Lincoln Board of Education highlights - 4/10

The Lincoln Board of Education met for a regular meeting on Tuesday evening, April 10, in the Lincoln City Council Chambers. The next Board meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 8. There is only one meeting in April. All meetings are broadcast live on channel 5.

LPS District Office development – finding a name

The Lincoln Board of Education is beginning the process for finding a name for the total development that will be emerging at 5901 O St. – an integrated use site that will include the new LPS District Office building, a major national grocer and other retail shops.

The Board has formed a "Naming Committee" – to begin the process.

Strategic plan update

The first goal in the new Lincoln Public Schools strategic plan is increasing the high school graduation report – and Marilyn Moore, associate superintendent for Instruction at LPS, gave an update Tuesday.

The Strategic Goal is: Increase graduation rate by three percentage points for on-time (four-year) graduation rate by 2016 – with focus on subgroups graduating below average – and continue to support fifth- and sixth-year graduates. Increase volunteer mentor matches with students by 10 percent by Jan. 1, 2013.

"I believe everything we do everyday in every class...goes to increasing the graduation rate," Moore stressed.

But she went ahead to summarize the major action plan steps identified in achieving this goal.

Increase student access to services and opportunities in the school: Flexibly scheduled e-learning courses during summer school 2012; analysis of data for Early Warning System on attendance, behavior and credits earned; collection and analysis of data regarding pass rate in algebra from use of intervention teachers and algebra coaches.

Increase students' vision of possibilities beyond high school /college access: Planning for consistent messages and information to students about pathways to higher education; Initial meetings with Southeast Community College and Lincoln Chamber of Commerce regarding a Career and Tech Ed district program.

Address personal issues that affect student success in school, through community partnerships when appropriate: Searching for funds with community partners to provide mental health services and programs for students who are addicted.

Early intervention, beginning in preschool, and effective instruction practices at all grades: Educare will open in January 2013; grants for additional state funding for preschool programs submitted by LPS; study is underway to consider options for an alternative middle school; timeline and plan is in place for district-wide professional development on cultural proficiency.

Written updates will be provided for each of the four major strategic plan goals and be placed on the LPS website. There will also be regular presentations provided at School Board meetings – one goal presentation each quarter.

LPSDO update

Scott Wieskamp, director of Facilities and Maintenance at LPS, gave a quick update on the LPS District Office development at 5901 O St.

"It's a very active site, jam-packed with activity," he said.

He noted grading is now in progress, excavation work will begin next week, while footings and foundation work will start in the next few weeks.

School attendance areas for newly annexed area

The School Board assigns school attendance areas to property newly annexed to the city to allow purchasers to know what schools their children will attend. Newly annexed land at North 48th and Superior is primarily wetlands and will likely not be developed in the near future. However, the School Board assigned attendance areas to the property as: Norwood Park Elementary School, Dawes Middle School and Lincoln Northeast High School.

Governmental Relations update

Mary Campbell, assistant superintendent for Governmental Affairs at LPS, summarized what is happening in the final days of this year's Legislative session.

"I want to express gratitude to Mary Campbell for a job well done," LPS Superintendent Steve Joel said. "This has been a very comprehensive, difficult session."

Joel has announced that John Neal, currently director of Secondary Instruction at LPS, will serve as the new Assistant Superintendent for Governmental Relations at LPS – and Campbell said she would be sharing information with Neal over the coming months.

School Board citations

The Board of Education issued a special resolution Tuesday night to recognize

Kirk Langer, director of Technology at Lincoln Public Schools, and Kent Steen, assistant principal at Kooser Elementary School, winners of the Nebraska Educational Technology Association's Excellence in Leading with Technology award.

---

Published: April 10, 2012
Updated: April 10, 2012