Highlights of the Jan. 9, 2024 Lincoln Board of Education regular meeting

The Lincoln Board of Education met for its regular meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 9, at the Lincoln Public Schools Steve Joel District Leadership Center, 5905 O Street. 

Special reports, presentations and celebrations of success

Brett Noser - Lincoln High Music teacher

In 2023, Lincoln High School music teacher Brett Noser was honored by the Nebraska American String Teachers Association (ASTA) with the String Teacher of the Year award.

Noser teaches music at Lincoln High School which includes varsity and prep orchestra, IB music, piano, Banda/Mariachi, and music tech. Brett has been teaching at Lincoln Public Schools since 2008.

Stephanie Kinnaman - Morley Elementary School teacher

Stephanie Kinnaman teaches at Morley Elementary School and has taught for six years. She was recently named the Nebraska School Librarian of the Year by the Nebraska School Librarians Association.

First reading

Policy series 3000 - Business Affairs

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 2023-24 school year, the Policy 3000 Series was reviewed by staff to bring the policies in line with current practice, address changes in administrative structure, and add clarity.  The Planning and Finance Committees reviewed staff recommendations.

You can view the proposed changes here. The Board will hold a second reading and vote on the changes at the next meeting.

Arnold and Huntington elementary schools early childhood projects

Sealed bids were received on Dec. 7, 2023, from interested vendors, to provide early childhood additions at Arnold and Huntington elementary schools.

It was recommended the Board approved the lowest responsible bid meeting the specifications from BIC Construction LLC for $3,278,500. This will be from the 2020 Bond Fund and other appropriate building funds.

Construction would begin this spring and is scheduled for completion by January 2025.

The Board waived second reading and voted to approve the project to meet construction timelines.

Fredstrom, Kooser and Roper elementary schools early childhood projects

Sealed bids were received on Dec. 14, 2023, from interested vendors, to provide early childhood additions at Fredstrom, Kooser and Roper elementary schools.

It was recommended the Board approved the lowest responsible bid meeting the specifications from Hausmann Construction Inc for $3,949,000. This will be from the 2020 Bond Fund and other appropriate building funds.

Construction would begin this spring and is scheduled for completion by January 2025.

The Board waived second reading and voted to approve the project to meet construction timelines.

CLASS annual chromebook purchase (grades 6 and 9)

The CLASS technology plan provides budget resources in the 2023-24 fiscal year to continue the practice of assigning a Chromebook to each 2024-25 sixth and ninth grade student that they will use throughout their middle and high school years, respectively.

Making a purchase at this time is necessary to ensure delivery with enough time to prepare the Chromebooks prior to the start of the 2024-25 school year.

It is recommended that the Board award the bid for $2,158,367 to Connections to purchase 3,162 Acer model C736 standard Chromebooks and 2,312 Acer model R756T touch Chromebooks.

The Board will hold a second reading and vote on the bid at the next meeting.

EPA Clean School Bus Rebate Program proposal

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021 authorizes EPA to offer rebates to replace existing school buses with clean and zero-emission models and includes prioritization for certain applicants. The maximum rebate amount per bus is dependent on the replacement bus fuel type and the replacement bus size. School districts applying directly for funds may only submit one application to replace up to 25 buses.

The 2023 Clean School Bus (CSB) Rebate Program includes review and selection by EPA, at which time selectees will then submit purchase orders to request payment, then receive payment, which is followed by new bus delivery, existing bus replacement, and project close out.

Staff proposes replacing three existing diesel school buses, each with model year of 2000 or earlier, with electric models as a pilot program. This small number will help LPS to determine any barriers to utilization of electric vehicles before purchasing on a larger scale. 

If approved, LPS will request up to $265,000 per replacement bus (the maximum allowed for the size and fuel type to be used by LPS) to enhance its existing fleet.

The Board will hold a second reading and vote on application at the next meeting.

State 21st Century Community Learning Center Continuation Application

The 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CLCs) federally-funded grant program provides grants to eligible schools for the purpose of creating or expanding Community Learning Centers. The primary purpose of 21st Century funds is to provide students with academic 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. The CLC’ programs and activities are designed to build on the capacity of community partners and neighborhood schools. Each site is to have an academic focus to assist participating students in meeting state and local academic achievement standards.  Families of students served may also receive services in areas that support family literacy, health, other family support services, and childcare.

These 21st Century CLC grant applications are a continuation of grant funding for the Randolph, Lincoln High, Northeast, Holmes, Pershing, Lefler, Clinton, Elliott, Hartley, Huntington, Riley, Saratoga, West Lincoln and Goodrich CLC schools. The identified schools have specific needs which are in line with the goals of the 21st Century grant process and have successfully achieved stated outcomes in the continuation grant award. 

The Board will hold a second reading and vote at the next regular meeting the submission of three federally-funded grant applications to the Nebraska Department of Education. The total amount of the three grants over a five-year period is projected to be $1,740,000. The 100% match requirement is met by the grant community partners. No financial match is needed from Lincoln Public Schools.
Second reading

Gift from Chesterman Co. Coca-Cola and beverage agreement

The Board will consider entering into an agreement with Chesterman Co. Coca-Cola to receive a donation of $1 million towards the Fielding Dreams Capital Campaign project led by the Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools. 

Part of the agreement says that Chesterman Co. Coca-Cola will donate $200,000 per year over the next five years. The agreement further stipulates that beginning with the 2024-25 school year, Chesterman Co. Coca-Cola will be the single source provider of all drink products in all vending machines and concession stands within all LPS facilities for a period of fifteen years. This does not include school lunch programs or cafeterias where it is federally required for drink products to be put out for bid.

The Board voted to approve the agreement.

Policy update - 5360 Directory Information

The Board regularly reviews policies to ensure they are in line with best practices. The Student Learning and Technology Committee recommends Policy 5360 on Student Directory Information be updated to ensure the policy does not unintentionally result in the loss of student instructional time.

You can view the changes here. The Board voted to approve the policy changes.

USDA Farm to School Grant Program application

The Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program was created to improve access to local foods in the USDA National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program and Summer Food Service Program. The program will give priority to projects that improve access to local foods in the cafeterias of high poverty schools, incorporate experiential nutrition education activities that encourage student participation and demonstrate the potential for long-term sustainability. 

Staff would like to submit a grant application for up to $100,000 to support the development and enhancement of school gardens at Culler, Dawes and Mickle middle schools and Northeast High School. Partnerships with each school’s Community Learning Center (CLC) before and after school program, as well as Community Crops and Lincoln Kiwanis Club will allow the project to include agricultural education for students and families.

The Board voted to approve the grant application.

Informational items and reports

Superintendent Update

LPS Superintendent Paul Gausman provided an update during the meeting. 

Gausman started his report by recognizing the hard work of the LPS maintenance and custodial crews over the last 48 hours to clear snow and ice from school grounds. 

“Only some get a snow day at LPS. Our maintenance and custodial teams ensure that our lots and sidewalks are cleared so students and staff can get to school safely,” said Gausman. “Thank you to those who show up and care for our facilities because they are really showing up and caring for our students when they are doing so.”

Gausman also reminded eighth grade families about upcoming information nights at high schools. It is an important part of the high school choice process as students need to submit their school choice forms by January 31.  More information can be found on the LPS website. 

Public comment

There was one individual that addressed the Board during public comment. You can watch the public comment as part of 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 Culler Middle Schools students performing their musical “Bobbie the Kid and the Tiger Gang”. The musical was written by Culler teacher Teresa Ghormley. 

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