April 8, 2025 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. The Lincoln Board of Education shall also make available for examination and copying as requested by members of the public, at least one copy of all reproducible written materials to be discussed at the meeting.

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: 

Rationale:  Annually, the Board of Education evaluates the Superintendent and develops Annual Priorities for the Superintendent for the coming school year.  The priorities established for the 2024-25 school year were adopted by the Board on September 24, 2025. 

Explanation:
Interim Superintendent Dr. John Skretta and the district's Associate Superintendents will report on the progress of the priorities adopted by the Board on September 24, 2024.

1. By April 8, 2025, develop and present to the board a comprehensive action plan tied to the Strategic Plan, which includes clear action steps, responsible parties, measurables, and a progress tracking system. Thereafter, an annual fall report on district progress towards the measurables will be presented to the board and made publicly available.
2. By January 2025, develop and present to the Board a broader alliance of legislative engagement opportunities to support enhanced communication and education with local and state partners. By April 8, 2025, demonstrate the use of district communications platforms to inform constituents about legislative and community topics relevant to LPS.
3. By April 8, 2025, develop and present to the Board a comprehensive recruitment and retention plan, including a specific plan to strengthen staff wellness.

Rationale: 

The Board believes public attendance and participation, when appropriate to the business at hand, is beneficial to the work of the Board and models the importance of civic engagement and civil discourse to the community’s children, but it cannot impede the Board from completing the business of the meeting. 

In keeping with Board Policy 8420 and Neb Statute 84-1412(3), the Lincoln Board of Education has established these reasonable regulations to conduct Public Comment::

1. Persons speaking during Public Comment will be called forward individually by the Board Chair to the location identified for such purpose.

2. A time limit of three minutes will be allotted for any speaker unless prior to the beginning of the Public Comment agenda item, the chair sets a different reasonable time frame to be allotted for speakers in order to accommodate the number of persons who have submitted "Record of Appearance" cards. The time limit is per speaker, per meeting and may not be transferred or assigned to other speakers.

3. The chair may endeavor to organize public comment by what agenda items or other issues have been identified as topics by public speakers, adjust for the age of speakers, and/or split the Public Comment agenda item to be conducted in different positions within the Board’s Order of Business. At the discretion of the chair, the speaker may be allotted additional time. Board members may share, address or consider comments from the public during public comment, at the end of public comment or when related business is on the agenda.

4. In order to be called forward to address the Board during Public Comment, each person wishing to speak must obtain a "Record of Appearance" card from staff at the meeting in which they wish to speak. "Record of Appearance" cards are available beginning 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the meeting. Those wishing to speak must accurately complete the required sections of the card, and submit it to the appropriate staff member by 15 minutes after the start of the meeting.

5. Individuals will be called forward to speak by name, organization being represented, if applicable, and address. Each individual speaking to the Board will be required to identify himself or herself prior to giving public comment by stating their first and last name and, if applicable, any organization they represent.

6. In cases where more than one person wishes to speak on the same topic, their presentations to the Board may, at the discretion of the chair, be grouped together by topic.

7. If the number of people wishing to speak under the public comment portions of the agenda is large, the chair may rule that a public hearing be scheduled.

8. Persons speaking to the Board during public comment may make printed materials (paper no larger than 8.5 x 11 inches) available to the Board but may not use any other form of media. Public speakers are asked to provide 10 copies of any copies of printed materials presented to the Board.

Persons attending Board meetings and/or speaking to the Board during Public Comment or during a public hearing must follow all requirements established by the Board, as well as all Board, chair and staff directions in order to help maintain the order, proper decorum, safety and security, and the non-disruptive functioning of the Board meeting. These include, but are not limited to the following:

• Abiding by time limits
• Refraining from applauding, cheering, jeering, or engaging in speech that defames any individual(s), or stymies or blocks meeting progress;
• Refraining from the use of audio recordings, video recordings, or any digital still images, posters, signs, costumes, other props and/or photographs
• Refraining from abusive, disruptive or threatening language or gestures, and
• Staying in the areas identified by the Board as reserved for the public.

If at any time persons appearing before the Board do not comply with these or any other Board requirements, it shall be the responsibility of the chair to declare that person or persons out of order and require a change in behavior, delay or recess the meeting, or refuse permission to continue to address the Board, and ultimately may require the person or persons to leave the premises of the Board meeting.

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:
         Separations - 1

b. Certificated Employees:
         Elections - 39
         Leave of Absence - 13
         Re-Elect, Re-Assign - 1
         Separations - 23

c. Certificated Substitute Employees:
          Elections - 14
          Separations - 3

d.  Classified Employees:
          Elections  - 23
          Separations - 12

e. Civic Leave - 2

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.

Rationale: 

Rationale:  On September 10, 2024, the Board adopted a resolution to accept option enrollment students for the 2025-26 school year.  An application for enrollment during the 2025-26 school year has been received and is in compliance with the Board resolution of September 10, 2024.  

Explanation:
The application included in this agenda item has been examined by staff and meets one of the criteria set forth by the Board in the resolution of September 10, 2024.  Staff recommends approval of the application.

Proposal:
That the Board adopts the following resolution:

WHEREAS, the student who has been assigned student number 468164 (for purposes of confidentiality, an assigned number is being used) meets one or more of the criteria of the Board resolution of September 10, 2024, with regard to such option students;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the aforementioned student be accepted as an option student 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, 2025, 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 2025-26 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 district of Lincoln Public Schools and wish to attend school outside of Lincoln Public Schools have been received after the March 15, 2025, deadline.  The Lincoln Board of Education may deny or approve the requests.  If the requests are approved by the Board of Education, they will be forwarded to the option school district for their approval.

Student Number            Option District
461947                            Crete
468024                            Crete

Proposal:
That the Board approve the requests for option out for the 2025-26 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 the expiration of the expulsion period. Student number 467841 (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 approves the application and all recommendations of the Department of Student Services.

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: 

1. Regular Instructional Program:

2. Specialized Services for Special Education Programs:

Rationale:  The U.S. Department of Education through Title VI of Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) provides funds to fulfill the federal government’s responsibility to the Indian people for the education of Indian children. These funds support the goal of ensuring 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.

Lincoln Public Schools has received federal funds for services for Native American students since the mid-1980’s.  The following table reflects an annual student count and the grant award amount received in recent years.  Grant award amounts vary by year according to the total amount of Indian Education funds available at the federal level and are not based only on the number of students per program.
 

School Year	Student Number	Amount Awarded
2017-18	585	$138,292
2018-19	572	$151,709
2019-20	526	$139,941
2020-21	558	$149,006
2021-22	665	$164,298
2022-23	715	$197,942
2023-24	719	$205,390
2024-25	713	$191,755

Explanation:
Proposal:
That the Board discuss the submission of the required application of the Indian Education grant to the U.S. Department of Education for $203,070. No district-funding match is required.

This grant application is due May 9, 2025.
 

Rationale: 

Vendor	Description	Quantity	Cost	Extended Cost
Apple	Macbook Air M4 - 16GB | 256GB	3,875	$879.00	$3,406,125.00

Rationale: 

Rationale:  The NDE Office of Special Education remains committed to supporting districts in improving results for children with disabilities. To meet this purpose, project funding was available annually beginning with the 2018-2019 school year to support implementation and evaluation of Targeted Improvement Plans (TIPs). Budget realignment must be based upon anticipated needs and may not exceed the 2025-2026 grant allocation. The PEaK Project funding is supplemental to, and shall not supplant or duplicate, any other funding source(s). Districts who participate in a consortium supported by an ESU must maintain involvement in that consortium for the duration of the project. Upon review, NDE may choose to reallocate funding if it is determined that the grantee is not meeting the assurances and expectations defined within the project. Project funds may not be used to fund (1) compliance monitoring requirements; (2) professional development activities that are not found to be in alignment with PEaK objectives; (3) curricular, intervention, assessment/progress monitoring materials for student use and/or (4) technology for students. These projects are funded with IDEA discretionary dollars for the specific purpose identified. The multi-year project supports will be contingent upon availability of funds.

As part of Nebraska’s Results Driven Accountability (RDA) System, all school districts must participate in an ongoing review of their special education program utilizing the Improving Learning for Children with Disabilities (ILCD) process. Districts utilize the guidance documents and resources available at http://www.education.ne.gov/sped/ilcd.html. The process includes an analysis of district data to study Impact Area data, district infrastructure, and other pertinent district data to identify target areas for improvement. This is followed by identifying measurable results (goals) and coherent improvement strategies that will be the focus for improvement. Next, the district reviews the current infrastructure and capacity to implement, scale-up and sustain evidence-based practice. Finally, based upon strengths and challenges, a comprehensive, multi-year TIP detailing coherent improvement strategies focused on improving results for children with disabilities is created. The PEaK Projects for 2025-2026 support Implementation and Evaluation of the Targeted Improvement Plan.

PEaK Project activities are intended to assist districts in implementing and evaluating the TIP. Projects should encourage agencies to leverage resources and align efforts to serve students with disabilities through continuous school improvement. Projects should increase the capacity of districts to deeply implement evidence-based practices designed to improve outcomes of students with disabilities. Project activities must address unique district strengths and needs. Applicants will identify the structures and supports necessary to implement and measure progress toward achieving the District TIP.

Explanation:
Proposal:
That the Board approve the submission of the PEaK Project to the Nebraska Department of Education for approximately $291,578. No district-funding match is required.

This grant application is due May 1^st, 2025.
 

Rationale:  April 16:
GNSA Meeting, 9:30 am, NCSA
GNSA Senator Lunch, 12:00 pm, Scottish Rite Center
Face the Chamber, 12:00 pm, Country Club

April 18: Holiday -  LPS Closed

April 22:
Chamber Congressional Report, 11:30 am, Country Club
Board Meeting, 6:00 pm, SJDLC




 

Rationale: 

The Board believes public attendance and participation, when appropriate to the business at hand, is beneficial to the work of the Board and models the importance of civic engagement and civil discourse to the community’s children, but it cannot impede the Board from completing the business of the meeting. 

In keeping with Board Policy 8420 and Neb Statute 84-1412(3), the Lincoln Board of Education has established these reasonable regulations to conduct Public Comment::

1. Persons speaking during Public Comment will be called forward individually by the Board Chair to the location identified for such purpose.

2. A time limit of three minutes will be allotted for any speaker unless prior to the beginning of the Public Comment agenda item, the chair sets a different reasonable time frame to be allotted for speakers in order to accommodate the number of persons who have submitted "Record of Appearance" cards. The time limit is per speaker, per meeting and may not be transferred or assigned to other speakers.

3. The chair may endeavor to organize public comment by what agenda items or other issues have been identified as topics by public speakers, adjust for the age of speakers, and/or split the Public Comment agenda item to be conducted in different positions within the Board’s Order of Business. At the discretion of the chair, the speaker may be allotted additional time. Board members may share, address or consider comments from the public during public comment, at the end of public comment or when related business is on the agenda.

4. In order to be called forward to address the Board during Public Comment, each person wishing to speak must obtain a "Record of Appearance" card from staff at the meeting in which they wish to speak. "Record of Appearance" cards are available beginning 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the meeting. Those wishing to speak must accurately complete the required sections of the card, and submit it to the appropriate staff member by 15 minutes after the start of the meeting.

5. Individuals will be called forward to speak by name, organization being represented, if applicable, and address. Each individual speaking to the Board will be required to identify himself or herself prior to giving public comment by stating their first and last name and, if applicable, any organization they represent.

6. In cases where more than one person wishes to speak on the same topic, their presentations to the Board may, at the discretion of the chair, be grouped together by topic.

7. If the number of people wishing to speak under the public comment portions of the agenda is large, the chair may rule that a public hearing be scheduled.

8. Persons speaking to the Board during public comment may make printed materials (paper no larger than 8.5 x 11 inches) available to the Board but may not use any other form of media. Public speakers are asked to provide 10 copies of any copies of printed materials presented to the Board.

Persons attending Board meetings and/or speaking to the Board during Public Comment or during a public hearing must follow all requirements established by the Board, as well as all Board, chair and staff directions in order to help maintain the order, proper decorum, safety and security, and the non-disruptive functioning of the Board meeting. These include, but are not limited to the following:

• Abiding by time limits
• Refraining from applauding, cheering, jeering, or engaging in speech that defames any individual(s), or stymies or blocks meeting progress;
• Refraining from the use of audio recordings, video recordings, or any digital still images, posters, signs, costumes, other props and/or photographs
• Refraining from abusive, disruptive or threatening language or gestures, and
• Staying in the areas identified by the Board as reserved for the public.

If at any time persons appearing before the Board do not comply with these or any other Board requirements, it shall be the responsibility of the chair to declare that person or persons out of order and require a change in behavior, delay or recess the meeting, or refuse permission to continue to address the Board, and ultimately may require the person or persons to leave the premises of the Board meeting.

Rationale: 

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.

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.