Highlights of 3/8 Lincoln Board of Education Meeting

The Lincoln Board of Education met for a regular meeting on Tuesday, March 8, at the Lincoln Public Schools District Office, 5905 O St. 

Special Reports, Presentations and Celebrations of Success

Pandemic Update

Superintendent Steve Joel and Board Member Bob Rauner offered positive news about the pandemic and its impact on Lincoln Public Schools and the Lincoln community.

“I do believe this will be my last and our last pandemic report because we’ve received an awful lot of good news through what’s happened in our county,” Joel said, noting that signs on LPS buildings that recommend people wear masks when indoors will now be removed.

“Our students and staff have been fantastic,” he said. “I appreciate everyone’s support and well wishes. I think we’ve navigated the pandemic very well and now we’re looking to get back to some sense of normalcy.” 

Rauner reviewed data that shows how much positive progress has been made in the community.

“Numbers have dropped pretty dramatically over the last few weeks,” Rauner said, “as has our hospitalization rate since what we had back in August…all numbers are pointing in the right direction.”

Rauner emphasized it’s still important that people receive their third immunization shot to help ensure this positive trajectory continues.

Terminate Pandemic and Emergency Powers Resolution

Due to the pandemic, on March 18, 2020, the Board of Education approved its original pandemic Safe Return to School Plan and an administrative emergency powers resolution (Resolution #1). On June 23, 2020, the Board terminated Resolution #1 and approved a new reopening plan for the fall of 2020 and continued the administrative emergency powers resolution (Resolution #2). On Aug. 10, 2021, the Board terminated Resolution #2, except for the emergency powers resolution, and approved an updated 2020-22 Safe Return to School Plan.

In light of changing circumstances, it is now time to terminate the June 23, 2020, administrative emergency powers provision of Resolution #2.

Board Chair Connie Duncan said in her motion to approve that this action authorizes district administration to make functional, operational changes or modifications to the 2021-2022 Safe Return to School Plan, or such future plans as circumstances demand, until further action by the Board of Education.

The Board waived second reading and approved to terminate the Pandemic and Emergency Powers Resolution #2. This is effective immediately.

First Reading

Superintendent Search, Selection and Contract

Because there is only one meeting in March, the Board waived second reading and voted to approve the proposed contract and transition agreement with new LPS Superintendent Paul Guasman.

The contract is a three-year agreement with a base annual salary of $324,000. At Lincoln Public Schools there are no additional compensation benefits in the superintendent contract for things such as annuities, bonuses, incentives, or performance pay. The contract also indicates that other benefits like health insurance and leave will be in line with the other administrators in Lincoln Public Schools. The total estimated compensation of $383,591 excludes the legally required employer contributions towards state retirement, FICA and Medicare.

The contract for Gausman, along with the transition agreement, have been posted on the LPS website under the superintendent section.

Newly Annexed Properties to the City of Lincoln

The City of Lincoln has annexed multiple parcels of land, which automatically brings these properties into the district of Lincoln Public Schools. These properties need to be assigned attendance centers so potential purchasers of homes in these areas will know which schools they will be attending. The annexed parcels of land and their proposed attendance areas are:

  • CLS Addition, 66th and Arbor Road, Ordinance #21205, for 2021-22 school year: Norwood Park Elementary School, Dawes Middle School, Northeast High School
  • Rokeby Ridge CUP, Annexation, Ordinance #21210, for 2021-22 school year: Wysong Elementary School, Moore Middle School, East High School
  • Woodlands at Yankee Hill PUD, Ordinance #21202, for 2021-22 school year: Wysong Elementary School, Moore Middle School, East High School

The Board will vote on the proposed attendance areas at its next meeting.

Processing of USDA Commodities

LPS requested bids to process and deliver diverted USDA foods ("commodities") for use by the LPS Nutrition Services Department for all locations. These commodities include mozzarella cheese, barrel cheese and bulk chicken. The contract prices are for July 1, 2022-June 30, 2023. There are two optional, one-year renewal periods.

It’s recommended the lowest bids that meet specifications be accepted, which are the following:

  • Nardone Brothers Baking Co. (Hanover, Pennsylvania) - $479,473.50
  • Land O’ Lakes, Inc. (Arden Hills, Minnesota) - 107,691.90
  • Tyson Food, Inc. (Springdale, Arkansas) - 801,653.50

The total estimated annual cost is $1,388,818.90, which will come from the Nutrition Services Fund.

The Board will vote on the bid proposals at its next meeting.

Proposed Negotiated Agreement with the Lincoln Education Association

In a proposal presented to the Board, the Lincoln Education Association (LEA) and Lincoln Public Schools have reached a tentative contract agreement with teachers for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years.

The tentative agreement represents a careful balance between recognizing the valuable contributions our teachers make for Lincoln Public Schools - especially as front-line workers during a pandemic - while also acknowledging the revenue decline including a significant drop in state aid.   

For the 2022-23 year, the tentative agreement approved by a vote of LEA members provides a total compensation package increase of 4.11 percent. The tentative agreement includes the district’s contribution for increases with health insurance, retirement, Social Security and an across-the-board increase of $1,250 along with movement on the pay schedule for a total increase of approximately $1,740-$3,248 for the year depending on the staff member’s placement on the salary schedule.   

For the 2023-24 year, the tentative agreement approved by a vote of LEA members provides a total compensation package increase of 3.65 percent. The tentative agreement includes the district’s contribution for increases with health insurance, retirement, Social Security and an across-the-board increase of $1,055 and movement on the pay schedule for a total increase of approximately $1,545-$4,108 for the year depending on the staff member’s placement on the salary schedule. 

The Board will hold a second reading and vote on the agreement at its April 12 meeting. You can watch a highlight of the presentation here. 

State Expanded Learning Collaborative Grant Program Application

It’s proposed that LPS submit an application for a $1,080,000 grant as part of the State Expanded Learning Collaborative Grant Program.

As part of Nebraska Department of Education's ESSER III investments, funding is being made available to select Nebraska 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CLCs) for the purpose of creating or expanding CLCs. The primary purpose of Community Learning Centers is to provide students with academic and enrichment opportunities designed to complement their regular academic program. All CLC services are provided during non-school hours or periods when school is not in session. Each site has an academic focus to help students meet state and local academic achievement standards. Families of students served may also receive services in areas that support family literacy, health, childcare and other family support services.

The goal of this proposed three-year partnership between the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) and Beyond School Bells (BSB), a program of the Nebraska Children and Families Foundation (NCFF), and other partners is to provide Nebraska youth in select underserved Nebraska communities negatively impacted by COVID-19 access to high-quality school-based and community-powered afterschool (AS) and summer programs, referred to as ELO programs. NDE and NCFF are committed to working with local communities to leverage this federal and state investment with local community resources to position their investment to be sustained locally after the end of the grant period. NDE will oversee the use of ESSER III funds via sub-grants to individual districts and schools. 

The Board waived second reading and voted to approve the proposed application.

Informational items and reports

Wellness, American Civics and Multicultural Committee

Board member Annie Mumgaard gave a report from the Wellness, American Civics and Multicultural Committee. 

LPS Social Studies Curriculum Specialist Jaci Kellison gave a presentation on voter registration drives that are being organized in our high schools. Kellison is working with the new county deputy election commissioner, as well as the League of Women Voters, for these events. 

Select students at each high school are being trained to be deputy registrars to assist students as they register to vote during these events. There may be an opportunity for these students to volunteer at other events in the community to help adults register to vote.

Any student that turns 18 by the November election day in 2022 can register to vote at these events. These students will be able to participate in the primary elections this May.

The event dates are:

  • March 24, 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. at Southeast High School
  • March 29, 10:45 a.m. - 2:15 p.m. at East High School
  • April 7, 1 - 5 p.m. at Lincoln High School
  • April 8, 9:51 a.m. - 11:21 a.m. at Southwest High School
  • April 13, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Northeast High School
  • Online at North Star High School

Also the committee received an update on Legislative Bill 888, which requires schools to teach about the Holocaust and other acts of genocide. LPS already meets these requirements in our curriculum.

The Career Academy

Board Member Lanny Boswell gave an update from The Career Academy Joint Venture Board, which met Tuesday morning. Members met with students, including several from the welding pathway who recently won multiple awards at the recent FFA district welding competition. TCA welding students placed first in three out of four individual categories and won first place as a team. They now move on to state competition on April 7.

Boswell also noted that enrollment at TCA continues to grow, with more than 670 new students applying for the 2022-23 school year. Based on those numbers and an expected 87 percent retention rate among the current 10th-graders in the program, it’s estimated there will be a record 750 students at TCA next year - an increase of almost 100 students from this year.

Superintendent Update

Superintendent Joel noted how next week’s spring break comes at a great time, as LPS staff have been working relentlessly and deserve time off. He also thanked LEA for its partnership during his time at LPS. Finally, he also congratulated the Board on its hiring of Paul Gausman as the next superintendent.

Public Comment

There were 11 citizens who addressed the Board during the first public comment period. You can view their comments as part of the full meeting video here.

Glimpses of LPS

We open every Board meeting with a video that highlights the amazing things taking place in our school district. Tuesday’s video featured remarks from students and educators at the always emotional Thank You Teacher award event, which was held March 2 at the Governor’s Mansion. You can watch the video here.

 

 

Published: March 8, 2022, Updated: March 12, 2022