January 23, 2017 at 6:00 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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Board of Education School Spotlight – Jan. 23, 2017

Madam President, members of the board, our School Spotlight this evening is on Omaha Northwest High School student Ghawayne Calvin and Omaha South High School student Ana Perez-Villagomez.

These two students were selected to serve on the Better Make Room Initiative Student Advisory Board. The initiative is one of former First Lady Michelle Obama’s programs. Better Make Room seeks to celebrate education, navigate the college going process and change the national conversation around education.  Calvin and Villagomez are now two OPS voices represented on a board of 17 student members total.

We salute Calvin and Villagomez for representing OPS and the state. We now welcome principals Thomas Lee and Ruben Cano who will introduce the students and College Possible coaches, who supported and traveled with the students during their trip to the White House earlier this month.

Rationale:  The Treasurer's Report for December 2016 is attached for review.

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. 

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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

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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 Educational Service Unit No. 19 be approved as presented by the central administrative staff.

Rationale:  The Committee on Claims met on 01/23/2017 and approved the audit of claims conducted by the Secretary to the Board of Education. 

Rationale:  Change Order No. 001 2014 Bond Program – Planning Area C: FLST – Edison & Masters Elem

Rationale:  McPherson/Jacobson will be providing the results of the Community Forums held between January 10 - 14th.  

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:  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.