February 14, 2012 at 5:00 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 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 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 Administrator of the Year Award is presented annually by the Nebraska Music Educators Association.  The award recognizes administrative support for music education and is presented to individuals who have demonstrated active, ongoing support for balanced music programs.

Explanation

Dennis Mann, associate principal at Lincoln East High School, has been named the Administrator of the Year by the Nebraska Music Educators Association.

East High Principal Sue Cassata says:  “Mr. Mann’s exuberance makes one want to be in the band.”  She said Mann regularly acknowledges and applauds student performances with the thundering statement:  They’re in the band!”

Although Mann’s official duties as associate principal at East High do not include band or choir, his participation and affirmation of music continues – as staff and students say he truly makes it “cool” to be musically involved.

  Each year Mann emcees East High’s Acropolis event, which showcases student talent and music.

  Mann serves as an evaluator and judge for auditions for school vocal groups.

  Mann regularly chaperones school music trips around the country.

  Mann often joins in and plays his trumpet with the Spartan pep band.

Since Mann was a student in elementary school he has been connected to music, starting in fifth grade as a trumpet player and continuing at Omaha Burke High School where he participated in the marching band, orchestra, stage band, musicals – and even in a musical group called Big Daddy and the Ducktails, a fifties band created by his music teacher.  Mann played in Marching Red, the marching band at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), and served as a drum major his junior and senior years.

Mann’s resume at Lincoln Public Schools is broad and varied.  While in college he coached track at Culler Middle School.  After graduating from UNL he became a science teacher at Irving Middle School, worked in LPS Federal Programs and then at Goodrich Middle School. He taught biology at East and has served as an administrator there for the past seven years.

When asked about the impact of music on students, Mann says:  “Having each student connected in at least one significant way to the East High community outside of their academic studies has been a major goal for us at East High School.  East High's music department was recognized last month by the Nebraska Music Educators Association as "exceptional" in the area of the percentage of students involved in music at a Class A school in Nebraska.  We have over 30 percent of our students involved in our music program.  The impact is measured best, I think, by the impact it has on each individual student.  Keeping kids in school and developing them as capable people is what we see everyday.”

Proposal

That the Lincoln Board of Education adopt the following resolution:

WHEREAS, Dennis Mann has been honored as Administrator of the Year by the Nebraska Music Educators Association, and,

WHEREAS, Dennis Mann demonstrates on ongoing commitment to music at Lincoln East High School by encouraging, volunteering and participating in high school music activities and programs, and,

WHEREAS, Dennis Mann recognizes and honors the value and impact music education has on the lives of students – as well as in his own life, and,

WHEREAS, Dennis Mann has been a significant part of the reason East High has achieved an honored level of music participation in the school’s student population,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Lincoln Board of Education does hereby congratulate Dennis Mann, associate principal at Lincoln East High School, and thanks him for his support of music education for all students.

 

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:
          Separations – 10
   b. Certificated Employees:
          Elections – 2
          Changes of Status – 4
          Leaves of Absence – 3
          Separations – 2
   c. Substitute Certificated Employees:
          Elections – 62
          Changes of Status – 9
          Separations – 2
   d. Classified Employees:
          Elections – 39
          Changes of Status – 6
          Leaves of Absence – 3
          Separations – 24

Proposal

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


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

That the Board is approving the Human Resources items attached with the information as presented or as on file with official district records and documents relating to each such item, or in such other form as may be approved by the Associate Superintendent for Human Resources, or her designee, and that the Board hereby authorizes the Associate Superintendent for Human Resources, or her designee, to transact and complete each such item approved hereby, and to sign, execute, and deliver necessary documents or contracts, and to take or cause to be taken any and all other action as may be necessary to complete each such item of transaction as contemplated, for and on behalf of this school district.

Rationale: 

Rationale: 

On January 24, 2012, the Board adopted a resolution to accept option students for the 2012-13 school year.  Applications have been received from students requesting that they be accepted as option students for the 2012-13 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 January 24, 2012.

Explanation

Staff has examined the applications of the students included in this proposal.  The students meet all of the criteria set forth by the Board in its resolution of January 24, 2012.  Staff recommends approval of these applications.

Proposal

That the Board adopt the following resolution:

WHEREAS the students who have been assigned Student Numbers 254855, 176972, 257391, 274329, 254119, 287459, 286439, 285531, 287145, 285525, 287228, 254952, 273691, 287231, 248782, 285524, 254961, 252604, 277018, 286780, 287460, 19225, and 277672 (for purposes of confidentiality, assigned numbers are being used) meet all criteria of the Board resolution of January 24, 2012, with regard to such option students,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the aforementioned students be accepted as option students on the condition and with the express understanding that all programs, all classes and all buildings of assignment, except as otherwise required by law, shall at all times and from time to time during attendance at Lincoln Public Schools be determined solely by Lincoln Public Schools.

 

Rationale:  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 268227, 211132, 265641, 252700, 255884, 255883, 255882 who are currently enrolled, and student number 287226 is a sibling of a currently enrolled option student in the Lincoln Public Schools.  Staff recommends the applications, for option enrollment be approved.

Proposal

That the Board adopt the following resolution:

WHEREAS the students who have been assigned student number 268227, 211132, 265641, 252700, 255884, 255883, 255882, and 287226 (for purposes of confidentiality, assigned numbers are being used) have filed applications for option enrollment after the August 12, 2011, deadline; and,

WHEREAS the students number 268227, 211132, 265641, 252700, 255884, 255883, 255882 are currently enrolled in the Lincoln Public Schools, and student number 287226 is the sibling of a currently enrolled option 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 Nebraska Department of Education is again offering funds to Early Childhood Programs in local communities. The Early Childhood Education Grant Program is intended to support the development of children in the birth to kindergarten age range through the provision of comprehensive center-based programs. In most cases the projects expand and/or combine existing pre-kindergarten programs funded through district, federal, or parent fees. Each project receives funding for up to one-half of the total operating budget of the project per year on a continuing basis, subject to availability of the funds. A public school or an educational service unit is the fiscal agent. Funded projects are required to operate in compliance with NDE Rule 11 Regulations for Early Childhood Education Grant Program. Rule 11 reflects research-based elements of quality early childhood education programs intended to produce strong outcomes for children.

Explanation

Lincoln Public Schools will provide high quality services to 32 children in two center-based programs. This program will ensure that the child enters a formal school setting with the same learning advantages as other children. Early childhood staff and partners will seek opportunities to promote the physical, social, emotional, cognitive and language development of very young children and their families during these crucial early years.

These funds will serve children ages three and four years who qualify for participation in an inclusive environment. These services will be provided through a part-day (4 hours) center based program. The staff will continue to serve families in the same high-quality approach as is currently provided in the school centers. The staff will be Lincoln Public Schools employees.

The program is based on research and best practices in the field of early childhood and family systems. By embracing the child and family in a secure, nurturing culturally appropriate environment the child’s growth and development will flourish. Research demonstrates that the best approach to serve the families of these young children is through quality preschool services to assist with transitions to kindergarten. The program would emphasize the core elements of family through home visitation with an emphasis on family literacy that supports education as a core family value.

Proposal

That the Board approve submission of this Early Childhood Expansion grant application for two additional classes in the amount of $100,000 with a 100% match on basic grant only. The match will be provided through various grant funds and community partners. An additional amount ($25,000) of these funds will be used for start-up costs (no match required for start-up costs) dependent upon final funding.

The grant application is due to the Nebraska Department of Education March 1, 2012.

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: 

Rationale: 

The U.S. Department of Education is offering demonstration grant funds through the Indian Education Discretionary Grant Program. The purpose of the Demonstration Grants for Indian Children program is to provide financial assistance to projects that develop, test, and demonstrate the effectiveness of services and programs to improve the educational opportunities and achievement of preschool, elementary, and secondary Indian students.  To meet the purposes of this funding, this program will focus on:

• School readiness projects that provide age-appropriate educational programs and language skills to three- and four-year-old Indian students to prepare them for successful entry into school at the kindergarten school level, and
• College preparatory programs for secondary school students designed to increase competency and skills in challenging subject matters, including mathematics and science, to enable Indian students to successfully transition to post-secondary education.

Lincoln Public Schools will address the first priority of the grant program. The emphasis of this innovative program is an early childhood program, including family-based preschool programs that stress school readiness and parental skills.  The goal is to provide age and culturally appropriate educational programs and language skills to three and four-year-old Indian students to prepare them for successful entry into school at the kindergarten school level. This program will ensure the American Indian child enters a formal school setting with the same learning advantages as other children. Indian Education Early Childhood staff will seek opportunities to promote the physical, social, emotional, cognitive and language development of very young children and their families during the early years. The group will serve about 32 Indian children and their parents with traditional parenting skills.  Children age 3-4 will receive services in a center-based program.

Family involvement in this area will focus on extended family members who are significant in the lives of the child, working to provide a nurturing environment, which includes the native culture. Active participants will be involved in the social, emotional, and educational growth and well being of all American Indian students.

Proposal

That the Board discuss submission of the Early Childhood Demonstration Grant Application for Indian Children proposal for the approximate amount of $289,000 per year for four years ($1,156,000 total), dependent upon final funding. This program does not involve cost sharing or matching.

Rationale:  Board policies are regularly reviewed to assure consistency with changes in federal or state statutes or administrative directives or recommended changes in district practice.

Board members discussed the proposed changes in policies at their January 24, 2012 meeting.

Explanation

The proposed revisions to Policy 4770 – Standards for Classified and Hourly Employees – reflects changes which clarify the behavioral expectations of classified employees and consequences if they do not comply with the policy.

The proposed revisions to Policy 4775 – Administration of Assessments – changes Regulation 4760.2 – Certificated Personnel – into a policy.  In addition there are two obligations and responsibilities added to those that currently exist.

The Board of Education Policy Committee reviewed the attached and approved sending them to the entire Board for review.

Proposal

That the Board approve the proposed changes in policies.

Rationale: 

As a result of both state and federal legislation, the nature and amount of district-wide assessment has changed dramatically over the last 10 years.  Nebraska districts are currently required to administer a state assessment (Nebraska State Accountability Tests) in the areas of reading, mathematics and science.  Districts are also required to administer a norm-referenced measure of achievement at least once at the elementary, middle school and high school level.  Most recently, the state has implemented a pilot of a statewide administration of the ACT test.

Explanation

An analysis of the amount of time that Lincoln Public Schools students are engaged in state or district mandated testing/assessment was conducted for the 2011-2012 school year.  Data are reported by test/assessment and by grade.  The analysis was not all inclusive, but rather focused on assessments currently implemented in the four core curricular areas (English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies).


The report was reviewed by the Student Learning Committee.   Staff will be present to present data and answer questions.   

Proposal

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

Rationale: 

The current session of the Nebraska Unicameral convened January 4, 2012, and will continue for 60 legislative days.

Explanation

Lincoln Public Schools Assistant to the Superintendent for Governmental Relations, Mary Campbell, will report to the Board on the progress of state and federal legislation at each Board meeting.

Proposal

For information only; no action is requested.

Rationale:  Wednesday, February 15

1. GNSA Meeting @9:30 a.m. - NCSA
2. Face the Chamber @ 12 p.m. - Country Club

Thursday, February 16

1. Informational Meeting with Eastridge Neighborhood Association @ 7 p.m. - Eastridge Elementary

Tuesday, February 28

1. Super Commons Meeting @ 7:30 a.m. - Co-City Bldg, Room 113
2. Board Meeting @ 6 p.m.

Rationale:  In keeping with Policy 8420, a time limit of five minutes will be allotted for any speaker. At the discretion of the Chair, the speaker may be allotted additional time.