May 28, 2019 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting
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1. LPS BOARD OF EDUCATION INFORMATION
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. |
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2. CALL TO ORDER
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3. ROLL CALL
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4. ANNOUNCE OPEN MEETING ACT POSTING AND LOCATION
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5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
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.
Attachments:
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6. SPECIAL REPORTS, PRESENTATIONS AND CELEBRATIONS OF SUCCESS
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6.1. Student Celebration: Lincoln Public Schools Celebrates Graduation Season
Rationale:
Lincoln Public Schools celebrates the graduation season by featuring a student graduation speech from the class of 2019.EXPLANATION:The Lincoln Board of Education features the graduation speech from Lincoln East High School senior Turner Linafelter, senior class president, and his lunch bunch friend and East High senior Cole Alfred.
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7. PUBLIC COMMENT
Rationale:
In keeping with Board Policy 8420:
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8. CONSENT AGENDA
Rationale:
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8.1. Human Resources Matters
Rationale:
Explanation:
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. This report includes routine Human Resources changes: a. Certificated Employees: Elections - 34 Re-Elections Same Assignment - 3 Re-Elections New Assignment - 2 Changes of Status - 4 Leaves of Absence - 5 Separations - 4 b. Substitute Certificated Employees: Elections - 1 Changes of Status - 2 Separations - 25 c. Classified Employees: Elections - 22 Changes of Status - 4 Separations - 27 d. Other: Employment of Family Members - 1 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. |
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8.2. Routine Business
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 period ending May 28, 2019, were previously provided. Federal Tax ACH Deposit of $62,418.47. State Tax ACH Deposit of $879,267.96. Procurement Card ACH Transfer of $143,489.40. Child Support ACH Transfer of $774.35. Office Depot ACH Transfer of $45,523.16. Blue Cross/Blue Shield ACH Transfer of $5,176,829.17. Term Life/Disability ACH Transfer of $200,977.41 Retirement ACH Transfer of $5,122,600.06. Vendor ACH Transfer of $86,466.18. b. PAYROLL FOR RATIFICATION - Payroll for the periods ending May 6 and May 15, 2019, in the amount of $197,516.96. 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 MAP testing; the purchase of headphones and computer hardware; agreements for an educational consultant and support for Title I schools; an agreement for golf course use; an agreement for grant funding; items listed for auction; 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 period ending May 28, 2019. b. Payroll for the periods ending May 6 and May 15, 2019.
c. Gifts for the district.
d. Bids/contracts/other routine business for approval for MAP testing; the purchase of headphones and computer hardware; agreements for an educational consultant and support for Title I schools; an agreement for golf course use; an agreement for grant funding; items listed for auction; and any other bids/contracts/routine business as presented.
Attachments:
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8.3. Option Enrollment Student Applications for 2019-20
Rationale:
On March 26, 2019, the Board adopted a resolution to accept option enrollment students for the 2019-20 school year. Applications for enrollment during the 2019-20 school year have been received and are in compliance with the Board resolution of March 26, 2019. Explanation WHEREAS, the students who have been assigned student numbers 431795 and 222325 (for purposes of confidentiality, assigned numbers are being used) meet one or more of the criteria of the Board resolution of March 26, 2019, 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.
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8.4. Late Request for Enrollment Option Out 2019-20
Rationale:
March 15, 2019, 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 2018-19 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 Student Number Option District |
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9. FIRST READING, ACTION AT NEXT 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 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.
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9.1. From Board Committees
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9.1.1. Newly Annexed Property to the City of Lincoln
Rationale:
The Board of Education assigns school attendance areas to property newly annexed to the City of Lincoln or newly platted. This action establishes school attendance areas prior to the sale of residential lots, allowing purchasers to know what schools their children will attend.
Explanation The City of Lincoln has annexed a parcel of land, which automatically brings this property into the district of Lincoln Public Schools. This property needs to be assigned attendance centers so that potential purchasers of homes in this area will know which schools they will be attending: Grandview Estates 2nd Addition, Annexation Ordinance #20786, for 2019-20 school year: Wysong Elementary School, Moore Middle School, East High School. Proposal That the Board discuss the proposed attendance area assignments of the newly annexed property.
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9.2. From the Superintendent
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9.2.1. McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Grant
Rationale:
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is the primary piece of federal legislation dealing with the education of children and youth experiencing homelessness. The McKinney-Vento program is designed to address the problems that homeless children and youth have faced in enrolling, attending, and succeeding in school. Under this program, State educational agencies (SEAs) and Local educational agencies (LEAs) must ensure that each homeless child and youth has equal access to the same free, appropriate public education, including a public preschool education, as other children and youth. Homeless children and youth should have access to the educational and other services that they need to enable them to meet the same challenging State student academic achievement standards to which all students are held. States and districts are required to review and undertake steps to revise laws, regulations, practices, or policies that may act as a barrier to the enrollment, attendance, or success in school.
Explanation The LPS Homeless Outreach Advocate works with families experiencing homelessness to arrange transportation services for children to attend school and works with families to provide other supports which create a more stable environment for children experiencing homelessness. LPS will use funds received through the McKinney-Vento Act to continue to support the salary of the Homeless Outreach Advocate and to pay transportation costs for homeless children to attend school.
Proposal That the Board approves the submission of the McKinney-Vento Grant application for approximately $44,000 with the final allocation to be determined by the State of Nebraska after submission and dependent upon grants awarded to other applicants. This grant requires a 100% match from Title I allocated to the district. Title I funds have been used in past years to cover the required match for this grant.
The grant application is due June 10, 2019. |
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9.2.2. Proposed Agreements with Administrators, Custodial Employees Association, Maintenance Employees Association, Nutrition Services Workers Association, Office Professionals Association, Para-Educator Employees Association, Technicians, and Transportation Employees Association
Rationale:
EXPLANATION
The Lincoln Board of Education has recognized the Custodial Employees Association, the Maintenance Employees Association, the Nutrition Services Workers Association, the Lincoln Public Schools Association of Office Professionals, the Paraeducator Employees Association, and the Transportation Employees Association as the exclusive bargaining agents to negotiate salary, fringe benefits, and working conditions for members of the respective employee groups. Mr. Robbie Seybert has negotiated with each employee group. Mr. Seybert has also met and conferred with the representatives from the Administrator and Technician groups. Tentative agreements have been reached between Lincoln Public Schools and the respective employee groups for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 school years.
The proposed agreement for each employee group is as follows: Administrators
Custodial Employees Association
Maintenance Employees Association
Nutrition Services Workers Association
Office Professionals Association
Paraeducator Employees Association
Technicians
Transportation Employees Association
Health insurance premiums will increase 4.99% in 2019-2020 and are estimated to increase by 4.99% in 2020-2021. Editorial changes (leave, years, pay, etc.) were made in the agreements/salary schedules/handbooks. These settlements are within the parameters set by the Board of Education. Included in the total package increases for each employee group are all district costs including the district's contributions to health insurance, state retirement, and Social Security. A complete copy of the proposed agreement/handbook for each of the eight employee groups is available for review at the office of the Associate Superintendent for Human Resources upon request. PROPOSAL That the Board of Education consider and discuss the proposed agreements with the Administrators, the Custodial Employees Association, the Maintenance Employees Association, the Nutrition Services Workers Association, the Office Professionals Association, the Paraeducator Employees Association, the Technicians, and the Transportation Employees Association for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 school years. |
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9.2.3. Proposed 2019-20 Pay Rates for Substitute and Miscellaneous Employees
Rationale:
Explanation:
The Board of Education must approve all salary schedules/pay rates for the employees of Lincoln Public Schools. Attached are the 2018-19 pay rates for substitute and miscellaneous employees and the proposed 2019-20 pay rates for such employees. The recommended salary increases range from no increase to a 1.00 percent increase, depending on the employee group. The determination of what salary to recommend is made in conjunction with the supervisor of that employee group and an assessment of the availability of candidates for the positions. Proposal: That the Board of Education discuss the proposed pay rates for substitute and miscellaneous employees for the 2019-20 school year.
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10. SECOND READING, RECOMMENDED FOR ACTION
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10.1. From Board Committees
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10.1.1. 2019-20 Transportation Plan
Rationale:
Each spring a transportation plan is prepared for the following school year. District policy 3710 is reviewed and recommendations for operational changes are solicited from individual school buildings and various departments. Schedules are prepared and a summary of needs is balanced against staff and equipment available to the district. Each year a review of all routes for the current year are reconsidered.
Explanation The Lincoln Public Schools Transportation Department will transport only those students who qualify under provisions of state law, including:
In addition, the Board, at its discretion, may approve other transportation areas based upon unique circumstances and for the purpose of equalizing school enrollments and facilitating programs. Attached is a tentative listing of all routes recommended for the 2019-20 school year. Proposal That the Board approve the 2019-20 Transportation Plan.
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10.1.2. Policy 1114: Community Relations - Media Relations
Rationale:
Lincoln Public Schools reviews policies on an on-going basis and updates policies to ensure that they accurately reflect the ever-changing work of the district.
Explanation: The revision to Policy 1114 recognizes that the ever growing and changing media landscape makes it impossible for the Board to be committed to the use of "all news" media. The revised language better reflects a reasonable requirement of the Board. The mission of the LPS Communications Department is to tell the story of Lincoln Public Schools by strategically reaching out through a variety of print, broadcast, online, and other media sources.
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10.1.3. Policy 4825: Employee Fundraising
Rationale:
Lincoln Public Schools reviews policies on an on-going basis and updates policies to ensure that they accurately reflect the ever-changing work of the district.
Explanation: With the proliferation of fundraising opportunities, especially crowd funding sites on the Internet, it is much easier for employees to seek independent fundraising opportunities. The adoption of Policy 4825 provides clear oversight of employee fundraising, which, when aligned with other district fundraising policies, ensures that requests to the public for additional funds are aligned with the district’s strategic plan, curriculum, and policies. By ensuring alignment between fundraising and district work, the Board can assure that funds sought by the district employees align with the work approved by the Board and shared with the public.
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10.1.4. Policy 5520: Students - Student Fees
Rationale:
The Board of Education of Lincoln Public Schools annually reviews and approves Policy 5520 to ensure that its policy is in accordance with the Public Elementary and Secondary Student Fees Authorization Act.
The district’s general policy is to provide for the free instruction in school in accordance with the Nebraska Constitution and state and federal law. This generally means that the district’s policy is to provide free instruction for courses that are required by state law or regulation and to provide the staff, facility, equipment, and materials necessary for such instruction without charge or fee to the students. The district does provide activities, programs, and services to children that extend beyond the minimum level of constitutionally required free instruction. Students and their parents have historically contributed to the district’s efforts to provide such activities, programs, and services. The district’s general policy is to continue to encourage and to the extent permitted by law, to require such student and parent contributions to enhance the educational program provided by the district. Revisions to Policy 5520 reflect changes to fees and the fee waiver eligibility to address changes in cost while remaining in compliance with all applicable laws.
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10.2. From the Superintendent
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11. EXPEDITED/EMERGENCY ACTIONS
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12. ITEM(S) REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA
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13. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS/REPORTS
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13.1. From Board Committees
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13.2. From The Career Academy
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13.3. From the Superintendent
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13.3.1. Superintendent Update
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13.3.2. Monthly Financial Report
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 April 30, 2019, is attached. Proposal Information item; no Board action required.
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14. ANNOUNCEMENTS OF UPCOMING EVENTS FOR THE BOARD
Rationale:
June 11:
Board Work Session, 4:30 pm, LPSDO Board Meeting, 6:00 pm, LPSDO |
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15. PUBLIC COMMENT
Rationale:
In keeping with Board Policy 8420:
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16. 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 |
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16.1. 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. 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. |
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17. ADJOURNMENT
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