October 25, 2011 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular 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 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: 

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:  The Alliance for a Healthier Generation aims to work with schools to create environments where physical activity and healthy eating are encouraged.  This has also been a specific goal of Lincoln Public Schools, reinvigorated by the launch of a new health and wellness initiative this school year.

Alliance for a Healthier Generation believes healthy students are better able to concentrate on their work, attend school and perform better in class.  The Alliance provides expert advice and free resources to more than 12,000 schools nationwide to help them reverse the national trend in childhood obesity.  Schools are eligible for Bronze, Silver or Gold National Recognition Awards based on their level of achievement.

Explanation

Lakeview, Morley, and West Lincoln elementary schools and Goodrich and Scott middle schools were honored recently for transforming their buildings into healthier learning environments for students and staff.  The recognition – presented during the Healthy Schools Program National Forum in Little Rock, Arkansas, this June – comes from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, founded by the American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation.  The Lincoln Public Schools join 274 others that are receiving this honor for their healthy achievements.

To earn this award the schools took a comprehensive approach by addressing staff wellness, foods and beverages, school meals, and physical activity offerings during the school day.  Schools also revamped their meals services and physical activity programs to meet or exceed stringent standards set by the Alliance’s Healthy Schools Program.

Here are examples of a variety of changes in the schools:

• In some cases teachers stopped giving out candy, gum, or unhealthy rewards and started giving things like stickers, pencils, and tickets as motivators.
• Valentine’s Day was ‘sweet-free’ and, with the help of very creative parents, no candy or gum accompanied valentines to school.  Instead, students brought glue sticks, pencils, erasers, little pads of paper, bubbles, and purse-size Kleenex.
• Some schools began serving healthy treats (yogurt, fruit, popcorn) at all school and Community Learning Center events.  
• Lakeview participated in the Federal Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program that provided students and staff with a fruit or vegetable three times a week.  That spurred continual discussion about healthy eating, healthy snacks, and healthy lifestyles.

Ginny Ehrlich, Chief Executive Officer of the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, said of this honor:  “We commend the dedication of our healthy schools for their efforts to offer students and staff nutritious meals and a variety of physical activity opportunities.  Their success proves that despite academic pressures and budget constraints, schools can develop environments that foster healthy lifestyles to benefit young people now and into the future.”

We commend these winning schools and their leadership:  Lakeview Principal Scott Nelson and former Lakeview Principal Sudie Bock; Morley Principal Coni Schwartz; West Lincoln Principal Scott Schwartz; Goodrich Principal Mike Henninger; and Scott Principal Dave Kundsen; as well as Shannon Vogler from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation.


Proposal

That the Lincoln Board of Education adopt the following resolution:

WHEREAS, the leadership and staff at Lakeview, Morley, and West Lincoln elementary schools and Goodrich and Scott middle schools believe in the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, and,

WHEREAS, research has indicated students that include nutritious foods in their diets are better suited for success in the classroom, and,

WHEREAS, research also indicates proper exercise benefits a body and mind for learning, and,

WHEREAS, the Alliance for a Healthier Generation honors these schools, students, and staffs for their work in transforming their buildings into healthier learning environments,  

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Lincoln Board of Education does hereby congratulate these schools for receiving such recognition, and for understanding the nature of proper nutrition and physical exercise and the impact they have on student learning, and we specifically commend Lakeview Principal Scott Nelson and former Lakeview Principal Sudie Bock; Morley Principal Coni Schwartz; West Lincoln Principal Scott Schwartz; Goodrich Principal Mike Henninger; and Scott Principal Dave Kundsen; as well as Shannon Vogler from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation.

Rationale:  Each year the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) honors an assistant coach for his work in training student athletes at the high school level.

Explanation

Kirk Skiles, a teacher and coach at Lincoln East High School, has been honored as the Assistant Coach of the Year by the NWCA.

Skiles has been a wrestling coach for more than 30 years.  In his 20 years at Lincoln East he has been a part of three state championships won back-to-back-to-back in 2002, 2003, and 2004, and also helped coach nine individual championships.

In an announcement on the Wrestling Coaches Association website, Skiles stated:

“My philosophy, like many coaches, is that the journey is more important than the destination.  I would hope that all of the athletes on the team feel like they are part of something larger than themselves and that the team’s and their friend’s struggles become more important than their own.  There is nothing more rewarding in coaching than to watch teammates go through the blood, sweat, and tears of four years of training and then become friends for a lifetime because of the experiences they have shared.”

Lincoln East Head Wrestling Coach, Marty McCurdy, said of Skiles:

“I would also like to congratulate Kirk on this well-deserved honor and to thank him for all he has done for the East High wrestling family.  He has done a tremendous amount to help the young men who have come through the East High wrestling program to develop as quality wrestlers, but more importantly to develop as men of character.  Not only has he done this in wrestling but also in coaching both boys and girls cross-country.  Kirk has done all of these things in a spirit of humility.  Kirk, thanks for all you have done, and again congratulations on a job well done.”

Proposal

That the Lincoln Board of Education adopt the following resolution:

WHEREAS, Kirk Skiles has been named Assistant Coach of the Year by the National Wrestling Coaches Association, and,

WHEREAS, Skiles has been a positive influence in the lives of Spartan wrestlers at Lincoln East High School, and,

WHEREAS, Skiles has excelled in teaching proper wrestling skills to athletes locally and nationally, including sportsmanship, championships, and achievement, and,

WHEREAS, Skiles has earned the respect and trust of his head coach, athletes, and the wrestling community,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Lincoln Board of Education does hereby congratulate Kirk Skiles as the 2011 Assistant Coach of the Year and thanks him for his dedication to students and athletes.

Rationale:  The Blue Ribbon Schools Program is a United States Government initiative created in 1981 to honor schools that have achieved high levels of performance or significant improvements with emphasis on schools serving disadvantaged students.  To receive the national honor since 2002, the State Department of Education must nominate the school.

Two criteria help determine a school’s qualification for this award: schools whose students are high performing or schools with at least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds that improve student performance to high levels on a state assessment or national test.

Explanation

Riley Elementary School, 5021 Orchard Street, has been named a 2011 prestigious National Blue Ribbon School by the United States Department of Education.  Riley is one of only four public schools in the state, and one of 255 public schools in the country, to earn this recognition – considered one of the highest honors an American school can receive.
 
The Lincoln Board of Education would like to recognize the staff, students, and administrators of Riley Elementary School for being named a 2011 National Blue Ribbon School by the United States Department of Education.  Riley Principal Molly Bates, her staff, and students have demonstrated excellence in the classroom by overall academic excellence, improvement, and closing achievement gaps.

Riley and the other National Blue Ribbon Schools will be honored at a ceremony November 14-15, 2011, in Washington, D.C.

Principal Molly Bates said, “We are so honored to earn the designation of a National Blue Ribbon School.  This award recognizes the hard work and achievement of our entire staff, our students, and families.” U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan noted: “National Blue Ribbon Schools are committed to accelerating student achievement and preparing students for success in college and careers. Their success is an example for others to follow.”


Proposal

That the Lincoln Board of Education adopt the following resolution: 

WHEREAS, Riley Elementary School has shown the leadership and talent necessary to provide a high-level education for its students, and,

WHEREAS, the principal, administrators, teachers and staff have recognized that
education is vital to the students, their families, community and nation, and,

WHEREAS, the students have put forth great effort to show an understanding of key concepts, demonstrate that ability in the classroom, and respond to their teachers with a passion for learning, and,

WHEREAS, the families of students at Riley have recognized their role in their child’s education, and have accepted it as a primary responsibility to demonstrate good habits in their younger learners, and,  

WHEREAS, Riley Elementary School has been named a 2011 prestigious National Blue Ribbon School by the United States Department of Education,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Lincoln Board of Education does hereby recognize and thank Riley Elementary School, its leadership, staff and students, for their extraordinary efforts and laudable goals for students to reach and exceed in the classroom.

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:  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. Certificated Employees:
        Elections – 2
        Changes of Status – 1
        Leaves of Absence – 1
        Separations – 1
  b. Substitute Certificated Employees:
        Elections – 24
        Changes of Status – 2
        Separations – 2
  c. Classified Employees:
        Elections – 40
        Changes of Status – 6
        Separations – 29
  d. Board Resolution regarding tutoring/supplemental
      educational services under NCLB.

*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 periods ending October 25,   2011, were previously provided.

     Federal Tax ACH Deposit of $57,782.36.

     Procurement Card ACH Transfer of $132,907.94.

     Office Depot ACH Transfer of $13,747.58.

     Vendor ACH Transfer of $866.38.

b.  PAYROLL FOR RATIFICATION – Payroll for the period ending October 14, 2011, in the amount of $202,213.61.

c.  GIFTS – Approval for the gifts listed on the attached gift report.

d.  BIDS/CONTRACTS – Bids/contracts will be presented for approval for anti-virus software; elementary math textbooks; an agreement with Raymond Central Public Schools for LPS Southeast Nebraska Region Program services; architectural/engineering services for LPSDO replacement project; and any other bids and contracts as presented.

Proposal

That the Lincoln Board of Education approve the following items of routine business:*

a.  The regular claims for periods ending October 25, 2011.

b.  Payroll for the period ending October 14, 2011.

c.  Gifts for Eastridge, Lux, and the district.

d.  Bids/contracts – Bids/contracts will be presented for approval for anti-virus software; elementary math textbooks; an agreement with Raymond Central Public Schools for LPS Southeast Nebraska Region Program services; architectural/engineering services for LPSDO replacement project; and any other bids and contracts as presented.

*That the Board is approving routine business and the listed bids and contracts with the information and in the form as presented, and except as to amount bid or total contract price, in such other form as may be approved by the Associate Superintendent for Business Affairs, or his designee, and that the Board hereby authorizes the Associate Superintendent for Business Affairs, or his designee, 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 the transaction as contemplated, for and on behalf of this school district.

Rationale:  On March 8, 2011, the Board adopted a resolution to accept option students for the 2011-12 school year.  One of the provisions of the resolution was that applications were to be received by August 12, 2011.  In the resolution, standards were also adopted for acceptance of students whose applications were filed after the August 12, 2011, deadline.  Those standards include the circumstances in which the student is currently enrolled or has been enrolled within the past year in the Lincoln Public Schools.

EXPLANATION

An application for option enrollment for the 2011-12 school year has been received after the August 12, 2011, deadline for student number 241782 who is currently enrolled in the Lincoln Public Schools.  Staff recommends the application for option enrollment be approved.

PROPOSAL

That the Board adopt the following resolution:

WHEREAS the student who has been assigned student number 241782 (for purposes of confidentiality, an assigned number is being used) has filed application for option enrollment after the August 12, 2011, deadline; and,

WHEREAS the student is currently enrolled in the Lincoln Public Schools within the past year, one of the criteria for acceptance of late-filed applications as set forth in the Board resolution of March 8, 2011,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the aforementioned student be accepted as an option student 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:  This 2011-12 Collaborative Grant is aimed at Improving Learning for Children with Disabilities (ILCD).  The funds requested from the Nebraska Department of Education amount to $80,249.00.  This is a continuing grant project with annual projects for the past nine years.

Explanation

The purpose of the Collaborative Grant is to strengthen local school improvement efforts in the area of special education through the ILCD process.  Targets of improvement include: a) improving progress for students with disabilities in the general curriculum – Reading and Math Achievement; b) increasing performance of students with disabilities on the district and state assessments; and c) increasing graduation rates.  To address these targets, our district will utilize the ILCD facilitation process to support schools with school improvement information, collecting and analyzing data, as well as planning and implementing research based practices.  The Special Education Department will make efforts to connect the needs of students with disabilities to the School Improvement and the Professional Learning Communities processes.  Performance data will be shared with our Parent Advisory Committee and their recommendations will be sought.  ILCD findings and strategy planning will be shared at monthly staff meetings.  Effective interventions will be studied and implemented to address the targets of this grant.

This project is in alignment with Nebraska Department of Education ILCD and the SPP (State Performance Plan).  During the 2011-12 school year, the LPS ILCD Committee will form an ILCD Leadership Committee, review student files and data, as well as complete analysis of the ILCD Parent Survey data.  The ILCD Committee will use this data to complete a self-evaluation.

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:  Under Sections 79-551 and 32-544, Lincoln Public Schools’ (LPS) seven Board members are elected by wards or election districts.  The Board committee on redistricting, along with the Lancaster County Election Commissioner, are charged with redrawing boundary lines of the seven wards or election districts from time to time in accordance with law and presenting such proposals for review and action by the entire Board.

Explanation

As a result of the recent Federal Decennial Census and the population changes shown therein, Section 32-552 and other laws require that the seven ward and election district boundaries from which LPS Board members are elected be redrawn.

The Board committee on redistricting in conjunction with the Lancaster County Election Commissioner have redrawn the seven ward and election district boundaries as necessary to meet legal requirements, and the map attached (Attachment One) is proposed for review and approval as the new boundaries of the seven LPS wards and election districts.  The attached spreadsheet (Attachment Two) delineates the population per election district and the deviation from the mean population of 37,407.

Rationale:  The Nebraska Department of Education has implemented a district Consolidated Application for Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) funds to integrate and coordinate efforts and activities to help all schools be high performing.  This Consolidated Plan includes all programs and incorporates a consolidated application for all federal programs under ESEA.

Explanation

All districts must develop and implement a district Consolidated Plan for School Improvement that integrates federal, state, and local programs.  This meets the requirements for the formula for federal grants the district receives and for flex funding authority under Special Education.  Approval of a District Comprehensive Plan for School Improvement by the Nebraska Department of Education is needed prior to receiving the formula for federal grants that the district is eligible to receive.  The budget amount listed below represents the estimated funding to be awarded to the district for the 2011-12 school year.
 

Rationale:  As a consequence of the fire on May 30, 2011, an emergency was declared and it became necessary to replace the Lincoln Public Schools District Offices (LPSDO).  Currently, district offices are in temporary locations throughout our community including at the Celerion and Experian buildings.  In considering a replacement facility, the District implemented a public request for information (RFI) process seeking input and proposals from the community for possible sites and locations.  As a result of the RFI, 33 proposals were submitted for review and consideration.  The District reviewed and considered each of the 33 proposals.  At its September 13, 2011, meeting the Board reduced the number under consideration to 9 and then to 4 at its September 27, 2011, meeting.  The District also modified its decision making, commencement of the design/construction process, and move-in date timeline for the replacement of LPSDO.

Explanation

The recommended timeline calls for a staff “finalist” recommendation at the October 18, 2011, Board meeting with a Board vote and final selection at the October 25, 2011, meeting.

Staff recommends that the following resolution be adopted.  A simple majority vote is required.

Proposal

That the Board of Education approve the following resolution:

BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of Lancaster County School District 001 hereby (a) selects RFI proposal number # _________ as the site for the new Lincoln Public Schools District Offices, (b) as applicable, approves the draft purchase agreement and related documents as presented and on file with official district records or except as to purchase price as may be modified and finally negotiated by the LPS Associate Superintendent for Business Affairs or his designee, and (c) approves and directs that the LPS Associate Superintendent for Business Affairs or his designee for and on behalf of LPS shall sign, execute, and deliver all final negotiated and agreed upon site purchase agreements, documents, contracts, and proposals for the new Lincoln Public Schools District Offices and make all payments and take or cause to be taken all other action necessary or appropriate to complete and close the transaction contemplated hereby.

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 September 30, 2011, is attached.

Rationale: 

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.

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 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.