October 16, 2023 at 6:00 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:  To prepare all students for success in college, career, and life.

Rationale:  The #OPSProud Spotlight recognizes Central High JROTC Cadet Lt. Colonel Alex (Sasha) Krasnoslobodtsev, a recipient of the prestigious Legion of Valor Bronze Cross for Achievement.

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:  FUND:  1, General
DEPT.:  7194010, Special Education Administration
PROGRAM:  1222, Transition
VENDOR:  Munroe Meyer Institute
POLICY: 7000
AMOUNT: $17,469.84

Administration requests approval of the amendment to a contract with Munroe Meyer Institute (MMI) that was approved at the 8/21/2023 Board Meeting.  In addition to the original agreement to provide Severe Behavior and Autism Services for eligible students, the amendment outlines additional work MMI will do at the Transition Program, evaluating the program and making recommendations to improve student outcomes. The total additional cost will be $17,469.84. 

Rationale:  FUND:     42 - 2018 Bond Program Proceeds Fund
PROGRAM:  2591 - Building & Grounds
DEPT:     8770020 - Lewis & Clark Middle School Facilities
PROJECT:  321516 - Lewis & Clark Middle School Project
SUPPLIER: Vrana Construction
POLICY:   7003, F.3.
AMOUNT:   $61,146.00

Pursuant to Policy 7003, F.3., Administration and Jacobs recommend approval of Amendment No. 004, which includes installing a retaining wall to allow for additional exterior concrete paving at the dock area to provide better access for delivery vehicles improving building operations performance and public safety for the Lewis & Clark Middle School Project for a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) of $61,146.00.

The Board approved the CMR Agreement with Vrana Construction on December 2, 2019, GMP Amendment No. 001 on June 1, 2020, Change Order No. 001 on June 23, 2022, GMP Amendment No. 002 on March 20, 2023, and GMP Amendment No. 003 on August 7, 2023. The addition of GMP Amendment No. 004 brings the current value of the CMR Agreement to a total amount of $11,685,721.76.
 

Rationale:  FUND:     4070 Depreciation Fund
PROGRAM:   2510 Business Support Services
DEPT:    7062100 Accounting & Finance Office
SUPPLIER:  Radio Engineering Industries, Inc. (REI)
POLICY:   7000, VII., D
AMOUNT:   $614,615.00

Administration recommends approval to award Bid No. 23-084 to Radio Engineering Industries, Inc. (REI) for Bus Cameras and Associated Equipment and Services, the lowest qualifying supplier. These cameras will be used to monitor student behaviors and interactions to ensure safe transportation to and from school on Omaha Public School buses.
 
There were (7) bid responses. Gatekeeper Systems is non-compliant for not providing all the requested services and specifications. Forward Thinking Systems LLC. for not meeting the camera and DVR digital resolution specifications. The total cost for the project listed in the table includes costs for (2) cameras per bus, (1) video recorder per bus, (1) SS Hard Drive per bus, installation for 285 buses, (10) complete spare units, and a 3-year data plan for 285 buses. This project is being funded from the Depreciation fund with a total cost of $614,615.00.
 

Suppliers	Total Cost for project
Radio Engineering Industries, Inc. (REI)	$614,615.00*
AngelTrax	$5,129,413.25
Brigade Electronics, Inc.	$1,139,789.70
Safety Vision, LLC.	$1,463,838.60
24/7 Security, Inc.	$617,520.00
Forward Thinking Systems USA, Inc.	$473,125.00 NC
Gatekeeper System USA, Inc.	$349,884.95 NC

Rationale:  The Board of Education is required by State Statute 79-584 to approve all expenditures of District funds.  Expenditures are presented to the Board for approval in the form of a Claims Report.  Claims Report A is a listing of all District expenditures and are organized and presented to the Board by which fund the expenditure is being made from (e.g. General Fund, Bond Fund, etc.).

Rationale:  The Board of Education is required by State Statute 79-584 to approve all expenditures of funds for which the District serves as custodian.  Expenditures are presented to the Board for approval in the form of a Claims Report.  Claims Report B is a listing of expenditures from the various Student Activity Funds for which the Board serves as custodian.

Rationale:  Board Members are prohibited by Nebraska law from voting on items which may personally benefit them.  Expenditures which may personally benefit individual Board Members are presented to the Board for approval in the form of a separate Claims Report in order to permit those Board Members to abstain from voting on items which may personally benefit them.  The Board of Education is required by State Statute 79-584 to approve all expenditures of District funds.  Claims Report C is a listing of expenditures that may relate to individual Board Members or Organizations that employ them.

Rationale:  The Board of Education is required by State Statute 79-584 to approve all expenditures of District funds.  Payroll expenditures are presented to the Board for ratification in the form of a Claims Report.  Claims Report D is a summary of payrolls processed and is presented by payroll and pay date.

Rationale:  The Board of Education is required by State Statute 79-584 to approve all expenditures of District funds.  Payroll expenditures are presented to the Board for ratification in the form of a Claims Report.  Claims Report E is an estimation of payrolls to be processed prior to the next Board meeting and is presented by payroll and pay date.  Board authorization is requested for amounts not to exceed the totals in the Claims Report.

Rationale:  The Board of Education serves as the Board of Educational Service Unit 19.  The Board of Educational Service Unit 19 is required to approve all expenditures of District funds as well as funds for which the District serves as custodian.  Expenditures are presented to the Board for approval in the form of a Claims Report.  Educational Service Unit No. 19 Claims Report is a listing of all expenditures to be paid from the Education Service Unit's funds.

Rationale:  In keeping with the provisions of Nebraska Revised Statute section 79-981, the Board of Education is responsible for the transaction of OSERS’ business, including approval of expenditures of OSERS’ funds.   The Administration recommends approval of the attached claims to be paid from OSERS’ funds.

Rationale:  State Statue 79-584 requires the Secretary to the Board of Education to audit all accounts of the Class V school district and to submit that audit to the Board of Education Audit Committee for review and approval.   The objective of the audit is to obtain and review sufficient claim documentation to determine the risk of material misstatement.   The audit methodology is set forth on the Claims Audit Report.

Rationale:  Fund: 154 Title I
Program: 0951100  Instruction
DeptID: 1100  Instruction
Proj./Grant: 445824  Title I
Supplier: Nanette Beller
Policy: 7000
Amount: $10,800.00

Administration recommends approving the attached consulting services agreement with Nanette Beller to support teachers with instructional coaching and professional development at Indian Hill Elementary.  The attached agreement provides services from October 2023 through June 2024 and will not exceed 12 hours per month at $100 per hour.  The total cost of this agreement is $10,800.00 which is being funded through school Title I funds as a part of the school improvement plan. 

This agreement is being brought to the Board for approval since the Board previously approved a separate contract with Ms. Beller on August 21, 2023 to provide mentoring and coaching support to principals. The total cost of that contract was $55,000 bringing the total cost of all contracts with Ms. Beller to $65,800 for the 2023-2024 school year. 

Rationale:  Funds: 1, 153   General Fund, Special Education - IDEA
Department: 7194010   Special Education Administration
Programs: 1214, 1215, 1222, 1227, 1231, 1234, 1235,1236, 1265, 1266, 1270, 3103  - Speech Therapy School Age, Speech Therapy Ages 3-5, Transition, Nurses Ages 3-5, Nurses School Age, Contracted Services, Early Childhood Homebased, Nonpublic Therapists, Nonpublic Teachers
Project: 461023, 461024 - IDEA Base/EP Grant
Policy: 7000 
Amount:  $1,783,550.00

Administration recommends approval of the attached annual Special Education Services contracts.  Every year, the Special Education Division, within Curriculum and Instruction Support, negotiates and renews contracts with outside agencies for special education services that are required under Rule 51 and Rule 52.  This is the fifth set of agency contracts going to the Board of Education for approval for the 2023-2024 school year and is part of the District's annual practice.  In keeping with the provisions in Policy 7000, contracts that may exceed $50,000 are being placed on the agenda for Board of Education approval. Attached you will find: a service provider rate sheet, contracts and a contract cost sheet for your review for contracts that exceed or may exceed $50,000. The contract rate sheet includes NDE approved rates for services that need to be purchased by Omaha Public Schools from outside agencies that will provide special education services to students ages birth-21. The contract cost sheet includes the agency, address, type of service the agency provides, the estimated number of students that receive services from that agency and 2023-2024 contract rate. The sheet includes an estimate of the total cost for special education services provided by contract agencies. The rates and contracts are budgeted for within the 2023-2024 school year. All providers will be approved by NDE to provide special education and related services. The total cost to the District for this group is estimated to be $1,783,550.00 and is an allowable reimbursable special education expenditure. 

Rationale:  FUND:       4070 Depreciation Fund
PROGRAM:    2591 Building and Sites
DEPT ID:    3610020 Burke HS Facility
DEPT. ID:   3360020 Northwest HS Facility
DEPT ID:    3690020 Westview HS Facility        
SUPPLIER:   Digital Scoreboards, LLC.
POLICIES:   7000, III.K, 7000, VII.A.
AMOUNT:     $698,933.00

Administration recommends approving the contract with Digital Scoreboards, LLC. For Bid No. 23-057, OPS High Schools LED Video Scoreboards, Package "B". This project is the second of multiple projects to remove the existing indoor scoreboards from the competition gyms at all high schools and install new LED video displays that will allow full video production and multiple sports scoring during competition. This work includes all power, data, and audio-visual components necessary to power and provide video content to the scoreboards.   This package will address indoor scoreboards at Burke, Northwest, and Westview High Schools. The Board of Education approved the bid for Package "B" on August 21, 2023.

The total price of the contract is $698,933.00

Rationale:  FUND:       4070 Depreciation Fund
PROGRAM:    2591 Building and Sites
DEPT. ID:   3640020 Bryan HS Facility
DEPT. ID:   3630020 Buena Vista HS Facility 
DEPT. ID:   3690020 Westview HS Facility   
SUPPLIER:   Digital Scoreboards, LLC.
POLICIES:   7000, III.K, 7000, VII.A.
AMOUNT:     $1,049,321.00

Administration recommends approval of contract with Digital Scoreboards, LLC., for Bid No. 23-059 OPS High School LED Video Scoreboards, Package "A". This project is the first of multiple projects that will remove the existing outdoor scoreboards where present at all high school stadiums and install new LED video displays that will allow full video production and multiple sport scoring during competition. This work includes all power, data, and audio-visual components necessary to power and provide video content to the scoreboards.  This package will address the scoreboards at Bryan High, Buena Vista, and Westview High Schools. The Board of Education approved the award of the bid for Package "A" on August 21, 2023.

The total price of the contract is $1,049,321.00.

Rationale:  FUND:       4070 Depreciation Fund
PROGRAM:    2591 Building and Sites
DEPT ID:    3300020 Benson HS Facility
DEPT ID:    3310020 Central HS Facility
DEPT ID:    3320020 North HS Facility
SUPPLIER:   Digital Scoreboards, LLC.
POLICIES:   7000, III.K, 7000, VII.A.
AMOUNT:     $698,933.00

Administration recommends approval of the contract with Digital Scoreboards, LLC. for Bid No. 23-075 for OPS High School LED Video Scoreboards. This project will remove the existing indoor scoreboards from the competition gyms at all high schools, install new LED video displays to allow full video production and multiple sports scoring during competition, and install new LED video displays to allow full video production and multiple sports scoring during competition as well as use during instruction of physical education classes. This work includes all power, data, and audio-visual components necessary to power and provide video content to the scoreboards.   This package will address indoor scoreboards at Benson High School, Central High School, and North High School.  The Board of Education approved the bid for Package "C" on September 7, 2023. 

The total price of the contract is $698,933.00.

Rationale:  FUND:       4070 Depreciation Fund
PROGRAM:    2591 Building and Sites
DEPT ID:    3640020 Bryan HS Facility
DEPT ID:    3630020 Buena Vista HS Facility
DEPT ID:    3330020 South HS Facility
SUPPLIER:   Digital Scoreboards, LLC.
POLICIES:   7000, III.K, 7000, VII.A.
AMOUNT:     $698,933.00

Administration recommends approval of the contract with Digital Scoreboards, LLC. For Bid No. 23-090 OPS High School LED Video Scoreboards. This project will remove the existing indoor scoreboards from the competition gyms at all high schools, install new LED video displays to allow full video production and multiple sports scoring during competition, and install new LED video displays to allow full video production and multiple sports scoring during competition as well as use during instruction of physical education classes. This work includes all power, data, and audio-visual components necessary to power and provide video content to the scoreboards.   This package will address indoor scoreboards at Bryan, Buena Vista, and South High School.  The Board of Education approved the bid for Package "D" on September 7, 2023. 

The total price of the contract is $698,933.00.

Rationale:  FUND: 5190 ESU19 Info & Management Services
PROGRAM: 2510 Business Support Services
DEPT ID: 7062550 Human Resources Information System
SUPPLIER: Customer Expressions Corporation (Doing Business as) Case IQ
POLICY: 7000, VII., A
AMOUNT: $14,575.00
 
Administration recommends the approval of a one-year extension of the agreement with Customer Expressions Corporation (doing business as - Case IQ (formerly i-Sight) at a cost of $14,575.00.  The renewal provides continued access to case management software for documentation and tracking of employee misconduct, Title VII, and Title IX investigations.  The previous three year agreement cost the District $49.250.00 which did not require Board approval.  The agreement is being presented to the Board since the addition of the fourth year will bring the total cost of this service to $63,825.00.

Rationale:  FUND:     1 & 175 General Fund reimbursed by Covid Federal Grants
PROGRAM:  2620 Maintenance School/District Buildings
DEPT. ID: 7166600 Schoolhouse Planning         
SUPPLIER: The Waldinger Corporation
POLICIES: 7000, III.K, 7000, VII.A, 7000, VII.D
AMOUNT:   $ 7,710,871.00

Administration recommends approval of the attached contract with The Waldinger Corporation, Inc., the low bidder for Bid No. 23-046 (Multiple Site HVAC Controls Modernization).  This purchase is in alignment with Pillar 3-Infrastructure for the Future. The Waldinger Corporation is the responsible offeror whose proposal is most advantageous to the District with price and other factors considered.

The Board of Education previously approved the award of the base bid and alternates on August 7, 2023. It is recommended to enter an agreement for the base bid to ensure completion of the work by September 2024 and allow time for further design review of the mechanical systems at the schools associated with alternate 1 and 2. The contract work includes the replacement of control for the HVAC systems, which will allow for integration and automated control and monitoring of the building's HVAC systems by the Niagara N4 Supervisor Control Module. This work will provide a better instructional environment for students and staff by allowing better control of the climate in the building and increasing the efficiency of the heating and cooling systems while decreasing energy usage. This project includes work at Ashland-Park Robbins Elementary, Bancroft Elementary, Central Park Elementary, Dundee Elementary, Minne Lusa Elementary, Monroe Middle, Pawnee Elementary, Prairie Wind Elementary, and Skinner Elementary. This project is scheduled to be completed in September 2024.

Additionally, Administration recommends the approval of Change Order No. 001 for this contract to provide for scope clarifications.  As a part of the value engineering completed post-bid to ensure the scope of work could be completed within the time frame allotted and within budget. These clarifications provided a deduction of $184,949.00 from the original contract amount.

The price of this contract is $7,895,820.00 minus the deduction of $184,949.00 from Change Order No. 001, resulting in a total price of $7,710,871.00.  This project is funded from Fund 01 and reimbursed by COVID Federal Grants (Fund 175).

Rationale:  Fund:  1, General Funds
Program:  2211, Other Student Support Services
Dept:  7196010, Career and Tech Education
Policy: 7000, III.K. and 7000, VII.A.
Amount:  $72,788.86

Administration recommends approval of a renewed contract with Metropolitan Community College to continue with a collaborative position. The role provides support to Omaha Public Schools students and staff to enhance, expand, and develop opportunities for students to earn college credits by taking part in Metropolitan Community College dual enrollment courses and support to staff through instructional leadership related to dual enrollment.  The contract specifies this role will be shared financially between Omaha Public Schools and Metropolitan Community College, where Metropolitan Community College will reimburse Omaha Public Schools fifty percent of the total cost of compensation (salary and benefits), up to $72,788.86, over a 12-month term between August 1, 2023 and July 31, 2024 .

Continuing this contractual agreement will allow Omaha Public Schools to continue work around Career Education programming in our high schools and will facilitate collaborative connections to expand work as it relates to our secondary programs, career pathways, and career academy programs. This collaborative agreement will also allow Omaha Public Schools to better align to the requirements of the federal Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century (Perkins V) Act where dual enrollment access and participation will be an indicator of program success. The remaining fifty percent of this FTE remains as a staffing budget item of Curriculum and Instruction Support, Office of Career Education.  The Administration recommends approval of the attached collaborative agreement.

Rationale:  Pursuant to Policy 3090, Administration recommends that three (3) relocatable classroom buildings listed below be declared surplus and that staff be authorized to determine the appropriate disposition of these buildings. The relocatable classrooms are no longer needed to accommodate the student population due to new classroom additions and construction of schools under the 2014/18 bond construction program and current student assignment plan. Due to the condition of the buildings, Administration recommends the demolition and disposal of these three relocatable classrooms buildings.

Staff further recommends that the District’s Chief Operations Officer, or their designee, be authorized to sign on behalf of the District all necessary documents to remove or retire the buildings.
 

Tag Number	Manufacturer	Year Purchase
R047	National	1967
R247	Miller	1991
R301	Satellite	1994

Rationale:  FUND:                  156,  Head Start/Early Head Start Grant
PROGRAM:         3201,  Early Childhood Education
DEPT:                   0660085, Kennedy Head Start Grant
PROJECT:           632823, Head Start-Educare EHS
AMOUNT:            $866,470.00

Section 642 of the Head Start Act requires Board of Education approval on this proposed agreement between Omaha Public School and Educare of Omaha. This document is an agreement between OPS Head Start/Early Head Start and Educare for the 2023 - 2024 grant year. Educare agrees to provide Head Start and Early Head Start services as a delegate agency for OPS and follow all Head Start regulations.  

Rationale:  Administration recommends approval of the attached salary schedules and part-time hourly rates summary for staff not otherwise covered by a negotiated agreement.  The approval will be for the 2023-2024, 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years.  There are approximately 500 full-time and 1500 part-time non-negotiated employees.  In 2021, the Board, in an effort to provide greater transparency for affected employees, placed non-negotiated employees on new salary schedules that generally mirrored the collective bargaining unit or meet and confer group with which the job most corresponds.  Non-negotiated personnel match up with the following bargaining units and meet and confer group:  OEA, Paraprofessionals, Office Personnel, OSAA, Operations, Transportation, Nutrition, Bilingual Liaisons and Maintenance and Crafts.  The attached summary designates the bargaining unit or meet and confer group to which each job is mirrored.  Non-negotiated employees are receiving the salary increases as follows: 2.27% for 2023-2024, 2.22% for 2024-2025 and 2.25% for 2025-2026.  In addition, as the District has done with all other employees to date, the $4,500 retention stipend has been rolled into the base wage beginning with the 2024-2025 school year.  All non-negotiated personnel who are eligible for health insurance will receive benefits in accordance with the bargaining unit to which they are mirrored.  Non-negotiated employees shall be eligible to receive any other benefit provided for in Board Policy or in the corresponding collective bargaining or meet and confer agreement.

Rationale:  Policy 4001 and 4035 require that the election of employees shall be by action of the Board of Education upon recommendation of the Superintendent or designee.  Additionally, Policy 4008 requires that the Chief Human Resources Officer process all retirements, resignations, cancellations, contract amendments and terminations of employment making a recommendation for appropriate action to the Superintendent and Board of Education.  Therefore, the District recommends the approval of the attached Staffing Adjustments. 

Rationale:  Policy 8120 stipulates the Board of Education shall cause policies and regulations to be revised as necessary. The first reading of Policy 6113 was approved at the October 2, 2023 Board meeting.  The Policy Committee recommends approval of the second reading.

6113 - Parental/Guardian Access to the Schools

Rationale:  The Accountability Committee, in consultation with GR Recruiting, recommends approval of the attached Profile of a Superintendent. The profile was developed using 2,691 superintendent search survey responses in May and September-October 2023, as well as themes identified from the 42 stakeholder engagement meetings and community forums in which more than 278 people participated. The Profile of a Superintendent is not meant to be exhaustive, but rather is intended to provide potential candidates with an overview of the qualities the Board and community seek in the next superintendent. The Profile of a Superintendent will become a part of the District’s job posting and can serve as a guide for evaluating applicants.

Rationale:  Administration will provide an update of College & Career Academies and Pathways implementation, specific to Freshman Academy and Freshman-On-trac.

Rationale:  The Chair of the Legislative Committee will provide an update.

Rationale:  The Chair of the Policy Committee will provide an update.

Rationale:  The Head Start Program Information Report (PIR) provides comprehensive data on the services, staff, children, and families served by our Head Start program.   The attached report was submitted on August 30, 2023 for the 2022-2023 school year.  This report is a required informational report to be shared with the governing body annually.   

Rationale:  Policy 8230 requires the Secretary to the Board of Education to prepare a quarterly report summarizing all Board member travel and expenditures associated with attendance to workshops, conferences, or meetings. 

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.