October 3, 2016 at 6:30 PM - Omaha Public Schools Board of Education and Educational Service Unit 19 Board Meeting

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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.

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Madam President, members of the Board, our School Spotlight for this evening is on the Military Science Program and two Legion of Valor winners. I introduce to you LTC Michael DeBolt for this evening's special presentation.

Omaha Public Schools has nearly 1,000 cadets in JROTC. Five generations have received instruction in becoming a better citizen since the program was founded.

Here with us today to help us commemorate our Platinum Jubilee is City of Omaha Councilmember Pete Festersen.

LEGION OF VALOR BRONZE CROSS FOR ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Established in 1951, the Legion of Valor Bronze Cross for Achievement rewards cadets from JROTC who have demonstrated scholastic excellence in military and academic subjects and have also demonstrated outstanding qualities of military leadership. Approximately 25 are awarded nationally. The Legion of Valor award includes a bronze cross and a certificate.

This year’s award winner from Burke High School is Cadet Johsua Polack.

This year’s award winner from Benson High School is Jordan Fashing.

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

Rationale:  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 10/03/2016 and approved the audit of claims conducted by the Secretary to the Board of Education. 

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The monthly Douglas County School District 0001 Head Start Governing Body Report for August 2016 in additional to the Program Information Summary reports are provided as an attachment in accordance with the 2007 Head Start Act.

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Central Administrative Staff request approval to accept the Title I Neglected, Delinquent & Homeless Agency Contracts for the 2016-2017 School Year.

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Policy 1402, Use of Grants and Donations by Individual Schools for Capital Improvements, requires "any grant or donation of a capital improvement to any school property or any transfer of real property to the district, regardless of the amount of the improvement or value of the property, shall require prior approval by the Board of Education." 

Funds have been raised totaling $641,000 to install field turf at Steve Cavlovic Field, located on the south side of O Street between 20th and 22nd.  This field is on property purchased from the Boys and Girls Club and paid for by the Omaha Public Schools.  The space is now used as a softball field for South High School and a soccer field for a number of different local users.  By installing field turf, we eliminate the problem of maintaining a grass field which wears out very quickly.  The users will be 1) South High Soccer (boys and girls); 2) South High Softball; 3) South High Baseball (for practice when Brown Park is too wet to use); 4) Marrs Middle School; 5) Boys and Girls Club;  and 6) PACE (formerly the South Omaha Latino Police Officers Association) – whose membership is composed largely of OPS children.

All funding has been privately raised through the Omaha Schools Foundation.  No tax dollars have been or will be spent in this effort.  There is wide spread community support to expand field opportunities for our youth. 

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District staff from Research will present information pertaining to district assessment need identification, selection, and training. Additionally, district staff from Curriculum and Instructional Support will discuss data use for both informing district curricular or instructional decisions, and for the purpose of modifying instruction to meet students' needs.

Rationale:  The Policy Committee recommends changes to Policy 2300, Legal Services.  The policy has been updated to reflect statutory changes made to the Omaha School Employees' Retirement System (OSERS). 

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Purchasing Division Cost Savings Report - FY 2015-2016

Summary of Fiscal Year 2015-2016 District cost savings through protocols regularly followed in procurement processes.

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.