June 24, 2025 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale: 

Notice of the time and place of the Lincoln Board of Education meeting was e-mailed to an extensive list of local and regional news media.  A mailing list is maintained at the Lincoln Public Schools District Office.  A public notice was published in the LINCOLN JOURNAL STAR.





The Lincoln Board of Education is empowered to act on any item listed on the Agenda at any time during the meeting, irrespective of the time or order listed. Pages listed, or further detail, are available upon request. The Open Meetings Act requires and the intention of the Board is that agenda items be sufficiently descriptive to give the public reasonable notice of the matters to be considered at the meeting. The Lincoln Board of Education releases its agenda well in advance of most meetings and desires that all interested persons are fully informed. Any interested person who has a question or needs clarification about the sufficiency of a descriptive item should contact the Office of the Superintendent of Schools. The Lincoln Board of Education shall also make available for examination and copying as requested by members of the public, at least one copy of all reproducible written materials to be discussed at the meeting.

Rationale:  The attached minutes are intended to accurately reflect the action of the Board at its previous meetings.

Explanation
The minutes have been prepared for Board approval.

Rationale:  Lincoln Southwest High School social studies teacher Leslie Mann was recently given the Gildersleeve, Stoddard, Stone Award by the Geographic Educators of Nebraska (GEON). The award established to honor the founding members of GEON recognizes those individuals that continue to advance the growth of geography in the state.

Explanation:
Leslie Mann began teaching at Lincoln Public Schools in 2009, and currently teaches social studies at Southwest High School. Leslie helped to pilot the first AP Human Geography and Civics course at Southwest three years ago. 

Leslie was recently given the Gildersleeve, Stoddard, Stone Award by the Geographic Educators of Nebraska. The award established to honor the founding members of GEON recognizes those individuals that continue to advance the growth of geography in the state.

Her colleague Justin Schreiber said:
"In the classroom, Leslie is a fantastic relationship builder, working with both the highest achievers and students who may be struggling to adjust to AP Human Geography as freshmen, in ways that individually help each student get the most out of her class."
 

Rationale: 

The Board believes public attendance and participation, when appropriate to the business at hand, is beneficial to the work of the Board and models the importance of civic engagement and civil discourse to the community’s children, but it cannot impede the Board from completing the business of the meeting. 

In keeping with Board Policy 8420 and Neb Statute 84-1412(3), the Lincoln Board of Education has established these reasonable regulations to conduct Public Comment::

1. Persons speaking during Public Comment will be called forward individually by the Board Chair to the location identified for such purpose.

2. A time limit of three minutes will be allotted for any speaker unless prior to the beginning of the Public Comment agenda item, the chair sets a different reasonable time frame to be allotted for speakers in order to accommodate the number of persons who have submitted "Record of Appearance" cards. The time limit is per speaker, per meeting and may not be transferred or assigned to other speakers.

3. The chair may endeavor to organize public comment by what agenda items or other issues have been identified as topics by public speakers, adjust for the age of speakers, and/or split the Public Comment agenda item to be conducted in different positions within the Board’s Order of Business. At the discretion of the chair, the speaker may be allotted additional time. Board members may share, address or consider comments from the public during public comment, at the end of public comment or when related business is on the agenda.

4. In order to be called forward to address the Board during Public Comment, each person wishing to speak must obtain a "Record of Appearance" card from staff at the meeting in which they wish to speak. "Record of Appearance" cards are available beginning 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the meeting. Those wishing to speak must accurately complete the required sections of the card, and submit it to the appropriate staff member by 15 minutes after the start of the meeting.

5. Individuals will be called forward to speak by name, organization being represented, if applicable, and address. Each individual speaking to the Board will be required to identify himself or herself prior to giving public comment by stating their first and last name and, if applicable, any organization they represent.

6. In cases where more than one person wishes to speak on the same topic, their presentations to the Board may, at the discretion of the chair, be grouped together by topic.

7. If the number of people wishing to speak under the public comment portions of the agenda is large, the chair may rule that a public hearing be scheduled.

8. Persons speaking to the Board during public comment may make printed materials (paper no larger than 8.5 x 11 inches) available to the Board but may not use any other form of media. Public speakers are asked to provide 10 copies of any copies of printed materials presented to the Board.

Persons attending Board meetings and/or speaking to the Board during Public Comment or during a public hearing must follow all requirements established by the Board, as well as all Board, chair and staff directions in order to help maintain the order, proper decorum, safety and security, and the non-disruptive functioning of the Board meeting. These include, but are not limited to the following:

• Abiding by time limits
• Refraining from applauding, cheering, jeering, or engaging in speech that defames any individual(s), or stymies or blocks meeting progress;
• Refraining from the use of audio recordings, video recordings, or any digital still images, posters, signs, costumes, other props and/or photographs
• Refraining from abusive, disruptive or threatening language or gestures, and
• Staying in the areas identified by the Board as reserved for the public.

If at any time persons appearing before the Board do not comply with these or any other Board requirements, it shall be the responsibility of the chair to declare that person or persons out of order and require a change in behavior, delay or recess the meeting, or refuse permission to continue to address the Board, and ultimately may require the person or persons to leave the premises of the Board meeting.

Rationale: 

The Human Resources Division also includes the Office of Risk Management.  As such, in addition to the Lincoln Board of Education approving all contractual agreements with employees, all employee benefit issues, all personnel actions, and all other matters within the scope of the Human Resources Division, as part of the Human Resources Matters agenda, the Lincoln Board of Education also must approve the settlement of Workers’ Compensation claims, take action on tort claims filed against the district, and take action on all other matters within the scope of the Office of Risk Management.

Explanation:
This report includes routine human resources changes:

a. Administrator Employees
         Elections - 1

b. Certificated Employees:
         Elections - 17
         Leave of Absence - 15
         Change of Status - 6
         Separations - 74

c. Certificated Substitute Employees:
          Separations - 141

d.  Classified Employees:
          Elections  - 40
          Change of Status - 2 
          Separations - 41

e. Employment of Family Members - 1

f. Employee Association Recognition as the Official Bargaining Agent for 2027/2028: Lincoln Education Association

Proposal:
That the Board approve the Human Resources items presented in the attachment(s).*

*The information in the attachment(s) may be protected by privacy legislation until the Board of Education takes action on the staff recommendations.  Therefore, this attachment(s) is not included in agenda materials provided the public and the news media.  Any information in the attachment(s) that is not protected by privacy legislation, however, is available for public inspection from the Associate Superintendent for Human Resources upon request.

That the Board is approving the Human Resources items attached with the information as presented or as on file with official district records and documents relating to each such item, or in such other form as may be approved by the Associate Superintendent for Human Resources, or the Associate Superintendent’s designee, and that the Board hereby authorizes the Associate Superintendent for Human Resources, or the Associate Superintendent’s designee, to transact and complete each such item approved hereby, and to sign, execute, and deliver necessary documents or contracts, and to take or cause to be taken any and all other action as may be necessary to complete each such item of transaction as contemplated, for and on behalf of this school district.

Rationale: 

Rationale:  *The Lincoln Board of Education is empowered to act on any item listed on the Agenda at any time during the meeting, irrespective of the time or order listed. Pages listed, or further detail, are available upon request. The Open Meetings Act requires and the intention of the Board is that agenda items be sufficiently descriptive to give the public reasonable notice of the matters to be considered at the meeting. The Lincoln Board of Education  Board releases its agenda well in advance of most meetings and desires that all interested persons are fully informed. Any interested person who has a question or needs clarification about the sufficiency of a descriptive item should contact the Office of the Superintendent of Schools.

Rationale: 

1. Elementary and Middle School students residing more than four (4) miles from the school in the attendance area within which they reside.
2. Special Education students whose individual education plan (IEP) require transportation as essential to learning.
3. Students who have been moved for the benefit of the district to relieve overcrowding, due to major facility renovations, efficiency in use of buildings and/or staff.

Rationale: 

Rationale: 

Rationale: 

Rationale:  The Sixpence Early Learning Fund provides funding for high-quality early childhood education programs. These programs, in partnership with local school districts, aim to support the development of young children, ages birth to three, particularly those at risk. Sixpence grants are designed to promote community-level partnerships and ensure that young children receive the best possible start to life. 

Explanation:
Student Child Learning Centers - Center Based Programming
The Student Child Learning Centers (SCLC) located at Bryan Focus Program, Lincoln High School, and Lincoln Northeast High School provide high-quality, early childhood services for student-parents who are enrolled in an LPS school and are working to earn a high school diploma. The grant focuses on the primary activities: 

• Support for student-parents to gain important parenting skills, 
• Structured socialization activities that connect LPS student parents with other student-parents, allowing time with their child(ren) in guided activities. 
• Funding of the salaries and benefits of the LPS SCLC staff (certified early childhood teachers and paraeducators) who work in the SCLC and provide direct care to the infants and toddlers of student parents. 
• Purchase needed supplies, materials and professional learning opportunities for the LPS SCLC staff to carry out the program and grant goals in providing high-quality early childhood services and supports. 

Home Visitors - Home Based Programming
Family engagement/home visiting programs match families with experienced professionals, known as home visitation specialists, who are trained to help parents prepare for and guide the early development of their children. The grant focuses on the primary activities:

• Home visitation specialists conduct at least three home visits with each family each month.
• Modeling of techniques for nurturing relationships with infants and toddlers.
• Assisting families to become more effective at monitoring their child's health and other developmental needs.
• Fund the salaries and benefits of two home visitation specialists who work directly with families.
• Provide the needed supplies, materials and professional learning opportunities for the home visitation specialists to carry out the program and grant goals. 

Proposal:
That the Board discuss the submission by Lincoln Public Schools of the Sixpence Grant Applications to the Nebraska Department of Education for up to $649,096. This grant requires a 100% match. The proposal is due July 23, 2025.
 

Rationale:  Explanation:
Planning Region Teams provide the community level mechanism for planning and assisting with the implementation of the Early Intervention Act. The purpose of the Act is to support healthy families who can make their own decisions to have access to services and resources as early as possible.   Specifically, grant funds are used to address the responsibilities of the local PRT which includes: 

• Discussing issues of regional concern;
• Making recommendations and providing feedback to local agencies;
• Working to identify gaps and develop resources and services needed;
• Identifying training and technical assistance needs;
• Conducting meetings at least quarterly; 
• Development, Implementation, and Evaluation of the Targeted Improvement Plan; and
• Working on ChildFind and public awareness to identify young children who need services.

Proposal:
That the Board discuss the submission by Lincoln Public Schools of the Planning Region Team Grant to the Nebraska Department of Education for up to $65,750. This grant does not require any match. The proposal is due August 1, 2025. 
 

Rationale: 

Rationale: 

Rationale:  Several policy series were reviewed to address recent changes in legislation or federal law. All proposed changes have been recommended and reviewed by legal.

Explanation:
Recommended changes generally fall into three categories: 1. New policies or regulations required by state legislation, 2. Revisions to align policy with changes to state legislation or federal law, or 3. Removal of policies or regulations due to the consolidation of policy language to avoid redundancies. 

New Policies or Regulations:

Regulation 5400.3 (Behavior Intervention and Classroom Management)
Policy 5483 (Dress and Appearance)
Policy 6445 (Electronic Communication Devices and Cell Phones)

Revised Policies or Regulations:

Policy 5110 (Admissions)
Policy 5111 (Full-time and Part-time Enrollment)
Policy 5201 (Promotion and Retention)
Policy 5360 (Directory Information)
Policy 5400 (School-wide Multi-tiered System of Support for Behavior)
Regulation 5400.1 (Principal’s Responsibility for Student Conduct)
Regulation 5400.2 (Employees’ Responsibility for Student Behavior)

Policy Deletion

5420.10 (Tribal Regalia)

Proposal:
That the Board discuss and take action on recommended revisions to policies and regulations required by state legislation or federal law.
 

Rationale: 

Rationale: 

Rationale: 

• Management, maintenance, and toner of high-speed printers and software.
• Accountability by way of detailed reporting of print/copy activities throughout the district.
• Cost management by provisioning for printing/copying at each building as well as the electronic submission and routing of documents to higher volume devices offering lower cost.
• The infrastructure necessary to transition document processes to a digital environment.
• Reduction in school workload by allowing them to offload document production to the Print Center.
• A sustainable replacement cycle for all devices.

Rationale: 

Rationale:  June 25:
Virtual Public Budget Forum, 12:00 pm, Virtual
Public Budget Forum, 6:00 pm, SJDLC
Virtual Public Budget Forum, 6:00 pm, Virtual
July 4: HOLIDAY, LPS Buildings Closed
July 21: LPS Leadership Day, 8:00 am, LSW
July 22:
Budget Work Session, 4:30 pm, SJDLC
Board Meeting, 6:00 pm, SJDLC

Rationale: 

The Board believes public attendance and participation, when appropriate to the business at hand, is beneficial to the work of the Board and models the importance of civic engagement and civil discourse to the community’s children, but it cannot impede the Board from completing the business of the meeting. 

In keeping with Board Policy 8420 and Neb Statute 84-1412(3), the Lincoln Board of Education has established these reasonable regulations to conduct Public Comment::

1. Persons speaking during Public Comment will be called forward individually by the Board Chair to the location identified for such purpose.

2. A time limit of three minutes will be allotted for any speaker unless prior to the beginning of the Public Comment agenda item, the chair sets a different reasonable time frame to be allotted for speakers in order to accommodate the number of persons who have submitted "Record of Appearance" cards. The time limit is per speaker, per meeting and may not be transferred or assigned to other speakers.

3. The chair may endeavor to organize public comment by what agenda items or other issues have been identified as topics by public speakers, adjust for the age of speakers, and/or split the Public Comment agenda item to be conducted in different positions within the Board’s Order of Business. At the discretion of the chair, the speaker may be allotted additional time. Board members may share, address or consider comments from the public during public comment, at the end of public comment or when related business is on the agenda.

4. In order to be called forward to address the Board during Public Comment, each person wishing to speak must obtain a "Record of Appearance" card from staff at the meeting in which they wish to speak. "Record of Appearance" cards are available beginning 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the meeting. Those wishing to speak must accurately complete the required sections of the card, and submit it to the appropriate staff member by 15 minutes after the start of the meeting.

5. Individuals will be called forward to speak by name, organization being represented, if applicable, and address. Each individual speaking to the Board will be required to identify himself or herself prior to giving public comment by stating their first and last name and, if applicable, any organization they represent.

6. In cases where more than one person wishes to speak on the same topic, their presentations to the Board may, at the discretion of the chair, be grouped together by topic.

7. If the number of people wishing to speak under the public comment portions of the agenda is large, the chair may rule that a public hearing be scheduled.

8. Persons speaking to the Board during public comment may make printed materials (paper no larger than 8.5 x 11 inches) available to the Board but may not use any other form of media. Public speakers are asked to provide 10 copies of any copies of printed materials presented to the Board.

Persons attending Board meetings and/or speaking to the Board during Public Comment or during a public hearing must follow all requirements established by the Board, as well as all Board, chair and staff directions in order to help maintain the order, proper decorum, safety and security, and the non-disruptive functioning of the Board meeting. These include, but are not limited to the following:

• Abiding by time limits
• Refraining from applauding, cheering, jeering, or engaging in speech that defames any individual(s), or stymies or blocks meeting progress;
• Refraining from the use of audio recordings, video recordings, or any digital still images, posters, signs, costumes, other props and/or photographs
• Refraining from abusive, disruptive or threatening language or gestures, and
• Staying in the areas identified by the Board as reserved for the public.

If at any time persons appearing before the Board do not comply with these or any other Board requirements, it shall be the responsibility of the chair to declare that person or persons out of order and require a change in behavior, delay or recess the meeting, or refuse permission to continue to address the Board, and ultimately may require the person or persons to leave the premises of the Board meeting.

Rationale: 

Explanation
At this point, it is appropriate for the Board to meet in closed session for one of the stated matters and/or any other permissible closed session matters in compliance with the law.

Rationale:  The Lincoln Board of Education is authorized by state statute to hold closed sessions.  Closed sessions may be held when clearly necessary for the protection of the public interest or for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual.  Reasons that meet this standard include but are not limited to:  (a) strategy sessions with respect to collective bargaining, real estate matters, pending litigation, or litigation which is imminent as evidenced by communication of a claim or threat of litigation to or by the public body; (b) discussion regarding deployment of security personnel or devices; (c) investigative proceedings regarding allegations of criminal misconduct; (d) evaluation of the job performance of a person when necessary to prevent needless injury to the reputation of a person and if such person has not requested a public meeting; and (e) legal advice.