Highlights of 1/9 Lincoln Board of Education meeting

Highlights of 1/9 Lincoln Board of Education meeting

The Lincoln Board of Education held a regular meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 9 at Lincoln Public Schools District Office, 5905 O St. The Board will hold its next meeting on Jan. 23 at 6 p.m.

LPS growth means many things

Continued and significant student enrollment growth impacts Lincoln Public Schools in a wide breadth of ways – as evidenced by a few examples from the Jan. 9 Lincoln Board of Education meeting.

  1. More school buses:  The Board heard a proposal to purchase 14 new school buses:
  •       Eight wheelchair school buses through a proposed contract with Cornhusker International for $888,240.
  •    Six 72-passenger school buses through a proposed contract with Truck Center Companies for $800,722.

LPS is continuing to increase the bus fleet while also replacing older vehicles.

  1. Annexation: The Board considered proposed attendance areas for newly annexed city property that includes:
  •       The area near 93rd and O streets, Annexation Ordinance #20586, for 2017-18 school year:  Pyrtle/Meadow Lane Elementary Schools, Lux Middle School and Lincoln East High School.
  •       The area near LES Southeast Service Center, Annexation Ordinance #20575, for 2017-18 school year:  Wysong Elementary School, Moore Middle School and Lincoln East High School.

The Board of Education assigns school attendance areas to property newly annexed to the city of Lincoln or newly platted.  This action establishes school attendance areas prior to the sale of residential lots, allowing purchasers to know what schools their children will attend.

The Board will vote final approval on all these issues at the Jan. 23 Board meeting.

Grant applications

The Board approved submission of a grant request to the United Way to help continue to support the Two Generations – Family Literacy project.

The Board heard proposed requests for submission of:

A $67,000 grant to Steelcase Education to support renovation of classroom space at Lefler Middle School. Lefler proposes to redesign a current classroom in order to create a space that is more conducive to problem-based learning. As part of the requirements for an award, Lefler will research, explore and compare student engagement strategies as part of this new design, including both problem-based and project-based learning experiences. If awarded, Lefler will serve in an experimental capacity for the district, as other middle schools gravitate toward such environments of innovation.

A $519,500 federally-funded 21st Century CLC grant application to the Nebraska Department of Education over a five-year period to help support Community Learning Centers at Everett and Lakeview elementary schools and Mickle Middle School.  Community partners that have been identified to serve as the CLC lead agencies and to assist in the planning and service provision include:  Lincoln Parks and Recreation, Willard Community Center and the YMCA.  Core program activities will include homework/academic support, enrichment activities, recreation and leisure, character education and development, and service learning as well as activities to support nutrition and healthy lifestyles.  

The Board will vote final approval on the Lefler Learning Center and Community Learning Center applications at the Jan. 23 Board meeting.

Public comment

Several people shared concerns over high school students congregating in their neighborhood.  Lincoln Board of Education members volunteered to organize a neighborhood meeting and invite additional, relevant groups and organizations.

Staff Celebrations

The Lincoln Board of Education recognized:

  •       Lisa Maupin, Lincoln East High School French instructor, named 2017 French Teacher of the Year by the Nebraska Association of Teachers of French in conjunction with the Nebraska International Languages Association.
  •       Marissa Wanamaker, Lincoln High School German instructor, named 2017 German Teacher of the Year by the Nebraska Association of Teachers of German in conjunction with the Nebraska International Languages Association.

Published: January 9, 2018, Updated: January 9, 2018