February 3, 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 83.

Rationale: 

Students at Bryan Middle School recently arrived for their school-day to a pleasant surprise. Inspired by a national news story, the BMS student council spent hours after class one evening right before the holiday break, writing hundreds of inspirational messages on Post-It notes -- and then sticking the notes to lockers around the building. Their creative work put smiles on the faces of hundreds of students as they got to school the following morning. We salute the BMS student council for their spirit of generosity and kindness!

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:  CLAIMS - SCHOOL DISTRICT OF OMAHA - REPORT A

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:  CLAIMS - SCHOOL DISTRICT OF OMAHA - REPORT B

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

Rationale:  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:

A. EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION GRANT-WAKONDA – UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA MEDICAL CENTER, NEBRASKA MEDICAL CENTER, CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL, BUILDING HEALTHY FUTURES – PROJECT 464114, AS APPROVED ON JULY 15, 2013.

1. Approval for participation in this program was approved by the Board of Education at the July 15, 2013 meeting.

   This budget amendment, in the amount of $500,000.00, is for the period beginning September 1, 2013, and ending August 31, 2014.  The total budget is written for the period beginning August 1, 2013, and ending August 31, 2014. This amendment represents only that part of the budget that will be expended during the 2013-2014 school year. These funds will support the expansion of three Early Childhood classrooms at Wakonda Elementary.

   This program is 100% reimbursable.

   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.

    

B.    SHERWOOD FOUNDATION GRANTS

1. These budget amendments in the amount of $75,139.00 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.

    

C.    GRANTS LESS THAN $10,000

These budget amendments in the amount of $44,853.04 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 various Grants less than $10,000.

      This program is 100% reimbursable.

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

Rationale: 
Under the Affordable Care Act, it is necessary for the District to create a second health reimbursement arrangement for retirees only under a the District's current sick leave conversion plan.  The creation of the second health reimbursement arrangement provides the necessary framework for which the District's various labor representatives can negotiate to option into a new second health reimbursement arrangement.  During the January 22, 2014 presentation, Ms. Neiles-Brasch referred to the HRA as a Health Retirement Account and should have referred to the HRA as a Health Reimbursement Arrangement.

Rationale:  The Board may vote on any items presented by the District Lobbyist, John Lindsay.

Rationale:  Per Board of Education request, a matrix has been compiled to illustrate the Omaha Public Schools Alternative Education and Multiple Pathways to Graduation.  A brief presentation will be provided on these program offerings.  In addition, program directors will be available to answer any questions from board members.

Rationale:  LEARNING COMMUNITY

Douglas/Sarpy County Learning Community Coordinating Council minutes of the December 19, 2013 regular meeting.

Rationale:  EDUCATIONAL SERVICE UNIT NO. 19

Educational Service Unit Coordinating Council minutes of the 1-8-14 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.