Highlights of 6/22 Board of Education Regular Meeting and ESU Regular Meeting

Lincoln Board of Education Regular Meeting

The Lincoln Board of Education met for a regular meeting on Tuesday, June 22, at the Lincoln Public Schools District Office, 5905 O St. We apologize for any audio issues viewers experienced on the LNKTV - Education Channel. The full board meeting with audio can be viewed here.

Staff Celebration

The Board recognized Lincoln Southwest High School Athletic Director Mark Armstrong with a formal resolution. The National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association recently honored Armstrong with its Award of Merit. 

Transportation Plan Presentation

LPS Director of Transportation Ryan Robley presented the school district’s transportation plan for the 2021-22 school year. Every year district policy is reviewed and recommendations for changes are solicited from schools and departments. Transportation schedules are prepared and a summary of needs is balanced against staff and equipment available to the school district.  

For the 2021-22 school year - like past years - the LPS Transportation Department will transport only those students who qualify under provisions of state law, including:

1. Elementary and middle school students residing more than four miles from their school attendance area;
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.

In addition, the Board may approve other transportation areas based on unique circumstances and for the purpose of equalizing school enrollments and facilitating programs.

The full plan can be viewed here.

First Reading

Policy Updates

Special Education - 7000 series

Periodically, changes in federal or state law requires the Lincoln Board of Education to review existing policies to ensure compliance with these changes.  Following each session of the Nebraska Unicameral, the Board’s policies are reviewed to identify the policies that need to be deleted, revised, or added. Updates to Policy 7000 are recommended to keep the policy aligned with the Nebraska Administrative Code. You can find the proposed updates here.

Southwest High School Turf Improvements

The Board held first reading for bids received on the installment of turf field improvements at Southwest High School. Services will include site demolition, grading, installation of aggregate base course, installation of storm sewer piping, synthetic turf and other minor improvements. This project will be paid for through the 2020 Bond Fund. There were two bids submitted. It was recommended the project be awarded to the lowest bidder meeting specifications, which was Mid-America Golf & Landscape (Lee's Summit, Missouri) for $922,922.92.

The Board waived second reading and voted to approve the submitted bid.

New High Schools Kitchen Equipment

The Board held first reading for bids received to provide kitchen equipment for the new Northwest and Standing Bear high schools. There were two bids submitted. It was recommended the project be awarded to the lowest bidder meeting specifications, which was Hockenbergs (Omaha) for $3,252,152. This will be paid for through the 2020 Bond Fund.

The Board waived second reading and voted to approve the bid submitted by Hockenbergs.

Proposed Agreements with Administrators, Custodial Employees Association, Nutrition Services Workers Association, Office Professionals Association, Paraeducator Employees Association and Technicians

The Board recognizes the Custodial Employees Association, the Maintenance Employees Association, the Nutrition Services Workers Association, the Lincoln Public Schools Association of Office Professionals, the Paraeducator Employees Association and the Transportation Employees Association as the exclusive bargaining agents to negotiate salary, fringe benefits and working conditions for members of their employee groups. LPS Director of Employee Relations and Personnel Robbie Seybert has negotiated with each employee group. He also has met and conferred with the representatives from the administrator and technician groups. Tentative agreements have been reached between LPS and these employee groups for the 2021-22 school year.

The proposed agreements for each employee group are:

Administrators:

• The total package for 2021-22 is a 1.65% across the board increase, and includes a salary increase of 1.51%, increases in Social Security and retirement costs, and a 2.96% increase in health insurance premiums.
• Four Alternative Network Options (health insurance) will be available for all administrators beginning in fall 2021.

Custodial:

• The total package for 2021-22 is a 1.71% across the board increase, and includes a salary increase of 1.51%, increases in Social Security and retirement costs, and a 2.96% increase in health insurance premiums.
• Four Alternative Network Options (health insurance) will be available for all custodians beginning in fall 2021.
• Additional language regarding shift variance pay when work is conducted outside a normally scheduled shift.

Nutrition Services:

• The total package for 2021-22 is a 1.83% across the board increase, and includes a salary increase of 1.51%, increases in Social Security and retirement costs, and a 2.96% increase in health insurance premiums.
• Four Alternative Network Options (health insurance) will be available for all Nutrition Services employees beginning in fall 2021.
• Elimination of Uniform Allowance Stipend and corresponding funds placed in salary increase.

Office Professionals:

• The total package for 2021-22 is a 1.85% across the board increase, and includes a salary increase of 1.51%, increases in Social Security and retirement costs, and a 2.96% increase in health insurance premiums.
• Four Alternative Network Options (health insurance) will be available for all office employees beginning in fall 2021.

Paraprofessionals:

• The total package for 2021-22 is a 2% across the board increase, and includes a salary increase of 1.51%, increases in Social Security and retirement costs, and a 2.96% increase in health insurance premiums.
• Four Alternative Network Options (health insurance) will be available for all Paraprofessionals beginning in fall 2021.
• Minor editorial changes to the Paraprofessional Agreement/Salary Schedule were made (years, pay, etc.)

Technicians:

• The total package for 2021-22 is a 1.62% across the board increase, and includes a salary increase of 1.51%, increases in Social Security and retirement costs, and a 2.96% increase in health insurance premiums.
• Four Alternative Network Options (health insurance) will be available for all technicians beginning in fall 2021.

Editorial changes (leave, years, pay, deductions, etc.) were made in the agreements/salary schedules/handbooks. These settlements are within the parameters set by the Board.

A complete copy of the proposed agreement/handbook for each of the eight employee groups is available for review at the office of the Associate Superintendent for Human Resources, at LPS District Office, upon request.

The Board waived second reading and voted to approve the agreements at this meeting because there is only one Board meeting in July.

Second Reading

Policy Updates

The Board voted to approve two policy updates.

Policy 4780 - Professional Boundaries and Staff Relationships with Students

Periodically, the Nebraska Unicameral passes laws that impact school district policies or mandate that local school boards adopt specific language into district policy. When this occurs, staff prepare either new policy language that complies with these mandates and presents it to the Board for consideration. 

The noted changes to policy 4780 can be found here.

Policy 6000 Series - Instruction

Periodically, a policy series is reviewed in order to address changes in legislation or regulation from the state or federal government, or to bring policy in line with current practice or intent of the Board. During the 2020-21 school year, the 6000 Policy Series was first reviewed by the instructional directors through the lens of equity with an eye both on identifying any policy that potentially disadvantaged any group of students, as well as looking at ways policies could be more inclusive and reflect the school district’s commitment to equity. The Student Learning Committee and Technology Committee then spent significant time reviewing those recommendations and is recommending a number of changes. 

The noted changes to policies in the 6000 series can be found here.

Interlocal Cooperation Act Agreement Between LPS & ESU 18 for Educational Services

The Board voted to approve an ongoing interlocal cooperation agreement between LPS and Educational Service Unit 18 in which ESU 18 provides services also offered by ESUs elsewhere in the state. Those services include instructional media services, technology and staff development, with LPS reimbursing ESU 18. The renewal period for this agreement is Sept. 1, 2021-Aug. 31, 2024.

Under this agreement, LPS would agree to reimburse ESU 18 for the costs of providing services, not to exceed:

• 2021-22 : $7 million
• 2022-23: $7.5 million
• 2023-24: $8 million

Interlocal Cooperation Act Agreement Between LPS and ESU 18 for Core Services

The Board voted to approve an agreement between LPS and ESU 18 to participate in an ongoing interlocal cooperation agreement in which LPS provides "core services" in the areas of staff development, technology and instructional materials, with ESU 18 reimbursing LPS for those services. The term of the renewal period for this agreement is Sept. 1, 2021-Aug. 31, 2024.

Under this agreement, ESU 18 agrees to reimburse LPS for the costs of providing services, but not to exceed:

• 2021-22: $4.75 million
• 2022-23: $5 million
• 2023-24: $5.25 million

Informational Reports

The Career Academy

Board member Lanny Boswell reported that 623 students are registered for next year, including 200 second-year students. Enrollment is projected to be roughly 650 students next school year. The three most popular pathways, based on applications, are Health Sciences with 164 applicants, Criminal Justice with 62 and Welding with 46. 

From the Superintendent

Superintendent Steve Joel clarified information that was discussed during the public comment period.

• LPS has not commented on the draft health standards that have been discussed by the Nebraska Department of Education, as they are still in draft form and nothing has been presented as finalized for local school boards to consider. The state board needs to finish their process. The health curriculum that was recently purchased is an update to the current curriculum that is no longer in print and follows LPS health standards that were adopted in 2012. Anyone wishing to view the curriculum can make a request by calling our Curriculum Department.
• LPS made a commitment to do equity work within Lincoln Public Schools and we are strongly committed to that work now and for the future. At LPS, we teach kindness and having healthy relationships, not Critical Race Theory. Critical Race Theory is a formal academic framework like those found in colleges, not at LPS. 
• The COVID-19 pandemic is not over and LPS continues to work in collaboration with the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department to utilize protocols to mitigate the risk of spread among our staff and students during summer school. That includes the use of face coverings for K-8 students in summer school and vaccines when appropriate. No decisions concerning protocols for the 21-22 school year have been made.

Closed Session

The Board adjourned into closed session for litigation and legal advice after the ESU 18 Regular Meeting.

Public Comment

19 citizens addressed the Board during the public comment period. You can view their comments as part of the full meeting video here.

Glimpses of LPS

We open every Board meeting with a video that highlights the amazing things taking place in our schools. Tuesday’s video featured a joint summer program between the Malone Center and The Career Academy (TCA) that allows students explore various career pathways offered at TCA. 

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ESU Regular Meeting

The Educational Service Unit 18 Board met after the Lincoln Board of Education meeting.

Second Reading

Interlocal Agreement with Lancaster County for Educational Services to the Youth Services Center

The ESU 18 Board voted to approve an agreement to partner with Lancaster County to provide educational services to youth detained at the Lancaster County Youth Services Center. Through this agreement, the county agrees that the Youth Services Center will provide appropriate space, time and staff support to assist ESU 18 in providing these services. The county will reimburse ESU 18 for all expenses incurred in providing such services, not to exceed $875,460. The term of the proposed agreement would be Aug. 1, 2021-July 31, 2022.

Interlocal Cooperation Act Agreement Between LPS and ESU 18 for Educational Services

The ESU 18 Board voted to approve an agreement with LPS to participate in an ongoing interlocal cooperation agreement in which ESU 18 provides services also offered by ESUs elsewhere in the state. Those services include instructional media services, technology and staff development, with LPS reimbursing ESU 18. The renewal period for this agreement is Sept. 1, 2021-Aug. 31, 2024.

Under this agreement, LPS agrees to reimburse ESU 18 for the costs of providing these services, but not to exceed:

• 2021-22 : $7 million
• 2022-23: $7.5 million
• 2023-24: $8 million

Interlocal Cooperation Act Agreement Between LPS and ESU 18 for Core Services

The ESU 18 Board voted to approve an agreement with LPS to participate in an ongoing interlocal cooperation agreement in which LPS provides "core services" in the areas of staff development, technology and instructional materials, with ESU 18 reimbursing LPS for those services. The term of the renewal period for this agreement is Sept. 1, 2021-Aug. 31, 2024.

Under this agreement, ESU 18 agrees to reimburse LPS for the costs of providing services, but not to exceed:

• 2021-22: $4.75 million
• 2022-23: $5 million
• 2023-24: $5.25 million

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