December 13, 2011 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 Lincoln Board of Education makes available at least one current copy of the Open Meetings Act posted in the meeting room at a location accessible to members of the public. At the beginning of this meeting, the Board President announced and informed the public about the location of the posted information.

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 Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History annually bestows awards to recognize exemplary history educators who demonstrate commitment to teaching American History in the classroom through effective use of documents, artifacts, historic sites, oral histories and other primary resources to engage students.  Founded in 1994, the Gilder Lehrman Institute is a nonprofit organization supporting the study and love of American history through a wide range of programs and resources for students, teachers, scholars and history enthusiasts throughout the nation.

Explanation

The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History has named Pam Bornemeier the Nebraska History Teacher of the Year.

Bornemeier includes local and state history in her classroom lessons, including strategies designed to help students understand the varied perspectives of historical events and people.  For example, to teach about Statehood in Nebraska, her curriculum includes lesson plans, activities and an extended project for the class that brings that time to life. Assessments of her students demonstrate her consistently strong performance, providing opportunities for those who haven’t mastered the objectives, as well as providing extra opportunities for those who have mastered the lesson.

Cavett Elementary Principal Kathleen Evasco said:

“It is a privilege to work together with Pam at Cavett Elementary School.  She is a respected educator and a leader among her colleagues at both our building and in our school district.  She makes a difference for both students and teachers daily!”

Bornemeier serves as the Social Studies Liaison for Cavett, sharing information about best practices from other classrooms in Lincoln Public Schools.  She also serves on LPS leadership committees for providing professional development and writing curriculum.

Bornemeier says, about the impact of history on her students:  

“Today, more than ever, students need to grow up with an understanding of stories of people, over time.  They need to learn about the people, places, authentic stories, artifacts, photographs and facts that shaped who we are today.  I believe that Social Studies and history offer teachers and their students endless engaging opportunities to make valuable connections about our world.”

Proposal

That the Lincoln Board of Education adopt the following resolution: 

WHEREAS, Pam Bornemeier, has been named the Nebraska History Teacher of the Year by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, and,

WHEREAS, Pam Bornemeier understands how to make history come alive for her students by focusing on how they can connect with those important historical moments and people, and,

WHEREAS, Pam Bornemeier is an enthusiastic leader at Cavett Elementary School, writing curriculum, serving as the Social Studies Liaison and actively researching educational methods that will benefit her co-workers and her students,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Lincoln Board of Education does hereby congratulate Pam Bornemeier for earning the Nebraska History Teacher of the Year award, for her commitment to sharing the value of history with her students, and for her willingness to help and support co-workers better teach Social Studies.

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.  Administrator Certificated Employees:
              Elections – 2
              Changes of Status – 1

     b.  Certificated Employees:
              Elections – 3
              Re-elections Same Assignment – 1
              Changes of Status – 6
              Leaves of Absence – 4
              Separations – 1

     c.  Substitute Certificated Employees:
              Elections – 31
              Separations – 2

     d.  Classified Employees:
              Elections – 53
              Changes of Status – 6
              Leaves of Absence – 4
              Separations – 19

     e.  Board Resolution regarding delegation of authority for employee benefit plans.

Recommended Motion
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 periods ending December 13, 2011, were previously provided.

      Federal Tax ACH Deposit of $4,694,838.72.

      Procurement Card ACH Transfer of $100,166.26.

      Office Depot ACH Transfer of $10,305.18.

      Vendor ACH Transfer of $38,387.71.

b.  PAYROLL FOR RATIFICATION – Payroll for the periods ending November 15 and 30, 2011, in the amount of $13,738,083.93.

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

d.   BIDS/CONTRACTS – Bids will be presented for approval of calculus textbooks; services of a construction manager as constructor (CMC) for the proposed new Lincoln Public Schools District Office building; relocation of transformer at Belmont Elementary School for the Educare facility; a contract for Lincoln Public Schools grounds department facility; an agreement with Educate Online for tutoring services; an agreement for education services with Lyons-Decatur Public Schools; agreements for education services with Wahoo Public Schools; an agreement with the Child Guidance Center; an agreement with Larry Dlugosh for providing services; and any other bids and contracts as presented.

Recommended Motion

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

a.  The regular claims for periods ending December 13, 2011.

b.   Payroll for the period ending November 15 and 30, 2011.

c.   Gifts for Eastridge, Brownell, and Roper.

d.   Bids/contracts for calculus textbooks; services of a construction manager as constructor (CMC) for the proposed new Lincoln Public Schools District Office building; relocation of transformer at Belmont Elementary School for the Educare facility; a contract for Lincoln Public Schools grounds department facility; an agreement with Educate Online for tutoring services; an agreement for education services with Lyons-Decatur Public Schools; agreements for education services with Wahoo Public Schools; an agreement with the Child Guidance Center; an agreement with Larry Dlugosh for providing services; and any other bids and contracts as presented.

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, or the student is a sibling of a currently-enrolled student. 

Explanation

Applications for option enrollment for the 2011-12 school year have been received after the August 12, 2011, deadline for student numbers 261207 who is currently enrolled, and 286782, who is the sibling of a currently enrolled student in the Lincoln Public Schools.  Staff recommends the application, for option enrollment be approved.

Proposal

That the Board adopt the following resolution:

WHEREAS the students who have been assigned student number 261207 and 286782 (for purposes of confidentiality, assigned numbers are being used) have filed applications for option enrollment after the August 12, 2011, deadline; and, 

WHEREAS the student number 261207 is currently enrolled in the Lincoln Public Schools, and student number 286782  is the sibling of a currently enrolled student in the Lincoln Public Schools, both of which are 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 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 purpose of the 2011-12 Special Education Continuous Improvement Project Grant is to assist our school district in strengthening and improving special education services. The funds requested from the Nebraska Department of Education amount to $98,532.00.  The SE-CIP is a continuing grant funded by NDE.

Explanation

This SE-CIP Grant is aimed at improving academic achievement and functional performance of school-age students with disabilities as well as outcomes for young children with disabilities.  The grant targets are linked to the Improving Learning for Children with Disabilities (ILCD) process required by NDE. The scope of this continuous grant process provides professional development and technical assistance related to ILCD targets and the State Performance Plan (SPP) impact areas. The SE-CIP grant for LPS interfaces with local school improvement efforts in the area of special education. Grant targets include the following:

1. Improve academic achievement, functional outcomes, and child outcomes in natural and inclusive environments by implementing effective instructional strategies and progress monitoring.

2. Improve communication and relationships among families, schools, communities, and agencies by supporting interventions for children and youth with developmental learning needs.

3. Improve communication and relationships among families, schools, communities, and agencies by addressing behavioral, social, and emotional needs in the context of Positive Behavior Supports.

Proposal

That the Board approve submission of the 2011-12 Special Education Continuous Improvement Project Grant application in the amount of $98,532.00.  No matching funds are required. 

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:  Background

Board policies are regularly reviewed to assure consistency with changes in federal or state statutes or administrative directives or recommended changes in district practice.  Following the 2010 Nebraska legislative session, it is necessary to revise the policy regarding entrance to kindergarten

Explanation

The revised state statute (79-214) specifies that beginning with the 2012-2013 school year children must be five years old by July 30 of the summer preceding their enrollment in kindergarten.  This is a change from the current date of October 15.  The statute further requires school districts to identify a procedure to assess the kindergarten readiness for children who turn age five between August 1 and October 15, if requested by parents.

The proposed revisions to Policy 5112 reflect this change in state statute.  A district committee including representatives from Student Services, Curriculum, Special Education, Early Childhood, Evaluation and Assessment, and English Language Learners has been meeting to develop the procedures for implementation of the revised statute. 

Proposal

That the Board discuss recommended revisions to Policy 5112.

Rationale:  Board policies are regularly reviewed to assure consistency with changes in federal or state statues or administrative directives or recommended changes in district practice. Following the 2011 Nebraska Legislative session, changes are necessary in several LPS policies.
Explanation

The Policy Review Committee recommends changes to the following policies:

Policy 7000, replacing all policies and regulations in the present 7000 series.
Proposal

That the Board approve the recommended changes in the 7000 policy series. 

Rationale:  As part of the LPSDO relocation decision-making process, the Board at its November 22, 2011, meeting reviewed and publicized a decision-making timeline.  December 13, 2011, was one of the critical dates listed in that timeline to establish planning parameters for the new LPSDO in order for the planning and replacement process to remain on schedule for the intended July 2013 move-in.

Explanation

In accordance therewith, the Planning Committee recommends that the Board waive and suspend any first reading requirements or policies and discuss, consider, and approve preliminary planning parameters for the new LPSDO.

Proposal

That the Board waive and suspend any first reading requirements or policies and to approve, subject to change, up to _________ square feet as the preliminary planning parameters for the new LPSDO with possible multiple stories in order to maximize additional utilization of site space.

Rationale:  Lincoln Public Schools Superintendent Steve Joel has identified the creation of a strategic plan as one of his most significant tasks and responsibilities.  The plan will establish immediate and clear overall priorities for the School District.  In January, February, and March of 2011 the School District held 17 strategic planning sessions, with 425 participants, gathering information from a broad variety of stakeholder and school groups.  Those sessions identified major issues that are vital to the success of students and engaged the community in collecting as many diverse opinions and suggestions as possible.

In March the Superintendent created the LPS/Community Strategic Planning Committee made up of a wide variety of community members and stakeholders.  Committee members came together in April and May to analyze and examine all the information and priorities compiled from the strategic planning forums, to discuss additional priorities, and to work toward creating a draft for a Strategic Plan.  The process involved an organized and directed conversation led by Dr. Larry Dlugosh, professor and former chair of Educational Administration in the College of Education and Human Sciences at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

The Superintendent and the Lincoln Board of Education continued the work this summer, using the framework from the LPS/Community Strategic Planning Committee.  The Board looked closely at the Committee’s priorities and recommendations to develop a working draft of four broad strategic planning goals and objectives.  The Board then identified an Action Writing Committee for each of the Strategic Planning Goals and those groups met throughout the summer and fall to brainstorm strategies and action steps for each objective.  Action Writing Committee participants included members of the School Board, members from the original LPS/Community Strategic Planning Committee, and LPS staff.

The Action Writing Committees have completed their work and have submitted their plans to the Superintendent, who is asking for review and approval from the Lincoln Board of Education.  The major Strategic Objectives are:

• LEARNING:  Increase graduation rate by three percentage points for on-time graduation rate by 2016, with focus on subgroups graduating below average, and continue to support fifth- and sixth-year graduates.
• COMMUNICATION and PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT:  Develop a comprehensive public engagement and partnership plan by September 1, 2012. 
• RESOURCES:  Continually expand efforts to recruit staff reflective of the diverse demographics of our students, and report annually to the Lincoln Board of Education.
• FACILITIES:  Continue 10-year facilities plan and expand scope of annual facilities update, emphasizing well-maintained and high-efficiency facilities.

TECHNOLOGY: LPS recognizes the critical need for a major goal/objective related to technology in the school district.  Due to time and work constraints, we will undertake an action-writing plan for technology early in 2012.

Proposal
That the Board approve the Strategic Plan.

Rationale:  Public schools in rural Nebraska have a rich history of exchanging courses via videoconferencing to meet a variety of needs.  Legislation (LB1208) providing both startup funds for videoconferencing equipment and incentives for each course exchanged has encouraged suburban and metropolitan school districts to consider joining their rural counterparts.  This opportunity comes at a time when LPS district staff is challenged to reconcile increasing demand for varied course offerings and flexible scheduling, with very limited budget growth.  This combination of factors served as the impetus for the district to begin exchanging courses in the second semester of the 2010-11 school year.

Explanation

The implementation of Distance Learning required the assignment of staff, installation of technology infrastructure, selection and marketing of courses to be offered, and preparation and support of teachers engaging learners attending at other schools.  This collaborative effort, including district staff from Computing Services, Curriculum, Media Services; and teachers from North Star High School, Northeast High School, Southeast High School, and the Information Technology Focus Program, has culminated in course exchanges between LPS and other Nebraska districts as well as intra-district course exchanges between LPS schools.  LPS staff will present details of Distance Learning efforts to date and share plans for the future.
Proposal

This is an information item; no Board action is requested.

Distance Learning Presentation to the Board

Rationale: 
There will be no Board meeting on Tuesday, December 27, 2011.

Chamber Coffee will be on January 4 at 8:00 a.m. in the Chamber Office.

The next scheduled Board meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 10, 2012.

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.