April 23, 2013 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 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: 

Bob Reeker, the Visual Art and Integrated Technology Specialist at Eastridge Elementary School, has been named the 2013 National Elementary Art Educator of the Year by the National Art Education Association.

Explanation
Bob Reeker serves Eastridge Elementary School as the art and technology teacher, a unique yet appropriate opportunity for teaching both subjects with a focus on their many parallels and similarities.

Reeker uses teaching principles for art and technology that emphasize critical thinking without focusing on right and wrong answers.  Reeker shared, “Art is an integral part of the big picture.  In this day of prescribed curriculum and standardized testing, students must be challenged to utilize many thinking processes.  Art helps children to view the world from many perspectives, solving problems with many possible solutions.”

While witnessing the many "aha" moments from his students, Reeker also is eager to share the work of those students.  He promotes the activities and successes of his school, providing an example for others on how to keep Eastridge in the news. 

Reeker said, “Collaboration is key when educating our youth.  The more school, home, and community can work toward the same vision of quality education, the more children win.  Active parent-teacher organizations and community partnerships strengthen and support the work being done by schools.”

Deb Dabbert, principal at Eastridge, notes how Reeker creates the right atmosphere for learners:  “Our students discover their creativity as they explore different mediums. Through their critical thinking, experimenting, and problem solving, they create a product that expresses their values and views. This occurs as a result of the art educator setting the tone for the students. Bob sets this tone by providing a learning environment that encourages students to take risks and explore.”

Proposal
That the Lincoln Board of Education adopt the following resolution:

WHEREAS, Bob Reeker has been named the 2013 National Elementary Art Educator of the Year by the National Art Education Association; and

WHEREAS, Reeker has worked to create an environment for teaching art and technology, allowing students to improve their critical thinking skills and extending those skills beyond just one classroom; and

WHEREAS, Reeker believes that a strong community and a strong school go hand-in-hand; and

WHEREAS, Reeker understands the skill sets that are needed for students to excel in all areas and strives to expand their view of their community and their world.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Lincoln Board of Education does hereby congratulate Bob Reeker, Visual Art and Integrated Technology Teacher for Eastridge Elementary School, for earning the title of National Elementary Art Educator of the Year by the National Art Education Association.

 

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: 

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 April 23, 2013, were previously provided.

       Federal Tax ACH Deposit of $21,099.85.

       State Tax ACH Deposit of $653,611.24.

       Retirement ACH Transfer of $4,011,476.57.

       Procurement Card ACH Transfer of $86,834.69.

       Office Depot ACH Transfer of $15,922.80.

       Vendor ACH Transfer of $4,712.01.

b.    PAYROLL FOR RATIFICATION – Payroll for the periods ending April 15, 2013, in the amount of $144,433.55.

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

d.    BIDS/CONTRACTS/OTHER ROUTINE BUSINESS – Bids/contracts/other routine business will be presented for approval for fire alarm systems replacements at Irving Middle School and Lefler Middle School; an agreement for group travel with Youth Music of the World for travel services for Southwest High School band students and instructors; an interlocal agreement with Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department for the summer feeding program; a lease agreement with Verizon Wireless for the Campbell Elementary School site; a lease agreement with Verizon Wireless for the Fredstrom Elementary School site; and any other bids/contracts/routine business as presented.

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

a.    The regular claims for periods ending April 23, 2013.

b.    Payroll for the periods ending April 15, 2013.

c.    Gifts for Lincoln High and Sheridan.

d.    Bids/contracts/other routine business for fire alarm systems replacements at Irving Middle School and Lefler Middle School; an agreement for group travel with Youth Music of the World for travel services for Southwest High School band students and instructors; an interlocal agreement with Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department for the summer feeding program; a lease agreement with Verizon Wireless for the Campbell Elementary School site; a lease agreement with Verizon Wireless for the Fredstrom Elementary School site; and any other bids/contracts/routine business 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 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 application of the students included in this proposal.  The students meet the criteria (currently enrolled and attended with current year) 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 274503, 274483, 250929, and 184329 (for purposes of confidentiality, assigned numbers are being used) meet one of the criteria (currently attending) 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:  March 15, 2012, was the deadline for enrollment option applications to be completed for students wishing to attend school in a district other than the one in which they reside for the 2012-13 school year.  The Lincoln Public Schools Board of Education has authority to waive the deadline for late enrollment option requests (NDE Rule 7, Section 004.05).

Explanation
Requests from students who reside in the Lincoln Public Schools District and wish to attend school outside of the Lincoln Public Schools District have been received after the March 15, 2012, deadline.  The Lincoln Public Schools Board of Education may deny or approve these requests.  If these requests are approved by the Board of Education, they will be forwarded to the option school district for their approval. 

                                    Student Number                                    Option District

Proposal
That the Board approve these requests for option out for the 2012-13 school year. 

Rationale:  Lincoln Public Schools Regulation 5460.1 and Nebraska state law provides that if a student has been expelled from any public or private school, and the student has not completed the terms or time period of the expulsion, the student shall not be permitted to enroll in this school district until the expulsion period from such other school has expired, unless the Lincoln Board of Education approves by a majority vote the enrollment of such student prior to expiration of the expulsion period. Student number 294897 (for purposes of confidentiality we are using an assigned number) has filed the proper application and has requested enrollment. 

Explanation
The Department of Student Services has reviewed the application and the background information on the student and is recommending that the application be approved and that the student be enrolled in the Lincoln Public Schools Expelled Student Program for the remainder of this school year, subject to such terms and conditions as imposed by the Director of Student Services and all program rules and regulations until the term or time period of the original underlying expulsions are completed.

Proposal
That the Board approve the application and recommendation of the Department of Student Services as it relates to student number 294897.

Rationale:  On February 12, 2013, the Board adopted a resolution to accept option students for the 2013-14 school year.  Applications have been received from students requesting that they be accepted as option students for the 2013-14 school year.  Staff recommends that the students referred to in this agenda item be accepted for enrollment as they are in compliance with the Board resolution of February 12, 2013.

Explanation
Staff has examined the application of the students included in this proposal.  The students meet one of the criteria set forth by the Board in its resolution of February 12, 2013.  Staff recommends approval of these applications.

Proposal
That the Board adopt the following resolution:

WHEREAS the students who have been assigned student numbers 262363, 249520, and 233470 (for purposes of confidentiality, assigned numbers are being used) meet one of the criteria of the Board resolution of February 12, 2013, 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:  *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:  The Early Childhood Education Endowment Grant Program was established to serve children from birth to age three. The Endowment expands the existing Early Childhood Education Grant Program and is a public-private partnership funded from the State and from the private sector. The fund is used primarily for grants to school districts to provide programs and services for infants and toddlers who are at risk of school failure. The purpose of the endowment grants is to help promote opportunities for children to experience positive environments that provide for their healthy growth and development during their earliest years. The endowment grants are available to promote community level partnerships that focus on meeting the developmental needs of very young children and to fund services for children from birth to age three that will promote their success in school and later in life.

Explanation
The program services to be supported with these funds will enhance the current Student/Child Learning Center services through an expansion and enhancement of services in partnership with CEDARS and Educare of Lincoln. The funds will allow us to expand the current staff and child ratios of 1:3 for infants and 1:4 for toddlers.  Program supervision with a staff member trained specifically in infant-toddler development will continue to provide at least weekly supervision along with professional development to include research with an evidenced-based curriculum congruent with the Nebraska Early Learning Guidelines for Children 0-3 Years. The expansion component includes Family Engagement. This component works with community partners to make use of the home environment to teach their children. Through this component, parents increase their parenting skills and set goals while the teacher is being respectful of the culture and practices of the family. Through the partnerships, families will be linked to community services.

Proposal
That the Board discuss submission of this Sixpence Endowment Grant application for a three-year funding period. The grant money will assist in funding two of the Student/Child Learning Centers and enhance the program with the family engagement component. The grant application request is for $150,000 for the expansion of services of the student/parent program and the family engagement component. The total amount requested requires a local level match with at least the same amount. The match will come from the program partners and Health and Human Services.

The application deadline for this grant is May 15, 2013.

Rationale:  Each year the Business Affairs Office makes recommendations to the Board of Education for tuition charges for regular and special education programs.  This is done in accordance with Policy 3300 and Regulation 3300.1.

Explanation
The following is the recommendation for tuition charges for the 2013-14 school year for the programs noted.  The rates are intended to recover the district’s anticipated actual costs for the 2013-14 school year.

1.    Regular Instructional Program:

       2013-14 Rates
                                Per Year         Per Semester       Per Day
       Grades K-6       $  9,000.00        $4,500.00         $51.14
       Grades 7-8       $10,800.00        $5,400.00         $60.00
       Grades 9-12     $12,600.00        $6,300.00         $70.00

       Based on 176 days elementary and 180 days secondary.

2.    Specialized Services for Special Education Programs:

Special education tuition rates will be determined using the calculation provided by the Nebraska Department of Education.  The rate will include Lincoln Public Schools’ cost per student calculated pursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. 79-598(3) plus Lincoln Public Schools’ average cost per student for special education services adjusted upward for students receiving an even more intense program.

Proposal
That the Board discuss the proposed tuition rates.

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 March 31, 2013, is attached.

Proposal
Information item; no Board action required.

Rationale:  Lincoln Public Schools has an extensive process to recruit, hire, and select the strongest teachers to place in our schools.  Once new staff is hired, they are given an opportunity to participate in an induction program which provides them with the basic tools they need to begin teaching.  In addition to the induction program, new staff is required to attend specific courses to achieve tenure.  The combination of the induction program, the tenure requirements, an assigned mentor, and the ongoing professional development offerings allow the Lincoln staff to be well-prepared to meet the ever changing needs of our students.

Proposal
For information only; no action is requested.

Rationale: 

Friday, April 26, No Elementary School

Wednesday, May 1, 8:00 a.m., Chamber Coffee, Chamber Office

Wednesday, May 8, 12:00 p.m., Face the Chamber, Lincoln Country Club

Tuesday, May 14, 4:30 p.m., Board Work Session Meeting, Co-City Bldg.
                            6:00 p.m., Board Meeting

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.