Lincoln Public Schools District and wish to attend school outside of the Lincoln Public Schools District have been received after the March 15, 2013, deadline.  The Lincoln Public Schools Board of Education may deny or approve these requests.  If these requests are approved by the Board of Education, they will be forwarded to the option school district for their approval.

                              Student Number                                    Option District

Rationale:  Policy 6443 on Parental Involvement was adopted by the Board of Education on May 23, 1995, in compliance with the specific provisions in Revised State Statute 79-531.  Revised State Statute 79-533 provides that “the policy shall be reviewed annually and either altered and adopted as altered or reaffirmed by the Board following a public hearing.” 

Explanation
Policy 6443 (Attachment One) was originally developed with input from parents on the Community Curriculum Council and the Title I Parents Advisory Council.  No questions or concerns have been raised about the parental involvement policy by either parents or school staff during the year.

Staff recommends no change in this policy.

Proposal
That the Board reaffirms Policy 6443 on Parental Involvement.

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 Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools (Foundation) was established as a non-profit entity 24 years ago to cultivate donors who are passionate about education and to encourage them to make major and planned gifts.  As a result, the Foundation has been able to pass onto LPS $1+ million a year for additional programs and projects that bring enhanced opportunities to students.

Explanation
In order to continue facilitating this mutual partnership for the benefit of Lincoln Public Schools (LPS) students, LPS wishes to continue leasing space to the Foundation in its newly completed LPSDO facility.  And, at this time in consideration for its work and contributions that benefit the district, LPS agrees to credit such work and contributions as “payment-in-kind” for the annual lease rental amounts.  Such work and contributions are to be reconciled annually so that LPS receives fair value and compensation for the rented premises.  The term of the agreement is three years.  The rental is for a 1,103-square-foot space.  The agreement is subject to automatic annual renewal after the initial term and may be terminated at any time without cause on a 60-day notice.  A complete copy of the proposed lease agreement is available for review with official district records.

Proposal
That the Board discuss and review the proposed lease agreement.

It is recommended that Lincoln Public Schools enter into a lease agreement with the Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools, a Nebraska non-profit corporation, as lessee in the form as presented and discussed at this meeting or in such other form, and with such other terms and conditions as may be approved by the Associate Superintendent for Business Affairs or a designee.  

By approving this item, the Board hereby approves the lease agreement, and further hereby authorizes the Associate Superintendent for Business Affairs to sign, execute, and deliver any such agreement as finally negotiated, to assign or designate a Program Administrator to provide for facilitating the administration and operations under the agreement, and to take or cause to be taken any and all other action and sign any other documents as may be necessary to complete the transaction and to implement, administer, and operate under the agreement, for and on behalf of this school district.

Rationale:  The Nebraska Department of Career Education made grant applications available during mid-summer for ReVision and Innovation funding with a due date of August 1, 2013.   

Explanation
The LPS Career and Technical Education made timely application for continuing Program of Study Work and revisions in the Guidance Program for middle and high school students.     Grant award notification is expected in late August.

Proposal
That the Board discuss submission of grant applications for the following:

1.  ReVision grant application for $13,510 for continued work on course alignment, revision and
     development of curriculum in accordance with the Nebraska Department of Education Programs of
     Study.

2.  Innovation grant application for $19,594 for planned additions to the current Career Cruising software
     utilized by middle and high school students for education and career planning.  Grant funds would
     also provide training for middle and high school counselors to move forward with electronic student
     portfolios and coordinated guidance applications.

No matching funds are required. 

 

Rationale: 
Explanation
Staff recommends that the Board review the budget statement as amended (Attachment One) prepared in compliance with the Nebraska Budget Act, the Tax Equity and Educational Opportunities Support Act, State Law Sections 79-1081, 79-1085, and 79-10,110 R.R.S. Neb., and other Nebraska laws.  

RESOLVED by the Board of Education of Lancaster County School District 001:

1.    That the following is the Board’s estimate of the total amount under its adopted budget statement to be received by the district from taxation of the taxable property within the school district for the fiscal year beginning September 1, 2013, and ending August 31, 2014, namely:

$183,111,802   -  To provide for the financing of all facets of services rendered by the school district, inclusive of operations and maintenance, and further known as the General Fund.

$27,918,156  -  To provide for payment of interest and the retirement of the school district’s unlimited tax general obligation bonds, further known as the Bond Fund.

$5,203,163  -  To provide for environmental hazard abatement and accessibility barrier elimination projects; to provide for Qualified Zone Academy Bond projects; to provide for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 Academy Bond projects; and to provide for building modifications to address life safety code violations, indoor air quality, and mold abatement/prevention; further known as the Qualified Capital Purpose Undertaking Fund.

2.    That the County Commissioners of Lancaster County be requested and directed to levy and collect for said mentioned purposes the tax rate necessary to produce $216,233,121, after the county’s tax collection fee has been deducted, the same as other property taxes are levied and collected.

3.    That the officers of the Board be directed to report the action of the Board of Education to the County Commissioners of Lancaster County (in their capacity as the levying board) and to the Auditor of Public Accounts not later than September 20, 2013, in accordance with State Law Section 13-508 R.R.S. Neb., and that the officers be further directed to report the action of the Board to the Lancaster County Clerk in accordance with State Law Section 79-1083 R.R.S. Neb.

4.    That the 2013-14 budget as presented, and amended, and all supporting documents (copies of which are on file with official district records and which are hereby incorporated herein by this reference as though set forth in full) as developed by the administration are hereby approved and adopted.

5.    That the administration is hereby authorized to take all action necessary to implement the adopted budget herein, and to make any necessary changes or adjustments as required by Nebraska laws to properly reflect such adopted budget statement hereby approved, due to assessed valuation certifications or re-certifications or such other matters which require necessary fiscal adjustments to complete the budgeting process for the 2013-14 fiscal year adopted budget and budget statement hereby approved.

6.    That in accordance with Section 79-10,110 R.R.S. Neb. and other Nebraska laws, the Board has made a determination that an actual or potential environmental hazard or accessibility barrier exists, that a life safety code violation exists, or that expenditures are needed for indoor air quality or mold abatement and prevention within the school buildings or grounds of the Lincoln Public Schools and that approval of the budget and this resolution shall constitute: (a) establishment of the qualified capital purpose undertaking fund and accounts by the Board; (b) a determination by the Board that an actual or potential environmental hazard or accessibility barrier exists, that a life safety code violation exists, that expenditures are needed for indoor air quality or mold abatement and prevention within the school buildings or grounds under its control; (c) Board ratification of the accompanying itemized estimate of the amounts necessary to be expended for such matters, such estimate having been approved by the Board on August 9, 2005, June 23, 2009, and June 8, 2010; (d) Board approval and designation of the particular projects for which the tax levy will be expended, and as known or appropriate, the relevant period of years (not to exceed ten) for which the tax will be levied for such projects, and the amount of the levy (not to exceed five and two-tenths cents per hundred dollars of assessed valuation) for each year of the period; (e) Board approval of any listed undertaking for any qualified capital purpose in any qualified zone academy under its control and the tax levy to repay any qualified zone academy bond issued for such undertaking, and designation of the particular qualified capital purpose for which the qualified zone academy bonds were or are to be issued and for which the tax levy will be expended, and as known or appropriate, the relevant the period of years (not to exceed fifteen) for which the taxes will be levied, and the amount of the levy (not to exceed five and two-tenths cents per hundred dollars of assessed valuation) for each year of the period; (f) Board designation of more than one project or qualified capital purpose in any qualified zone academy, and approval of the tax levy for each such project or qualified capital purpose, concurrently or consecutively, as the case may be, the aggregate levy of which in each year and the duration of each such levy shall not exceed the limitations as specified in § 79-10,110, and other laws; (g) Board approval of any listed undertaking for the construction of a new public school facility or the acquisition of land on which such a facility is to be constructed or any expansion, rehabilitation, modernization, renovation, or repair of any existing school facilities under its control and the levy of a tax to repay any American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 bond and Board designation of the particular project or projects for which the bond has been or will be issued and for which the tax levy provided will be expended and the period of years for which the tax will be levied to repay such bond not exceeding the maximum term of thirty years for Build America and/or qualified school construction bonds and the amount of the levy (not to exceed five and two-tenths cents per hundred dollars of assessed valuation) for each year of such period and Board ratification and approval of the accompanying itemized estimate of the amounts necessary to be expended for such project or projects; (h) Board approval that the levy may be imposed for such duration as the Board specifies, notwithstanding the contemporaneous existence or subsequent imposition of any other levy for another project, qualified capital purpose, qualified zone academy purpose or American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 purpose imposed, up to the limit specified in  § 79-10,110, and other laws, and notwithstanding the subsequent issuance by the district of bonded indebtedness, if any is permitted, payable from its general fund levy or otherwise; and (i) Board establishment and approval to maintain with submission of the itemized estimate, an environmental hazard abatement and accessibility barrier elimination project account, a life safety code modification project account, an indoor air quality project account, a mold abatement and prevention project account, and a qualified capital purpose undertaking or other such sub-accounts, within the qualified capital purpose undertaking fund, so that taxes collected shall be credited to the appropriate account to cover project or undertaking costs and so that such estimates may be presented to the county clerk and taxes levied accordingly (Attachment Two).

7.    That the officers of the Board be directed to make and deliver to the County Clerk, not later than September 20, 2013, the approved itemized estimates of the amounts necessary to be expended for the abatement of environmental hazards, for accessibility barrier elimination, and for modifications for life safety code violations, indoor air quality, or mold abatement and prevention in the school buildings or grounds of the Lincoln Public Schools and for any necessary or required qualified zone academy purpose or American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 purpose as provided by § 79-10,110 and other laws.

8.    That in accordance with Section 003.04C of Title 92, Nebraska Administrative Code, Chapter 2, Section 79-1070 R.R.S. Neb., and other Nebraska laws and regulations, the Board authorizes that at any time during the 2013-14 school fiscal year there is temporarily insufficient money in any of the particular funds detailed in section 1 of this resolution, or in any of the funds of a “blended component unit” of the district as such term is defined in the Governmental Accounting Standards Board Statement 14, the Associate Superintendent for Business Affairs or his designee may transfer money from other funds to such fund, such transfer to be considered a loan subject to repayment as soon as funds are available to do so.

Proposal
That the Board approve the 2013-14 budget statement, itemized estimate, and resolution as amended. 

 

Rationale: 

Rationale:  Board Policy 6130 authorizes a summer school program.   Board members annually review plans for summer school.   Summary information is provided as an overview of the high school summer school program in conjunction with the district goal of increasing the high school graduation rate. 

Explanation
The 9-12 Summer School program is held at North Star High School.   The 2013 program had an enrollment of 1,211 students from our six high schools and a small number of non-LPS schools.  The program offers both online and classroom learning opportunities for students.  A variety of courses are offered, allowing students to choose options that support successful completion of all high school graduation requirements.

Staff will be present to provide additional information about the summer school program.

Proposal
This is an information report; no Board action is required.

Rationale: 

Rationale:  Monday, September 2, LPS Closed in Observance of Labor Day

Wednesday, September 4, 8:00 a.m., Chamber Coffee, Chamber Office

Tuesday, September 10, 6:00 p.m., LPS Board and ESU Board Meeting, LPSDO

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.