May 12, 2026 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 next item on our agenda this evening is the annual Public Hearing on the Lincoln Public Schools Student Fees Policy 5520. 

I would first ask staff to give a brief report on the amount of money collected and use of waivers for the prior year.

For those interested in speaking during this public hearing, the same guidelines apply as to public comment. Speakers should complete the blue contact card and present it to a staff prior to speaking. Speakers have a maximum of three minutes to speak. The Board does not engage in conversation with the speakers, but listens carefully to the comments as part of its collection of information for consideration of agenda items.
 
With that, I hereby open this public hearing before the Board of Education of Lincoln Public Schools. This hearing is being conducted under the provisions of the Nebraska Public Elementary and Secondary Student Fee Authorization Act and other Nebraska laws.

The purpose of this hearing is to receive input regarding proposed Policy 5520 and Appendix "1". The input received in this hearing will be taken into consideration by the Board when we take action on proposed Policy 5520 and Appendix "1".
 
Would the first person wishing to speak please come forward now?

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: 

Ann Spotanski has been an elementary counselor at Clinton Elementary School since 2020. She was recently awarded the Elementary School Counselor of the Year Award by the Nebraska School Counselor Association.

Explanation:
The Nebraska School Counselor Association named Clinton Elementary School counselor Ann Spotanski the 2026 Nebraska Elementary School Counselor of the Year. The award recognizes school counselors who demonstrate excellence in their profession.

In Spotanski’s role, she is responsible for planning whole group and small group lessons, meeting with students and families, and collaborating with teachers and staff. All of these things make a positive impact on the Clinton school community.

When speaking about her work, Spotanski said:

"School counselors are part of a team that works to build systems that set all students up for success. We work to ensure students and families have the resources and opportunities they need to thrive."

Rationale: 

Kate Pittack has been a counselor at Scott Middle School since 2020. She was recently awarded the Nebraska Middle School Counselor of the Year Award by the Nebraska School Counselor Association. 

Explanation:
The Nebraska School Counselor Association recently named Scott Middle School counselor Kate Pittack as the 2026 Nebraska Middle School Counselor of the Year. The award recognizes middle school counselors who demonstrate excellence in their profession.

Pittack collaborates with teachers and administrators to support student wellbeing, visits with students helping them celebrate their accomplishments while working on future goals, and collaborates with students and families to work through challenges. 

When speaking about her work, Pittack said:

"As counselors, we get to see a unique side of students that is separate from the classroom and are able to help them set goals and celebrate those successes. One of my greatest joys is watching students grow up and accomplish things that they couldn't have ever imagined. We show up every day to advocate for what is best for students and to make sure every student and every educator feels supported and valued."

Rationale: 

Lori Hemmett is the Lincoln Public Schools Counseling Supervisor and was awarded the Nebraska School Counselor Association Administrator of the Year Award. 

Explanation:
Lincoln Public Schools Counseling Supervisor Lori Hemmett was recently given the Nebraska School Counselor Association Administrator of the Year Award. The award recognizes an administrator for their support of comprehensive school counseling programs in their school or district.

Hemmett’s path at LPS began in 2002 as a Spanish teacher at Southwest High School, where she was part of the original staff. After nine years, she moved to North Star High School to start her school counseling career. In 2016, she became the leader of East High School’s counseling team. She’s been in her current position as school counseling supervisor for three years.

In her role as counseling supervisor, Hemmett has been instrumental in adding 24 school counseling positions to bring the total to 137, building core curricula with themes each quarter, and initiating elementary summer school lessons to reinforce prosocial and career readiness skills.

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. Certificated Employees:
         Elections - 22
         Leave of Absence - 1
         Change of Status - 2
         Separation - 63

b. Certificated Substitute Employees:
         Elections -  2
         Separations - 3

c.  Classified Employees:
          Elections  - 21
         Separations - 14


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 October 14, 2025, the Board adopted a resolution to accept option enrollment students for the 2026-27 school year.  Applications for enrollment during the 2026-27 school year have been received and are in compliance with the Board resolution of October 14, 2025.

Explanation:
Applications included in this agenda item have been examined by staff and meet one of the criteria set forth by the Board in the resolution of October 14, 2025.  Staff recommends approval of the applications.

Proposal:
That the Board adopts the following resolution:

WHEREAS, the students who have been assigned student numbers 474194 and 474525 (for purposes of confidentiality, assigned numbers are being used) meet one or more of the criteria of the Board resolution of October 14, 2025, 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, 2026, 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 2026-27 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, 2026, 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
460189                            Palmyra
474418                            Raymond

Proposal:
That the Board approve the requests for option out for the 2026-27 school year.

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:  Periodically, new circumstances or changes in legislation or regulations from the state or federal government requires the school district to make a number of updates to align existing policy without changing the original leadership or organizational intent of the Board. Other changes are recommended to update policy language with current district practices. When the Board has a number of such policies to revise, it collects them into a single Board agenda item.

Explanation:
LB 824 went into effect May 1, 2026. This law modifies reemployment rules for School Employees Retirement Plan members who terminate service. Specifically, members who terminate service and apply for a refund or distribution from the School Plan may not render service of any kind for a period of 120 days from the later of their termination date or NPERS’s valid receipt of a distribution application.

The proposed revisions to Policy 4620 - Retirement Benefits comply with LB 824’s new requirements. Specifically, the revised policy specifies that the District complies with all laws, rules, and regulations regarding separation of employment and termination of regular service under the School Employees Retirement Act. Further, the District will not employ plan members who are requesting or taking a distribution under the plan, permit them to render service, or prearrange a return to employment service within 120 days of the later of the member’s termination date from regular service or receipt of a valid distribution application by the Nebraska Public Employees Retirement System.

Rationale: 

Rationale: 

The District has recognized the Custodial Employees Association as the exclusive bargaining agent to negotiate salary, fringe benefits, and working conditions for members of their respective employee group. The District’s chief negotiator has met with representatives from these associations to negotiate wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment and a tentative agreement has been reached for the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 years.

Explanation:

The proposed agreement for the Custodial Employees Association is as follows:

Custodial Employees Association

• The total package for 2026-2027 is 4.36%.

  • The total package includes a 3.93% salary-only increase.

  • The total package also includes increases in FICA and retirement costs and an estimated 7.44% increase in health insurance premiums. The District will cover 80% of the out-of-pocket health insurance increase for the 2026-2027 year.

• The total package for 2027-2028 is 4.44%

  • The total package includes a 3.32% salary increase.

  • The total package also includes increases in FICA and retirement costs and an estimated 7.44% increase in health insurance premiums. The District will cover 80% of the out-of-pocket health insurance increase for the 2027-2028 year.

This settlement is within the parameters set by the Board of Education.

A complete copy of the proposed agreement is available for review on the LPS website or at the office of the Associate Superintendent for Human Resources upon request.

 

Rationale:  Annually, the Board of Education reviews the contracts of the Associate Superintendent for Business Affairs, the Associate Superintendent for Civic Engagement, the Associate Superintendent for Educational Services, the Associate Superintendent for Human Resources, the Associate Superintendent for Teaching and Learning, and the ESU 18 Administrator.

Explanation:
It is recommended that the proposed two-year contracts for the Associate Superintendent for Business Affairs, the Associate Superintendent for Civic Engagement, the Associate Superintendent for Educational Services, the Associate Superintendent for Human Resources, and the Associate Superintendent for Teaching and Learning be amended and extended for a period of two (2) years, commencing the first year on July 1, 2026, and ending on to June 30, 2027, and one subsequent year commencing on July 1 and ending on June 30 the following year.  It is also recommended that a total salary increase of 4.26 percent, overall total package increase of 3.80 percent, be approved for 2026-27 for each contract. Each contract is within the parameters set by the Board of Education.

It is also recommended that the proposed 260 working-day contract for the Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment and ESU 18 Administrator be amended and extended for the 2026-27 school year with a salary increase of 4.26 percent, overall total package increase of 3.87 percent for 2026-27. The contract is within the parameters set by the Board of Education.

Included in the total package increase for each of the four Associate Superintendents and the ESU 18 Administrator are additional district costs, including the district’s contributions to health insurance, state retirement, and Social Security.

The proposed contracts are attached.

Rationale:  EducationQuest Foundation awards College Access Grants through a competitive application process every other year. All Nebraska public and private high schools are eligible to apply if approved or accredited to issue a high school diploma. High schools are funded for four years and may use grant funds to better serve students who would be less likely to attend college without extra guidance or support. Previous College Access Grant recipients may reapply two years from the last year of funding.

While all students at an awarded school are eligible to participate in grant-funded activities, schools must select a minimum target audience of students in grades 9 through 12 who are less likely to go to college without participating in a college access program. The amount each school receives depends on the number of students enrolled, with awards ranging from $2,500 to $20,000.

Explanation:
If awarded, Lincoln High School will utilize $20,000 of College Access Grant funds to take students on multiple college visits per year to post-secondary campuses throughout Nebraska.  During these visits, students will receive a campus tour, an informational session, and lunch in a cafeteria.  This on-campus experience is crucial to determining the best fit for students as they get a sense of the campus atmosphere and energy. 

In addition, Lincoln High will use grant funds to support events at school, including a Financial Aid Event each fall with Education Quest staff invited to present information on how to pay for college and an after-school College Club with Susan Buffett Foundation staff invited to bring awareness about their generous scholarship program.

Proposal:
That the Board approve a grant application to EducationQuest Foundation from Lincoln High School for $20,000.  No matching funds are required.
 

Rationale:  May 18:
LIBA Government Access - Northeast Lincoln, 11:30 am, Whitehead Oil
Board & ESU 18 Organizational Meeting, 6:00 pm, SJDLC

May 19:
Fifth Grade Saltdogs Game, 11:05 am, Haymarket Park
Yankee Hill Graduation, 6:00 pm, East High 

May 20:
Face the Chamber, 12:00 pm, Country Club
Independence Academy Graduation, 6:30 pm, TCA

May 21: Bryan Community Graduation, 6:00 pm, East High

May 22: LSE Graduation, 7:00 pm, PBA

May 23:
LNE Graduation, 9:00 am, PBA
LSW Graduation 12:00 pm, PBA
LNW Graduation, 3:00 pm, PBA
LNS Graduation, 6:00 pm, PBA

May 24:
East Graduation, 12:00 pm, PBA
LHS Graduation, 3:00 pm, PBA
Standing Bear Graduation, 6:00 pm, PBA

May 26: 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.