May 15, 2017 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.

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Madam President, members of the Board, our #OPSProud Spotlight tonight is on our 2017 Green Ribbon Award Schools, Chandler View Elementary and Northwest High Magnet School.

Across the country, Chandler View and Northwest High are among 45 schools being honored by the U.S. Department of Education for their innovative efforts to reduce environmental impact and utility costs, improve health and wellness, and ensure effective sustainability education.

On July 19 the schools will receive their awards in Washington D.C. We salute Chandler View and Northwest High Magnet for being environmental leaders in the OPS district. We now welcome Chandler View principal Mr. Eversoll to the podium and then we’ll hear from Northwest High School principal Mr. Lee.

Rationale:  The Treasurer's Report for May 2017 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 05/15/2017 and approved the audit of claims conducted by the Secretary to the Board of Education. 

Rationale: 

The Board of Education will indemnify Susan Colvin against expenses she has incurred or would otherwise incur in connection in the pending suit, Jane Doe v. Omaha Public School District, Susan Colvin and Wesley G. Dacus, Case No. 8:17-CV-00096 pending in the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska that commenced because she is an employee of the school district.

The Board will determine that indemnification of Ms. Colvin is proper in the circumstances because she acted in good faith and in a manner which she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the school district.

The Board of Education will engage the Pansing Hogan Ernst & Bachman law firm to provide the legal services related to the threatened or pending action, suit, or proceeding against Ms. Colvin.

Rationale: 

The Board of Education will indemnify Wesley G. Dacus against expenses he has incurred or would otherwise incur in connection in the pending suit, Jane Doe v. Omaha Public School District, Susan Colvin and Wesley G. Dacus, Case No. 8:17-CV-00096 pending in the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska that commenced because he was an employee of the school district.

The Board will determine that indemnification of Mr. Dacus is proper in the circumstances because he acted in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the school district.

The Board of Education will engage the Pansing Hogan Ernst & Bachman law firm to provide the legal services related to the threatened or pending action, suit, or proceeding against Mr. Dacus.

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

Committees:
Budget and Audit -scheduled for May 17, 2017
Policy
Americanism - May 10, 2017
Student Assignment Plan - scheduled for May 23, 2017
Legislative - May 12, 2017
Construction Manager at Risk (CM@R)
Citizen Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC) - scheduled for May 24, 2017
Code of Conduct

Rationale:  Dr. Tyree Sejkora will provided information on recommended changes to the Student Code of Conduct for the 2017-18 school year.    First reading will be on the May 15th Board Agenda. 

Rationale:  Update of the 2014 Bond Program with regard to topics discussed in CBOC meetings including schedules, budgets and contingencies.

Rationale:  The Department of Curriculum Instruction and Assessment provides support and remediation for students PK - 12 during the month of June.  Programs are site-based to meet remediation needs.  The focus is to help students attain mastery in language arts, reading and math.  This receipt of report is an update for the Board of Education and does not require any action by the Board.

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.