Summary of January 8, 2014 meeting

The 2013-14 Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Council – called together by Superintendent Steve Joel – met on Jan. 8 and here is a summary of the highlights. The last 2013-14 meeting will be held at LPS District Office: April 2.

Presentation about the $153 million Lincoln Public Schools bond issue.

LPS Superintendent Steve Joel gave the Teacher Advisory Council an informational summary and update on the school district’s $153 million bond issue.

Why a bond issue?

Growth: The school district grew by almost 1,000 students this school year – 11.5 percent over the last five years. “Drive around Lincoln and see the new subdivisions and growth,” Joel said. “This is a community on the move.”
Vast technology improvements in teaching and learning.
School security needs.

What does the bond issue fund?

Learning spaces: One new elementary school and one new middle school.
A new high school career center – funded jointly with Southeast Community College.
Additions and renovations in schools throughout our community.
Improvements in existing facilities.
Technology improvements: Update network components, increase wireless access, converts classrooms to support technology.
Security upgrades: Secured entrances, secured access/card access, VoIP phone/communications systems.

Funding facts:

The bond issue will be funded with no planned increase in the tax levy.

Why a special election?

Maximize the summer of 2014 to begin construction.
Cost savings from moving up construction schedules.
Opening the High School Career Center in 2015.
Timely completion of technology and security projects with a target of fall 2015.

Mechanics of the bond issue:

The special election will be a mail-in election.
The bond issue ballots will be mailed between Jan. 22 and 31, 2014 to all registered voters residing in the Lincoln Public Schools District. Ballots will be mailed first class with a return address from the Lancaster County Election Commissioner.
Voted ballots that are sealed in the “Return Identification Envelope” must be in the possession of the Election Commissioner of Lancaster County no later than 5 p.m. on Election Day (Feb. 11, 2014) by one of the following means:
- U.S. Mail: Place one first-class postage stamp on the envelope.
- Hand Delivery: Ballots may be delivered during regular business hours to the Election Commissioner of Lancaster County, 601 N. 46th St., during regular office hours (8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.).
- Hand Delivery: Ballots may be deposited at any time 24 hours a day in the ballot drop box located in front of the building located at 601 N. 46th St.

Superintendent General Update

Superintendent Joel pointed out that the 2014 State Legislature is now in session and will present new issues and challenges.

He also pointed out that Nebraska has a brand new Education Commissioner: Matthew Blomstedt. “We look for good things to happen, and look forward to working with him.”

Expanded programs for behavioral needs

Jane Stavem, associate superintendent for Instruction, talked about a proposed expanded program at LPS for students with behavioral needs: “We know that some of our students need a greater level of intensity of services and more specificity in services.”

She said the goal is to have all LPS students appropriately identified and placed, and then have a great transition back to their home school. “We want kids to be in their home schools…but sometimes they need a period of time when they could use some different programming.”

Highlights:

A three-year phased plan using three LPS facilities:

The newly built Sherrill Education Center at 56^th and R streets: Preschool-third grade.
The former Bryan school north of 40^th and South streets: Fourth-eighth graders.
The existing Yankee Hill facility at 865 West Burnham: High school students.

LPS would contract for services from Success Schools on a limited basis for a limited period of time. LPS staff would be trained and the program would run with LPS teachers, therapists and support staff. At some point, LPS would own and maintain the program as a Lincoln model.

A proposed three-year timeline:

Jan-July 2014: Full intensive training for LPS staff; appoint director from Success Schools (for a three- or four-year tenure with LPS); finalize renovation plans for the Bryan facility.
2014-15: Full implementation of Success Schools program at Sherrill (with estimated enrollment of 90 students); training and planning for Bryan facility; renovation at Bryan underway.
2015-16: Full implementation of Success Schools at the Bryan facility (capacity 150-200 students); training and planning for Yankee Hill facility.
2016-17: Full implementation of Success Schools at Yankee Hill (50 students – fewer number because LPS will catch behavior issues at younger ages).

Teacher Advisory Council questions and concerns

Question: When you talk about technology, what is the vision?

Answer from Joel: We knew phase 1 had to provide all our teachers with laptops, and we have accomplished that. But we must also begin by having an infrastructure in place, which the bond issue would establish. We are working to create a framework to develop more definition and answer the question: What does a 21^st century classroom look like? How do we teach using technology the most effectively? What are the appropriate approaches to ensure students have access to devices?

Answer from Stavem: We also know that currently we have disparity in some of our schools, and we are working to make sure we have consistency and equity throughout the district. We want to identify people who are becoming masters in this work, and showcase their best practices.

Question: When do the number of tests and assessments we give our students – start to show diminishing returns?

Answer from Stavem: We are certainly looking at the number of tests and assessments we administer to review whether we are doing too much. It is important to differentiate between the different kinds of assessments. But we do need to ask: Are we getting returns? Are we using the data from the assessments? You might see some changes over the next few years.

Question: Do teachers have enough time in their schedules for creativity in teaching?

Answer from Joel: We know this is an ongoing issue, it’s an issue nation-wide. The profession has changed dramatically and there is a completely new set of expectations….I believe we are getting better at telling our story much more aggressively – about what takes place in a classroom – and we need to continue to do that.

Answer from Bess Scott, director of Continuous Improvement and Professional Learning at LPS: We know that some teachers are starting to feel like they don’t have a say, and we are reviewing best practices with principals.

Scott noted that a series of SIP/PLC Teacher Forums have been set up: “We are beginning a new cycle of School Improvement and deepening our implementation of PLCs. Teachers make both processes succeed. We need to hear teacher voice on what works and what challenges us.”

The meetings will be held at four locations at various locations. Stay tuned for more details. The meetings will be held: 4:15-5:30 p.m. on February 5; and 3:45-5 p.m. on February 17, February 19 and March 6.