January 8, 2018 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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Madam President, members of the board and Superintendent Evans our #OPSProud Spotlight is on the Benson High School robotics teams.

Congratulations to the Benson robotics team - Legion of Doom - for winning the robotics competition in Elkhorn this past November. The win qualified the team for state/regional championships and the U.S. Open in April. Team members include Issac Beacom, Sher Lah, Le (Lee) Kar and Kyle Garner. The students also competed in the Omaha North Open in December. The team of Isaac, Sher and Le won the tournament and also won the skills challenge award.  We salute the Benson Bunnies for their achievements and we also recognize Benson High School principal Mr. Wagner.  At this time, we welcome the teams coach Mr. Ryan Troxel to the podium for remarks.

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 the School District of Omaha be approved as presented by the central administrative staff.

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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 1/08/2018 and approved the audit of claims conducted by the Secretary to the Board of Education. 

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Attached Policies were reviewed by the Policy Committee and are provided to the Board of Education as information.   First reading was completed on December 18, 2017.  The attached policies are on the consent agenda for a final approval.

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Approval by the OPS Board of Education is requested for the attached classroom grants that have been reviewed and approved by the OPS Foundation Board of Directors and OPS Department of Curriculum Instruction and Support.

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The Board of Education is in receipt of a grievance properly submitted under the terms of its collective bargaining agreement with the Omaha Education Association.  The resolution sets the date for the hearing before the Board, directs the Superintendent to provide the Board and the Grievant with the record from the decision being appealed, and establishes the procedure to be followed at the Grievance Hearing before the Board of Education.

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The School Board will conduct interviews and select the individual for the vacant Subdistrict 1 board position.  

 

Applicants:  

Ricky Smith

Justin Solomon

Thomas M. Williams

 

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New Board Member for Sub-district 1 will take the Oath of Office.

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.
 

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The OPS Board of Education shall first elect its President and then elect its Vice President.  Any member of the Board may self-nominate or be nominated by another Board Member.  Nominating speeches are not permitted.  However, nominees shall have up to five minutes to speak following the close of nominations and prior to the distribution of ballots.   Nominee speeches shall be in order of nomination.   Election of officers of the Board of Education shall be kept by secret ballot.  Election shall require a majority of all members of the board.   (Policy 8130)