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LEA FR Council Minutes

FR (Faculty Representative) Council is the legislative and policy-forming body of the Association with the
purpose of carrying out the Association goals.  Its 187 members are representatives from the fifty-three
building sites across the district.  This body of representatives meets the third Thursday of the month at
Lefler Middle School to foster and promote membership, adopt the budget, set the annual dues, approve
resolutions and policy statements, approve the slate of candidates for election and to review, adopt
Association goals and Standing Committee changes and review issues and concerns of members.  All
members are invited to come and observe.
                  Lincoln Education Association                   
FR Council
May 19, 2011
Union Bank, 4732 Calvert   Lower Level   4:15p.m.
Unapproved

Norwood Park, Park, Pershing, Prescott, Pyrtle, McPhee, Morley, Rousseau, Saratoga, Schoo, and Zeman.

“EARLY BIRD” DRAWING:  Nancy Fischer, Mickle Middle School, won a $25 gift card to HyVee.

CALL TO ORDER: President Jenni Absalon called the meeting to order at 4:15 p.m.

CHECK IN/CELEBRATIONS:  Faculty Representatives shared personal celebrations.

LEA AWARD CELEBRATION 2011
LEA FRIEND OF EDUCATION:
    •        Special Friend of Education: Mark Taylor and Kathy Blythe from KFOR radio station for their
    outstanding support and sponsorship of Harvest of Books
    •        With Appreciation:  Senator Danielle Conrad for her dedication to public education, educators and
    children in Nebraska.  Lillie Larsen, retiring LPS School Board Member for 12 years of service, dedication
    and advocacy for educators and students in Lincoln.
    •        Corporate Friend of Education:  Raising Canes, Owners Justin and Jennifer Jones for their generous
    support of education in Lincoln.  Raising Canes provided over 7,000 bookmarks for Harvest of Books.  
    They also contributed 2,500 letters of appreciation and free meals to thank Lincoln educators for their
    dedication to children in Nebraska.  

LEA FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS:
    •        Student STAR:  Sam Buckner, Southwest: son of LEA members Scott and Paula Buckner
    •        Student SOAR:  Allen Martinez-Herriquez, North Star
    •        Barbara Buckingham Patronsky:  Kristen Nugent, Culler Middle School;  Paul Smith, Southeast High
    School;  and Jodi Gehr, Southeast High School
    •        Christa McAuliff:  Sue Rowland, Mickle Middle School

LEA FACULTY REPRESENTATIVE AWARDS:
    •        Elementary FR of the Year:  Megan Simsic, Huntington Elementary
    •        Middle Level FR of the Year:  Deb Rasmussen, Goodrich Middle School
    •        High School FR of the Year:  Rita Bennett, Southeast High School

LEA SPECIAL RECOGNITION:
    •        Appraisal Team:  Karen Shelton, Bob Reeker, Mandy Peterson, Linda Frye,
    Jen Van Winkle
    •        Retiring LEA Board Members:  Karen Shelton, LEA At-Large Board Seat
    •        Appreciation Award:  Dan Studer, UniServ Director

DRAWING:
The following names were drawn for a choice of a gift bag:  Cindy Swanson, Pound Middle School and Dianne
Smith, Health Services.  Doreen Ainslie, Mickle Middle School won a $20 gift card and Deb Coyle, Sheridan
Elementary won a $25 gift card to Indigo Books from First Nebraska Educators Credit Union.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  The April 21, 2011, FR Council minutes were approved as printed.

FINANCIAL REPORT:  Jan Olmstead
The financial report for April was approved as presented.

ACTION ON DUES PROPOSAL FOR 2011-2012:  Jan Olmstead
Jan moved on behalf of the LEA Board of Directors, that the dues for the 2011-2012 Association year be as
follows:          Full time (.76 FTE-1.00 FTE)                $ 169
                                         .26 FTE- .75 FTE                 $ 84
                                        .1 FTE - .25 FTE                   $ 42
                                                   Active ESP                  $ 25
                                                    Substitute                  $ 50
Motion carried.

DRAWINGS: Becky Hoefling, Meadow Lane Elementary, won a choice of gift bags.  Jules Spickelmier, Everett
Elementary, won a $25 gift card to Indigo Books from First Nebraska Educators Credit Union.  Linda Freye, Maxey
Elementary; Jan Olmstead, Lefler Middle School; and Dave Williams, Southeast High School, won $25 gift cards
from LPS Employees Federal Credit Union.

INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION:
President’s Update—Jenni Absalon

    •        Member Relations
    o        LPS Employee Credit Union—fliers were distributed with current rates.
    o        Retirement Dinner—The dinner will be held at Misty’s in Havelock on May 23, 2011, with 6:00
    p.m. social and 6:30 p.m. dinner
    o        FR Training—August 8, 2011, at Scott Middle School with 4:00 p.m. social and 4:30 p.m. to 7:
    30 p.m. training
    o        Appraisal—Jenni updated FRs on the actions that the LEA Board has taken regarding the
    new LPS Appraisal Policy and fielded questions from members.

    •        Communications
    o        Surveys—Jenni informed FR’s that members received the climate survey of the building at
    which they stated they were.  All principals, LPS School Board and Dr. Steve Joel, LPS
    Superintendent will receive hard copies of the Climate Survey.

    •        Community
    o        CIR/Chamber—Jenni discussed the recent amendment by the Chamber of Commerce to
    alter the CIR system.  This amendment was defeated by the Legislature yesterday.
    o        LPS Strategic Plan—The committee recommended four goals/areas:  technology
    implementation, community involvement and engagement, parent involvement and engagement
    and alternative ways of looking at presenting instruction.
    o        LPS Budget—LPS is waiting until the Legislature is over before they schedule their budget
    meetings.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT:  Jim Rea
Jim discussed the current status of LB 397 (CIR).  It is on select file and will move to final reading because of the
compromises that have been reached.  The bottom line is that all public employees still have the right to collective
bargaining rights.  

DRAWING FOR FR REWARDS INCENTIVES $500 and $250: The $250 drawing for an FR attending 10 out of 12
FR functions went to Rita Bennett, Southeast High School.   The $500 drawing for an FR attending 11 out of 12 FR
functions went to Bobbi Rezac of Calvert Elementary.   
The following names were drawn for Best Buy, $25 gift cards:   Connie Lacey, Lincoln High School;  Jan Krien,
Iving Middle School;  Greg Widdick, Goodrich Middle School; and Carole LeFeber, Lincoln High School.

OLD BUSINESS: none

NEW BUSINESS: none

COMMENTS, CONCERNS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:  none


ADJOURNMENT:  Jenni adjourned the meeting at 6:20 p.m.



Respectfully submitted,

Jan Olmstead
Secretary-Treasurer