January 8, 2014 at 6:30 PM - Board of Education Regular 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. 

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.

Rationale:  Led by Pack 495.

Rationale: 

Lewis & Clark is among the schools leading the way in a new effort to get more 'good news' stories out of the buildings and into the community. The principal, Dr. Lisa Sterba, and her staff are constantly sending in news items--complete with photos--to officials at TAC for posting to the district website and other communications platforms. From school plays to guest speakers to field trips, Lewis & Clark team members are making sure that people are in the know about the good things going on there. Our congratulations to them!

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:  APPROVAL OF CLAIMS - SCHOOL DISTRICT OF OMAHA

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:

All claims submitted excluding those listed in Claims Report B

Rationale:  APPROVAL OF CLAIMS - SCHOOL DISTRICT OF OMAHA CLAIMS REPORT B:

All Claims submitted as potential conflict of interest for members of the Board of Education.

Rationale:  APPROVAL OF CLAIMS - EDUCATIONAL SERVICE UNIT NO. 19

It is recommended that the claims for Educational Service Unit No. 19 be approved as presented by the central administrative staff.

Rationale:  GRANT FUND BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS

It is recommended that the receipts and expenditures of the detailed grant fund budget for the 2013-2014 fiscal year be amended to include the following reimbursable programs:

The Sherwood Foundation Grants and Grants less than $10,000.00 to be amended into the 2013-2014 budgets are available for review in the Board Workroom.

A.    SHERWOOD FOUNDATION GRANTS

These budget amendments in the amount of $83,000.00 are for the period beginning September 1, 2013, and ending August 31, 2014.  These amendments represent only that part of the budget that will be expended during the 2013-2014 school year for new programs from the Sherwood Foundation.

This program is 100% reimbursable.

Rationale: 

In accordance with the 2007 Head Start Act, the Board of Education will be presented with information for Douglas County School District 001 Head Start Annual Report 2013.

Head Start Act Sec. 644 (2) Each Head Start agency shall make available to the public a report published at least once in each fiscal year that discloses the following information from the most recently concluded fiscal year.  This report should include:

• financial report with total amounts of public and private funds received
• explanation of budgetary expenditures and proposed budget for the fiscal year
• total number of children and families served
• average monthly percentage of funded enrollment
• percentage of eligible children served
• results of the most recent review by the Secretary and the financial audit
• percentage of enrolled children that received medical and dental exam
• information about parent involvement activities
• agency's efforts to prepare children for kindergarten

This report will be shared with the public on the district website and distributed to each Head Start school location as well as with community partners. 

Rationale: 

The monthly Douglas County School District 0001 Head Start Governing Body Report for November 2013 is provided as an attachment in accordance with the 2007 Head Start Act.

Rationale:  President Wayne and Vice-President Goding will lead the board members in a discussion of the superintendent's evaluation.

Rationale:  Megan Neiles-Brasch will present the proposed absence policy that will be presented to the Douglas County Attorney.   No action required.

Rationale:  Matthew Ray will present the most recent version of the District's Attendance Practice.  No action required.

Rationale:  Ted Stilwill, Learning Community, will provide a brief update on the Kellom, Conestoga, Learning Community Partnership.

Rationale:  The Class Size and Pupil-Teacher Ratio Report provides annual information pertaining to class size and pupil-teacher ratios at the district level and for each school. These statistics are based upon the OPS student population as it existed on the last Friday of September (Official Fall Membership, September 27, 2013). The report is used by building leadership along with Human Resources staff to assure adequate staffing at each of the district's schools. Factors affecting staffing decisions include enrollment changes, available classroom space, placement of special programs, and available funding.

Rationale:  The District English Language Learner/Refugee Report: 2013-2014 provides information about OPS students who participate in the English as a Second Language (ESL) program, speak languages other than English in the home, and are refugees to the United States. These statistics are based upon the OPS student population as it existed on the last Friday of September this school year (Official Fall Membership). This information assists staff with the planning and development of support systems and programs to meet the needs of this growing population within the Omaha Public Schools.

Rationale:  EDUCATIONAL SERVICE UNIT NO. 19

Educational Service Unit Coordinating Council minutes of the 11-20-13 regular meeting. 

Rationale:  LEARNING COMMUNITY

Douglas/Sarpy County Learning Community Coordinating Council minutes of the November 21, 2013 regular meeting.

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.
 

Rationale:  Prior to Election of Officers, Ms. Megan Neiles-Brasch will review the proper legal procedures for conducting the election of officers.