May 27, 2014 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: 

Nebraskans for Civic Reform (NCR) is a non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to strengthened civic education and community engagement, veteran job readiness, and making elections more accessible. The group seeks to honor those dedicated to promoting civic responsibility and leadership.

Explanation
Three teachers in Lincoln Public Schools have been honored with Outstanding Educator Awards from the Nebraskans for Civic Reform. Their efforts in the classroom specifically promote civic involvement and leadership.

Lisa Bales, Lincoln Southwest High School, is an innovative and tenacious teacher who is always willing to try new programs to ensure that her students are learning how to be critical thinkers and active members of our society. Lisa brings excitement and opportunity to her Civics and Geography classes. This year she demonstrated this commitment as she took on three successful projects with her students including a Capitol Experience Day where her Civics class debated the idea of teachers carrying guns and two service projects centered on the environment, Lincoln’s homeless population, and the Nebraska Air National Guard. These opportunities created substantive learning opportunities for students in and outside the classroom.

Elizabeth Carranza-Rodriguez, Lincoln North Star High School, and her sixth period class of twenty-six geography students completed NCR’s Civic Engagement Mentor program. What started as a simple yet important conversation turned into a creative service-learning project in which they created care packages for Nebraska’s deployed Air National Guard members.  The students had to determine what was needed, who could help, and how to best raise donations.

Cheyenne Janssen, Lincoln Northeast High School, is a dedicated teacher who educates her students far beyond the requirements. She challenges her students to be critical thinkers and active members in our government and society. Cheyenne brings excitement and opportunity to her Government and Politics, Geography, U.S. History and Civics classes through engaging her students directly in our government and community. This year she took 100 students to the State Capitol where they shared in-depth testimony on two legislative bills after extensive preparation and research in the classroom. Prior to testifying, the students did their own research and preparation on the issues.

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

WHEREAS, Lisa Bales, Lincoln Southwest High School; Elizabeth Carranza-Rodriguez, Lincoln North Star High School, and Cheyenne Janssen, Lincoln Northeast High School, have been honored with Outstanding Educator Awards from the Nebraskans for Civic Reform; and

WHEREAS, they have been specifically recognized for their innovative efforts in the classroom specifically promoting civic involvement and leadership; and

WHEREAS, Lisa Bales demonstrated commitment as she took on three successful projects with her students including a Capitol Experience Day, Elizabeth Carranza-Rodriguez and her class created care packages for Nebraska’s deployed Air National Guard members, and Cheyenne Janssen took students to the State Capitol where they shared in-depth testimony on two legislative bills; and

WHEREAS, these educators have purposefully involved students in the decision-making, critical thinking, and action of testifying, supporting, and researching local issues; and

WHEREAS, these teachers have set exemplary standards for engaging their students and creating substantive learning opportunities for students in and outside the classroom. 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Lincoln Board of Education does hereby congratulate Lisa Bales, Elizabeth Carranza-Rodriguez, and Cheyenne Janssen for being named Outstanding Educators by the Nebraskans for Civic Reform and for their commitment to engaging students in their education and their community.

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: 

Explanation
The Human Resources Division also includes the Office of Risk Management.  As such, in addition to the Lincoln Board of Education approving all contractual agreements with employees, all employee benefit issues, all personnel actions, and all other matters within the scope of the Human Resources Division, as part of the Human Resources Matters agenda; the Lincoln Board of Education also must approve the settlement of Workers’ Compensation claims, take action on tort claims filed against the district, and take action on all other matters within the scope of the Office of Risk Management.

This report includes routine Human Resources changes:
   a.  Administrator Certificated Employees:
             Elections – 2
   b.  Certificated Employees:
             Elections – 38
             Re-Elections Same Assignment – 8
             Changes of Status – 4
             Leaves of Absence – 7
             Separations – 7
   c.  Substitute Certificated Employees:
             Elections – 3
             Separations – 21
   d.  Classified employees:
             Elections – 29
             Changes of Status – 1
             Leaves of Absence – 1
             Separations – 35
   e.  Other:
             Employment of Family Members – 1

Proposal
That the Board approve the Human Resources items presented in the attachment(s).*


*The information in the attachment(s) may be protected by privacy legislation until the Board of Education takes action on the staff recommendations.  Therefore, this attachment(s) is not included in agenda materials provided the public and the news media.  Any information in the attachment(s) that is not protected by privacy legislation, however, is available for public inspection from the Associate Superintendent for Human Resources upon request.

That the Board is approving the Human Resources items attached with the information as presented or as on file with official district records and documents relating to each such item, or in such other form as may be approved by the Associate Superintendent for Human Resources, or 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: 

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 27, 2014, were previously provided.

   Federal Tax ACH Deposit of $35,305.40.

   State Tax ACH Deposit of $679,388.22.

   Procurement Card ACH Transfer of $87,273.66.

   Office Depot ACH Transfer of $33,133.28.

   Retirement ACH Transfer of $4,050,004.09.

   Vendor ACH Transfer of $8,645.10.

b.  PAYROLL FOR RATIFICATION – Payroll for the periods ending May 6 and May15, 2014, in the amount of $118,225.59. 

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 large equipment for Nutrition Services kitchens; paper products for use by Nutrition Services for all locations; shelf-stable food products for use by Nutrition Services for all locations; cafeteria tables for various locations; wireless access points and network switches to update the wireless network at Riley Elementary and Culler Middle Schools; math intervention materials for use with students at Culler, Goodrich, Lefler, Park, and Dawes Middle Schools; 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 27, 2014.

b.  Payroll for the periods ending May 6 and May 15, 2014.

c.  Gifts for Adams, Eastridge, Pyrtle, Randolph, Southwest, Zeman, and the district.

d.  Bids/contracts/other routine business for large equipment for Nutrition Services kitchens; paper products for use by Nutrition Services for all locations; shelf-stable food products for use by Nutrition Services for all locations; cafeteria tables for various locations; wireless access points and network switches to update the wireless network at Riley Elementary and Culler Middle Schools; math intervention materials for use with students at Culler, Goodrich, Lefler, Park, and Dawes Middle Schools; and any other bids/contracts/routine business as presented.

Rationale: 

On February 25, 2014, the Board adopted a resolution to accept option students for the 2014-15 school year.  Applications have been received from students requesting that they be accepted as option students for the 2014-15 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 25, 2014.

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 25, 2014.  Staff recommends approval of these applications.

Proposal
That the Board adopt the following resolution:

WHEREAS the students who have been assigned student numbers 219676, 268611, 302616, and 302617 (for purposes of confidentiality, assigned numbers are being used) meet one or more of the criteria of the Board resolution of February 25, 2014, 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: 

Annually, the Board of Education reviews the contracts of the Associate Superintendent for Instruction, the Associate Superintendent for Business Affairs, the Associate Superintendent for Human Resources, and the Assistant to the Superintendent for General Administration and Governmental Relations.

Explanation
It is recommended that the proposed two-year contract for each of the three Associate Superintendents and the Assistant to the Superintendent be amended and extended for one year to June 30, 2016. It is also recommended that an overall total package increase of 3.95 percent be approved for this group for 2014-15.  Each contract is within the parameters set by the Board of Education. Each contract is within the parameters set by the Board of Education.

Included in the package increase for each of the three Associate Superintendents and the Assistant to the Superintendent are all district costs including the district’s contributions to health insurance, state retirement, and Social Security.

The proposed contracts are attached.

Proposal
That the Board of Education consider and discuss the recommended one-year contract extensions and overall total package compensation increases of 3.95 percent for the Associate Superintendent for Instruction, the Associate Superintendent for Business Affairs, the Associate Superintendent for Human Resources, and the Assistant to the Superintendent for General Administration and Governmental Relations.

Rationale: 

Explanation
The Lincoln Board of Education has recognized the Custodial Employees Association, the Maintenance Employees Association, the Nutrition Services Workers Association, and the Lincoln Public Schools Association of Office Professionals as the exclusive bargaining agents to negotiate salary, fringe benefits, and working conditions for members of the respective employee groups.  Mr. Ken Babcock has negotiated with each employee group.  Mr. Babcock has also met and conferred with the representatives from the Administrator and Technician groups.  Tentative agreements have been reached between Lincoln Public Schools and the respective employee groups for the 2014-15 school year.

The proposed agreement for each employee group calls for a 3.95 percent total package increase for 2014-15.  Each settlement is within the parameters set by the Board of Education.

Included in the package increase for each employee group are all district costs including the district’s contributions to health insurance, state retirement, and Social Security.

Proposal
That the Board of Education consider and discuss the proposed agreements with the Administrators, the Custodial Employees Association, the Maintenance Employees Association, the Nutrition Services Workers Association, the Office Professionals Association, and the Technicians for the 2014-15 school year.

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 2014-15 school year for the programs noted.  The rates are intended to recover the district’s anticipated actual costs for the 2014-15 school year.  

1.  Regular Instructional Program: 

2014-15 Rates                Per Year                     Per Semester              Per Day         

Grades K-6                    $  8,500.00                      $4,250.00                $48.30
Grades 7-8                    $10,200.00                      $5,100.00                $56.67
Grades 9-12                  $11,850.00                      $5,925.00                $65.83 

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 approve the proposed tuition rates.

Rationale:  At the second Board meeting of the month, information regarding the district’s monthly financial report is presented.      

Explanation
The monthly financial report for the month ending April 30, 2014, is attached.

Proposal
Information item; no Board action required.  

Rationale:  June 4, Chamber Coffee, 8:00 a.m., Chamber Office
June 10, Board Work Session, 4:30 p.m., LPSDO Board Room
June 11, The Career Academy Joint Board Meeting, 11:00 a.m., SCC Room V102
June 24, Budget Forum, 5:00 p.m., LPSDO Board Room
June 24, Board Meeting, 6:00 p.m.

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.