June 10, 2014 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting
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1. LPS BOARD OF EDUCATION INFORMATION
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. |
2. CALL TO ORDER
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3. ROLL CALL
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4. ANNOUNCE OPEN MEETING ACT POSTING AND LOCATION
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5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
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.
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6. SPECIAL REPORTS, PRESENTATIONS AND CELEBRATIONS OF SUCCESS
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6.1. Family Literacy Council Update
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7. PUBLIC COMMENT
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.
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8. CONSENT AGENDA
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8.1. Human Resources Matters
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. |
8.2. Routine Business
Rationale:
At each meeting, the Board of Education is asked to approve certain items of routine business of the school district.
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8.3. Option Enrollment Student Applications for 2014-15
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 280098, 212328, and 198915 (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.
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9. FIRST READING, ACTION AT NEXT MEETING
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.
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9.1. Evaluation and Proposed Compensation with the Superintendent of Schools
Rationale:
Annually, the Board of Education evaluates and reviews the contract of the Superintendent of Schools. The 2013-14 evaluation of Steve Joel, Superintendent, is in the process of being completed and will be recommended for approval to be placed in his personnel file and his contract is being recommended for extension and compensation increase as well as an additional one-time additional compensation agreement. Copies of a public summary of the Superintendent’s evaluation will be available for the next meeting and the proposed contract and one-time compensation agreement for approval are attached. ExplanationIt is recommended that the current contract for the Superintendent be amended as well as the one-time compensation agreement be approved as attached. The proposed contract and agreement are attached.
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9.2. From Board Committees
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9.3. From the Superintendent
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9.3.1. College Access Grant - Lincoln High, Southeast High, Northeast High Schools
Rationale:
EducationQuest’s College Access Grants program provides funding to Nebraska high schools to increase the high school’s college-going rate (from EducationQuest website, http://www.educationquest.org/middle-high-school-professionals/college-access-grants/). College-Access Grants are competitive grants awarded to high schools with the goal of increasing the school’s college-going rate by 10 percentage points over four years. The grant funds support college access activities including college visits, scholarship and financial aid presentations, career exploration, ACT/SAT Test Prep, etc. Schools with 1,301 and more students can request up to $20,000 and must serve at least 10 percent of the Student Target Population. Explanation Lincoln High, Southeast High and Northeast High Schools are applying for the College Access Grant to support activities to increase the number of students that pursue post-secondary education after graduation. Each school will have the goal of increasing the high school’s college-going rate by 10 percentage points. All of the schools will target students whose home language is not English, students from low-income families, and students who will be the first generation in their family to earn a post-secondary degree or certificate. Staff from each school will use the College Access Grant to provide a College Club, ACT Test Preparation, parent engagement activities, college visits, job shadowing with local professionals, and assistance in applying for scholarships and financial aid. Proposal That the Board discuss and approve the submission of the College Access Grant for Lincoln High, Southeast High and Northeast High Schools. The grant application request is for $20,000 per school. Grant funds will be used for a part-time Coordinator (Teacher Optional Period Stipend), college visits – transportation and lunch, recognition and incentives, childcare for parent activities, ACT Test Preparation, summer programming, and other relevant expenses. The grant requires a 10 percent match, which can be cash or in-kind. Each of the schools will provide the required match through in-kind contributions from community partners: Clyde Malone Community Center, Asian Community and Cultural Center, TeamMates and others. Application due date: June 13, 2014 |
9.3.2. School Climate Transformation Grant Application
Rationale:
According to a recent report by the U.S. Department of Education, improving a school’s climate and increasing trust and communication between students and staff results in reductions of truancy, suspension and expulsion, and increases in academic performances. Research demonstrates that the implementation of an evidence-based, multi-tiered behavioral framework, such as Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), can help improve overall school climate and safety. A key aspect of this multi-tiered approach is providing differing levels of support and interventions to students based on student needs. Certain supports involve the whole school (e.g., consistent rules), with more intensive supports for groups of students exhibiting at-risk behavior and individualized services for students who continue to exhibit troubling behavior. When implemented with fidelity, multi-tiered behavioral frameworks have been found to: increase perceived school safety, reduce problem behaviors and bullying, reduce office discipline referrals, improve social skills, and most recently, improve academic achievement.
As part of President Obama’s comprehensive plan, “Now is the Time,” the School Climate Transformation Grant was developed to help local educational agencies develop or expand a multi-tiered behavioral framework that guides the selection, integration, and implementation of the best evidence-based behavioral practices for improving school climate and behavioral outcomes for all students. Explanation Lincoln Public Schools has already begun implementation of PBIS, starting with comprehensive training on Tier 1. PBIS includes school-wide prevention practices that focus on setting and teaching behavioral expectations in all areas of the school including the classroom, playground, hallway, and bus. Middle and high schools began Tier 1 training in the summer of 2013, and completed implementation of Tier 1 this school year. In the 2014-15 school year, Tier 2 will be implemented with middle and high schools to support students with at-risk behaviors. In the 2014-15 school year, Tier 1 training and implementation will occur for elementary schools. PBIS is a process, not a program; full implementation for all levels will be phased in over a three-to-five year period. The timing of the School Climate Transformation Grant is ideal for Lincoln Public Schools, as our district can benefit greatly from integrating appropriate evidence-based practices into the PBIS framework to provide more tailored strategies to varying developmental stages and behavioral issues. Lincoln Public Schools will use grant resources to: provide training on social/emotional development and trauma-informed care, implement evidence-based small group activities and enhanced mentoring for various sub-populations of students, pilot restorative practices in a high school setting, and provide deeper training and consultation to schools from the PBIS Technical Assistance Center to ensure fidelity to the framework. Proposal That the Board discuss and approve the submission of the School Climate Transformation Grant Application to the U.S. Department of Education for the approximate amount of $250,000 per year for five years. This program has no cost sharing or match. The grant application is due June 23, 2014. |
9.3.3. Project Aware Grant Application
Rationale:
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), half of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin by age 14. Despite effective treatments and services, there are long delays, sometimes decades, between the first onset of symptoms and when people seek and receive treatment. Furthermore, an untreated mental disorder can lead to a more severe, more difficult-to-treat illness, and the possible development of additional co-occurring mental disorders.
In 2013, President Obama proposed the comprehensive plan, “Now is the Time,” to protect our children and communities by reducing gun violence, making schools safer, and increasing access to mental health services for students and families. Project AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resilience in Education) is one of several Federal programs designed to work together to help make schools safer and improve mental health services for students and young adults. Project AWARE provides grants to local educational agencies to increase awareness of mental health issues among school-aged youth by funding training in detection and response to mental illness in youth for adults who interact with youth in school and community settings. Explanation The purpose of this program is to assist local educational agencies to begin support through the training of school personnel and other adults who interact with youth in both school settings and communities to detect and respond to mental illness in children and youth, including how to encourage adolescents and their families experiencing these problems to seek treatment. It is required that individuals be trained in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) or Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA). SAMHSA expects to achieve an increase in the mental health literacy of adults who interact with school-aged youth and increase awareness of mental health issues among school-aged youth. Lincoln Public Schools will use grant resources to train six district and secondary administrators to be YMHFA Instructors. These Instructors will then provide YMHFA training to approximately 250 individuals from Lincoln Public Schools (teachers, administrators, and secured entrance monitors) and the community who may come into contact with students experiencing mental health issues. Partner organizations that may receive this training include the Lincoln Police Department, mental health providers, non-profit organization members of the Human Services Federation, and Families Inspiring Families. Proposal That the Board discuss and approve the submission of the Project AWARE Grant Application to SAMHSA, a division of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, for the approximate amount of $50,000 for a two-year project. This program has no cost sharing or match. The grant application is due June 16, 2014. |
9.3.4. Full Service Community Schools Grant Application
Rationale:
In order for children to be ready and able to learn, they need academic, social, and health supports. The Harvard Family Research Project has cited compelling evidence, when schools partner with families and community based organizations, these partnerships improve children’s development and school success. A full service community school is a public elementary or secondary school that works with community based organizations, nonprofit organizations, and other public or private entities to provide a coordinated and integrated set of comprehensive academic, social, and health services that respond to the needs of its students, students’ family members, and community members. This coordination leads to results focused partnerships that are based on identified student needs and organized around a set of mutually defined results and outcomes.
Full service community schools recognize schools do not operate in isolation from the communities in which they are located. Community challenges such as poverty, violence, poor physical health, and family instability can have consequences for education when left unaddressed. When schools and community partners collaborate to address these issues and align their resources to achieve common results, children are more likely to succeed academically, socially, and physically. Full service community schools seek to address the myriad of challenges that affect students by connecting students, students’ family members, and community members with available services and opportunities, thus creating the conditions for students to achieve in school and beyond. The purpose of the Full Service Community Schools (FSCS) program, funded through the U.S. Department of Education, is to provide comprehensive academic, social, and health services for students, students’ family members, and community members that will result in improved educational outcomes for children. Explanation Lincoln Public Schools has already implemented a highly successful Community Learning Center (CLC) program across 25 schools in the district. Building on this 14 year old initiative, which is well-timed as federal CLC funding begins to sunset, the Full Service Community Schools grant would allow Lincoln Public Schools to deepen the school-community connections at three schools. Using a ‘cradle to career’ pipeline model for this grant, Lincoln Public Schools will implement the full service community school framework in Belmont Elementary School, Goodrich Middle School, and North Star High School. Services will include: 1) Family engagement, including parental involvement, parent leadership, family literacy, and parent education programs 2) Job training and career counseling services 3) Mental health services 4) Adult education and literacy services 5) Programs that promote family financial stability Partnerships in these buildings will be maintained with current CLC lead organizations, the City of Lincoln’s Parks and Recreation Department, and Clyde Malone Community Center, as the primary infrastructure for implementing the FSCS project. In addition, many community partnerships will be initiated or expanded, including but not limited to Educare of Lincoln, Family Service, Child Guidance Center, NeighborWorks, Southeast Community College, Food Bank of Lincoln, Education Quest, and City Libraries. The project will include an initial six-month planning period to further develop and deepen relationships with partner organizations followed by service implementation. Proposal That the Board discuss and approve the submission of the Full Service Community Schools Grant Application to the U.S. Department of Education for the approximate amount of $500,000 per year for five years. This program has a match requirement of 20 percent of the total award, which will be met through nonprofit and business partners in their commitment to the project. The grant application is due June 20, 2014. |
10. SECOND READING, RECOMMENDED FOR ACTION
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10.1. From Board Committees
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10.2. From the Superintendent
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10.2.1. Proposed Contracts with the Associate Superintendents for Instruction, Business Affairs, and Human Resources and the Assistant to the Superintendent for General Administration and Governmental Relations, Second Reading
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.
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10.2.2. Proposed Agreements with Administrators, Custodial Employee Association, Maintenance Employees Association, Nutrition Services Workers Association, Office Professionals Association, and Technicians
Rationale:
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. |
10.2.3. Item(s) Removed from Consent Agenda
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10.2.4. Expedited/Emergency Actions
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11. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS/REPORTS
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11.1. From Board Committees
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11.2. From The Career Academy
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11.3. From the Superintendent
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11.3.1. Superintendent Update
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12. ANNOUNCEMENTS OF UPCOMING EVENTS FOR THE BOARD
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Wednesday, June 11 2014
Career Academy Joint Board Meeting, 11:00 a.m., SCC Lincoln Campus Wednesday, June 18, 2014 Chamber Economic Development Breakfast, 7:30 a.m., Cornhusker Hotel Tuesday, June 24, 2014 Budget Forum, 5:00 p.m., LPSDO Board Meeting, 6:00 p.m., LPSDO |
13. PUBLIC COMMENT
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.
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14. REQUEST FOR CLOSED SESSION
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14.1. Request for Closed Session - Negotiations/Collective Bargaining, Property/Real Estate, Litigation, Security, Criminal Misconduct, Personnel, and Legal Advice Matters
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.
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. That the Board hold a closed session: 1. For strategy session with respect to negotiations/collective bargaining clearly necessary for the protection of the public interest or for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual in compliance with the law. 2. For strategy session with respect to property/real estate matters clearly necessary for the protection of the public interest or for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual in compliance with the law.
3. For strategy session with respect to pending litigation, or litigation which is imminent as evidenced by communication of a claim or threat of litigation to or by the public body clearly necessary for the protection of the public interest or for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual in compliance with the law.
4. For discussion regarding deployment of security personnel or devices clearly necessary for the protection of the public interest or for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual in compliance with the law.
5. For investigative proceedings regarding allegations of criminal misconduct clearly necessary for the protection of the public interest or for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual in compliance with the law.
6. For personnel and the evaluation of job performance clearly necessary for the protection of the public interest or for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual in compliance with the law.
7. For discussions of the legal consequences of specific action and legal advice clearly necessary for the protection of the public interest or for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual in compliance with the law. |
15. ADJOURNMENT
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