Highlights of the 6/13 Lincoln Board of Education and ESU 18 regular meetings

The Lincoln Board of Education met for its regular meeting on Tuesday, June 13, at the Lincoln Public Schools Steve Joel District Leadership Center, 5905 O Street. The full meeting video and a summary are below. The ESU 18 meeting happened immediately after.

Regular Board of Education Meeting

 

Special reports, presentations and celebrations of success

Update from Nebraska Association of School Boards

Associate Executive Director Colby Coash from the Nebraska Association of School Boards gave an update to the Board. He thanked the Board for their membership and engagement over the past year. 

 

LPS middle school science update

K-12 Science Curriculum Specialist Betsy Barent presented an update to the Board on middle school science curriculum and shared the key shifts in science education.

“Previously, science teachers were encouraged to identify children's misconceptions and design instruction to unsettle and replace these. This approach was often reinforced with fact-based memorization lessons,” Barent told the Board. “We now understand that children's science—related identities and ideas, whether scientifically accurate or not, are deeply grounded in their personal experience of the world—and that it is productive to leverage them as they learn science.”

To match this shift, the Nebraska’s College and Career Ready Standards for Science were adopted in 2017. That’s when the Continuous Curriculum Improvement Process began to determine needs and a rubric.
Barent explained to the Board how LPS has been piloting an open educational resource - OpenSciED. And staff recommend implementing the program.

Culler Middle School Teacher Megan Euler shared in an article, “I’ve been using an OER science curriculum called OpenSciEd for five years, and it has completely revolutionized the way I teach. It’s also transformed the way my students relate to and take ownership for their learning.”

The proposed implementation and enhancement schedule includes teacher training, adaptation and customization this summer with full implementation during the 2023-2024 school year. There will be continuous lesson and assessment review to make sure it continues to meet the school district’s needs.

First reading

Proposed compensation for the superintendent of schools

The Board recently completed the two required formal evaluations for a first-year superintendent, and annually reviews the contract. After his first year, the Board reviewed a contract extension with a proposed compensation increase.

The recommended salary for the superintendent for the 2023-24 year would be: $333,720. That amount represents a salary increase of three percent from the previous year.

It is the practice of LPS to be open and transparent by posting the contracts for the superintendent position when the contracts are considered by the Lincoln Board of Education. The public can view the proposed contract and supporting documentation on the LPS website here: https://home.lps.org/superintendent/contracts.

The Board will hold a second reading and vote to approve the contract at the next meeting.

Contract and appointment of the ESU 18 unit administrator

Annually, the Board appoints and reviews the contract of the ESU 18 unit administrator. It is recommended that the Board appoints Takako Olson to be the ESU 18 unit administrator effective July 1, 2023. Olson will continue to serve as the LPS Curriculum and Instruction Director, a position she has held since 2017.

The recommended salary for the ESU 18 Unit Administrator for the 2023-24 year would be: $80,000. 

It is the practice of LPS to be open and transparent by posting the contracts for the superintendent position when the contracts are considered by the Lincoln Board of Education. The public can view the proposed contract and supporting documentation on the LPS website here: https://home.lps.org/superintendent/contracts.

The Board will hold a second reading and vote to approve the contract at the next meeting.

Policy 6000 series updates and revisions

Periodically, a policy series is reviewed in order to address changes in legislation or regulation from the state or federal government or to bring policy in line with current practice or intent of the Board. During the 2022-23 school year, the policy 6000 series was reviewed by staff to bring the policies in line with current practice, address changes in administrative structure and add clarity.

The draft of changes can be previewed here. 

The Board will hold a second reading and vote to approve the changes at the next meeting.

Proposed organizational structure for the office of the superintendent

During Board meeting on April 25, Superintendent Paul Gausman presented his transition update to the Board. In addition to five areas of focus, Gausman reviewed the current LPS organizational structure to ensure it aligned with the primary goal of positively impacting student academic achievement. During the process he examined successful peer school districts of the same size and demographics to explore best practices. 

Through restructuring, the proposed revised organizational structure would add a .5 full-time staffing equivalent to the current administrative structure and include:

  • Moving the Assessment and Evaluation department under Curriculum and Instruction.
  • Creating an Instructional Division that includes an Associate Superintendent for Teaching and Learning and an Associate Superintendent for Educational Services.
    • The following departments would report to the Associate Superintendent for Teaching and Learning: Continuous Improvement and Professional Learning; Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment; Elementary Education; Secondary Education; Focus Programs; and Library Services.
    • The following departments would report to the Associate Superintendent for Educational Services: Student Services; Early Childhood; Special Education; Federal Programs and Grants; Health Services; and Security (a move from Business Affairs).
  • Shortening the title of Associate Superintendent for General Administration and Governmental Relations to Associate Superintendent for Civic Engagement.
  • Clarifying the administrators that serve on the Superintendent’s cabinet by changing the titles of the communications and equity, diversity and inclusion directors. These will now be executive director positions.

The Board waived second reading of the proposed revised organizational structure as presented on April 25, and voted to approve the new organizational structure to allow staff adequate time to prepare for the 2023-24 school year.

Later during the Superintendent Update portion of the meeting, Gausman elaborated on who would be recommended to the Board to serve in the associate superintendent positions outlined in the revised organizational structure. 

Fresh fruits and vegetables

Proposals were requested from interested vendors to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to be delivered to all cafeterias as needed during the next school year, with option for renewal for two additional school years. 

It is recommended the bid be awarded to Greenberg Fruit Co., Inc. out of Omaha for an estimated $750,000 annually.

The Board will hold a second reading and vote to approve the agreement at the next meeting.

Classroom sound amplification system update

The Connected Classroom component of the CLASS technology plan includes Classroom Sound Audio Systems (CSAS) as an important element to ensure that both the teacher’s voice and digital sound content are uniformly distributed throughout the learning space.  The Infrared-based (IR) microphone and receiver components of classroom systems installed in 2016-2017 are no longer serviceable and need to be replaced.

It is recommended that the Board award the bid to Audio Enhancement for the purchase of RF microphone and receiver components that will update existing classroom sound audio systems for a total of $1,709,875.

The Board waived second reading and voted to approve the bid to allow equipment to be ordered and quick installation.

Second reading

Proposed 2023-2024 pay rates - substitutes and miscellaneous employees

The Board held second reading on the proposed 2023-2024 pay rates for substitute and miscellaneous employees groups. Generally, the recommended salary increases ranged from no increase to a 3.32% increase, depending on the employee group. The determination of what salary to recommend was made in conjunction with the supervisor of that employee group and an assessment of the availability of candidates for the positions. 

A full list of the pay rates can be found here. 

The Board voted to approve the proposed rates.

Board committee updates

The Career Academy

Board member Barb Baier provided an update from the joint meeting for The Career Academy board. There are approximately 678 students currently registered for the 2023 fall semester. 

Baier also highlighted the Beyond School Bells program for their work in providing elementary and middle school Community Learning Center students field trips to learn more about the TCA.

Superintendent Update

Gausman began his update by thanking the associate superintendents and members of the executive team for their work this past school year. 

“I cannot tell you how impressed I continue to be with the strength of the team that is Lincoln Public Schools,” said Gausman. 

He also thanked all LPS staff for their work this past school year and all they have accomplished. Gausman said LPS will continue to get better as the school district focuses on immediate needs. 

“Instruction is the most important thing we do, but if we don’t get student behavior in check, we are not going to get better in instruction,” he added.

After thanking the Board for approving the revised organizational structure earlier in the meeting, Gausman went on to recommend LPS staff to the Board who would serve in the associate superintendent and leadership positions on the Executive Cabinet as outlined on the chart. The Board will vote at the next meeting on the appointments.

As part of the instructional division, Matt Larson will be appointed the Associate Superintendent for Educational Services. Larson currently serves as the Associate Superintendent for Instruction, a role he has held since 2018. 

Under the new organizational structure, Larson will oversee Student Services, Early Childhood, Special Education, Federal Programs and Grants, Health Services, and Security (a move from Business Affairs).

Sarah Salem will be appointed as the new Associate Superintendent for Teaching and Learning. Salem has been the Director of Continuous Improvement and Professional Learning since 2015, and the ESU 18 Administrator since 2019. 

In her role as the Associate Superintendent for Teaching and Learning, Salem will oversee Continuous Improvement and Professional Learning; Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment; Elementary Education; Secondary Education; Focus Programs; and Library Services.

Under the new organizational structure, Assessment will move under Curriculum and Instruction. Takako Olson’s title will change to Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment. In addition to her director role, the Board is also voting on the appointment of Olson as the next ESU 18 Administrator. Olson has held the director role since 2017. 

With the approval of the new organizational chart, other changes include shortening the title of Associate Superintendent for General Administration and Governmental Relations title. John Neal’s new title will be Associate Superintendent for Civic Engagement. Neal has held the position since 2012.

The new organizational structure also clarifies the other administrators that serve on the Executive Cabinet by changing the titles of the communications and equity, diversity and inclusion positions. Brittney Hodges-Bolkovac will join LPS as the Executive Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion starting July 1. Mindy Burbach’s title will change to Executive Director of Communications, a role she has held since 2019.

Not changing but continuing to serve on the Executive Cabinet will be Associate Superintendent for Business Affairs Liz Standish, Associate Superintendent for Human Resources Vann Price and Chief Technology Officer Kirk Langer. 

The Board will vote on the appointments and recommendations at the next regular meeting on June 27.

During his update, Gausman also spoke about the graduation ceremonies, summer school, Supporting Positive Behavior Conference and the upcoming budget process.

Below is a highlight video of the revised organizational structure presentation and the superintendent update.  

Public comment

There were no individuals that addressed the Board during public comment. 

Glimpses of LPS

We open every Board meeting with a video that highlights Lincoln Public Schools. Tuesday’s Glimpses featured highlights from the graduation ceremonies.

ESU 18 Regular Meeting

The Educational Service Unit 18 met for a regular meeting on Tuesday, June 13, at the Lincoln Public Schools Steve Joel District Leadership Center, 5905 O Street immediately following the Lincoln Board of Education Meeting.

Annually, the Board appoints and reviews the contract of the ESU 18 unit administrator. It is recommended that the Board appoints Takako Olson to be the ESU 18 unit administrator effective July 1, 2023. Olson will continue to serve as the LPS Curriculum and Instruction Director, a position she has held since 2017.

The recommended salary for the ESU 18 Unit Administrator for the 2023-24 year would be: $80,000. 

It is the practice of LPS to be open and transparent by posting the contracts for the superintendent position when the contracts are considered by the Lincoln Board of Education. The public can view the proposed contract and supporting documentation on the LPS website here: https://home.lps.org/superintendent/contracts.

The Board will hold a second reading and vote to approve the contract at the next meeting.

Published: June 13, 2023, Updated: June 13, 2023