Lincoln Public Schools

A. Employee Classifications (Policy Regulation 4100.1)

The Human Resources Division determines the job title and the classification of each employee taking into consideration relevant state laws and Nebraska Department of Education regulations. The descriptions below do not include every position within the district but indicate the general separation of employees into the three categories:

1. Certificated employees include teachers and other educators, as well as school psychologists, school social workers and registered nurses. Also included are administrators who perform duties requiring a certificate issued by the Commissioner of Education.
2. Classified employee groups include technicians, office professionals, custodians, maintenance employees, food service workers, paraeducators and transportation employees. Also included are administrators who do not hold certificates issued by the Commissioner of Education
3. Hourly employees include, but are not limited to, summer crew employees, mentors, substitutes for classified staff and substitute teachers.

The purpose of this handbook is to describe the general policies and procedures governing certificated employees other than administrators. References are made throughout the handbook to specific sections of the Professional Agreement.

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B. Board Organization

The Board of Education consists of seven members, each of whom is elected by district for a four-year term. Three members are elected at each school election, which is held every two years on the odd-numbered year.

The controlling body of the school system is the Board of Education. After a teacher is recruited and selected through the Human Resources Department, and recommended for employment by the Superintendent of Schools, he/she is elected by the employer, the Board of Education.

The Board establishes policies and determines the rules and regulations which govern the school system. The Board elects a Superintendent of Schools who is responsible for interpretation and administration of these policies and rules within the school system.

Board meetings are normally held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. The first meeting of the month is held at 7:00 p.m.; the second meeting of the month is held at 8:00 a.m. Meetings are usually held in the Board Room of the Lincoln Public Schools District Offices, 5901 "O" Street. Anyone wishing to address the board will also have an opportunity to do so at the conclusion of each meeting. All board meetings are televised live on Cable Channel 21. Morning meetings are rebroadcast at 7:00 p.m. the same evening.

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C. School Board Philosophy Statement (Policy 8000)

The Lincoln Board of Education is committed to providing the highest quality education for all Lincoln Public School students. The board sees the primary mission of the schools to be the development of responsible adults:

• who are productive citizens of a pluralistic community, nation and world;
• who are prepared to learn throughout their lives; and
• who are appreciative of the arts, history and culture.

The board holds the district staff accountable for achieving the schools' mission through the most effective and efficient use of available resources.

The board further recognizes that students in the Lincoln Public Schools are educated for the future and therefore expects the school district to be self-renewing, flexible and capable of adjusting to the needs of its various constituencies.

As the elected governing body of the school district, the board believes in sharing its decision-making processes with parents, students, and other citizens and staff members.

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D. Statement of Purpose (Policy 8001)

The Lincoln Board of Education supports the educational mission of the State of Nebraska. In accordance with this commitment, the board declares that it is the purpose of the Lincoln School District to:

1. Offer each individual the opportunity to develop competence in the basic skills of communications, computations and knowledge of basic facts concerning the environment, history and society;
2. Offer each individual the opportunity to develop higher order thinking and problem-solving skills by means of adequate preparation in mathematics, science, the social sciences and foreign languages and through appropriate and progressive use of technology;
3. Inspire in each individual the ability and desirer to continue learning throughout his or her life;
4. Encourage knowledge and understanding of political society and democracy in order to foster active participation therein;
5. Encourage the creative potential of each individual through exposure to the fine arts and humanities;
6. Encourage a basic understanding of and aid the development of good health habits;
7. Offer each individual the opportunity for career exploration and awareness.

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E. Goals for Students (Policy 6410)

The students in the Lincoln Public Schools enter school with diverse talents, interests and needs. Throughout the course of their public school education, students will have the opportunity to develop to their greatest potential. It is the intention of the Lincoln Public Schools that all students will achieve the following:

1. Demonstrate competence and fluency in the essential skills of reading, writing, speaking, and listening, in the English language, and mathematics.
2. Think critically and creatively, using higher order thinking skills to make decisions, solve problems, and create new perspectives and possibilities.
3. Understand the important ideas from the arts, humanities, sciences, and mathematics, and understand the relationships among them.
4. Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and attitudes essential for living in a democract and becoming a contributing member of society.
5. Understand and celebrate the diversity and interdependence of our pluralistic, multicultural community, nation, and world.
6. Respect and care for themselves and others.
7. Respect and care for the natural environment.
8. Work with others productively and cooperatively.
9. Develop the skills and attitudes essential to enter the work force.
10. Become a lifelong learner.

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F. Board-Classroom Certificated Employee Relationship

The Board of Education is the school system's policy-making body. The Board of Education administers policy for the schools through the Superintendent of Schools, who is the chief executive officer of the board.

The Board of Education and certificated employees should operate as a team with mutual respect for each other. School Board members may visit classrooms to see how students are taught, and classroom certificated employees should visit Board meetings to see how policies are developed.

The certificated employee should understand that no member or committee of the Board of Education has the power to act for the Board or to imply any action on the part of the Board without specific approval by the Board of Education.

The certificated employee should make an effort to acquire a clear understanding of school policy as set forth by the Board of Education and be ready to offer assistance and counsel to the school administration in the formulation of policy in those areas in which the certificated employee has expertise.

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G. Administration-Certificated Employee Relationship

The Board of Education appoints a Superintendent of Schools as its chief administrative officer. He/she has charge or control of all the schools, subject to orders, rules, and regulations of the Board. In this capacity, the Superintendent becomes the professional leader of the staff.

The Superintendent delegates to various staff members responsibility for organizing and administering various divisions and responsibilities. The principal of the school is responsible for the activities and educational program in a particular attendance area or school building. The certificated employee is directly responsible to the principal for all the activities carried on within or for the Lincoln school system. In addition, it is expected that the certificated employee and the building administration will maintain a positive, professional relationship.

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H. Administration

1. Superintendent of Schools

The Superintendent of Schools, as the executive officer of the Board of Education and the chief administrative officer for the school system, is responsible to the Board of Education for all aspects of school management. The Superintendent of Schools, in turn, delegates to his/her staff members responsibility for organizing and administering the various departments. In addition, the Superintendent serves as Secretary of the Board of Education.

2. Curriculum Office

The Associate Superintendent for Instruction and curriculum specialists assist the certificated employee and principal in implementing the adopted course of studies. This office coordinates the staff development for certificated staff.

3. Business Affairs Office

The Associate Superintendent for Business Affairs is responsible for administering several district functions including budgeting, accounting and auditing services; purchasing and distribution; food service; maintenance, facilities and custodial services; transportation; and computing services.

4. Human Resources Office

The Associate Superintendent for Human Resources has the responsibility to make recommendations to the Superintendent for the selection, appointment, retention, suspension, assignment and appraisal of all employees. The district’s substitute services; staff development services for classified staff; coordination of risk management services; benefit administration; contract negotiations; and affirmative action are functions of the Human Resources Division.

5. Student Services Office

The Director of Student Services and the student services staff assist the certificated employee in providing pupil services which result in improved instruction.

6. Director of Special Education

The Director of Special Education and the special education staff serve to organize, direct and supervise instruction for students verified as disabled.

7. Building Principal

The certificated employee should consider the principal to be an immediate source of help in emergency situations and an educational planner and consultant in formulating the instructional program. Principals serve as the building supervisors of the instructional program and are responsible for the duty assignments and total operation of their own buildings.

Appraisal of the educational services is the principal’s responsibility. This appraisal is a cooperative activity with emphasis on self-development and further professional growth. When there is a difference of opinion between the certificated employee and the principal as to the classroom performance of the certificated employee, procedures for resolving the concerns are found in the appraisal manual.

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I. Teacher-Student Relationship

The teacher-student relationship is a central point in personnel relationships. This relationship is aided by all the materials, physical facilities, curriculum specialists, and administrative personnel that comprise the educational effort. Teachers are considered role models and set an example for students to follow.

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J. Instructional Program

The learning environment of the classroom should be organized to permit each pupil to learn the course content being studied. It must be recognized that pupils have different interests and rates of learning. Many methods of instruction are required to teach pupils as individuals and as a class. The certificated employee, as a professional, has the right to employ those methods deemed appropriate. The methods must reflect the unique personality and learning style of each pupil.

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K. Professional Services Available to Certificated Employees

1. Professional Materials

It is the intent of the district to have good physical facilities that are well maintained. All schools have building media centers that also house additional instructional materials. The certificated staff has access to a professional library and a materials center, which are located in the media area at Lincoln Public Schools District Offices.

2. Professional Publications

Each certificated employee has content area specific objectives, program guides and other materials that are pertinent to the assigned grade level or subject field. These resources are aligned with state and national standards; and best practices and research in the content area. Criterion referenced tests and other district-wide assessments are also aligned to these resources. It is the expectation of the district that these curriculum materials be used as the basis from which instruction happens in the classroom.

3. Paraeducators

To utilize the certificated employees’ primary teaching skills fully, and to direct their energy to this end, the board may provide for paraeducators and part-time office personnel to assist certificated employees with some non-teaching assignments.

4. Practicum and Student Teachers (Policy 4970)

Each semester, certificated employees will be surveyed to determine their interest in accepting practicum student or student teacher placements. Certificated employees who consent to the assignment of a practicum student or student teacher agree to accept the accompanying responsibilities. Assignment of practicum students and student teachers will be facilitated by the Human Resources Division. No institution will be allowed to place practicum students or student teachers without prior approval from Human Resources.

Certificated employees are in charge of and responsible for practicum and student teachers in their classes. Student teachers are subject to the same rules, policies, regulations and orders as all certificated employees.