Highlights of 1/23 Lincoln Board of Education meeting

Highlights of 1/23 Lincoln Board of Education meeting

The Lincoln Board of Education held a regular meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 23 at Lincoln Public Schools District Office, 5905 O St. The Board will hold its next meeting on Feb. 13 at 6 p.m.

LPS is green school district

Lincoln Public Schools has gone green over the past decades. The school district practices energy efficiency in all LPS facilities, composts, recycles in general, and recycles construction waste, helps with school gardens and outdoor education, and more.

Brittney Albin, Sustainability Coordinator for LPS, Tuesday gave the Lincoln Board of Education an update on LPS sustainability efforts.  

A few highlights:

  •        District-wide recycling program since 2002 (all schools):  Recycle 1.3 million pounds annually
  •        Compost Program started in 2014 (currently 41 schools): Diverting over 4,500 of pounds of organic waste daily
  •        Construction Waste Management (2014 Bond Issue): New guidelines for LPS projects – aimed at diverting 75 percent of materials; diverted over 4,000 tons of material from the landfill:  Wood, Metal, Ceiling Tiles, Cardboard, Concrete; generates $60,000 in revenue

Board member Barb Baier commended Albin and the sustainability program, “and the incredible work to engage so many of our schools…I am so proud of your work and the school district being a leader in this area. 

Don Mayhew applauded the program as a good cause, but also the financial impact: “When we are diverting solid waste, when we are recycling…we see a real financial benefit…another way to be good stewards of taxpayer resources.”

The Lincoln Public Schools Sustainability Department promotes green efforts throughout the school district and the community by implementing environmentally responsible practices in LPS facilities – while providing educational opportunities for future environmental stewards.

Albin described one of the newer programs, the Green Schools Recognition Program, that involves giving schools a variety of green activities to complete throughout the year – and based on points earned, they may receive a small amount of funding for a sustainability-related project.

In fact, LPS is a leader in the implementation of sustainable practices. In 2015, LPS received the District Sustainability Award from the US Department of Education.  In addition, several LPS schools are recognized as Green Ribbon Schools (Irving Middle School and Prescott Elementary School).  The district was awarded the 2016 WasteCap NE Member of the Year, and has been recognized through various local award programs.

Grants

The Board approved submission of:

  •       A $67,000 grant to Steelcase Education to support renovation of classroom space at Lefler Middle School that would be redesigned to create a space that is more conducive to problem-based learning. If awarded, Lefler will serve in an experimental capacity, 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.  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. 
  •       An $8,000 grant from the Andrew Lloyd Weber Initiative to help fund a stage for the Bryan Community Focus Program. Theflexible and movable stage would allow for an appropriate set for theater and musical performances in the 1950’s gymnasium. This equipment also would allow for local, regional and national theatre groups to perform for the students.

More school buses  

The Board approved the purchase of 14 new school buses:

  •       Eight wheelchair school buses through a contract with Cornhusker International for $888,240.
  •       Six 72-passenger school buses through a contract with Truck Center Companies for $800,722.

Attendance approved for newly annexed

The Board approved 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. 

Superintendent update

LPS Superintendent Steve Joel thanked Lincoln Board of Education members for their work – in honor of National School Board Appreciation Week. 

“We offer our sincere appreciation for all the work you do as a Board of Education,” he said.  “All great school districts have great school boards…I thank you for your work in policy development that sets the stage for us to make good decisions for kids…Thank you for your support of our work…the encouragement you give us…your engagement in the community…Thank you for being a voice and an advocate for Lincoln Pubic Schools.”

Student Celebration

The Lincoln Board of Education heard a presentation about the Unified Bowling program, now a sanctioned sport through the Nebraska School Activities Association. A division of Special Olympics, the unified sports program pairs students with and without disabilities who compete together.

The presentation featured remarks from:

  •        Brandi Benson, journalism teacher and coach of the Unified Bowling team at Lincoln Southwest High school
  •        Unified Bowling competitor Elissa Fuelberth, a student at Southwest
  •        Rhonda and Dean Fuelberth, Elissa’s parents
  •        Austin Micek, Elissa’s Unified Bowling partner and a student at Southwest

 

 

Published: January 23, 2018, Updated: January 23, 2018