Highlights of the January 27 Lincoln Board of Education regular meeting

January 27, 2026

The Lincoln Board of Education held its regular meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 27, at 6:00 p.m. at the Lincoln Public Schools Steve Joel District Leadership Center, 5905 O Street. 

Special reports, presentations and celebrations of success

Sarah Klankey - Moore Middle School

Moore Middle School teacher, Sarah Klankey, was honored as the 2025 French Teacher of the Year by the Nebraska Languages Association (NEBLA) and the Nebraska Association of Teachers of French. The Nebraska Languages Association is a professional organization dedicated to the support and promotion of the teaching of languages in the state of Nebraska. The organization annually recognizes outstanding Nebraska educators and supporters of world language education at its fall conference.

LPS teachers Stephanie Miller and Sara Parkening nominated Klankey for the Nebraska Association of Teachers of French honor, saying they have been impressed with her leadership and enthusiasm:
"Sarah has innovative ideas and takes the little things into consideration when working on curriculum planning. She is passionate about teaching French and enjoys imparting her knowledge to her students at Moore Middle School."

You can watch a highlight of Klankey’s celebration here.

Brenda Lopez Adame - Lincoln High School

Lincoln High School Spanish teacher, Brenda Lopez Adame, was honored as the 2025 Outstanding Language Teacher of the Year by the Nebraska Languages Association (NEBLA). The Nebraska Languages Association is a professional organization dedicated to the support and promotion of the teaching of languages in the state of Nebraska. The organization annually recognizes outstanding Nebraska educators and supporters of world language education at its fall conference.

Lopez Adame had several nominations from colleagues and students who praised her passion and dedication, noting a deep connection with students and their families that was above and beyond expectations from a classroom teacher. 

NEBLA President Terri Wright said:
"Brenda’s creative projects, enthusiastic approach in the classroom and her collaboration with other teachers make her a role model for world language teacher colleagues and her students. Her work with heritage language learners - which included her work with them in the classroom and her creation of a heritage Spanish speakers club - was highlighted and praised repeatedly."

You can watch a highlight of Lopez Adame’s celebration here.

Mohammed Alnajem - Northeast and North Star high schools

Mohammed Alnajem teaches Arabic classes at Northeast and North Star high schools, and was honored as the 2025 New Language Teacher of the Year by the Nebraska Languages Association (NEBLA). The Nebraska Languages Association is a professional organization dedicated to the support and promotion of the teaching of languages in the state of Nebraska. The organization annually recognizes outstanding Nebraska educators and supporters of world language education at its fall conference.

Alnajem helped create the Arabic for Arabic-speakers class at Lincoln Public Schools, authoring the textbook that they use each day for their lessons. 

NEBLA President Terri Wright said:
"Mohammed’s work in teaching Arabic extends well beyond the classroom. He has worked tirelessly to create all levels of curriculum for Arabic, and has adjusted the curriculum to reach students more at their level. Mohammed maintains great relationships with his students, is very giving of his time and is always willing to listen to students."

You can watch a highlight of Alnajem’s celebration here.

First reading

Student Support Facility

Staff recommended the Board approve the lowest responsible bid that met the specifications for the new Student Support Facility located at Yankee Hill.

The 47,000-square-foot facility will be built south of the current Yankee Hill Education Center at West Burnham Street. It will house the existing Yankee Hill program that addresses high school behavioral skills, and add the student support and transition programs. 

The current Yankee Hill facility will be repurposed into a space for the district’s Individual Success Program (ISP). ISP is a comprehensive special education program for students who have developmental disabilities.

The Board will hold a second reading and vote on the bid from Scheele-Kayton Construction, LLC from Lincoln for $19,569,000 at the next meeting.

Recycling Equipment Grant from the Nebraska Recycling Council

The Nebraska Recycling Council is accepting applications for grants for recycling equipment. If awarded, the Lincoln Public Schools Sustainability Department would use grant funds to purchase the equipment required to maintain and enhance sustainable waste management practices across the district. This includes expanding compost collection to include paper towel waste in school restrooms and standardizing waste bins in classrooms and common areas through container resets.
A minimum of 20% cash match is required for this grant. LPS plans to utilize $3,150 from a recently awarded Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy grant to fulfill this requirement. A grant of approximately $16,000 will be requested.

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

Second reading

Education Quest College Access Grant - Lincoln North Star

EducationQuest Foundation awards College Access Grants through a competitive application process every other year. All Nebraska public and private high schools are eligible to apply if approved or accredited to issue a high school diploma. High schools are funded for four years and may use grant funds to develop and support college access activities. Previous College Access Grant recipients may reapply two years from the last year of funding.

This is a grant that all LPS high schools apply for and this grant application is for North Star High School. 

The Board held a second reading and voted to approve the grant application.

Informational items and reports

Board update

Board member Annie Mumgaard described her experience and thoughts after attending the 31st Annual Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Rally on Monday, Jan. 19. She recognized the work of the students in preparing and speaking at the annual event. She thanked the staff and the community members for their continued support of the students.

Mumgaard wrapped her comments by saying as a Board member, she would “continue working to be sure our district continues to be a place where all children feel safe and can learn, have adults surrounding them who care for and challenge them, and that we continue to do this work to build better todays and tomorrows.”

Superintendent update

Superintendent John Skretta also commended the students and staff for their work on the MLK Youth Rally. 

During the update, Skretta also took a moment to thank and recognize the Board during School Board Recognition week. He said that as the LPS superintendent, he gets to see things others don’t.

“Our LPS Board members maintain strong engagement with our constituents, and I see evidence of this through Board member outreach and access. We take pride as a district in seeing our Board members engaged directly with business, nonprofit, philanthropic and other local state and federal elected officials all to support the Lincoln Public Schools.”

The crowd responded with a standing ovation to thank the Board for their service.

Public comment

There was one individual that addressed the Board during the public comment period. You can watch the public comment as part of the full board meeting video.

Glimpses of LPS

We open every Board meeting with a video that highlights LPS. Tuesday’s Glimpses featured students at the Bryan College of Health Science Focus Program at Northwest High School as they earn their CPR certification. 

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