December 18, 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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Madam President, members of the board and Superintendent Evans our #OPSProud Spotlight is on Wilson Focus School. Wilson Focus was recently named an Apple Distinguished Program for 2017-2019.

"The Apple Distinguished Program designation is reserved for programs that meet criteria for innovation, leadership, and educational excellence, and demonstrate Apple's vision of exemplary learning environments." The Apple Distinguished School program is by invitation only for schools that meet the current program qualifications. Recognition is for two years, with an opportunity to renew each invitation period.

Wilson Focus School has been designated as an Apple Distinguished Program since 2012. We salute students, teachers and staff for their achievements and we welcome Principal Bret Anderson to the podium.

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The Treasurer's Reports for October 2017 AND November 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 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 12/18/2017 and approved the audit of claims conducted by the Secretary to the Board of Education. 

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The Memorandum of Understanding between Douglas County School District 0001 and International Union of Police Associations confirms an agreement reached at the bargaining table that no employee would see their wages reduced in 2016-2017.  Any employee whose published 2016-2017 wage rate is lower than the 2015-2016 wage rate that was actually paid in 2016-2017 will be frozen at the 2015-2016 wage rate.  

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Ms. Williams submitted her resignation of her Board of Education seat in sub-district 1 at the Board of Education Meeting on December 4, 2017. 

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Staff recommends the approval of a Lease Agreement with Woodhouse Nissan, Inc. d/b/a, Woodhouse Nissan for the storage of new and used vehicles at the Pendleton Woolen Mills site. The term of the lease will commence on the closing day of the purchase for the property between Pendleton Woolen Mills and Omaha Public Schools. The rental rate shall be $1,200.00 per month, on a monthly basis until terminated by either party with a thirty-day notice.

It is further recommended that the President and the Secretary of the Board of Education be authorized to sign all necessary documents.

The lease has been approved for legal sufficiency by legal counsel.

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Staff recommends the approval of a Lease Agreement with Orion Equipment, Inc. for the purposes of food processing equipment supply and storage at the Pendleton Woolen Mills site. The term of the lease will commence on the closing day of the purchase for the property between Pendleton Woolen Mills and Omaha Public Schools. The rental rate shall be $7,600.00 per month, on a monthly basis until May 31, 2018, or until terminated by either party.

It is further recommended that the President and the Secretary of the Board of Education be authorized to sign all necessary documents.

The lease has been approved for legal sufficiency by legal counsel.

 

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Administration recommends approval of the 2017-2018 OSAA (Omaha Schools Administrator Association) Compensation Increase and Employee Guidelines. 

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Staff and representatives from Seim Johnson L.L.P. will present for review and acceptance the 2016-2017 Annual Audit Reports of the Omaha Public School District, Educational Service Unit No. 19, KIOS-FM Radio Station and Omaha School Employees Retirement System

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Attached Policies were reviewed by the Policy Committee and are provided to the Board of Education as information.   First reading will be at the December 18, 2017 Board of Education with a second reading on January 8, 2018. 

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The Nebraska Investment Council assumed investment management of the Omaha School Employees Retirement funds on January 1, 2017. State Investment Officer Michael Walden-Newman will provide an introduction to the Investment Council and its approach to management of the OSERS portfolio.

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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 and Audit - scheduled to meet on December 5

Board Governance - met on November 27

Policy - met on November 13

Americanism - met on November 14

Student Assignment Plan 

Legislative

Citizen Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC) -  meet on December 13

Superintendent Search Committee - met November 30

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.