Public Meeting Agenda: September 26, 2023 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education ESU 18 Regular Meeting

1. ESU 18 BOARD OF EDUCATION INFORMATION

Rationale:

Notice of the time and place of the Educational Service Unit 18 Board 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 Educational Service Unit 18 Board 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 Educational Service Unit 18 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. The Educational Service Unit 18 Board shall also make available for examination and copying as requested by members of the public, at least one copy of all reproducible written materials to be discussed at the meeting.

2. CALL TO ORDER

3. ROLL CALL

4. ANNOUNCE OPEN MEETING ACT POSTING AND LOCATION

5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Attachments: (1)

minutes - 9.12 ESU Meeting

9/19/2023 at 3:14 PM

6. PUBLIC COMMENT

Rationale:

The Board believes public attendance and participation, when appropriate to the business at hand, is beneficial to the work of the Board and models the importance of civic engagement and civil discourse to the community’s children, but it cannot impede the Board from completing the business of the meeting.

In keeping with Board Policy 8420 and Neb Statute 84-1412(3), the Lincoln Board of Education has established these reasonable regulations to conduct Public Comment::

1. Persons speaking during Public Comment will be called forward individually by the Board Chair to the location identified for such purpose.

2. A time limit of three minutes will be allotted for any speaker unless prior to the beginning of the Public Comment agenda item, the chair sets a different reasonable time frame to be allotted for speakers in order to accommodate the number of persons who have submitted "Record of Appearance" cards. The time limit is per speaker, per meeting and may not be transferred or assigned to other speakers.

3. The chair may endeavor to organize public comment by what agenda items or other issues have been identified as topics by public speakers, adjust for the age of speakers, and/or split the Public Comment agenda item to be conducted in different positions within the Board’s Order of Business. 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.

4. In order to be called forward to address the Board during Public Comment, each person wishing to speak must obtain a "Record of Appearance" card from staff at the meeting in which they wish to speak. "Record of Appearance" cards are available beginning 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the meeting. Those wishing to speak must accurately complete the required sections of the card, and submit it to the appropriate staff member by 15 minutes after the start of the meeting.

5. Individuals will be called forward to speak by name, organization being represented, if applicable, and address. Each individual speaking to the Board will be required to identify himself or herself prior to giving public comment by stating their first and last name and, if applicable, any organization they represent.

6. 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.

7. If the number of people wishing to speak under the public comment portions of the agenda is large, the chair may rule that a public hearing be scheduled.

8. Persons speaking to the Board during public comment may make printed materials (paper no larger than 8.5 x 11 inches) available to the Board but may not use any other form of media. Public speakers are asked to provide 10 copies of any copies of printed materials presented to the Board.

Persons attending Board meetings and/or speaking to the Board during Public Comment or during a public hearing must follow all requirements established by the Board, as well as all Board, chair and staff directions in order to help maintain the order, proper decorum, safety and security, and the non-disruptive functioning of the Board meeting. These include, but are not limited to the following:

Abiding by time limits
Refraining from applauding, cheering, jeering, or engaging in speech that defames any individual(s), or stymies or blocks meeting progress;
Refraining from the use of audio recordings, video recordings, or any digital still images, posters, signs, costumes, other props and/or photographs
Refraining from abusive, disruptive or threatening language or gestures, and
Staying in the areas identified by the Board as reserved for the public.

If at any time persons appearing before the Board do not comply with these or any other Board requirements, it shall be the responsibility of the chair to declare that person or persons out of order and require a change in behavior, delay or recess the meeting, or refuse permission to continue to address the Board, and ultimately may require the person or persons to leave the premises of the Board meeting.

7. CONSENT AGENDA

7.1. 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.

Explanation:
This report includes routine human resources changes:

a. Proposed Amendment to Contract for the ESU Administrator

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.

Attachments: (1)

BdESU 18 AGENDA--HR Consent Takako Contract Amend ESU Final 9.21.23

9/21/2023 at 4:08 PM

8. FIRST READING, ACTION AT NEXT MEETING

8.1. From Board Committees

8.2. From the Superintendent

9. SECOND READING, RECOMMENDED FOR ACTION

9.1. From Board Committees

9.1.1. 2023-24 Educational Service Unit No. 18 Budget Adoption

Rationale:

The Board held a public hearing on September 25, 2023, on the proposed budget for Educational Service Unit 18.

Explanation
Staff recommends that the Board review the budget statement (Attachment One) prepared in compliance with the Nebraska Budget Act, State Law Section 79-1225, and other Nebraska laws. After Board review, the following resolution will be presented for approval on September 26, 2023 as may be modified into final approval form.

RESOLVED by the Board of Educational Service Unit 18 of the State of Nebraska:

That $5,222,148 is the Board’s estimate of the total amount under its adopted budget statement to be received from taxation of the taxable property within the Educational Service Unit for the fiscal year beginning September 1, 2023, and ending August 31, 2024.

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 $5,222,148, after the county’s tax collection fee has been deducted, the same as other property taxes are levied and collected.

That the officers of the Board be directed to report the action of the Board of Educational Service Unit 18 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 30, 2023, in accordance with State Law Section 13-508 and other Nebraska laws.

That the 2023-24 budget as presented and all supporting documents (copies of which are on file with official Unit records and which are hereby incorporated herein by this reference as though set forth in full) as developed by the administration be hereby approved and adopted.

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 new requirements, assessed valuation certifications or re-certifications or such other matters which require necessary fiscal adjustments to complete the budgeting process for the 2023-24 fiscal year adopted budget and budget statement hereby approved.

That in accordance with Section 003.04C of Title 92, Nebraska Administrative Code, Chapter 2, Section 79-1070 R.R.S. Neb., and Section 79-1244 R.R.S. Neb., and other Nebraska laws and regulations, the Board authorizes that at any time during the 2023-24 school fiscal year there is temporarily insufficient money in any of the Educational Services Unit’s funds, or in any of the funds of any entity of which the Educational Service Unit is a "blended component unit" as such term is defined in the Governmental Accounting Standards Board Statement 14, the Associate Superintendent for Business Affairs or a 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 2023-24 budget statement and resolution.

Attachments: (1)

9-26 2023-24 ESU Budget Adoption - Attachment

9/18/2023 at 12:57 PM

9.1.2. 2023-24 Educational Service Unit No. 18 Property Tax Request

Rationale:

Proper advance notice was given and a special public hearing was held on whether ESU 18 should exceed its property tax request from the prior year (Attachment One).

Explanation
Pursuant to Section 77-1632 (previously 77-1601.02) and other Nebraska laws, the 2023-2024 property tax request may not exceed the ESU 18’s property tax request from the prior year, unless ESU 18 first holds a special public hearing and then passes a resolution that includes all requirements of the statutes. The prior year’s property tax request would not correctly fund the proposed 2023-2024 budget which is to be formally adopted by the ESU 18 Governing Board. Attachment Two reflects last year’s property tax rates, this year’s initial estimate, and the property tax rates for 2023-2024.

Staff recommends that the resolution below as may be modified into final approval form be adopted so that the 2023-2024 budget may be funded as adopted. A simple majority vote is required.

Proposal
That the ESU 18 Governing Board approve the resolution proposed below:

2023-2024 TAX REQUEST RESOLUTION
FOR
Educational Service Unit No. 18 of the State of Nebraska

WHEREAS, public notice was given at least four calendar days in advance of a Special Public Hearing called by the Unit Board (hereinafter "the Board") of Educational Service Unit No. 18 of the State of Nebraska (hereinafter "ESU 18") in full compliance with all provisions of Section 77-1632 (previously 77-1601.02) and other Nebraska laws for the purpose of providing an opportunity to receive public comment, information and evidence from persons in attendance at such Special Public Hearing on the issue of whether ESU 18’s 2023-2024 fiscal year property Tax Request should exceed ESU 18’s property Tax Requests from the prior year to be taken into consideration by the Board when discussing and approving or modifying ESU 18’s property Tax Request for the 2023-2024 fiscal year; and

WHEREAS, such Special Public Hearing was held before the Board of ESU 18 at the time, date, and place announced in the notice published in a newspaper of general circulation in the area of ESU 18, a copy of which notice and/or a proof of publication is attached hereto as Attachment One, all as required by law; and,

WHEREAS, Attachment One also contains ESU 18 information including the amount of the property tax request, in total and Attachment Two contains estimated and actual proposed levy rates; and,

WHEREAS, the Board provided an opportunity to receive public comment, information and evidence from persons in attendance at such Special Hearing and will take such into consideration as part of this action; and,
WHEREAS, the total assessed value of ESU 18 property differs from last year's total assessed value by 22.498 percent, all as detailed more fully in Attachment One; and,

WHEREAS, the tax rate which would levy the same amount of property taxes as last year, when multiplied by the new total assessed value of property, would be $0.012245 per $100 of assessed value, all as detailed more fully in Attachment One as attached; and,

WHEREAS, ESU 18 proposes to adopt a property Tax Request that will cause its tax rate to be $0.015 per $100 of assessed value, all as detailed more fully in Attachment One as attached; and,

WHEREAS, based on the proposed property Tax Request and changes in other revenue, the total operating budget of the ESU 18 will increase compared from last year's budget by 6.5742 percent, all as detailed more fully in Attachment One; and,

WHEREAS, the Board will adopt its 2023-2024 fiscal year budget and then review ESU 18’s Tax Request, and after public consideration of the matter, will determine the Final Tax Request as is necessary in order to carry out the functions of ESU 18, as determined by the Board in order to correctly fund the budget for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Educational Service Unit No. 18 of the State of Nebraska that all findings, determinations and the attached Attachment One and Attachment Two as set forth above all of which are hereby adopted, incorporated herein, and made a part of this action and resolution by this reference.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board hereby approves and adopts ESU 18’s 2023-2024 fiscal year property Tax Request, including the county’s collection fee and any delinquent tax allowances and that the Tax Request should be, and is hereby set at $5,274,369.48; all as totaled and detailed more fully in Attachment One as attached.

AND, BE IT further resolved that if updated valuation, budget, levy, or other pertinent information is subsequently received by ESU 18 or by Lancaster County, ESU 18, its administration, and the County shall adjust the property tax request to reflect the updated information through appropriate administrative actions or pursuant to State Law Sections 77-1601 and other Nebraska laws.

Attachments: (1)

9-26 ESU Tax Request Agenda Item - Attachment

9/18/2023 at 12:59 PM

9.2. From the Superintendent

10. PUBLIC COMMENT

Rationale:

The Board believes public attendance and participation, when appropriate to the business at hand, is beneficial to the work of the Board and models the importance of civic engagement and civil discourse to the community’s children, but it cannot impede the Board from completing the business of the meeting.

In keeping with Board Policy 8420 and Neb Statute 84-1412(3), the Lincoln Board of Education has established these reasonable regulations to conduct Public Comment::

1. Persons speaking during Public Comment will be called forward individually by the Board Chair to the location identified for such purpose.

2. A time limit of three minutes will be allotted for any speaker unless prior to the beginning of the Public Comment agenda item, the chair sets a different reasonable time frame to be allotted for speakers in order to accommodate the number of persons who have submitted "Record of Appearance" cards. The time limit is per speaker, per meeting and may not be transferred or assigned to other speakers.

3. The chair may endeavor to organize public comment by what agenda items or other issues have been identified as topics by public speakers, adjust for the age of speakers, and/or split the Public Comment agenda item to be conducted in different positions within the Board’s Order of Business. 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.

4. In order to be called forward to address the Board during Public Comment, each person wishing to speak must obtain a "Record of Appearance" card from staff at the meeting in which they wish to speak. "Record of Appearance" cards are available beginning 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the meeting. Those wishing to speak must accurately complete the required sections of the card, and submit it to the appropriate staff member by 15 minutes after the start of the meeting.

5. Individuals will be called forward to speak by name, organization being represented, if applicable, and address. Each individual speaking to the Board will be required to identify himself or herself prior to giving public comment by stating their first and last name and, if applicable, any organization they represent.

6. 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.

7. If the number of people wishing to speak under the public comment portions of the agenda is large, the chair may rule that a public hearing be scheduled.

8. Persons speaking to the Board during public comment may make printed materials (paper no larger than 8.5 x 11 inches) available to the Board but may not use any other form of media. Public speakers are asked to provide 10 copies of any copies of printed materials presented to the Board.

Persons attending Board meetings and/or speaking to the Board during Public Comment or during a public hearing must follow all requirements established by the Board, as well as all Board, chair and staff directions in order to help maintain the order, proper decorum, safety and security, and the non-disruptive functioning of the Board meeting. These include, but are not limited to the following:

Abiding by time limits
Refraining from applauding, cheering, jeering, or engaging in speech that defames any individual(s), or stymies or blocks meeting progress;
Refraining from the use of audio recordings, video recordings, or any digital still images, posters, signs, costumes, other props and/or photographs
Refraining from abusive, disruptive or threatening language or gestures, and
Staying in the areas identified by the Board as reserved for the public.

If at any time persons appearing before the Board do not comply with these or any other Board requirements, it shall be the responsibility of the chair to declare that person or persons out of order and require a change in behavior, delay or recess the meeting, or refuse permission to continue to address the Board, and ultimately may require the person or persons to leave the premises of the Board meeting.

11. REQUEST FOR CLOSED SESSION

Rationale:

The Lincoln Board of Education is authorized by state statute to hold a closed session by the affirmative vote of a majority of its voting members if a closed session is clearly necessary for the protection of the public interest or for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual. The subject matter and the reason necessitating the closed session are to be identified in the motion to close. Closed sessions may be held for, but shall not be limited to, such the subject matter and the reasons set forth in the Proposal section below.

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.

11.1. 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.

PROPOSAL:

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.

12. ADJOURNMENT

September 26, 2023 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education ESU 18 Regular Meeting

Web Viewer