June 17, 2019 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 Dr. Logan.  We are pleased to present students who represented OPS in the Nebraska High School Theater Academy Award Showcase as tonight’s #OPSProud Spotlight.

On June 7, the Omaha Performing Arts presented their annual Nebraska High School Theater Academy Showcase at the Orpheum Theater to recognize the outstanding achievements of high school musical theater productions and students.

Hundreds of musical productions were judged from across the state and OPS students won in the following categories:

Burke High School won Outstanding Musical Theatre Production for "Big Fish"
Beveridge Magnet Middle School won Outstanding Middle School Musical Theatre Production for "The Theory of Relativity" 
 
Two students won Outstanding Actor in a Lead Role:

Al Griffin of South High Magnet, who played Sebastian from "The Little Mermaid" 
And, Boston Reid of Burke High School who played Edward Bloom from "Big Fish" 
Jamie Gould of Burke High School won Outstanding Actress in a Lead Role as Sandra Bloom from "Big Fish"  

Three students won Outstanding Actor in a Supporting Role:

Colin Burk of Central High, who played Benny Southstreet from "Guys and Dolls"
Raymond Butler of Benson High who played Boland from "Dogfight" 
And Will Rodgers of Burke High who played Amos from "Big Fish"
Sara Tiemann of Burke High School won Outstanding Actress in a Supporting Role as The Witch from "Big Fish"
The Backstage Excellence Award was awarded to Central High School.

And lastly, two of our students Boston Reid of Burke High and Lilly Weak of Central High were nominated as 2019 National Finalists to represent Nebraska at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards program in New York later this month.

The evening was full of OPS students and staff to celebrate.  Linda Hulsey, Supervisor of K-12 Vocal Music, also received an award for Lifetime Achievement in Education.

At this time, we welcome Emily Mokrycki, theatre director for Burke High School and co-chapter director for Nebraska State Thespians to the podium for remarks.



 

Rationale:  The Treasurer's Report for May 2019 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:  The Committee on Claims met on 06/17/2019 and approved the audit of claims conducted by the Secretary to the Board of Education. 

Rationale:  The District and SEIU Local 226 have negotiated wages, benefits, terms and conditions of employment for the 2019-2020 school year within the parameters set forth by the Board of Education.  Local 226 has ratified the Agreement as presented and staff recommends approval by the Board of Education

Rationale:  The District and SEIU Local 226 have negotiated the wages, benefits, terms and conditions of employment for the 2019-2020 school year within the parameters set forth by the Board of Education.  Local 226 has ratified the Agreement as presented and staff recommends approval by the Board of Education.

Rationale:  The Omaha Education Association and the Douglas County School District 0001 have reached a tentative agreement for the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 school years. Staff recommends Board approval of the attached tentative agreement.
 

Rationale:  Extension of middle school mathematics resources for Math 6, Math 7, Pre-algebra , Algebra 1-2, and Geometry, and high school mathematics e-book licenses for Pre-calculus 1-2

In June of 2012 the Omaha Public Schools adopted textbooks for the on-grade-level middle school  math sequence of courses (Math 6, Math 7, Pre-algebra) as well as for honors level middle school math courses (Algebra 1-2, Geometry) and high school Pre-calculus 1-2.  This purchase from McGraw-Hill Education (MHE) included seven years of consumable textbooks for the grade level courses, and online access to the e-book versions of the textbooks for all the courses listed above.

The adoption comes to an end with the 2018-19 school year, and with that the delivery of consumable texts for the grade-level courses, and access to the e-book versions of all courses listed, also comes to an end.  With the district’s current financial status precluding a full new math resources adoption, the Curriculum and Instruction Support Department searched for a means to provide the consumable textbooks for the grade-level courses, and keep the online access to the e-books of all listed courses, with a minimum expenditure. McGraw-Hill Education was contacted about extending the current consumables and e-books for three more years (2019-20 through 2021-22).

McGraw Hill responded with the proposal below. If OPS purchases the three-year extension, the publisher will extend the district’s current access to consumable books for the Math 6, Math 7, and Pre-algebra courses, as well as ebook access to all listed courses, to the end of the 2021-22 school year.  The ebook access, as well as print and electronic teacher materials, are included by the publisher at no charge (a total of $142,377.27 in free resources). In addition, the publisher has agreed to allow the district to spread the payment over a three-year period of time.
 

Payment #	Amount	Due Date
1	$112,751.61	7/15/19
2	$112,751.61	9/30/2020
3	$112,751.60	9/30/2021

Rationale:  The Special Education Division, within Curriculum and Instruction Support, seeks the approval of the Board of Education of the contract language between Omaha Public Schools and University of Nebraska Medical System for the provision of Occupational and Physical Therapy services to students ages birth-21. On September 17, 2018 the Board approved the contract rate and agency. The district has negotiated contract language that now needs to be approved. The contract language has been approved by OPS legal counsel.

Rationale:  The Board of Education hereby affirms that Board President Snow met to conduct and complete Superintendent Logan's evaluation on June 17, 2019.

Rationale:  The District Office recommends the approval of the Voluntary Student Accident Insurance through K&K and Nationwide Life.  This coverage is entirely paid for by the participating students and no costs are incurred by the District.  The premiums charged to students also remain unchanged with no increase for 2019-2020.

Rationale:  The District Office recommends the approval of the District’s 7 & 8 Grade Catastrophic Athletic Accident coverage through Student Assurance Services & Great American Insurance Group. The plan is an excess Accident Medical Expense policy for expenses above $25,000.  The premium remains unchanged with no increase at $5,378.   

Rationale:   John Lindsay will provide a review of the 2019 Legislative Session.

Rationale:  Rebecca Ryan will provide information on the strategic plan.

Rationale:  Karlus Cozart, 2018 Bond Supervisor, will present a Phase I and Phase II Bond Program update with regard to schedules, budgets and contingencies.
Mary McHale, CBOC Committee Member will also speak.

 

Rationale:  Amanda Ryan will provide an update on the Policy Committee meeting held on May 30, 2019. 

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.