Highlights of 3/23 Board of Education Regular Meeting

The Lincoln Board of Education met for a regular meeting on Tuesday, March 23, at the Lincoln Public Schools District Office, 5905 O St. 

Staff Celebration

The Board recognized two staff members with formal resolutions for awards they recently received. The Nebraska State Bandmasters Association has honored Lincoln Public Schools Supervisor of Music Lance Nielsen with its 2021 Outstanding Administrator Award. The Nebraska State Literacy Association honored Kooser Elementary School Librarian Betsy Thomas with the 2021 Distinguished Educator Award.

2020 LPS Pandemic Plan & Procedures Update

Superintendent Steve Joel gave a brief pandemic update:

  • Most LPS staff who have signed up for the vaccine have already received their first dose, with some also receiving their second dose. There were also staff who received their only dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
  • LPS continues to work with the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department to monitor community conditions, especially with news of several variants being detected in Nebraska. Adjustments will be made as needed to address any concerns.
  • There are just under 6,000 students still participating in remote learning across the school district. 

First Reading

Newly annexed property to the City of Lincoln

The City of Lincoln has annexed a parcel of land, which automatically brings this property into the district of Lincoln Public Schools. This property needs to be assigned attendance centers so potential purchasers of homes in this area will know which schools they will be attending. The annexed parcel of land is Camping World Lincoln, Annexation Ordinance #21028, for the 2020-21 school year and its assigned schools are Norwood Park Elementary School, Dawes Middle School and Northeast High School.

The Board will vote on the proposed attendance centers at its next meeting.

Bond Fund Project Bids

The Board was presented with the following construction project bids for the two new high school sites and will vote on them at its next meeting. All of the bids were either the lowest in cost or the only bid submitted. The projects are being paid for through the Bond Fund, approved by voters in February 2020.

  • New High School Sites Topsoil Respread Package - Gana Trucking & Excavating, Inc. (Martell, Nebraska) - $1,189,120
  • New SE High School Site Concrete Paving Package - Concrete Works, Inc. (Milford, Nebraska) - $1,847,627
  • New NW High School Site Permeable Pavers Package - DMS, Inc. (Waterloo, Nebraska) - $173,050
  • New SE High School Site Geothermal Well Field Package - K2 Construction (Lincoln, Nebraska) - $1,292,000
  • New NW High School Site Landscaping Package - Jensen Gardens (Springfield, Nebraska) - $665,586
  • New SE High School Site Surveying Package - Catlett Surveying (Bennett, Nebraska)                                            $20,050
  • New SE High School Site Access Package - Hausmann Construction, (Lincoln, Nebraska) - $218,000
  • New SE High School Site Segmented Block Retaining Walls Package - Linhart Construction, Inc. (Omaha, Nebraska) - $38,680
  • New High School Sites Finish Carpentry Labor Package - Tim’s Custom Trim, Inc. (Lincoln, Nebraska) - $481,730
  • New High School Sites Solid Surfacing Package - Lycos Manufacturing (Omaha, Nebraska) - $348,200
  • New SE High School Site Geofoam Package - Hausmann Construction, Inc. (Lincoln, Nebraska) - $297,000
  • New High School Sites EDPM Roofing Systems Package - White Castle Roofing (Lincoln, Nebraska) - $3,066,600
  • New SE High School Site Cast-in-Place Foundations & Walls Package - Hausmann Construction, Inc. (Lincoln, Nebraska) - $4,584,600
  • New High School Sites Stainless Steel Railing Systems Package - Geiss Steel Tech, Inc. (Seward, Nebraska) - $961,800
  • New High School Sites Aluminum Railings Package - Glass Edge (Lincoln, Nebraska) -                                         $109,560
  • New High School Sites Air Barrier & Spray Foam Insulation Package - Seal-Rite Insulation, Inc. (Omaha, Nebraska) - $621,253
  • New NW High School Site Fine Grading & Seeding Package - Seeds of Life, Inc. (Lincoln, Nebraska) - $191,600
  • New SE High School Site Aluminum & Glazing Package - Glass Edge (Lincoln, Nebraska) - $1,191,300
  • New SE High School Site Utilities Package - HR Bookstrom Construction, Inc. (Lincoln, Nebraska) - $1,107,365
  • New High School Sites Steel Railings Package - Katelman Steel Fabrication, Inc. (Council Bluffs, Iowa) - $369,200
  • New High School Sites Green Roof Package - Jensen Gardens, Inc. (Springfield, Nebraska) - $87,224
  • New High School Sites Carpet, Linoleum & Resilient Flooring Package - Midwest Floor Covering, Inc. (Lincoln, Nebraska) - $1,646,252
  • New High School Sites Gymnasium Wood Flooring Package - H2I Group (Blair, Nebraska) - $418,740
  • New High School Sites Polished & Sealed Concrete Package - Surface Sealers, Inc. (Lincoln, Nebraska) - $157,851
  • New High School Sites Floor & Wall Tile Package - Midwest Floor Covering (Lincoln, Nebraska) - $1,108,000
  • New High School Sites Painting & Wallcoverings Package - Kucera Painting, Inc. (Kearney, Nebraska) - $909,667
  • New High School Sites Overhead & Side Folding Doors Package
    • Acme Dock Specialists (Omaha, Nebraska) - $277,300
    • Skold (Des Moines, Iowa) - $161,400
    • SGH Concepts (Omaha, Nebraska) - $146,760
    • Overhead Door Company (Lincoln, Nebraska) -  $135,840
      Total: $721,300
  • New High School Sites Acoustical Fire & Smoke Doors Package - Skold Door Company (Des Moines, Iowa) - $161,400
  • New High School Sites Specialties Supply Package - EPCO LTD (Council Bluffs, Iowa) and PTC (Omaha, Nebraska) - $336,682
  • New High School Sites High Speed Rolling Doors Package - Acme Dock Specialists (Omaha, Nebraska) - $279,800
  • New SE High School Site Curb Stops & Signage - Bestco Services (Lincoln, Nebraska) -               $14,740
  • New High School Sites Scoreboards Package - H2I Group (Blair, Nebraska) - $60,900
  • New High School Sites Laboratory Countertops & Equipment Package - Wynn O Jones Associates, Inc. (Schofield Wisconsin) - $334,831
  • New High School Sites Fixed Audience Seating Package - Heartland Seating, Inc. (Shawnee, Kansas) - $232,981
  • New High School Sites Telescoping & Fixed Bleachers Package - Mid-States School Equipment Co. (Lee’s Summit, Missouri) - $554,130
  • New High School Sites Window Shades Package - Lifestyle Window Coverings (Omaha, Nebraska) - $93,866
  • New High School Sites Swimming Pool Construction Package - New Wave Pools & Spas, Inc. (Omaha, Nebraska) - $2,938,460
  • New High School Sites Fire Suppression Package - Midwest Automatic Fire Sprinkler Co. (Omaha, Nebraska) - $883,880
  • New NW High School Site Plumbing Package - HEP, Inc. (Lincoln, Nebraska) - $4,576,850
  • New High School Sites Ceilings & Acoustical Components Package - E&K of Omaha, Inc. (Omaha, Nebraska) - $2,189,430
  • New High School Sites Termite Control Package - ABC Termite & Pest Control (Lincoln, Nebraska) - $33,422
  • New High School Sites Combined Rough Carpentry Package - Hausmann Construction, Inc. (Lincoln, Nebraska) - $1,230,000
  • New SE High School Paving Sealants Package - Stutzman Sealants & Sons LLC (Lincoln, Nebraska) - $75,000
  • New High School Sites Overhead & Counter Doors & Grilles Package - Overhead Door Company (Lincoln, Nebraska) - $135,840

Distribution Center construction bid

Bids were requested for an LPS Distribution Center roofing repair project. It was recommended that the lowest bid of $598,800, from Terry Neemann & Sons, Inc. (Lincoln, Nebraska), be approved. The Board waived the second reading and voted to approve the bid.

Second Reading

Newly annexed property to the City of Lincoln

The City of Lincoln has annexed a parcel of land, which automatically brings this property into the district of Lincoln Public Schools. This property needs to be assigned attendance centers so potential purchasers of homes in this area will know which schools they will be attending. The annexed parcel of land is Wandering Creek Site, Annexation Ordinance #21023, for the 2020-21 school year and its assigned schools are Pyrtle Elementary School, Lux Middle School and East High School.

The Board voted to approve the assigned attendance centers.

Proposed Negotiated Agreement with the Lincoln Education Association

The Board voted to approve a contract agreement between the Lincoln Education Association (LEA) and Lincoln Public Schools for the 2021-22 school year. 

The agreement represents a careful balance between recognizing the valuable contributions our teachers make for Lincoln Public Schools - especially as front-line workers during a pandemic - while also acknowledging the recent revenue decline including a significant drop in state aid.   

The agreement approved by a vote of LEA members provides a total compensation package increase of 1.53 percent for the 2021-22 school year. The agreement includes the district’s contribution for increases with health insurance, retirement, Social Security and step movement (approximately $500 to $1,800) for certificated staff. The agreement also includes a reduction in the 191-day teacher calendar by two professional development/teacher work days, and a reduction in the Extra Standard budget (for activities and athletics).

From Board Committees

Wellness, American Civics and Multicultural Committee

Committee Chair Annie Mumgaard reported there were many updates shared, including:

  • How the school district was addressing the impact of the pandemic on different areas
  • Voter registration activities in high schools
  • Updating the name of Heritage School to the building’s historical name of Cunningham School to better reflect the experience for all students

Update from the Superintendent

During the Superintendent Update, Joel spoke that we are thankful for many things and it is an important time to reflect. Some of those items on the gratitude list included the Lincoln Education Association and its work on the negotiated agreement; the custodians and maintenance crews for their dedication and hours spent making sure our schools and buildings were safe during recent winter storms; and for Lincoln Journal Star reporter Margaret Reist and her dedication and commitment to sharing information about the work taking place at LPS. Reist will be moving to a different assignment and will no longer be regularly covering education stories for the Journal Star. 

Public Comment

There was one member of the public that spoke during the first Public Comment period, and one member of the public that spoke during the second Public Comment period. You can watch the full meeting video here.

Glimpses of LPS

We open every Board meeting with a video that highlights the amazing things taking place in our schools. Tonight’s video featured the Graduation Pathways program, which gives former students an alternate way of attending school again and earning their diploma. 

LPS LIVE Board Update

On LPS LIVE Board Update, Board Member Don Mayhew sits down with LPS Director of Operations Scott Wieskamp to discuss the ongoing construction projects funded by the bond issue approved by voters in February 2020.


Published: March 23, 2021, Updated: March 23, 2021