May 13, 2014 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.
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. |
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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.
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6. SPECIAL REPORTS, PRESENTATIONS AND CELEBRATIONS OF SUCCESS
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6.1. Update - LPS Foundation Fundraising for Career Academy
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6.2. Randy Ernst, K-12 Administrator of the Year, Nebraskans for Civic Reform
Rationale:
The Civic Action Program (CAP), through the Nebraskans for Civic Reform (NCR), works with teachers and students to identify issues in the community they want to address. The NCR then provides the project funding, transportation, non-profit partnership, and logistical support for the student community project, so the teacher can focus on classroom instruction and curriculum. The CAP honors those who show the leadership to implement strong learning opportunities in the area of civics. Explanation Randy Ernst, curriculum specialist for Social Studies at Lincoln Public Schools, has been awarded the Outstanding K-12 Administrator of the Year Award presented by the Nebraskans for Civic Reform, recognizing someone who demonstrates dedication to engaging youth in community and schools in substantive ways that emphasize civics, critical thinking, civil discourse, and community leadership skills. Through the leadership of Randy Ernst, more than 1,000 LPS ninth graders have extra opportunities to learn about the issues facing their community. Furthermore, they take action to do something about it, applying their education and other skills. Ernst said: “We’ve been trying to take steps to improve civic involvement by giving students hands-on experiences. Our ninth graders complete a civic action project during their first year in high school, and we hope this sparks interest.” Through the civic action project, Ernst makes sure that spark often turns into a shining star. Students have taken this same approach with Student Vote, Student Serve, Constitution Week, and other LPS social studies projects. Engagement, Ernst said, leads to understanding and caring about an issue. That leads to visualizing a path for change and acting on it. He added: “Giving back to one’s community will always be in style. I’m hopeful we can continue to promote a culture of helpfulness at all grade levels.” Proposal That the Lincoln Board of Education adopt the following resolution: WHEREAS, Randy Ernst, curriculum specialist for social studies in Lincoln Public Schools, has been named an Outstanding K-12 Administrator by the Nebraskans for Civic Reform; and WHEREAS, Randy Ernst has inspired teachers and students through various leadership opportunities; and WHEREAS, Randy Ernst has provided actionable projects for students in the community, which in turn improves their civic involvement; and WHEREAS, Randy Ernst has demonstrated passion for improving education and character in the area of social studies, community involvement and giving back. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Lincoln Board of Education does hereby congratulate Randy Ernst for earning the honor of Outstanding K-12 Administrator from the Nebraskans for Civic Reform |
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7. PUBLIC COMMENT
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.
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8. CONSENT AGENDA
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8.1. Human Resources Matters
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. |
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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.
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8.3. Option Enrollment Student Applications for 2014-15
Rationale:
On February 25, 2014, the Board adopted a resolution to accept option students for the 2014-15 school year. Applications have been received from students requesting that they be accepted as option students for the 2014-15 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 25, 2014.
WHEREAS the students who have been assigned student numbers 268820, 236943, 302540, 269376, and 302543 (for purposes of confidentiality, assigned numbers are being used) meet one or more of the criteria of the Board resolution of February 25, 2014, 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 2014-15
Rationale:
March 15, 2014, 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 2014-15 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, 2014, 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 254436 Norris 268712 Norris 202203 Waverly 197243 Crete 302542 Malcolm Proposal:
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8.5. Enrollment of Expelled Student
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 this student prior to expiration of the expulsion period. Student # 266165 (for purposes of confidentiality, we are using an assigned number) has filed the proper applications and has requested enrollment. Explanation Proposal |
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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. School Meal Prices
Rationale:
The Lincoln Public Schools Nutrition Services Department operates a school meal program that provides breakfast and lunch meals to LPS schools. Annually, the Board of Education reviews and approves school breakfast and lunch prices. |
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9.2. From the Superintendent
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9.2.1. Tuition Charges for 2014-15
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
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 |
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9.2.2. Title VII, Indian Education Program
Rationale:
The U.S. Department of Education, through Title VII of the ESEA, provides funds to fulfill the Federal Government’s unique and continuing trust relationship with and responsibility to the Indian people for the education of Indian children. These funds support the goal of ensuring that programs that serve Indian children are of the highest quality and provide for not only the basic elementary and secondary educational needs, but also the unique educational and culturally related academic needs of these children. The purpose of this program is to support American Indian and Alaska Native students in meeting the same challenging State student academic achievement standards as all other students are expected to meet. The district has received federal funds for services for Native American students since the mid-1980’s.
Explanation Lincoln Public Schools Indian Education program will provide support to 553 Native American students in grades PK-12 in the 2014-15 school year. Native American students are enrolled in all schools across the district, representing about 60 tribes, as designated by the parent. The funding from federal grants specifically for Native American students is $133,660. Decisions regarding the use of these funds are made in consultation with the Indian Parent Advisory Committee. Proposal That the Board discuss submission of this three-year Indian Education grant application to the U.S. Department of Education for $133,660. No district-funding match is required. This grant application has a submission date of May 30, 2014.
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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. 2014-15 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.
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10.2. From the Superintendent
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10.2.1. Item(s) Removed from Consent Agenda
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10.2.2. Expedited/Emergency Actions
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11. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS/REPORTS
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11.1. From Board Committees
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11.1.1. Career Academy Update
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11.2. From the Superintendent
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11.2.1. Superintendent Update
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12. ANNOUNCEMENTS OF UPCOMING EVENTS FOR THE BOARD
Rationale:
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Career Academy Joint Board Meeting, 11:00 a.m., SCC Lincoln Campus District Retirement Celebration, 5:00 p.m., Lincoln Country Club Sunday, May 18, 2014 Beattie Elementary 60th Anniversary Celebration, 2:00 p.m., Beattie Elementary Monday, May 19, 2014 Board/ESU Organizational Meeting, 6:00 p.m., LPSDO Thursday, May 22, 2014 Bryan Community Graduation Ceremony, 7:00 p.m., East High School Sunday, May 25, 2014 Northeast High School Graduation Ceremony, 12:00 p.m., Pinnacle Bank Arena Lincoln High School Graduation Ceremony, 1:30 p.m., Pershing Center East High School Graduation Ceremony, 3:00 p.m., Pinnacle Bank Arena Southwest High School Graduation Ceremony, 4:30 p.m., Pershing Center Southeast High School Graduation Ceremony, 6:00 p.m., Pinnacle Bank Arena North Star High School Graduation Ceremony, 7:30 p.m., Pershing Center |
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13. PUBLIC COMMENT
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.
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14. REQUEST FOR CLOSED SESSION
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14.1. 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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15. ADJOURNMENT
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