May 21, 2018 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.

Rationale:  Good evening Board President Snow, members of the board and Superintendent Evans.  We are pleased to present Northwest High’s "Louder Than a Bomb" slam poetry winners as tonight’s #OPSProud Spotlight.
In April, the Northwest team comprised of Jhevaun Grant, Katt Rodriguez, Sharieff Clark, Kyrie Gilkison, Miracle Clayton-Deavers and CamRon Cocklin. The team earned first place in the regional competition held at the Joslyn Art Museum and advanced to finals at the Holland Performing Arts Center. There, the team earned runners-up to Lincoln High for their performance of "I’m Sorry."  Additionally, Jhevaun Grant, who competed against 30 poets from Iowa and Nebraska during the individual finals, earned the first-place trophy.
 
Tonight, we salute these student-poets and recognize their Coach Edward Vogel and Principal Thomas Lee.  At this time, students will perform their winning poems.
 
 
 

Rationale:  The Treasurer's Report for April 2018 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. 

Rationale:  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

Rationale:  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

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

Rationale:  Central Office Staff will provide recommendations for changes to the 2018-19 Student Code of Conduct.

Rationale:  Central Office staff will provide recommended policy changes.

Rationale:  Appointment of Ricky Smith to Nebraska Association of School Board's (NASB) Board of Directors

Rationale: 

The Administration recommends approval of the Compensation Schedule and the Compensation Package for Executive Council members for the 2018-2019 school year which are attached.  Salaries and health insurance contributions will be frozen at the 2017-2018 levels.  Members of the Executive Council will forgo the previously provided cell phone stipend.  Members of the Executive Council remain eligible for employee benefits and leave as set forth in current policy.
 

Rationale: 

The Green Schools Initiative (GSI) was launched in 2009-10 to reduce the consumption of natural resources and to embed environmental responsibility in the culture of the District.  All administrative offices, schools, and alternative programs participate in the GSI effort.  Students collect recycling, serve as energy managers, pick up litter, plant green infrastructure, and participate in related environmentally-
sound community events. During the existence of the Green Schools Initiative, OPS has seen a positive culture change.
In the eight years of the GSI the District has dramatically reduced its environmental impact. It has realized $11.6 million in cumulative cost reduction and avoidance, prevented 140,500 metric tons of CO2 emissions cumulatively, generated 21.9
Energy Star rating points of improvement from baseline, and accomplished a 100% increase in recycling volume.

 

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.