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.

Rationale:  Led by Boy Scout Troop 31.

Rationale: 

Congratulations to ILP student Bre'Anda Lee!  Ms. Lee recently entered the Omaha regional competition of Poetry Out Loud -- and won; she will now move on to the state finals.  Poetry Out Loud is a recitation contest in which students have to memorize poems and perform them before an audience.  Competitors take part in school and regional contests, and, if successful there, can move on to state and national finals.  Ms. Lee's win at the Omaha regional was recently recognized in an article in the Omaha World-Herald. 

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: 

APPROVAL OF CLAIMS - EDUCATIONAL SERVICE UNIT NO. 19 - REPORT B

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

Rationale: 

DOUGLAS COUNTY LAND REUTILIZATION COMMISSION (D.C.L.R.C.) INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT CONTRACT APPROVAL

Staff will recommend the one year extension of an Interlocal Cooperation Act contract between the D.C.L.R.C., Douglas County, the City of Omaha, and the Omaha Public Schools.

The contract is to provide $25,000.00 in financial or equivalent support to the D.C.L.R.C. from each of the contracting parties. This financial support will provide for a continuation of D.C.L.R.C. services for one year.

 

 

 

Rationale: 

     REIMBURSABLE 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:

 

 

1. Title I Educationally Disadvantage– Nebraska Department of Education,(NDE)-Various Budgets

 

Central administrative staff request approval to accept the Title I Grant Budget.

 

This budget amendment, in the estimated amount of $4,441,958.00, is for the period beginning July 1, 2013, and ending September 30, 2014. This amendment represents only that part of the budget that will be expended during the 2013-2014 school year. It represents the continued participation in a program conducted during the 2012-2013 school year for the purpose of continuation activities in the Title I Program School Buildings.

 

This program is 100% reimbursable.

 

2.  TITLE II - PART A – PREPARING, TRAINING AND RECRUITING HIGH-  QUALITY TEACHERS AND PRINCIPALS, NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - PROJECT 466414.

 

Central administrative staff request approval to accept the Title II, Part A Teacher Quality budget.

 

This budget amendment, in the amount of $2,707,934.00, is for the period beginning September 1, 2013, and ending August 31, 2014.  The total budget is written for the period beginning July 1, 2013, and ending September 30, 2014.  This amendment represents only that part of the budget that will be expended during the 2013-2014 school year. It represents the continued participation in a program conducted during the 2012-2013 school year for the purpose of providing professional development for teachers and principals to significantly impact student achievement, job embedded learning, recruitment, hiring teachers, conducting new teacher orientation and training to enable teachers to become highly qualified and address the academic needs of students.

 

This program is 100% reimbursable.

 

3.   CLOSING THE ACHIEVEMENT GAPS INITIATIVE GRANT, THE NEA FOUNDATION - PROJECT 484014.

 

Central administrative staff request approval to accept the Closing the Achievement GAPS Initiative budget.

 

This budget amendment, in the amount of $190,000.00, is for the period beginning September 1, 2013, and ending August 1, 2014.  It represents the continued participation in a program conducted during the 2012-2013 school year where the Omaha partnership has designed an impressive whole school collaboration model, in which teachers, administrators and community are engaged in the planning and design of school turnaround.

 

This program is 26% reimbursable.

 

4.   TEXTBOOK LOAN PROGRAM (Rule 4), NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION – PROJECT 473114.

 

Central administrative staff request approval to accept the Textbook Loan Program budget.

 

This budget amendment, in the amount of $151,581.61 ($33,910.69 new + $117,670.92 carryover), is for the period beginning March 1, 2014, and ending August 31, 2014.  The total budget is written for the period beginning March 1, 2014, and ending February 28, 2015.  This amendment represents only that part of the budget that will be expended during the 2013-2014 school year. It represents the continued participation in a program conducted during the 2012-2013 school year for the purpose of supporting non-public schools that do not have the financial resources to provide necessary textbooks.

 

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.

 

5.   SHERWOOD FOUNDATION GRANTS

    

These budget amendments in the amount of $73,000.00 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 consideration of the sum of Eighty Thousand Dollars ($80,000), the undersigned claimant(s) Nicholas Burr hereby releases(s) and discharge(s) Omaha Public Schools and Douglas County School District and their employees, agents, successors, heirs, executors, administrators, and representatives from any and all claims and causes of action of any nature arising from an accident casualty or event which occurred on or about the 26th day of February, 2013 at or near 2021 St. Mary Avenue in Omaha Nebraska. 

Rationale:  Omaha Public Schools, shall pay a total of $150,000 to Ahsha Ammons, individually and as Parent and Conservator of Ahnjai Shields, a minor  in return for a full and complete release of all claims that have been asserted or that could have been asserted  in connection with Ahnjai Shields' injuries and resulting damages that resulted from her face striking a metal box on the wall of the gym at Central High School on December 6, 2012.

Rationale: 

Appointment to a three year term to expire June, 2017 is requested for:

Ms. Barbara Velazquez

Ms. Sara Howard

Ms. Denise Gaines

 

Re-appointment to a three year term to expire June, 2017 is requested for:

Dr. Edward Klima

Mr. Adam Steffen

Ms. Juliana Garza

                                

Prepared by:           

Toba Cohen-Dunning

Executive Director

Omaha Schools Foundation

Rationale:  The monthly Douglas County School District 0001 Head Start Governing Body Report for February 2014 is provided as an attachment in accordance with the 2007 Head Start Act.

Rationale:  Staff recommends the replacement and purchase of District Maintenance Vehicles, Type A Buses, Type C Wheelchair Buses, Standup Picker, Delivery Truck and 4X4 Pickup with snowplow.

Rationale:  Central Office Staff seek approval of the contract for services with Jacobs.

Rationale:  New Social Media Pilot Project

The District Communications Office is embarking on a new effort to increase OPS' social media outreach. To that end, the district's Facebook and Twitter pages are being transformed. In the case of Facebook, the district page has been updated with a new headline photo -- plus, new tabs are being created which will take visitors to A) a district calendar, B) district images, and C) the district's YouTube page. A process is underway to update the Twitter page with a new background image which will make it comparable to the Twitter pages of marketing-savvy major corporations. In both cases, the Office has a new aim: to post -- on a regular and frequent basis -- stories and information about district events, honors, achievements, etc. Schools are encouraged to send stories and information to the Office for posting on the district social media pages.

Rationale:  The Board may vote on any items presented by the District Lobbyist, John Lindsay, and any bill currently in front of the Nebraska Legislature.

Rationale: 

OMAHA SCHOOL EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM – APPROVAL OF CONTRACT WITH 1 NORTH EQUITY HEALTHCARE LONG/SHORT FUND LLC

 

Staff, at the direction of the Board of Trustees of the Omaha School Employees’ Retirement System and following legal review by the attorney, will recommend contracting for an investment of $15 million in UBS Global Asset Management’s 1 North Equity Healthcare Long/Short Fund LLC, a fund investing primarily in publicly traded long/short healthcare equities.

Rationale: 

OMAHA SCHOOL EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM – APPROVAL OF CONTRACT WITH ORBIMED PARTNERS II, L.P.

 

Staff, at the direction of the Board of Trustees of the Omaha School Employees’ Retirement System and following legal review by the attorney, will recommend contracting for an investment of $15 million in OrbiMed Advisors’ OrbiMed Partners II, L.P., a fund investing primarily in publicly traded long/short healthcare equities.

Rationale: 

 1. Annual Business Insurance Renewal 2014-2015

      Staff and insurance consultants from Harry A. Koch Company recommend renewal of the following liability insurance package with a renewal date of May 1, 2014. This renewal is for the 2014-2015 term. The attached insurance consultants renewal letter and documentation provides a detailed summary of the program and coverages presented.

A.  United Educators Risk Retention Package Policy

     Includes the following insurance:

• General Liability
• Auto Liability
• Insurance Umbrella
• Broadcasters Liability
• School Board Legal Liability
• Medical Malpractice Coverage

     Premium     Increase

    $476,040      1.3%

B.  Staff and consultants recommend renewing the Excess Workers’ Compensation coverage with Safety National Insurance. The self-insured retention remains at $1,000,000.

Safety National                          

 Workers’ Compensation excess policy      Premium     Increase

                                                            $294,475    0.06% rate incr.

                                                                              3.00% Salary est.

C.  Staff and consultants also recommend renewing the Cyber and Network Security Liability Insurance with Chartis Insurance Company. This policy covers both first party and third party clams up to a $5,000,000 each claim limit with a $50,000 deductible/retention per claim.

Chartis/Illinois National

Insurance Company                         Premium     Increase

                                                     $48,020     2.1%

 

Total Premium all Koch Agency policies    Premium     Increase

                                                          $818,535    2.18%


2.  Annual Business Insurance Renewal 2014-2015

Staff and insurance consultants from Davis Insurance Agency recommend renewal of the following liability insurance package with a renewal dates of May 7, May 8, and May 21, 2015 respectively. These renewals are for the 2014-2015 term. The attached insurance consultant’s renewal letters and documentation provide a detailed summary of each of the programs and coverages presented.

A.  Travelers Casualty and Surety

     Company of America                     Premium           Increase

• Crime Liability $1 Million              $ 6,455            0.0%

 B.  Travelers Insurance Company:                Premium           Increase

• Property Including Builders Risk &        $881,713          2.0% total value

     EDP                                                                             0.0% rate incr.

C.  Federal Insurance Company                Premium        Increase

• Fiduciary liability                             $ 42,234        0.0%

Total Premium all Davis Agency policies      Premium        Increase

                                                            $930,402       1.65%

3.  District Annual Insurance Indemnity Agreement

Staff and the district legal counsel will present for approval in agreement to indemnify the Board of Education for the uninsured portion of the District insurance coverage. This would include the insurance deductibles and any amount over the stated insurance policy limit.

 

 

Rationale:  Revision of Policy 3.09.

Change in Policy 3.09 (a).  Changed 3.26 to 3.09.

Rationale: 

INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION

This recommendation is for a seven-year purchase of Industrial Technology Adoption career education modules for grades 6-8 and non-consumable Industrial Technology materials and equipment for grades 9-12. The Department of Curriculum Instruction and Assessment supports the recommendation for purchase of the materials listed, not exceeding the amount of $1,200,000.00.

The most recent adoption of materials and resources for Industrial Technology took place on April 28, 2003, with implementation in the 2003-04 school year. There were no funds available for equipment in 2003. It was a textbook adoption only. Industrial Technology equipment purchases district-wide have not occurred in over 20 years. Given the career specialization courses that exist in each high school and the Career Center, there is a need for new and updated equipment, materials and modular units.

Rationale:  This report, from the Purchasing Division, is cumulative cost savings across all day-to-day procurement during the first six months (September 1, 2013 through February 28, 2014) of Fiscal Year 2013-2014.

Rationale:  EDUCATIONAL SERVICE UNIT NO. 19

Educational Service Unit Coordinating Council minutes of the 3-5-14 regular meeting. 

Rationale:  2014-2015 BUDGET PROCESS AND COMPONENTS – STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT

The attached report represents the work done by staff to develop a component process by which the 2014-2015 Budget can be illustrated in a more transparent manner.  These development components will also allow the district to move into the Priority Based Budget process identified in the District’s five year Strategic Plan.

Rationale:  The attached report represents a timeline for the development and implementation of a Focus School.

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.