May 2, 2016 at 6:30 PM - Omaha Public Schools Board of Education and Educational Service Unit 19 Board Meeting

Rationale: 

Notice to visitors: If you wish to speak, please obtain a “Request to be Heard” form from the entry table and return the completed form to the table attendant or the Board of Education Director.

The agenda will be kept current and available for public inspection in the office of the Secretary of the Board of Education at the Administrative Building during regular working hours. 

Board members may request specific agenda item(s) be moved to a different place on the agenda.  Please attend the entire meeting to ensure you hear discussion on a particular agenda item.

Pursuant to Section 84-1412 of the Nebraska Statutes, the public is hereby informed that a current copy of the Nebraska Open Meetings Act is posted in the Board meeting room on the north wall.

Agenda items are subject to reordering at discretion of the board president, please attend the entire meeting to ensure you're able to hear any discussion. If you would like to rehear any discussion, please listen to our podcast located on the District Web Page, district.ops.org.

Rationale:  The Vision:  Every Student.  Every Day.  Prepared for Success.

The Mission:  Omaha Public Schools prepares all students to excel in college, career, and life.

Rationale:  Madam President, members of the board, the Spotlight for this evening is on the South High School Boys Varsity Basketball Team.

We congratulate the Boys Varsity Basketball team for winning the Class A State Championship title last month in March. The last time Omaha South High won the State Basketball Championship was in 1990. So, this evening it is an honor to recognize the team for their outstanding performance and sportsmanship on the court.

We salute the basketball team, their coaches and athletic director for their hard work leading up to the championship and at this time we welcome the team and coaches, the school principal Mr. Ruben Cano and Athletic Director Dennis Mitchell.


Principal: Mr. Ruben Cano
Athletic Director: Mr. Dennis Mitchell

Head Coach: Bruce Chubick
Assistant Coaches:
Bruce Chubick, Jr.,
Ruey Dei
Tyrie Fant
Brandon McGary
Nick Nichols
Ted Stessman
Ryan Wieczorek

Players
Ta'Vion Anderson
Aguek Arop
Makoor Arop
Jordan DeLeon
Noah Fant
Kevin Lee
Joseph Madison
Monte' McGary
Karlon McSpadden
Jalen Tate
De'Shon Thompson
Caleal Walker

Rationale:  At this time, any Board member may request that any item in the consent agenda be removed from the consent agenda and be considered and voted on separately. 

Rationale: 

APPROVAL OF CLAIMS - SCHOOL DISTRICT OF OMAHA

It is recommended that the claims for the School District of Omaha be approved as presented by the central administrative staff.

A.    CLAIMS REPORT A

Rationale:  APPROVAL OF CLAIMS - SCHOOL DISTRICT OF OMAHA

It is recommended that the claims for the School District of Omaha be approved as presented by the central administrative staff.

A.    CLAIMS REPORT B

Rationale: 

APPROVAL OF CLAIMS - SCHOOL DISTRICT OF OMAHA CLAIMS REPORT C:

All Claims submitted as potential conflict of interest for members of the Board of Education.

Rationale: 

APPROVAL OF CLAIMS - EDUCATIONAL SERVICE UNIT NO. 19

It is recommended that the claims for Educational Service Unit No. 19 be approved as presented by the central administrative staff.

Rationale:  The Committee on Claims met on 05/02/2016 and approved the audit of claims conducted by the Secretary to the Board of Education. 

Rationale:  The Policy Committee of the Board of Education recommends the approval of the attached policy changes. 

Rationale: 

Subject to approval by the Board of Trustees and pursuant to the withdrawal of the Capital Account of the Omaha School Employees' Retirement System (OSERS) in Atlantic Global Yield Opportunity Fund, LP (the "Fund") previously approved by the Trustees and Board of Education, the Board of Education hereby authorizes the OSERS Executive Director and OPS In House Counsel to engage Rich, Intelisano & Katz, LLP., to represent OSERS in identifying strategies and pursuing legal actions by the Fund to sell or otherwise obtain value from the Wakpamni bonds owned by the Fund.

Rationale:  Committees of the Board of Education will provide a brief update.

Committees:
Accountability
Budget and Audit - April 21, 2016 and scheduled to meet on May 9, 2016
Communications
Policy
Americanism
Student Assignment Plan
Legislative
Construction Manager at Risk (CM@R)
Specialty Schools Review and Recommendations (SSRR) - scheduled to meet on May 10, 2016
Citizen Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC) - April 27, 2016
Code of Conduct

Rationale: 

Staff will present the newly updated Nebraska Math Standards as an information item for discussion. Statutory regulations require local school boards to adopt and approve these standards following the State Board of Education's approval of the standards. On May 16th approval of the new Nebraska Math Standards will be requested from our Omaha Public School Board. Staff will provide an overview of the new standards and a complete listing of the Nebraska Math Standards is attached along with a report.

Rationale:  The Board may vote on any items presented by the District Lobbyist, John Lindsay, and any bill currently in front of the Nebraska Legislature.

Rationale: 

In House Legal Counsel Megan Neiles-Brasch has completed evaluation of the current legal services model and requests Board approval of the following three recommendations designed to ensure the District continues to have the highest quality legal services at a rate that is extremely efficient and effective: 

 

1.         Adoption of the attached 3 year agreement with Baird Holm to serve as the District's primary outside counsel;

2.         Authorization to prepare a Request for Qualification and Pricing for legal services relating to Workers Compensation; and

3.         Authorization to hire an additional In-House attorney. 

Rationale:  The Omaha 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.