Highlights of the April 22 Lincoln Board of Education regular meeting

April 22, 2025

The Lincoln Board of Education met for its regular meeting on Tuesday, April 22, at 6:00 p.m. at the Lincoln Public Schools Steve Joel District Leadership Center, 5905 O Street.

Board of Education vacancy

Long-time Lincoln Board of Education member Lanny Boswell died on Wednesday, April 9, after a battle with oral cancer. The Lincoln Board of Education recognized Boswell’s 12 years of service to the students, families, staff and community of Lincoln. He was first elected to the Lincoln Board of Education representing District 5 in May 2013.

During his service on the board, Boswell held many leadership positions both on the Board and in affiliate organizations including: Board President, Vice President, Educational Service Unit 18 President, The Career Academy Interlocal Board President, The Safe and Successful Kids Interlocal Board President and the President of Nebraska Association of School Boards. 

Rauner added, “I first met Lanny on a committee to interview superintendents which led to the hiring of Steve Joel. He will be missed for the big things, and the many small things. For example, right in front of us Lanny was into his 3-D printer and printed off these coasters with the LPS logo for us to use.”

With a vacancy on the board representing District 5, the Board recognizes there are options in filling the vacancy until the term finishes on May 19, 2025. 

“Because of the short time frame and to provide continuity for the business of the board, it is recommended we appoint Mara Krivohlavek who is currently the only candidate running for District 5,” said Rauner. “Mara received the majority of the votes during the April 8 city primary election.”

The appointment would be to finish out Mr. Boswell’s term for the Lincoln Board of Education and ESU 18 ending May 19. Depending on the results of the election on May 6, all newly elected Board members will be sworn in on May 19, at the annual reorganization meeting for the Lincoln Board of Education and ESU 18 Board.

The Board voted to approve the appointment. Following the vote, Krivohlavek was sworn in by attorney Jim Gessford and seated with the Board for the remainder of the meeting.

Special reports, presentations and celebrations of success

Sustainability report

The LPS Sustainability team, as part of LPS Operations, provided an update about efforts across the school district.  LPS Sustainability Coordinator Brittney Wees and Assistant Sustainability Coordinator Alex Coffelt shared highlights from the annual sustainability report.

As part of the presentation, it was shared that 56% of waste is diverted from the landfill with 2.71 million pounds being recycled and 1.14 million pounds being composted. In addition, 31 school buildings have received Energy Star certifications after the district shared a 4.2% decrease in electricity use over six years, and a 24.3% decrease in natural gas use over the same timeframe.

The LPS Sustainability team is also engaging students, staff, and families through their program. They have assisted with walk and roll to school initiatives, creating and maintaining gardens and outdoor learning spaces, farm to school outreach, tree planting and hosting the annual Students of Sustainability Summit.

You can watch a highlight of the presentation here. 

Prevention, Accountability, Restorative (PAR) Framework update

LPS Associate Superintendent for Educational Services Mike Gillotti provided an update to the Board on the Prevention, Accountability and Restorative (PAR) Behavior Framework implementation during the 2024-2025 school year. Gillotti was joined by LPS Student Services Director Ryan Zabawa and LPS Student Services Supervisor Karmin Pedroza. 

The PAR Behavior Framework is aimed at assisting the district meet measurable goals outlined in the 2024-2029 LPS Strategic Plan that includes reducing total suspensions and improving student perceptions, helping them feel like they belong at school. 

There were five themes identified that guided the development of the PAR Behavior Framework: consistency within the building and between buildings on how to respond, consequences and accountability for inappropriate behavior, explicit expectations and time to teach it, more support for teachers and especially new teachers and better follow-up communication after an incident.

Professional learning started at the end of the 2023-2024 school year and continued throughout the 2024-2025 school year. In addition to educators, classified staff, administrators and supporting Community Learning Center agencies also participate in the professional learning to ensure common expectations and language. 

Supporting the work, there is dedicated time and resources for the first two weeks of the school year at elementary schools for teaching and communicating expectations, routines and procedures. 

One of the components of the Behavior Framework includes accountability. An Accountability Matrix was developed to ensure consistency from school to school and aid in communicating expectations and consequences. The matrix is aligned with the responsibility of students as outlined in policy and the Important Information Booklet.

The team also presented a snapshot of the data, year-to-date, since the 2021-2022 school year. 

Summarizing the report, the team celebrated that:

  • There was an improved consistency and collaboration across schools with common language and expectations.
  • Reinforced transparency is building trust and fairness.
  • There is clear guidance, strategies and resources established.
  • It has strengthened communication and alignment among teams and between schools.
  • This has also provided a strong foundation for training and best practices.

Next steps include:

  • Refining and expanding resources for all staff with focused support for grades kindergarten-second.
  • Providing ongoing training and practice to ensure consistency.
  • Leveraging data and feedback to guide improvements.
  • Continue to collaborate with the Lincoln Education Association and other partners to maintain alignment.
  • Review and update key materials including the Responsibilities of Students, the Accountability Matrix and the public-facing web resource.

You can watch a highlight of the entire presentation here. 

Second reading

Newly Annexed Property to the City of Lincoln

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

The proposal assigns the newly annexed area of Wandering Creek to Maxey Elementary School, Lux Middle School, and East High School. The proposal also assigns the newly annexed area of South 84th Street and Rokeby Road. to Wysong Elementary School, Moore Middle School, and Standing Bear High School.

The Board held a second reading and voted to approve the assignments.

Tuition charges for 2025-2026

Each year, the Business Affairs Office makes recommendations to the Board of Education for tuition charges for regular and Special Education programs.  This is done in accordance with Policy 3300 and Regulation 3300.1. This is not paid by individuals, but by other school districts who are sending their students to Lincoln Public Schools for services.

The proposed rates for 2025-2026 include:

  • Grades K-6: $68.57 per day or $12,000 per year
  • Grades 7-8: $82.29 per day or $14,400 per year
  • Grades 9-12: $96.00 per day or $16,800 per year

The Board held a second reading and voted to approve the tuition charges.

Title VI Indian Education Program update

American Indian students are enrolled in all Lincoln Public Schools representing about 80 tribes as designated by the parent. 

The U.S. Department of Education, through Title VI of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) provides funds to fulfill the federal government’s responsibility to the Indian people for the education of Indian children. These funds support LPS efforts in creating and executing educational programs and culturally relevant activities to empower every American Indian student to achieve their highest academic potential.

Lincoln Public Schools has received federal funds for services for American Indian students since the mid-1980’s. Grant award amounts vary by year according to the total amount of Indian Education funds available at the federal level and are not based only on the number of students per program.

Estimated funding from Title VI for 2025-2026 is approximately $203,070, and is based on the current student count of 752. Decisions regarding the use of these funds are made in consultation with the American Indian Advisory Committee.

The Board held a second reading and voted to approve the grant application.

Informational items and reports

Superintendent update

Interim Superintendent John Skretta gave an update to the Board, starting with his appreciation for LPS Transportation staff. Skretta began the day around 6:00 a.m. at the Transportation building to speak with staff and provide them with breakfast before they headed out on their bus routes. 

Skretta added that hiring continues in the Transportation Department and anyone interested can apply for positions on the LPS website (bus driver, transportation para and substitute drivers). 

As part of civic engagement, Skretta shared what Senator Jason Prokop shared during the Cause Collective monthly meeting. Prokop urged everyone to engage with their state senators during the upcoming legislative budget discussions.

Skretta wrapped his report by sharing that he and Board member Piyush Srivastav met with U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts and spoke on the importance of sustaining federal funding commitments. 

 

Public comment

There were no individuals that addressed the Board during the public comment period.

Glimpses of LPS

We open every Board meeting with a video that highlights LPS. Tuesday’s Glimpses featured the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences bringing its Mobile Doppler Radar to students at North Star High School. You can watch the Glimpses here.

Published: April 22, 2025, Updated: April 22, 2025