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:  Benson High School Magnet’s JROTC cadre returned to Omaha June 10th after a week in France.

While there, the cadre took part in several key events marking the 70th Anniversary of D-Day, including a memorial parade and a wreath-laying ceremony in the areas around Normandy. The cadre’s participation in those events was followed by media outlets both in the Omaha metro and abroad.

The JROTC students had to work to get there, too: they spent the last year raising some $75,000 to pay for their Normandy trip -- via everything from pancake feeds to march-a-thon events.

Our sincerest thanks to the Benson JROTC cadre for representing OPS -- and the entire state of Nebraska -- with honor.

Rationale:  Treasurer

The Treasurer's Report for May 2014 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:  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

The format of the Claims Report will change starting with the July 7^th meeting of the Board of Education.  The change is part of a quest for more transparency by providing a report on Student Activity Account transactions.  The new format will consist of:

               Claims Report A:  Same as before

               Claims Report B:  Secondary Student Activity Accounts

               Claims Report C:  Conflicts of Interest

               Claims Report A - ESU19:  Same as before

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: 

OMAHA SCHOOL EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM – APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT IN 1 NORTH EQUITY HEALTHCARE FUND

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 additional investment in the UBS Global Asset Management’s 1 North Equity Healthcare Long/Short Fund, a fund investing primarily in publicly traded long/short healthcare equities.

Rationale: 

OMAHA SCHOOL EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM – APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT IN ORBIMED PARTNERS II, 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 additional investment in the OrbiMed Advisors’ OrbiMed Partners II, a fund investing primarily in publicly traded long/short healthcare equities.

Rationale: 

INVESTMENTS - OMAHA SCHOOL EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM

It is recommended that the following report submitted by the Board of Trustees of the Omaha School Employees' Retirement System concerning investment of retirement funds during the month of May 2014, be adopted.

Rationale: 

SEIM JOHNSON LLP, ANNUAL INDEPENDENT AUDITOR LETTER OF ENGAGEMENT REGARDING 2013-2014 AUDIT

 

The Districts Independent Auditor for the 2013-2014 fiscal year, Seim Johnson (see December 12, 2013) is submitting a letter of engagement to confirm the responsibilities, contents and activities to be preformed to complete the audits of the District, Educational Service Unit No. 19, Omaha School Employees' Retirement System and KIOS Radio Station.

 

 

Rationale:  Bid 14-030 is for the Thirty-Six Type A Vehicle only. 

Rationale: 

MIDDLE SCHOOL / 7^th & 8^th GRADE CATASTROPHIC ATHLETIC ACCIDENT INSURANCE

With a renewal date of August 1, 2014, the staff and insurance consultants from the Harry A Koch Company will present recommendations for the renewal of this voluntary coverage with Student Assurance Services for the 2014-2015 renewal term.

7^th & 8^th Grade Catastrophic Athletic Accident Insurance:

                                                                                        Premium                    Increase

Student Assurance Services                                                 $5,378                          0%

Rationale: 

VOLUNTARY STUDENT ACCIDENT INSURANCE

With a renewal date of August 1, 2014, the staff and insurance consultants from the Harry A Koch Company will present recommendations for the renewal of this voluntary coverage with K & K Insurance.  The District has written this coverage with K & K Insurance since 2011.  This coverage is wholly paid by the participating students and no costs are incurred by the District.

Rationale:  Central administrative staff requests discussion and approval for the final portion of the 6-12, secondary science adoption.  The majority of the 6-12, secondary science adoption was approved in May of 2013 and purchased in September of 2013.  At that time the College Board was changing AP Physics to implement yearlong, AP Physics 1 and yearlong, AP Physics 2 in place of yearlong, AP Physics B.  The textbook selection committee had piloted and selected a text; however, the committee needed to assess the selected text to ensure proper coverage of physics concepts for both of the new College Board courses.  Thus the recommendation for AP Physics 1 and AP Physics 2 was postponed.  That assessment is now complete, and the teachers (after field testing the textbook) have determined that the selected text can be effectively utilized for both yearlong, AP Physics 1 and yearlong, AP Physics 2.  The title of the text is College Physics, 10^thEdition by Serway & Vuille (2015, ISBN 9781305341500).  The Curriculum Instruction and Assessment Department supports the teacher recommendation for the adoption of the textbookCollege Physics, 10^thEdition and related materials for both AP Physics 1 and AP Physics 2 in the amount of $152,828.50.

Rationale:  Pursuant to LB 470, both the Superintendent's contract and the ESU No. 19 Administrator's contract must be approved by the Board and posted to the District website.

Rationale:  UPD Consulting/Cross and Joftus  and district staff will be providing an update on the Strategic Plan.

Rationale:  Megan Neiles-Brasch will provide an overview of the upcoming policy review and introduce Greg Perry.   Greg Perry will provide an introduction to review of the new policy sections on Board By Laws (Section 9000) and internal Board policies (Section 8000).  The Board will not vote on these policy changes at this meeting.

Rationale:  Mike Smith will provide an overview of the OSERS Workshop held on June 7, 2014.

Rationale:  Information will be provided on the progress of the Ad Hoc Committee Student Assignment Plan Committee.

Rationale:  President Wayne and Vice-President Goding will lead the board members in a discussion of the superintendent's evaluation.  Further discussion and approval will be made after closed session.

Rationale:  Pursuant to, and in compliance with Nebraska Revised Statute Section 79-2,134, the Omaha Public School District must review monies collected from student activity cards and the use of waivers provided by the District as outlined by the student fee policy.

For the academic year of 2013-14, $111,610.00 was collected from students for activity cards. In addition, 12,744 students were provided waivers and a District subsidy of 150% was provided per student to the appropriate building.

Rationale: 

SEIM JOHNSON LLP, ANNUAL INDEPENDENT AUDITOR COMMUNICATION REGARDING 2013-2014 AUDIT

The Districts Independent Auditor for the 2013-2014 fiscal year, Seim Johnson (see December 12, 2013) is required to communicate certain matters related to the scope and timing of the audits of the District, Educational Service Unit No. 19, Omaha School Employees' Retirement System and KIOS Radio Station.

 

 

Rationale: 

ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND INDEPENDENTS AUDITOR'S REPORT - NEBRASKA SCHOOLS MEDICAID CONSORTIUM

The 2012 - 2013 fiscal year Financial Reports and Independent auditor's Report of the Nebraska Schools Medicaid Consortium is attached as matter of receipt of official records. Dr. Dennis Pool represents the Omaha Public Schools on this board. The Omaha Public Schools and the Lincoln Public Schools represent the board and 32 Nebraska School Districts and ESU's participate annually to claim administrative reimbursement for serving Medicaid qualified children.

 

 

Rationale:  ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT - LAND REUTILIZATION COMMISSION

The 2013 Financial Reports and Independent auditor's Report of the Land Reutilization Committee Serving Douglas, Sarpy and Otoe Counties is attached as matter of receipt of official records.  Board member Lacey Merica represents the Omaha Public Schools on this Commission.  The Omaha Public Schools annually, with Board approval contributes $25,000.00 to the operation of this Commission (see April 9, 2014 Board of Education minutes).

 

 

Rationale:  Research Division staff conducts the Graduate Follow-Up Study each year. The purpose of this annual study is to determine the post-graduation activities of OPS graduates. Of the 2,375 students surveyed (representing approximately 82 percent of OPS graduates), 66.2 percent were attending colleges, universities, trade schools, or work-related training during the fall of 2013. Most 2013 graduates (89.8 percent) were employed or enrolled in school at the time of the survey, an increase of 2.7 percent from 2012. The five predominant occupational goal areas identified by 2013 graduates were Health Science; Education and Training; Arts, Technology, and Communications; Law and Public Safety; and Business Management

Rationale:  The California Achievement Test/5^th Edition (CAT/5) administered in grades 5 and 8 and the PLAN administered at grade 10 are both national standardized norm-referenced tests.  The administration of a standardized norm referenced test such as CAT/5 and PLAN is required by state law as specified in the Nebraska Department of Education’s Rule 10, Regulations and Procedures for the Accreditation of Schools. These annually administered summative tests although not directly aligned to state or district standards, provide insight into student mastery of basic skills and, where appropriate, inform the instructional process as well as school improvement planning.

Rationale:  Annual administration of a standardized norm referenced test (NRT) is required by state law at specified grade level ranges.  Since 1993, the district has administered CAT/5 to satisfy this state requirement.  However, CAT/5 is an outdated NRT that is no longer available from the publisher.  Consequently, a district committee of teachers and administrators convened throughout the 2013-14 school year to examine a possible NRT replacement.  After extensive information gathering and in-depth study, the committee supported the district adoption of the Northwest Evaluation Association’s Measures of Academic Progress (NWEA/MAP) for administration at the elementary (grade 2) and middle school (grade 7) levels.  Additionally, ACT, Inc. is replacing the PLAN test, currently administered at grade 10, with the Aspire Early High School Test.  Because of this change, OPS will begin administration of the Aspire Early High School Test in 2014-15.

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.