November 27, 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 OPS Proud Spotlight features Benson High and Burke High student yearbook leaders. Both programs earned a Cornhusker Award from the Nebraska High School Press Association for publication excellence.

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:  154, Title I Grant Fund
DEPARTMENT:  3631110, Buena Vista HS Instruction
PROGRAM:  1100, Regular Instruction
PROJECT:  448624, Title I Schoolwide - Buena Vista
SUPPLIER: Bess Scott 
POLICY: 7000 III.K, VII.A. 
AMOUNT: $50,375.00 
 
Administration recommends approval of the attached agreement with Dr. Bess Scott to provide professional learning and coaching at Buena Vista High School.  This agreement includes multiple on-site training sessions for Buena Vista High staff and leadership team from June 2024 through July 2025.  Dr. Bess Scott will provide support and professional learning for leadership and school culture development.  The total amount of this contract is $50,375.00.

Rationale:  FUND:  1 & 175 General Fund partially reimbursed by Covid Federal Grants
PROGRAM:  1100 Regular Instruction
DEPT:  7193010 Secondary Education Administration
PROJECT:  499533, ESSER III
SUPPLIER:  Legends of Learning
POLICIES:  6121
AMOUNT:  $100,800.00

Administration recommends approval to award RFP P023-23 and enter into an agreement with Legends of Learning to renew the purchase of online supplemental Science content to support grades 6-8 Science curriculum for 2023-2024 and 2024-2025. Following the initial review of submissions, materials were evaluated utilizing guidance and rubrics from the Nebraska Department of Education. Legends of Learning was the lowest cost bid meeting specifications. The previously agreed upon Data Protection Agreement and Terms and Conditions Agreement are attached. The total price for the purchase is $100,800.00.  This purchase is partially funded under Pillar 1 of the approved ESSERS plan.  General Fund 1 will be used for both years and year one will be reimbursed from Fund 175 Covid Federal Grants.

Rationale:  FUND: 1 & 175 General Fund reimbursed by COVID Federal Grants
PROGRAM: 2620 Maintenance School/District Buildings
DEPT. ID: 7166600 Schoolhouse Planning
SUPPLIER: Elkhorn West Construction
POLICIES: 7000, III.K, 7000, VII.A, 7000, VII.D
AMOUNT:   $840,300.00

Administration recommends approval to Award Bid No. 24-008 to Elkhorn West Construction, the only bidder for Blackburn Access Control System & Exterior Door Upgrades. The work includes the installation of electronic hardware and access controls (card readers) on all exterior doors and interior doors between programs at Blackburn School. The work also includes the removal and replacement of the door assembly at 15 door openings, as required for new controls and hardware to be installed.  The building does not currently have access controls.

This purchase supports Pillar III, Infrastructure for the Future, under the ESSERS Program approved by the Board of Education. The total cost of this purchase is $840,300.00, which will be paid from Fund 1 and reimbursed by the Fund 175 Covid Federal Grants.

Elkhorn West is the responsible offeror whose proposal is most advantageous to the District with price and other factors included.

Bids received were:

Vendor	Base Bid
Elkhorn West Construction	$840,300.00

For complete bid documentation, contact Barakat.Elshalaby@ops.org.

Rationale:  FUND:       1 & 175 General Fund reimbursed by COVID Federal Grants
PROGRAM:    2620 Maintenance School/District Buildings
DEPT.:      7166600 Schoolhouse Planning 
SUPPLIER:   MMC Contractors
POLICIES:   7000, IV.C., 7000, IV.E., 7000, VII.A., 7000, VII.D.
AMOUNT:     $8,932.00

Administration recommends approval of change order No. 001 to the Rose Hill Elementary School and Belvedere Elementary School Cooling Tower Additions Project awarded through Bid No. P008-23 for the mechanical systems upgrades at Rose Hill Elementary School and Belvedere Elementary School, which the Board approved on November 28, 2022.

This purchase supports Pillar III, Infrastructure for the Future, under the ESSERS Program approved by the Board of Education. The total cost of the project is $1,239,492.00 which will be paid from Fund 1 and reimbursed by the Fund 175 Covid Federal Grants.
 
MMC Contractors is the responsible offeror whose proposal is most advantageous to the District with price and other factors included.
 

PCO	Type	Description	Type	Amount
001	Site	Install concrete slab under the new cooling tower at Rose Hill Elementary in lieu of crushed rock specified in plans. This change is requested to allow improved access to service and maintenance of the tower in addition to eliminating the maintenance required to keep the area under and around the cooling tower free of weeds that could potentially shorten the lifespan of the tower.	Add	$8,932.00

The proposed changes have no effect to the substantial completion date of September 1, 2023. 

Total Amount of Change Order No. 001 - Add	$   8,932.00
Original Contract Amount:	$ 1,230,560.00
Previously Approved Changes:	$ 0.00
Change Order No. 001 - Add	$ 8,932.00
Total Revised Contract Amount:	$ 1,239,492.00

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:  Pursuant to Policy 7000, IX, A, 1., Administration recommends approval of a permanent sidewalk and traffic signal easement at 4020 N. 30th Street, Omaha NE 68111 (Druid Hill Elementary).  The parcel includes fourteen (14) square feet at the northeast corner of the property to maintain the traffic signal at the corner of 30th street and Sprague.  The City of Omaha will provide compensation of $100.00 for this permanent easement.  

Rationale: 

In keeping with the provisions of Policy 1402, Administration requests approval of the attached Program and Design for the Westview Arboretum.  The Arboretum will be situated on a 4.6 acre parcel of land located at the southwest corner of Westview High School. The improvements are proposed to be completed in multiple phases and funded by grants and private donations. Westview High has a $20,000 award from the State of Nebraska Arboretum Grant along with a $50,000 commitment from the Omaha Public Schools Foundation to begin this project if the program and design are approved.  Approval of the master plan will allow the District to seek additional funding partners. Students in the Sustainability Pathways at Westview High will manage and maintain the Arboretum as a part of their pathway programming.  Once approved, Administration will prepare and present the Board with the appropriate agreements with the funding partners.

Rationale:  The Eastern Nebraska School Security Union Local #28 and the District have reached a tentative agreement for the 2023-24, 2024-25, and 2025-26 school years.  The wages increase by 2.27% in year one, 2.22% and the $4,500 stipend incorporated into the salary structure in year two, and 2.25% in year three.  The District will continue to provide a $1200 deductible health plan with a $0 deductible, narrow network option.  Administration recommends Board approval of the attached tentative agreement which has been ratified by ENSSU. 

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:  FUND:   1 General Fund
PROGRAM:  2330 Executive Administrative Services
DEPT ID: 7043100 Human Resources Department
SUPPLIER: IDEMIA
POLICY: 7000, V., G
AMOUNT: $29,183.00

Administration recommends that the Board of Education waive the requirement to bid found in Policy 7000 3.D, and authorize the direct purchase of IDEMIA’s LiveScan Cabinet Tenprint/Palm Capture for $25,682.00 and the optional annual maintenance package for $3,501.00.  The total cost of this system is $29,183.00.  The Nebraska Department of Education requires applicants for educator certification to obtain a fingerprint-based criminal history record check conducted by the Nebraska State Patrol as authorized in Nebraska Rev. Statute 79-814.01.  Obtaining a fingerprint scan is a significant hurdle for teachers due to the limited locations and hours this service is offered.  This often delays a teacher's ability to be fully certified in Nebraska, impacting our ability to employ them.  The Nebraska State Patrol and the Nebraska Department of Education have agreed to allow Omaha Public Schools to capture fingerprints and securely transmit them for the fingerprint-based criminal history record check that is required to expedite the certification process.  Administration recommends waiving bidding requirements in Board Policy 7000 3.D. as IDEMIA is the sole provider for the IDEMIA’s LiveScan Cabinet Tenprint/Palm Capture used by the Nebraska State Patrol and required for this process.  

The amount of this purchase is $29,183.00.

Rationale:  Administration recommends approval of a contract with Cavanaugh Macdonald Consulting, LLC, for actuarial services for the Omaha School Employees Retirement System (OSERS) from January 1, 2024 to August 31, 2024.  Cavanaugh Macdonald is the current actuary for OSERS and will provide services that include the annual valuation study and periodic consulting services for retiree benefits.  The agreement is for a partial year because the state will take over administration of OSERS beginning September 1, 2024.  This contract will be paid with OSERS funds and totals $36,000.

Rationale:  It is recommended that the grant fund budget be amended to include the receipts and expenditures of the attached grant awards.

Rationale:  Aligned strategic priority 1, Academics, this  presentation builds on the information item about aligned continuous improvement that was shared on August 21. A balanced assessment system:

• Includes assessment of and for learning
• Promotes effective decision making at the student, school, and district levels
• Provides evidence for continuous improvement

The presentation will include an analysis of NSCAS and ELPA assessment results for 2022-2023 as well as trend data about results over the last 3 academic years. In addition, a summary of AQuESTT accountability classifications will be provided. 

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:  Administration will provide recommendations for the 2024-25 Academic Calendar. 

Rationale:  The purpose of this report is to provide an examination of the on-track for graduation status of students enrolled at the end of the 2022-23 school year. Reporting by grade level, credit category, demographics, and schools/program provides a robust picture of a key leading indicator that helps schools forecast on-time graduation and drive continuous school improvement. The third goal of the strategic plan’s priority in academics state that each year every high school will increase the percentage of ninth through twelfth grade students identified as on-track for graduation by 5%. This report provides a baseline from which this goal can be measured and to inform stakeholders of the components of high school on-track.

Rationale:  The purpose of this report is to provide a review of our district’s 2022-23 student attendance and absenteeism. A student’s attendance at schools is essential to their academic success and social and emotional well-being. Examination of trends at the district, grade, and student group level further our understanding of student absenteeism to better drive school improvement. This information is being shared with our community to stress the importance of on-time, complete attendance, for every student, every day as we partner with them to prepare for success in college, career, and life.

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.