October 2, 2017 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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Board of Education #OPSProud Spotlight - Oct. 2

Madam President, members of the board, Superintendent Evans, our #OPSProud Spotlight is on Standing Bear Elementary.

In August, we recognized Florence Elementary and Central High School for being ranked in the top three for Omaha's Choice in the education category. This evening we’d like to take the time to recognize Standing Bear for being named the #1 school in education in the second annual Omaha’s Choice Awards.

We salute Standing Bear Elementary for their dedication to students and we now welcome principal Lynette Keyes to talk more about the great work happening at the school.

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 A REPORT

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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 B REPORT

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It is recommended that the claims for Educational Service Unit No. 19 be approved as presented by the Central Administrative Staff.

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The Committee on Claims met on 10/02/2017 and approved the audit of claims conducted by the Secretary to the Board of Education. 

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The Title I Budget is allocated to Public Schools, Non-Public Schools, Contracted Educational Agencies, and the Homeless Program.   Eligible Title I  Public Schools are allocated funding based on 70% area poverty for elementary schools and 75% United States Department of Education (USDE) required for secondary schools.  All Title I eligible schools must participate in at least one or more State Audit Reviews pending their rotation year.  Title I schools must also submit a Schoolwide Plan that is aligned with the District’s Action Plan and their School Improvement Plan to the state.  All Title I Schools Schoolwide Plans must be approved by the state and in compliance in order to expend funds.  In addition, Title I schools in year four in "Needs Improvement" and beyond must keep documentation of the Action Plan implementation for the Corrective Action Plan and Restructuring Plan.  The Title I Office must also submit a grant application to the state for approval and compliance purposes.  Central administrative staff request approval to receive the 2017-2018 Title I Allocation in the amount of $28,253,417.00.

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Staff recommends approval for the full formal development of planning, documentation, community engagement, and delineation of scope of work for a Phase 2 Bond Issue. The purpose of a Phase 2 Bond Issue will be to address capital improvements, additions, and renovations in designated existing facilities as well as educational specifications, planning, and construction of new facilities including two elementary schools, one middle school, and two high schools.

The Phase 2 Bond Issue scope of work will be developed within a timeline that will enable the District to pursue a potential ballot initiative for May of 2018, should that become the final decision of the Board of Education.

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A representative of the Citizen’s Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC)will provide the Board of Education with an update on the 2014 Bond Program with regard to topics discussed in CBOC meetings including schedules, budgets and contingencies.

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

Committees:
Budget (meets 10/25/2017)

Policy (met 09/11/2017) 

Americanism (met 09/12/2017) 

Student Assignment Plan (met 09/26/2017)

Superintendent Search Update (met 09/21/2017)

Legislative (met 09/18/2017)

Citizen Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC) (met 09/27/2017)

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.