Highlights of the March 24 Lincoln Board of Education regular meeting

March 24, 2026

The Lincoln Board of Education held its regular meeting on Tuesday, March 24, at 6:00 p.m. at the Lincoln Public Schools Steve Joel District Leadership Center, 5905 O Street. 

Special reports, presentations and celebrations of success

J.J. Toczek - LPS Athletics and Activities Director

Lincoln Public Schools Director of Athletics and Activities J.J. Toczek was recently honored by two state organizations for his service and commitment to the growth of student-participants. He received the Nebraska State Activities Association Distinguished Service Award and the Nebraska State Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association Meritorious Service to Education-Based Athletics in Nebraska Award.

Toczek has made a significant impact on Lincoln and Nebraska high school activities and athletics through his leadership, coaching success, and dedicated service. Beginning his career in education in 1996. Toczek has served as a teacher, coach, high school athletic director, and now as the Director of Athletics and Activities. Throughout his career, Toczek has embodied the core mission of the LPS Athletics and Activities Program — offering students education-based opportunities to extend the learning experiences outside the classroom. These experiences aid in the overall growth of student-participants by promoting academic achievement, skill development, life skills, citizenship and competitive success.

Board & Superintendent Annual Goals & Priorities Update

Staff Wellbeing and Outcomes: vacancies, recruitment and retention

The Board had a goal for staff to present to the Board of Education by April 15, an overview of best practices and measurable progress related to filling vacancies in critical shortage areas, including identifying and implementing recruitment and retention strategies in alignment with the district’s Strategic Plan.

Associate Superintendent for Human Resources Vann Price provided a summary of the LPS “Grow Our Own” efforts, compensation and revisions to the Extra Standard process, and efforts for recruiting staff in critical shortage areas. 

Through “Grow Our Own” efforts, there have been five Special Education para pathway cadres that led to 15 former paraeducators earning teaching certifications. There will be an additional 12 paraeducators eligible to teach at LPS in the fall of 2026 and 14 in the fall of 2027. In the Early Childhood Avenues there are two cohorts that will finish in May 2026 and December 2027 respectively. 

In addition, LPS HR department will be holding future educator signing day events at each high school this year. This will be for any high school senior indicating they wish to pursue a career in education, and allows the HR department to cultivate a relationship with them in hopes of having them come back to LPS to launch their teaching careers.

There are over 6,000 employees made up of certified and classified staff. Through the negotiations process, LPS has been able to study the compensation structure and make positive adjustments to help the school district to be competitive.

There was a committee that worked on the Extra Standard Compensation process, and through that work the Extra Standard Compensation has been standardized and moved into the negotiation process. Through this work, the committee was able to equalize stipends for male and female activities coaches and added assistant debate and speech coach positions. The stipends have increased for several roles. 

In recruitment and hiring, there is a revamped new educator days that new educators will be paid for. HR has also revised the hiring orientation to include benefits and professional development information. LPS has also worked with local universities and Nebraska Department of Education to support non-traditional hires through fast-track certification programs. HR is also collaborating with the Patriots to Education Program to recruit veteran candidates.

In critical shortage areas like Special Education, there have been adjustments in the salary schedule starting next school year. 

First reading

Update to Policy 3960

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.

The proposed revision brings Policy 3960 in line with state requirements. 

The Board will hold a second reading and vote on the proposed policy revision at the next meeting.

Roofing project at Pershing Elementary School

Staff recommended the Board consider the lowest responsible bid from Weathercraft Co. of Lincoln for $1,409,554 for a roof replacement project at Pershing Elementary School.

Due to construction timelines, the Board waived second reading and voted to approve the lowest bid. 

Roofing project at Scott Middle School

Staff recommended the Board consider the lowest responsible bid from Hampton Commercial Construction out of Lincoln for $1,312,000 for a roof replacement project at Scott Middle School.

Due to construction timelines, the Board waived second reading and voted to approve the lowest bid. 

Promoting Engagement and Knowledge (PEaK Project) grant application

The LPS Special Education department will once again apply for Promoting Engagement and Knowledge (PEaK) grant funding through the Nebraska Department of Education Office of Special Education. 

NDE began making these grants available annually during the 2018-2019 school year. These funds are intended to support school districts’ work to improve academic outcomes for students with disabilities. 

The grant will support the implementation of interventions for students and provide professional learning opportunities for teachers across LPS. This will target second, third and fourth grade. Professional learning will include sessions related to the science of reading, research-based reading interventions and math instruction that meets the needs of struggling learners.   

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

Second reading

2027-2028 student calendar

Each year a joint committee with LPS and Lincoln Education Association composed of a Board member, parents, teachers and administrators recommends a student calendar to the Board for consideration. The Board adopted calendar variables to guide the Calendar Committee’s work in meeting the goal of creating a school calendar that demonstrates the district’s commitment to learning. 

Highlights of the 2027-2028 student calendar include:

  • Once again, the first day of classes on Aug. 10, 2027, will only be for kindergarten, sixth and ninth grade students to help these students transition and learn routines. 
  • The first day for all other students will be Aug. 11, 2027.
  • Fall break for students will be Oct. 11 - 13, with Oct. 13 being used as a district professional learning day for staff.
  • The first semester will end on Dec. 21, with winter break being Dec. 22 - Jan. 3.
  • The last day for students will be May 18, with graduation weekend happening May 19-21.  

The Board held a second reading and voted to approve the 2027-2028 calendar.

Informational items and reports

Budget calendar for the 2026-2027 budget

Board policy 3100 states that a budget calendar will be presented to the Board by April 1 of each year. This presentation will include timelines for when a preliminary list of budgetary goals and budget priorities will be available, a preliminary budget to meet the needs of the school system for the next fiscal year will be presented, a projection based upon the latest enrollment and revenue estimates for the succeeding fiscal year will be available, and tentative dates for necessary publications, public hearings and budget adoption.

Associate Superintendent for Business Affairs Liz Standish presented the budget development calendar. Key dates in the development of the LPS budget shared during the presentation includes:

  • June 23: Board of Education Preliminary Proposed Budget presented during a special work session at 4:30 p.m., followed by a public comment period during the regular meeting at 6:00 p.m.
  • June 24: Online input window opens on lps.org.
  • June 24: Two public forums - virtual at noon (link available on lps.org), and in-person at 7:00 p.m. at the Steve Joel District Leadership Center (5905 O Street).
  • June 25: Virtual public forum at 6:00 p.m. (link available on lps.org).
  • July 10: Online input window closes.
  • July 28: Board of Education Proposed Budget presented during a work session at 4:30 p.m., followed by a public comment period during the regular meeting at 6:00 p.m.
  • Aug. 11: Opportunity for public comment during the regular Lincoln Board of Education meeting at 6:00 p.m.
  • Aug. 24: Board of Education Budget Hearing
  • Aug. 25: Opportunity for public comment during the regular Lincoln Board of Education meeting at 6:00 p.m.
  • Sept. 8: First reading of the proposed budget during the regular Lincoln Board of Education meeting.
  • Sept. 22: Second reading and vote on the proposed budget during the regular Lincoln Board of Education meeting.

Standish also shared information about the Nebraska Homestead Exemption program. The Nebraska Homestead Exemption program is a property tax relief program that reduces all or a portion of taxes for homeowners in Nebraska who occupy a home – used as their primary residence – that meet the criteria. More information about that program can be found here. The filing deadline for the program is June 30, 2026.

The presentation slides can be found here. More information about the budget process will become available on lps.org/budget.

Wellness, American Civics, and Multicultural Committee

Committee Chair Mara Krivohlavek provided a summary of the committee meeting that happened earlier on Tuesday. She shared that the committee is required by law to review civic and social studies twice per year. 

Social Studies Curriculum Specialist Jaci Grimes provided an update on professional learning opportunities for staff, along with civic experiences for students, government and politics service learning project requirements and social studies standards. 

Grimes explained how LPS is required by law to have civic experiences that allow students to demonstrate their civic knowledge outside of the classroom. LPS does this through high school field trips to the state capitol building, national We the People competition, and student-led voter registration drives. 

Government Relations and Civic Engagement Committee

Committee chair Piyush Srivastav provided an update from the meeting last week. He shared that they have been actively monitoring the 2026 Nebraska Legislative Session, which is currently in a critical phase regarding the state budget and school funding. There are several key bills that impact education – including potential shifts in educational funding – and several others bills. 

LPS weighs in with testimony or provides comments in other forms when it falls within our legislative guidelines, and these can be found on the LPS website. 

Srivastav said, “I want to recognize the expertise and efforts of the LPS leaders and their teams for their outstanding work that they put in to evaluate the impacts of the proposed legislation on LPS and then educate the senators on those impacts.”

In addition, Srivastav added that Board members and LPS leaders remain involved with other regional and state level organizations to stay on top of the proposed legislation.

The Career Academy Joint Board

Board member Annie Mumgaard shared highlights from the last joint meeting. During the update, she shared that two students shared their experiences at TCA. Natalie spoke about the K-12 pathway and her experiences competing in Educators Rising. Lauren shared her excitement about participating in the Criminal Justice pathway and her plans to follow her grandmother’s legacy and become a prosecutor.

Mumgaard also shared the Foundation for LPS report of raising nearly $50,000 during the 10-year anniversary event last fall. These funds will be used for student activities and programming at TCA. 

Over 700 students have applied to TCA for next school year which is in line with previous years. Enrollment projections currently sit at approximately 800 students next fall.

TCA Director Josh Jones has been collaborating with LPS Director of Athletic and Activities J.J. Toczek to develop a new course in athletic training that will be part of the health science pathway. 

Superintendent update

LPS Superintendent John Skretta opened his remarks by commending the Board on their servant leadership and highlighted their strong community engagement efforts. 

Skretta also gave a shout out to the LPS Nutrition Services staff with over 400 employees in 63 cafeterias making LPS “the largest chain restaurant in town, delivering safe, nutritious, and delicious meals.” There are approximately 26,000 lunches served in LPS every day.

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 highlighted the annual Thank You Teacher ceremony.

Published: March 24, 2026, Updated: March 24, 2026