Highlights: 10/11 Lincoln Board of Education regular meeting

October 11, 2022

The Lincoln Board of Education met for a regular meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 11, at the Lincoln Public Schools Steve Joel District Leadership Center, 5905 O Street.

Second reading

District Wide Area Network

The District Wide Area Network  is fiber optic cable that connects LPS buildings in order to provide all staff and students with access to internet digital resources. The current 12-year  fiber network contract was for $8,058,028, or an average annual cost of approximately $671,502, and is set to expire on July 1, 2023.

Staff reviewed three responses to a Request For Proposal (RFP) with initial contract terms of ten years, including provisions to exercise two optional five-year year extensions.  If both extensions are executed, the proposed fiber network will be available to the district until June 30, 2043.

It is recommended that the Board award $1,230,000 over 10 years to Allo Communications for the purchase of Wide Area Network Leased Dark Fiber. This is an average annual cost of $123,000. If the two additional five-year extensions are exercised, the average annual cost of the proposed fiber network would be $120,540 on the 20-year term.  The proposed contract cost represents an average 82% annual decrease, and based on the current percentage of students receiving free and reduced meal assistance, the district is eligible for a Federal E-rate discount of 60%.

The Board voted to approve the contract.

Informational items and reports

Board committee updates

Wellness, American Civics and Multicultural Committee

Board member Annie Mumgaard gave a report from the committee meeting the week prior. There are two meetings required for the purpose of reviewing wellness initiatives and policies in the school district with input from parent representatives. In addition to nutrition and physical education, they also learned about mental health, health services and social emotional learning taking place at LPS.  

“On behalf of of Mr. Boswell and Dr. Rauner, I really want to thank our staff. We are not only living up to our policies, but we are living beyond it and that is a great thing,” said Mumgaard.

The Career Academy Board

Board member Lanny Boswell reported that The Career Academy Board met earlier in the day and saw first hand that TCA students themselves are the best ambassadors of the program. 

“Two juniors and one senior shared their experiences of what made them choose TCA and how the program is preparing them for successful careers,” reported Boswell. “One Lincoln Southwest student in the Criminal Justice pathway noted the experience and dedication of the TCA faculty. A Lincoln High student in the Health Sciences pathway was inspired to learn more about nursing after seeing older students wearing scrubs at school. A Lincoln East senior who learned about TCA from a middle school field trip, now attends TCA all-day taking classes in Health, Ag/Bio Sciences, and Academic Transfer pathways.”

After hearing from these students, the Board discussed ways that they can continue to promote the program to students and families. The TCA Board will meet again in December.

Superintendent update

Superintendent Paul Gausman reported that Wednesday, Oct. 12, is Walk and Roll to School Day. He encouraged everyone to walk, bike, or roll to school in an effort to promote along safe routes while building healthy habits.

Public comment

There were six individuals that addressed the Board during public comment. You can watch the public comments in the full meeting video here.

Glimpses of LPS

We open every Board meeting with a video that highlights Lincoln Public Schools. Tuesday’s Glimpses featured Southeast and Southwest high schools being honored Unified Banner Schools by Special Olympics Nebraska. 

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