June 23, 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 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: 

The Nebraska State Association of Secondary School Principals named Schoo Middle School Principal Allysa Diehl the 2025-2026 Outstanding New Principal of the Year. Allysa has served two years in the role at Schoo Middle School. 

Explanation:
Schoo Middle School Principal Allysa Diehl was recently named the 2025-2026 Outstanding New Principal of the Year by the Nebraska State Association of Secondary School Principals.

Allysa was hired in 2009 as part of the team to open Schoo, beginning her career as a sixth grade teacher and later teaching eighth grade English. After serving for a year as the school district’s middle school English coordinator, she returned to Schoo as an instructional coordinator, later serving as associate principal before stepping into the principal role two years ago.  

Ryan Escamilla, the director of recruitment for LPS Human Resources and former Schoo principal, said Allysa’s leadership helps create a supportive environment for students and staff: 

"Allysa's leadership is collaborative in nature. She values input from others and works to build a culture where people feel supported and appreciated. At the same time, she demonstrates confidence and decisiveness when difficult situations arise, providing calm and steady leadership during challenging moments."

Rationale: 

Lincoln Public Schools Health Services Coordinator Megan Lytle received the 2026 School Nurse Administrator Award from the Nebraska School Nurses Association. The purpose of the award is to recognize the contributions of school nurse administrators who have demonstrated leadership and excellence in the practice of school nursing. 

Explanation:
Megan Lytle serves as the Lincoln Public Schools Health Services Coordinator and received the 2026 School Nurse Administrator Award from the Nebraska School Nurses Association. As a health services coordinator for LPS, Megan works with more than 60 LPS school nurses on everything from performance appraisals to Heart Safe School initiatives, and she shapes district standards through the development of high-impact courses.

LPS Health Services Director Wendy Rau wrote:

"Megan’s commitment to lifelong learning and professional service establishes her as a pre-eminent voice in school nursing, not just within Nebraska, but on a national stage. She does not merely participate in the professional community, she actively shapes its future through leadership and the dissemination of specialized knowledge."

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 - 8
         Change of Status - 2
         Leave of absence - 27
         Separation - 3

b. Certificated Substitute Employees:
          Separations - 14

c.  Classified Employees:
          Elections  - 26
         Separations - 48

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 475129, 475165, 472624, and 475190 (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:  *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: 

1. Elementary and Middle School students residing more than four (4) miles from the school in the attendance area within which they reside.

2. Special Education students whose individual education plan (IEP) require transportation as essential to learning.

3. Students who have been moved for the benefit of the district to relieve overcrowding, due to major facility renovations, efficiency in use of buildings and/or staff.

Rationale: 
Explanation:
Proposal:
That the Board discuss the submission by Lincoln Public Schools of the Planning Region Team Grant to the Nebraska Department of Education for up to $65,750. This grant does not require any match. The proposal is due August 1, 2026.
 

Rationale: 
Explanation:

• Supporting student-parents to gain important parenting skills;
• Structuring socialization activities that connect LPS student-parents with other student-parents, allowing time with their child(ren) in guided activities;
• Funding of the salaries and benefits of the LPS SCLC staff (certified early childhood teachers and paraeducators) who work in the SCLC and provide direct care to the infants and toddlers of student-parents;
• Purchasing of needed supplies, materials, and professional learning opportunities for the LPS SCLC staff to carry out the program and grant goals in providing high-quality early childhood services and supports.

• Conducting at least three home visits with each family each month, led by a home visiting specialist;
•  Modeling of techniques for nurturing relationships with infants and toddlers; 
• Assisting families to become more effective at monitoring their child's health and other developmental needs;
• Funding the salaries and benefits of two home visitation specialists who work directly with families; and
• Providing the needed supplies, materials and professional learning opportunities for the home visitation specialists to carry out the program and grant goals.

Proposal:
That the Board discuss the submission by Lincoln Public Schools of the Sixpence Grant Applications to the Nebraska Department of Education for up to $649,096. This grant requires a 100% match. The anticipated due date for this proposal is July 15, 2026.

 

Rationale: 
Explanation:
There is one revision to Policy 6222 recommended for the 2026-27 school year. The following language will be added: Notwithstanding any other provision of this policy, a student who is or was under the jurisdiction of a juvenile court and placed in out-of-home care at any time during the student’s high school enrollment shall be eligible to graduate from the District if (1) the student, at any point in time, was enrolled in high school in the District, and (2) the student has met the minimum graduation requirements established by state law.

Proposal:
That the Board approve Policy 6222.

 

Rationale: 

Rationale: 

Rationale:  Several policies in the 5000 series were reviewed to address recent changes in legislation or federal law. All proposed changes have been recommended and reviewed by legal.

Explanation:
Each of the revisions is recommended to align policy with changes to state legislation or federal law.

Revisions are proposed to the following policies as attached.

5110 Admission Procedures
5111 Full-time and Part-time Enrollment
5119 Option Students
5440 Short-term Suspension
5481 Procedures for Long-term Suspension, Expulsion or Mandatory Reassignment

Proposal:
That the Board review and discuss the proposed revisions to Board policy.
 

Rationale: 

Rationale: 

Rationale: 

Rationale: 

The Board of Education must approve all salary schedules/pay rates for the employees of Lincoln Public Schools. 

Explanation:
Attached are the 2025-2026 pay rates for substitute and miscellaneous employees and the proposed 2026-2027 pay rates for such employees.

Generally, the recommended salary increases range from no increase to a 4.34 percent increase, depending on the employee group. The determination regarding pay rate recommendations is made in conjunction with the supervisor of that employee group and an assessment of the availability of candidates for the positions.

Rationale: 

The district has recognized the Maintenance Employees Association and Lincoln Public Schools Association of Office Professionals as the exclusive bargaining agents to negotiate salary, fringe benefits, and working conditions for members of their respective employee groups. 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 each employee group is as follows:

Maintenance Employees Association

• The total package for 2026-2027 is 4.17%.

  • The total package includes a 4.34% 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 4.25%

  • The total package includes a 3.70% 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 2027-2028 year.

Lincoln Public Schools Association of Office Professionals

• The total package for 2026-2027 is 4.62%.
  • The total package includes a 4.25% 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 4.52%.
  • The total package includes a 3.59% 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 2027-2028 year.

These settlements are within the parameters set by the Board of Education.

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

Rationale: 

Rationale:  June 24:
Virtual Public Budget Presentation, 12:00 p.m., Online
Public Budget Forum, 7:00 pm, SJDLC

June 25: Virtual Public Budget Presentation, 6:00 p.m., Online

July 1: Summer School Graduation, 11:00 a.m., LHS

July 3: Holiday, LPS Closed

July 8-10: National Forum on Education Policy, Washington, DC

July 14: No Board Meeting

July 28:
Budget Work Session, 4:30 p.m., SJDLC
LPS Board & ESU 18 Board Meeting, 6:00 p.m., 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.