March 24, 2026 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 Public Schools Director of Athletics and Activities J.J. Toczek was recently honored by two state organizations for his service and commitment to the growth of student-participants. He received the Nebraska State Activities Association Distinguished Service Award and the Nebraska State Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association Meritorious Service to Education-Based Athletics in Nebraska Award.

Explanation:

Lincoln Public Schools Director of Athletics and Activities J.J. Toczek was recently honored by two state organizations for his service and commitment to the growth of student-participants. He received the Nebraska State Activities Association Distinguished Service Award and the Nebraska State Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association Meritorious Service to Education-Based Athletics in Nebraska Award.

Toczek has made a significant impact on Lincoln and Nebraska high school activities and athletics through his leadership, coaching success, and dedicated service.  

Beginning his career in education in 1996. Toczek has served as a teacher, coach, high school athletic director, and now as the Director of Athletics and Activities. 

Throughout his career, Toczek has embodied the core mission of the LPS Athletics and Activities Program — offering students education-based opportunities to extend the learning experiences outside the classroom. These experiences aid in the overall growth of student-participants by promoting academic achievement, skill development, life skills, citizenship and competitive success.

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: 

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 - 10
          Change of Status - 2
          Separtations - 2

b. Certificated Employees:
         Elections - 77
         Leave of Absence - 15
         Re-Elect, Same Assign - 5
         Change of Status - 4
         Separation - 3

c. Certificated Substitute Employees:
         Elections -  54
         Separations - 9

d.  Classified Employees:
          Elections  - 67
          Change of Status - 2
         Separations - 48

e. Employment of Family Memebers - 2


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:  At each meeting, the Board of Education is asked to approve certain items of routine business of the school district.


Explanation
The items included in routine business for this meeting are:
a. REGULAR CLAIMS - Claims for the period ending March 24, 2026, were previously provided.
               Federal Tax ACH Deposit of $7,038,077.31.

                   State Tax ACH Deposit of $934,781.68.

                   Procurement Card ACH Transfer of $358,694.31.

                   Child Support ACH Transfer of $13,130.00.

                   Blue Cross/Blue Shield ACH Transfer of $7,660,532.89.
                  
                   Vision Insurance ACH Transfer of $77,553.35.

                   Term Life/Disability ACH Transfer of $181,218.73.

                   Retirement ACH Transfer of $5,150,630.31.

                   Vendor ACH Transfer of $14,074.13.

b. PAYROLL FOR RATIFICATION - Payroll for the periods ending March 13, 2026, in the amount of $22,576,156.26.

c. GIFTS - Approval for the gifts listed on the attached gift report.

d. BIDS/CONTRACTS/OTHER ROUTINE BUSINESS - 

1. Bids/contracts/other routine business will be presented for approval for Tennis Court Resurfacing, Carpet Replacement, Playground Tiles, Playground Equipment, Math Pilot, Large Equipment, Freezer, Tuckpointing, Steel Buildings, Waste Containers, Curriculum, SLP Services, Renewal, Turf Design, Professional Learning, Music Trip, Roof Repairs; items listed for auction; and any other bids/contracts/routine business as presented.

Proposal
That the Lincoln Board of Education approve the following items of routine business:*
 

2. Payroll for the period ending March 13, 2026.
    
3. Gifts for Arnold, Clinton, Eastridge, Elliott, Irving, North Star, Prescott, Sheridan, Southeast, and the district.
    
4. Bids/contracts/other routine business for Tennis Court Resurfacing, Carpet Replacement, Playground Tiles, Playground Equipment, Math Pilot, Large Equipment, Freezer, Tuckpointing, Steel Buildings, Waste Containers, Curriculum, SLP Services, Renewal, Turf Design, Professional Learning, Music Trip, Roof Repairs; items listed for auction; and any other bids/contracts/routine business as presented.

Rationale:  On October 14, 2025, the Board adopted a resolution to accept option enrollment students for the 2026-27 school year.  Applications for enrollment during the 2026-27 school year have been received and are in compliance with the Board resolution of October 14, 2025.

Explanation:
The applications included in this agenda item have been examined by staff and meet one of the criteria set forth by the Board in the resolution of October 14, 2025.  Staff recommends approval of the applications.

Proposal:
That the Board adopts the following resolution:

WHEREAS, the students who have been assigned student numbers 473320, 473331, 473361, 473377, 473525 and 465139 (for purposes of confidentiality, assigned numbers are being used) meets one or more of the criteria of the Board resolution of October 14, 2025, with regard to such option students;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the aforementioned students be accepted as option students on the condition and with the express understanding that all programs, all classes, and all buildings of assignment, except as otherwise required by law, shall at all times and from time to time during attendance at Lincoln Public Schools be determined solely by Lincoln Public Schools.

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: 

Rationale:  Sealed Bids were requested from interested vendors to provide a roof replacement at Pershing Elementary School.

Explanation:
It is recommended that award be made to the lowest responsible vendor meeting specifications:

Weathercraft Co. of Lincoln (Lincoln, Nebraska)                       $1,409,554.00

There were two other bidders:
Neeman & Sons Inc., (Lincoln, Nebraska)                                $1,498,765.00
Sampson Construction Co. Inc. (Lincoln, Nebraska)                $1,891,000.00

A complete tabulation is available in the Purchasing Department.

This will be a total expenditure of $1,409,554.00 from the Depreciation Fund.

Proposal:
The Board, by approving this agreement with Weathercraft Co. of Lincoln, is approving the award, the contract documents for this project, and all associated documents related thereto according to the terms and conditions as on file with district records or such other or additional terms and provisions as negotiated and approved by the Associate Superintendent for Business Affairs or a designee, and the Board is hereby delegating to and authorizing the Associate Superintendent for Business Affairs or a designee to sign, execute, and deliver the contract documents and all such related documents, make all contract payments, and to take or cause to be taken any and all other action and sign any other documents as may be necessary to complete the transaction, and to administer, operate, and/or implement the contract and all associated documents related thereto on a day-to-day basis during this project as contemplated thereby, for and on behalf of this school district, and hereby designates the person as selected by the Associate Superintendent for Business Affairs or a designee from time to time as its program administrator under this agreement.
 

Rationale:  Sealed Bids were requested from interested vendors to provide a roof replacement at Scott Middle School.

Explanation:
It is recommended that award be made to the lowest responsible vendor meeting specifications:

Hampton Commercial Construction (Lincoln, Nebraska)   $1,312,000.00

There were eight other bidders:
Murray Roofing (Lincoln, Nebraska)                                         $1,329,979.00
BluCor Construction Group LLC (Lincoln, Nebraska)               $1,360,000.00
Alcove Contracting Services (Omaha, Nebraska)                     $1,470,000.00
BIC Construction LLC (Lincoln, Nebraska)                               $1,589,000.00
White Castle Roofing (Roca, Nebraska)                                   $1,606,605.00
Scheele-Kayton Construction (Lincoln, Nebraska)                   $1,699,000.00
Sampson Construction (Lincoln, Nebraska)                              $1,786,000.00
Weathercraft Co. of Lincoln (Lincoln, Nebraska)                      $1,838,339.00

Alternate A-1 for replacement of sealant at brick expansion joints and cast stone control joints will be accepted. This is an additional cost of $3,000.00

A complete tabulation is available in the Purchasing Department.

This will be a total expenditure of $1,315,000.00 from the Depreciation Fund.

Proposal:
The Board, by approving this agreement with Hampton Commercial Construction, is approving the award, the contract documents for this project, and all associated documents related thereto according to the terms and conditions as on file with district records or such other or additional terms and provisions as negotiated and approved by the Associate Superintendent for Business Affairs or a designee, and the Board is hereby delegating to and authorizing the Associate Superintendent for Business Affairs or a designee to sign, execute, and deliver the contract documents and all such related documents, make all contract payments, and to take or cause to be taken any and all other action and sign any other documents as may be necessary to complete the transaction, and to administer, operate, and/or implement the contract and all associated documents related thereto on a day-to-day basis during this project as contemplated thereby, for and on behalf of this school district, and hereby designates the person as selected by the Associate Superintendent for Business Affairs or a designee from time to time as its program administrator under this agreement.
 

Rationale:  The NDE Office of Special Education remains committed to supporting districts in improving results for children with disabilities. To meet this purpose, project funding was available annually beginning with the 2018-2019 school year to support implementation and evaluation of Targeted Improvement Plans (TIPs). The PEaK Project funding is supplemental to, and shall not supplant or duplicate, any other funding source(s). Districts who participate in a consortium supported by an ESU must maintain involvement in that consortium for the duration of the project. Upon review, NDE may choose to reallocate funding if it is determined that the grantee is not meeting the assurances and expectations defined within the project. Project funds may not be used to fund (1) compliance monitoring requirements; (2) professional development activities that are not found to be in alignment with PEaK objectives; (3) curricular, intervention, assessment/progress monitoring materials for student use and/or (4) technology for students. These projects are funded with IDEA discretionary dollars for the specific purpose identified. The multi-year project supports will be contingent upon availability of funds.

As part of Nebraska’s Results Driven Accountability (RDA) System, all school districts must participate in an ongoing review of their special education program utilizing the Improving Learning for Children with Disabilities (ILCD) process. Districts utilize the guidance documents and resources available at http://www.education.ne.gov/sped/ilcd.html. The process includes an analysis of district data to study Impact Area data, district infrastructure, and other pertinent district data to identify target areas for improvement. This is followed by identifying measurable results (goals) and coherent improvement strategies that will be the focus for improvement. Next, the district reviews the current infrastructure and capacity to implement, scale-up and sustain evidence-based practice. Finally, based upon strengths and challenges, a comprehensive, multi-year TIP detailing coherent improvement strategies focused on improving results for children with disabilities is created. The PEaK Projects for 2025-2026 support Implementation and Evaluation of the Targeted Improvement Plan.

PEaK Project activities are intended to assist districts in implementing and evaluating the TIP. Projects should encourage agencies to leverage resources and align efforts to serve students with disabilities through continuous school improvement. Projects should increase the capacity of districts to deeply implement evidence-based practices designed to improve outcomes of students with disabilities. Project activities must address unique district strengths and needs. Applicants will identify the structures and supports necessary to implement and measure progress toward achieving the District TIP.

Explanation:
If approved, Lincoln Public Schools Special Education Department would apply for the Promoting Engagement and Knowledge (PEaK Project) through the Nebraska Department of Education.  The grant will support the implementation of interventions and provide professional learning opportunities for teachers.  The target group will be at-risk 2nd, 3rd, and 4th-grade students performing below grade level.  The target teachers will be teachers supporting 2nd, 3rd, and 4th-grade students across the district.  The professional learning will include sessions related to the science of reading, research-based reading interventions, and math instruction that meets the needs of struggling learners.    

Proposal:
That the Board discuss the submission of the PEaK Project to the Nebraska Department of Education for approximately $291,578. No district-funding match is required.

This grant application is due May 1^st, 2026.
 

Rationale: 

Rationale: 

Rationale:  The monthly financial report for the month ending February 28, 2026, is attached.
  Information item; no Board action required.
 

Rationale:  April 1: Chamber Coffee, 8:00 am, Chamber Office
April 9-12: NSBA Annual Conference, San Antonio, TX
April 13: Hispanic/Latino Senior Recognition, 4:00 pm, SCC
April 14: 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.