Lincoln Public Schools will combine classroom device management, internet filtering and software usage analytics under one provider following a unanimous school board vote Tuesday.
The board approved a three-year agreement with Lightspeed Systems totaling $600,300, with annual payments of $200,100 from the district’s General Fund.
Kirk Langer, LPS Chief Technology Officer. Photo Courtesy of LPS
Chief Technology Officer Kirk Langer told the board the district currently spends about $355,000 annually on the separate services. Moving them to one platform would lower that cost by roughly $155,000 a year.
However, Langer said changes in Google licensing costs are expected to absorb those savings.
“But it does mean that we will not have to ask for more money in order to afford what we otherwise have,” he said.
Langer emphasized that the agreement combines services the district already uses. LPS has filtered internet access since 1996, he said, both to meet federal requirements tied to E-rate funding and to help keep online resources appropriate for students.
Classroom management tools help teachers direct students to the same web resources and reduce opportunities for distraction. Analytics help the district understand how its approved software is being used.
The consolidated platform will bring those functions together, allowing their data to work within one system.
Langer said teachers, school administrators and district staff evaluated two finalists September 17 after an initial review of five options. The group unanimously selected Lightspeed Systems.
The board waived its usual second reading and approved the agreement on a 6-0 vote. Board member Annie Mumgaard was excused from the meeting.
Langer said early approval gives staff time to configure internet filtering and begin introducing the classroom management tools. Teachers will be able to use the new and existing systems alongside each other during the transition.
“I suspect that what will happen with a lot of teachers is we’ll get some training materials out there,” he said. “They’ll try it, and they’ll transition.”
Open Enrollment 2027-2028
The board also unanimously approved its option enrollment resolution for the 2027-28 school year, legislative guidelines and school attendance assignments for the newly annexed Fire Trail development.
Annexation 1st Reading
A separate proposal involving approximately 3.64 acres near South 88th Street and Pioneers Boulevard received first reading only. That proposal would assign the property to Maxey Elementary, Lux Middle and East High schools and is expected to return for action at the October 27 meeting.
Vape Detectors Approved for Middle Schools
The board also approved an estimated $120,200 purchase of HALO Smart Sensors for vape detection in LPS middle schools. Lincoln-based Kidwell Electric will provide the sensors, with funding coming from the district’s Special Grant Fund.
The purchase was included in Tuesday’s consent agenda and approved without separate discussion.