February 11, 2014 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:  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 period ending February 11, 2014, were previously provided.                    

Federal Tax ACH Deposit of $4,901,822.22.                

State Tax ACH Deposit of $661,731.78.                

Procurement Card ACH Transfer of $64,035.21.                

Office Depot ACH Transfer of $20,080.80.                

Vendor ACH Transfer of $2,795.18.

b.  PAYROLL FOR RATIFICATION – Payroll for the period ending January 31, 2014, in the amount of $12,913,672.10.

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 an agreement with Lancaster County that will provide grant funding to hire two Program Coordinators in the Truancy Diversion Programs for Culler and Goodrich Middle Schools and for an amendment to the cell site lease agreement with Verizon Wireless relating to Campbell Elementary School; 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 February 11, 2014.  

b.  Payroll for the period ending January 31, 2014.  

c.  Gifts for Adams Elementary, Beattie Elementary, Cavett Elementary, Eastridge Elementary, Northeast High School, Pathfinder Education Program, Riley Elementary, Saratoga Elementary, and the district.  

d.  Bids/contracts/other routine business for an agreement with Lancaster County that will provide grant funding to hire two Program Coordinators in the Truancy Diversion Programs for Culler and Goodrich Middle Schools and for an amendment to the cell site lease agreement with Verizon Wireless relating to Campbell Elementary School; and any other bids/contracts/routine business as presented.

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 108 children in six part-day, center-based classrooms through this grant. This program will ensure that each 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 three and four year olds who qualify for participation in an inclusive environment. These services will be provided through a part-day (4 hours) center-based program in six existing LPS elementary school buildings. The staff, who will be LPS employees, will serve families using the same high-quality approach which is currently provided in school centers.

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 serving 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 six additional part-day classes in the amount of $300,000 with a 100 percent match on the basic grant only. The match will be provided through various grant funds and community partners. An additional amount ($25,000) of grant funds will be used for start-up costs (no match required for start-up costs), dependent upon final award.

The grant application is due to the Nebraska Department of Education on February 14, 2014.

 

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: 

Policy 1111 supports the district’s responsibility of keeping the community informed through the use of the most effective media available by the school district.

Explanation
Staff would recommend the addition of social media to acknowledge our expanded communications with parents and the community.

Proposal
That the Board discuss Policy 1111.

 

Rationale: 

The Board encourages each school to maintain a parent or parent/community advisory organization. 

Explanation
The Communications Department will assist parent or parent/community advisory organizations to be more involved in supporting student learning and activities while aligning their efforts with district policies and regulations.

Proposal
That the Board discuss Policy 1210.

 

Rationale: 

Explanation
This change in policy 1420 will include communication with all governmental entities on matters of proposed legislation.

Proposal
That the Board discuss Policy 1420.

 

Rationale: 

“Hazing” refers to activities expected of someone joining a group (or to maintain full status in a group) that humiliates, degrades, or risks emotional and/or physical harm, regardless of the person's willingness to participate.  While passed off by many as inconsequential pranks or “rights of passage,” it is known that hazing has a negative impact on students and on the learning and activity environment.  Board members reviewed this policy at the September 10, 2013 meeting and asked that the Policy Committee review again. 

Explanation
This policy is meant to provide notice to students, families, and the community that these behaviors are prohibited by the Lincoln Public Schools and provide guidance to staff to prevent these behaviors or respond to them should they occur.

Proposal
That the Board approve Policy 6411.

Rationale:  Wednesday, February 12, 2014 - Chamber Annual Lunch, 11:30 a.m., Cornhusker Hotel

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.