Highlights of the June 24 Lincoln Board of Education and ESU 18 regular meetings

June 24, 2025

The Lincoln Board of Education and Educational Service Unit (ESU) 18 met for regular meetings on Tuesday, June 24, at the Lincoln Public Schools Steve Joel District Leadership Center, 5905 O Street. 

Lincoln Board of Education Regular Meeting

Special reports, presentations and celebrations of success

Leslie Mann - Southwest High School

Lincoln Southwest High School social studies teacher Leslie Mann was recently given the Gildersleeve, Stoddard, Stone Award by the Geographic Educators of Nebraska (GEON). The award established to honor the founding members of GEON recognizes those individuals that continue to advance the growth of geography in the state.

You can watch a highlight of Mann’s recognition on YouTube. 

First reading

2025-26 Transportation Plan

Annually, LPS Transportation Director Phil Skorupa gives an overview of the previous school year and transportation plans for the upcoming year to the Board.

The mission of LPS Transportation is to provide safe and timely student transportation to and from assigned schools and activities according to district policies. During the 2024-2025 school year there were 4,366 LPS students who used LPS Transportation each day, up 427 students from the year prior. Over 1.7 million route miles were logged during the school year, and 201,680 miles were for activities and athletics. 

There continues to be challenges in filling open positions. To address the staffing shortage, the number of routes was reduced to 124. Skorupa said they are working to fill open positions and build back up to 150 routes to help reduce the amount of time students spend on bus routes.

Board policy 3710 states that LPS Transportation will transport only those students who qualify under provisions of state law, including: 

  • Elementary and Middle School students residing more than four (4) miles from the school in the attendance area within which they reside.
  • Special Education students whose Individual Education Plan (IEP) require transportation as essential to learning.
  • Students who have been moved for the benefit of the district to relieve overcrowding, due to major facility renovations, or for efficiency in use of buildings and/or staff.
  • In addition, the Board, at its discretion, may approve other transportation areas based upon unique circumstances and for the purpose of equalizing school enrollments and facilitating programs.

A new partnership between LPS and Everdriven allows the school district to meet the requirements to serve students who qualify under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Everdriven provides passenger vehicles and drivers to transport students from where they are staying to their home attendance school. Last year there were 134 students served through this program.

You can view a highlight of the Transportation Plan presentation on the LPS YouTube channel. The Board will hold a second reading and vote on the plan at the next regular meeting in July. 

Property exchange agreement - Northwest/Pegram

Staff recommended that the school district enter into a Property Exchange Agreement with the Robert L. Benes Revocable Trust. As part of the agreement LPS will transfer the approximately 26.7 acre tract of real estate near West Holdrege and Northwest 56th streets adjacent to the Lincoln Northwest High School site, plus the approximately 15.4 acre tract of real estate near North 18th Street and Folkways Boulevard commonly known as the Pegram site. In exchange, LPS will acquire an approximately 19.9 acre parcel of land generally located south and west of West Holdrege and Northwest 56th streets, and the Robert L. Benes Revocable Trust will also pay LPS $1,646,867. The new property will be better positioned in a developing neighborhood to provide an opportunity for a new elementary school. 

The Board will hold a second reading and vote on entering the agreement at the next meeting in July.

Extending agreement with Everdriven Technologies

Staff recommend extending an agreement with Everdriven Technologies to provide transportation services under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.

This will be an estimated annual expenditure of $1,000,000 from the General Fund.

The Board will hold a second reading and vote on the agreement extension at the next meeting.

McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Grant

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is the primary piece of federal legislation dealing with the education of homeless children. This program addresses the problems that homeless children face in enrolling, attending and succeeding in school. Under this program, state and local educational agencies ensure that homeless children have equal access to the same free, appropriate public education - including a public preschool education - as other children. States and school districts are required to review and undertake steps to revise laws, regulations, practices or policies that may act as a barrier to the enrollment, attendance or success in school.

The LPS homeless outreach coordinator position works with families experiencing homelessness to arrange transportation services for children to attend school. They also work with families to provide other supports that create a more stable environment for children experiencing homelessness. Last year, LPS served approximately 850 students in 59 schools.

LPS will use funds received through the McKinney-Vento Act to continue to support the salary of the homeless outreach coordinator and to pay transportation costs for homeless children to attend school.  

The Board discussed the submission of the McKinney-Vento Grant application for approximately $88,762, with the final allocation to be determined by the State of Nebraska after submission and dependent upon grants awarded to other applicants. This grant requires a 100 percent match from Title I funds allocated to LPS. Title I funds have been used in past years to cover the required match.

Due to grant application timelines, the Board waived second reading and voted to approve the grant application.

Sixpence Grant Proposal

The Sixpence Early Learning Fund provides funding for high-quality early childhood education programs. These programs, in partnership with local school districts, aim to support the development of young children ages birth to three and particularly those at risk. Sixpence grants are designed to promote community-level partnerships and ensure that young children receive the best possible start to life.

LPS plans to use these funds to support the Student Child Learning Centers at Northeast, Lincoln High School and Bryan Community, along with the home-based program.

Due to timelines, the Board waived second reading and voted to approve the grant application.

Planning Region Team Grant Proposal

The Planning Region Team (PRT) is an organized group of parents, advocates and representatives from community agencies, organizations, daycares and childcare providers and LPS who assist with the planning and implementation of the Early Intervention Act within LPS.

Staff propose submitting a grant application to the Nebraska Department of Education for $65,750 to support the work of the PRT in implementing the Early Intervention Act.

The Board will hold a second reading and vote at the next meeting.

Agreement with Procare Therapy Inc

Staff recommend entering into a contract with Procare Therapy Inc to assist in providing services remotely for LPS students. These services will assist the school district in lessening the gap in services provided, and alleviate the workload on in-house school psychologists. The proposed agreement would be for $1,160,325.

The Board will hold a second reading on the agreement and vote at the next meeting.

Agreement with Educare of Lincoln

In a long-standing agreement between Educare and LPS, LPS serves as a pass-through for funds from the Sixpence Early Learning Grant to Educare. The agreement is required to be approved annually. Educare is required to match the grant 100%, and no funds or match are required by LPS. 

Due to required timelines, the Board waived second reading and voted to approve the agreement.

Policy updates - 5000 and 6000 series

The Board periodically reviews and revises policies to align with current practices or meet requirements set forth by local, state or federal laws and regulations. 

Staff and legal counsel recommended seven policy and regulation changes, two new policies be developed and one existing policy be folded into a new policy and removed as required by recent state legislation being passed. None of the proposed changes are substantial for LPS.

Highlights of policy changes include:

Due to the requirements of newly passed laws in Nebraska and timelines in preparing for the next school year, the Board waived second reading and voted to approve the policy updates.

Second reading

Elementary boundary change recommendations

The Board Planning Committee monitors city growth, building utilization, student enrollment trends, and development throughout the school year. Lincoln is thriving and continues to grow - especially the Northwest part of the city.

LPS staff continue to explore strategies to stabilize the growth at Lakeview Elementary School and balance school enrollments. As part of the process, the Board Planning Committee recommends changing the attendance area between the airport and Interstate 80 assignment from Lakeview to Arnold Elementary before housing is built in the area. The proposed attendance area shift would begin with the 2025-2026 school year if approved.

The Board voted to approve the assignments.

Property purchase

The Board is considering the purchase of land located near Northwest High School in the area at West Vine between NW 48th and NW 56th streets. The property is approximately 20,68 acres and may be used as a future transportation facility and hub.

The Board Planning Committee recommends the Board consider entering into a purchase agreement of $2.9 million for the property.

The Board voted to approve the purchase.

Renewal of print and copy fleet service agreement with Xerox

The current Xerox production contract term is a base period of five years with an option to renew for additional periods upon mutual agreement and successful contract performance. The existing production contract expires in December 2025.  It is recommended that LPS renew the production copy and services agreement with Xerox Corporation for the period of December 2025 through June 2030.

This will be an annual estimated expenditure of $1,051,584 from the General Fund, Nutrition Services Fund, Federal Fund, Activities Fund, Special Grant Fund and ESU 18 Fund. The actual expenditures will be determined by usage.

The Board voted to approve the agreement.

Informational items and reports

Superintendent update

During the Superintendent Update, Interim Superintendent John Skretta thanked Associate Superintendent for Business Affairs Liz Standish and her budget team for their work and presentation at the Work Session held at 4:30 before the regular meeting. 

 Skretta also took a moment to recognize LPS Operations Director Scott Wieskamp during his last board meeting. 

“Within any high-performing and successful organization, there are a few individuals whose impact is outsized and who demonstrate leadership on a level that can truly be described as iconic,” added Skretta. “There is no area of the city that Scott’s incredible vision and execution have not enhanced, all in a relentless quest and a tireless effort to support Lincoln Public Schools.”

Skretta went on to commend Wieskamp’s efforts in ensuring equitable application of resources and supports for maintaining facilities so that every school across the district is a place where students can be proud to attend.

“Scott, while you will be greatly missed, know that your personal leadership example will continue to inspire our work, and your legacy is a lasting one.”

You can watch a highlight of the Superintendent Update on YouTube.

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 Dawes Middle School students and their project for Samsung Solve for Tomorrow contest. You can watch the Glimpses on YouTube.

ESU 18 Regular Meeting

The board of ESU 18 held its regular meeting immediately following the Lincoln Board of Education meeting to approve the consent agenda. You can view the ESU 18 meeting on YouTube.

Interlocal agreement with Lancaster County for educational services to the Youth Services Center

Each year, the ESU 18 Board approves an interlocal agreement with Lancaster County to offer services at the Lancaster County Youth Services Center. The Pathfinder Program provides educational services and classes to youth detained at the center.

The County agrees to reimburse ESU 18 for all expenses incurred in providing such services pursuant to the agreement, however, that the amount of such reimbursements shall not exceed $999,050.

The Board voted to approve the agreement.

Agreement with Nebraska Department of Education for SNRP for Hearing Impaired Students

The ESU 18 Board reviewed a continuing agreement with the Nebraska Department of Education to plan, coordinate and provide network enrichment activities for children who are deaf and hard of hearing in the ESU 4, ESU 5, ESU 6 and ESU 18 geographical areas. As part of the agreement, NDE agrees to pay ESU 18 up to $301,359.95 each year for providing this service.

The Board voted to approve the agreement.

Published: June 24, 2025, Updated: June 24, 2025