Highlights of 10/10 Lincoln Board of Education meeting

Highlights of 10/10 Lincoln Board of Education meeting

The Lincoln Board of Education held a regular meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 10, at Lincoln Public Schools District Office, 5905 O St. The Board will hold its next meeting at 6 p.m. Oct.24.

Recommendation for 2020-21 student calendar

The Lincoln Board of Education Tuesday heard recommendations for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 school year calendars – developed by a Calendar Committee made up of educators, parents and community members. 

The major focus of developing the calendar is making sure LPS has a learning-centered calendar, according to John Neal, Assistant Superintendent for Governmental Relations and General Administration. 

“We listen to a variety of different stakeholders in making these recommendations,” stressed Rita Bennett, president of the Lincoln Education Association.

And bringing two calendar proposals is a milestone allowing our families to plan further ahead, Bennett continued. “We have developed a consistent purpose and set of variables, a systematic development of calendars, so by bringing you two calendar recommendations we can then focus on the current year – plus three years out.”

Main highlights of the proposed 2019-20 calendar:

• The first day of school would be August 13 – and the last day of school would be May 21.
• Semester break would be Dec. 20-Jan. 6 – with students returning to school Tuesday, Jan. 7.
• First and third quarter breaks would be: Oct. 17-18, and March 9-13.
• Thanksgiving break would be Nov. 27-29 – spring break would be April 10.

Main highlights of the proposed 2020-21 calendar:

• The first day of school would be August 12 – and the last day of school would be May 20.
• Semester break would be Dec. 23-Jan. 4 – with students returning to school Tuesday, Jan. 5.
• First and third quarter breaks would be: Oct. 15-16, and March 8-12.
• Thanksgiving break would be Nov. 25-27 – spring break would be April 2. 

Purpose: The school calendar demonstrates the school district’s commitment to learning. It is based on sound instructional considerations and priorities ensuring the continuity, efficiency and effectiveness of teaching and learning. LPS established the following calendar variables to be considered by the LPS Calendar Committee in devising the student calendar.

 Primary Variables:

•        Semester and quarter breaks typically will be the same for elementary and secondary schools.
•        The four quarters typically will include at least the minimum number of days necessary for students to reasonably learn the curriculum (42 days).
•        Student vacation days typically will not interrupt instruction just prior to major LPS, state, or national assessments.

Additional Variables

•        Each student week typically will be at least three days long.
•        Non-student day typically will be scheduled between quarters.
•        The last day of school typically will fall after the completion of NSAA and similarly sanctioned local and state competitions.
•        Whenever possible, non-student days typically will occur on "common holidays," including days such as federal and state recognized holidays.

The Board will vote final approval of the school calendars at the Oct. 24 meeting.

Policy changes

The Board reviewed several minor proposed policy changes all related to Business Affairs:

•        3000 Series  
•        3400 Series
•        3960 Series
•        3915 Series 

The Board will vote final approval at the Oct. 24 meeting.

 

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