March 4, 2024 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:  Buena Vista High School's JROTC will present the Colors and lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

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 Terry Burton, principal at Gateway Elementary, who was named Administrator of the Year by the Nebraska School Counselor Association.

Rationale:  The Treasurer's Report for January 2024 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:  FUND:  1 and 175 General Fund reimbursed by COVID 19 ESSER Funds
PROGRAM:    2150 School Safety
DEPT:     7105700 School Safety
PROJECT/GRANT:    499293 Digital Communications
SUPPLIER:    First Wireless, Inc
POLICIES:   7000 Purchasing and Contracting Policies
AMOUNT:  $6,550,871.00

Administration recommends approval of the attached agreement with First Wireless, Inc. The Board previously approved to award Proposal No. P003-24 to First Wireless, Inc for Two-Way Digital Radios, Supporting Equipment, Service and Installation and Related Services for a District-Wide Upgrade to its Emergency Two-Way Radios and Equipment for all Schools and Building Needs in Omaha Public Schools at the Thursday, February 22, 2024, Board of Education meeting. First Wireless, Inc is the responsible offeror whose proposal is most advantageous to the District with price and other factors considered. This project is funded by Fund 01 and reimbursed by COVID-19 Federal Grants.
 

Supplier	Total
First Wireless, Inc	$6,550,871.00 for equipment and services (labor, tools, and all equipment needed)
If additional sites to enhance coverage is needed	$156,910.60 per site (this includes all equipment, installation, and licenses)
Pricing for additional radios	$1412.00 per radio
Option Year 1 (2024/2025)	$80,210.00
Option Year 2 (2025/2026)	$84,220.00
Option Year 3 (2026/2027)	$88,432.00

Rationale:  FUND: 1, General
PROGRAM: 2241, Library Services
DEPT: 7193010, Secondary Education Admin
VENDOR: Insignia Software Corporation
POLICY: 7000, III. D
AMOUNT: $841,666.00

Administration recommends approval to award Bid No. PO27-23 to Insignia Software Corporation for a District-wide integrated library system that includes textbook management and the addition of a sheet music library for years 2024-25 through 2030-31, with data migration and testing to begin March 2024. The proposal includes library management software for all District school libraries, District-wide textbook management software, and tracking of the District’s extensive sheet music library.
The District received four (4) RFP responses. While not the lowest bidder, Insignia includes a separate textbook management module that was included as an optional feature in the request for proposals. Insignia was chosen based on the inclusion of all optionally listed features, price in relation to other vendors, improved e-book and electronic resource integration, and improved reporting functionality. Insignia Software Corporation is the offeror whose proposal is most advantageous to the district with price and other factors considered. The table below outlines the features and costs included in all bids for this project. This is a seven-year contract using general funds. The total awarded to Insignia is $841,666.00.

Administration requests that the Board waive the bidding requirement for the cost of Clever integration, as that was not part of the original bid. The District already uses Clever as a unified point of electronic resource access for students, so adding Clever integration with Insignia is a logical choice as it will allow our students to easily access the library catalogs through their Clever login.
 

	Companion Corporation Alexandria  Library	Follett Destiny Library, Music Library, Textbooks  20% Discount for purchasing all services	TLC LS2  Library & Music Library	Insignia Enterprise Version Library, Music Library, & Textbooks	Insignia Enterprise Version  Library, Music Library, & Textbooks  + Clever Integration
Implementation March 2024				$33,333.00	$41,666.00
Year 1	$228,530.00	$429,414.08	$88,972.80	$150,000.00	$170,000.00
Year 2	$117,720.00	$178,258.40	$88,972.80	$80,000.00	$100,000.00
Year 3	$117,720.00	$184,775.01	$88,972.80	$80,000.00	$100,000.00
Year 4	$117,720.00	$191,617.44	$93,420.95	$85,000.00	$105,000.00
Year 5	$117,720.00	$198,802.01	$93,420.95	$85,000.00	$105,000.00
Year 6	$117,720.00	$206,374.59	$93,420.95	$90,000.00	$110,000.00
Year 7	$117,720.00	$214,266.77	$98,092.97	$90,000.00	$110,000.00
Grand Total	$934,850.00	$1,603,508.30	$645,274.22	$693,333.00	$841,666.00

Rationale:  FUND:   1     General
PROGRAM:  1230  Placement Services
DEPARTMENT: 7194010 Curriculum Instruction Support Special Education
SUPPLIER:  Pairaphrase LLC
POLICIES:  6600 Special Education Policies (SE.D)                           
AMOUNT:  $52,300.00

Administration recommends awarding RFP No. P005-24 to Pairaphrase LLC for Special Education Document Translation Services. Pairaphrase LLC is a secure online translation platform that can translate one hundred languages. The secure online platform has the option for single sign-on access. Pairaphrase LLC will increase the District's ability and capabilities to translate special education documents into multiple languages to provide a copy to parents/guardians in their language in a timely manner. Special Education staff will upload documents to the platform, such as Multidisciplinary Team (MDTs) reports, Individualized Education Program (IEPs), Individual Family Support Plans (IFSPs), Prior Written Notice, and other pertinent Special Education documents. This online secure platform offers the ability to ensure families are provided with written documentation in their native language, ensuring we meet the federal and state requirements that the parent/guardian have and understand the content of all documents.

There were a total of 5 bids.  Effectiff is non-compliant for not providing immediate or timely translation of documents. Homeland Language is non-compliant for not providing a Software and Leasing Agreement, and Flix is non-compliant for not providing the completed signed Data Protection Agreement. Finally, Project Education is non-compliant for not providing timely or immediate translation of documents.

Pairaphrase LLC is the compliant bidder with a product price of $52,300.00. There is an option to add a single sign on for a one-time fee of $2,500.00, and an option to renew for (2) additional years capped at 5% increase per year.  No other costs for implantation of the Software or support are needed.

Product or Services	Quantity	Pairaphrase*	Homeland Language NC	Flix NC	Project Education NC	Effectiff NC
Secure Online Translation Platform	One Year	$49,800.00	N/A NC	$15,900.00 NC	$240,500.00 NC	N/A NC
Optional Single Sign In/One time set up fee	One	$2,500.00	N/A NC	$8,900.00 NC	N/A NC	N/A NC
Price per word	One Year	N/A	$.09 - $.16  per word NC	$.07 - $.24 per word NC	N/A NC	$.09 - $.19 per word NC
Project Management Fee	One Year	N/A	N/A NC	N/A NC	N/A NC	3% of total cost of request
Workflow Charge	One Year	N/A	$32 per hour NC	$60 per hour NC	N/A NC	$38 per hour NC
Optional Products of Service	Quantity	Pairaphrase	Homeland Languag NC	Flix NC	Project Education NC	Effectiff NC
Optional Extended Software and/or Licensing	Year One	$49,800.00 (capped at 5% per year)	N/A NC	N/A NC	N/A NC	N/A NC
Price per word	One Year	N/A	N/A NC	N/A NC	N/A NC	$.09 - $.19 per word NC
Project Management Fee	One Year	N/A	N/A NC	N/A NC	N/A NC	3% of total cost of request NC
Workflow Charge	One Year	N/A	N/A NC	N/A NC	N/A NC	$39 per hour NC
Optional Extended Software and/or Licensing	Year Two	$49,800.00 (capped at 5% per year)	N/A NC	N/A NC	N/A NC	$.10 - $.19 per word
Price per word	Year Two	N/A NC	N/A NC	N/A NC	N/A NC	$.09 - $.19 per word NC
Project Management Fee	Year Two	N/A NC	N/A NC	N/A NC	N/A NC	3% of total cost of request NC
Workflow Charge	Year Two	N/A NC	N/A NC	N/A NC	N/A NC	$39 per hour NC
Total Optional Service Contract & Extended Software Licensing	Total Option Pricing	$99,600.00 NC	N/A NC	N/A NC	N/A NC	$.09 - $.19 per word + $39 per hour NC

* = Awarded low priced item meeting specifications from a compliant bidder.

NC = Non-complaint does not meet the specifications and/or does not have all the required information as stated in the bid documents.

For complete bid documentation, contact Catherine.Utecht@ops.org.

Rationale:  FUND:     42 - 2018 Bond Program Proceeds Fund
PROGRAM:  2591 - Buildings & Grounds
DEPT. ID: 0650020 - Highland Elementary School Facilities 
PROJECT:  321513 - Highland Elementary School Project      
SUPPLIER: Midwest DCM
POLICY:   7000, IV.G.
AMOUNT:   $225,000.00

Pursuant to Policies 7000, IV. G., Administration and Jacobs with the concurrence of the project architect/engineer, Leo A Daly, recommend that the following change order agreement be submitted for approval:

Project: Highland Elementary School: Capital Improvements and Renovation Project
Architect/Engineer: Leo A Daly
Contractor: Midwest DCM
Fund: 42 2018 Bond Program   

RFP#	Type	Description	Type	Amount
CO #002	Arch.	To relocate the existing air-cooled condenser unit to improve efficiency and increase the overall lifespan of the equipment.	Add	$225,000.00

 

Total Amount of Change Order No. 002 - Add	$225,000.00
Original Contract Amount	$1,106,000.00
Previously Approved Changes	($11,359.21)
Change Order No. 002 - Add	$225,000.00
Total Revised Contract Amount	$1,319,640.79
Amount Paid to Date	$1,094,640.79
Amount Remaining	$225,000.00

Rationale:  FUND:     42 - 2018 Bond Program Proceeds Fund
PROGRAM:  2591 - Buildings & Grounds
DEPT:     3630020 - Buena Vista High School
PROJECT:  321508 - Buena Vista High School: New High School Project
SUPPLIER: McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.
POLICY:   7000, IV.G.
AMOUNT:   ($508,375.74)

Pursuant to Policies 7000, IV. G., Administration and Jacobs with the concurrence of the project architect/engineer, DLR Group, recommend that the following change order agreement be submitted for approval:

Project: Buena Vista High School: New High School Project
Architect/Engineer: DLR Group
Contractor: McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.
Fund: 42 2018 Bond

RFP#	Type	Description	Type	Amount
PCO277	Arch.	Unused Contingency and allowances not committed in GMP Amendments Numbers 1,2,3,4,5,6,7, and 8.	Deduct	($508,375.74)

Total Amount of Change Order No. 004 - Deduct	($508,375.74)
Original Contract Amount	$180,000.00
Previously Approved Changes	$83,471,850.00
Change Order No. 004 - Deduct	($508,375.74)
Total Revised Contract Amount	$83,143,474.26
Amount Paid to Date	$81,691,087.22
Amount Remaining	$1,452,387.04

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: 1, General Fund
Department: 7194010, Special Education Administration
Programs: 1214, 1270, Speech Language Therapy, Contracted Services
Policy: 7000 
Amount:  $484,884.00

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 seventh 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 $484,884.00 and is an allowable reimbursable special education expenditure. 

Rationale:  FUND: 1 General Fund
PROGRAM: 2510  Business Support Services
DEPT. ID: 7043100 Human Resources Department
SUPPLIER: ACA Track Services
POLICY:  7000, VII., A
AMOUNT: 73,210.00

Administration recommends extending the attached agreement with ACA Track Services extending our current contract with the company. ACA Track Services provides the District with services including completing, printing and mailing the 1095-C form to each eligible employee in order for the District to comply with the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Additionally, ACA Track Services will administer ACA compliance services including creating watch lists for at-risk employees, threshold testing, affordability testing, and data to support IRS reporting. Service fees are calculated on a per-employee basis. This 3-year extension is projected to cost $73,210 per year.

Rationale:  FUND: 1 & 175 General Fund and COVID Federal Grants
PROGRAM: 2620 Maintenance Schools/District Buildings
DEPT ID: 3330020 South High School
PROJECT: South High School Mechanical
SUPPLIER:  BCDM Architects
POLICY: 7000, IV. G
AMOUNT: $222,350.00

Administration recommends approval of the attached contract with BCDM Architects as the Design Firm for Capital Improvements at South High School - Tier 1 & Tier 2 Expanded Scope.  Omaha Public Schools entered into an Agreement on July 14, 2020, and modified it on January 31, 2022, for the performance of architectural and engineering services to support the capital improvement work associated with the 2018 Bond Program.  BCDM Architects has completed the 2018 Bond work and has been compensated for additional work. Under this agreement, BCDM Architects is providing completed plans, specifications, and construction administration services to complete the South High Capital Improvements project funded by ESSERS.  The project includes replacing and upgrading HVAC, Plumbing, and Electrical Systems. The agreed-upon fee for these services is $222,350.00, which includes an amount not to exceed $20,850.00 of reimbursable expenditures. This purchase is in alignment with Pillar 3 - Infrastructure for the Future and will be reimbursed with Fund 175, COVID Federal Grants.

Rationale:  FUND:     31 Special Building Fund
DEPT:     7166600 Schoolhouse Planning
PROGRAM:  2510 Business Support Services       
ACCOUNT:  53180   Contracted Repair Services      
SUPPLIER: Cheever Construction Company
POLICY:   7000, IV. C.
AMOUNT:   $3,314,000.00

Administration recommends approval of the attached contract with Cheever Construction Company, the low bidder for Bid No. 24-017 US Mills Printing and Publishing Remodel. The Board of Education approved the bid award on January 11, 2024. This project includes renovating the floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, HVAC system, skylights, and site improvements at the Mills Building. The remodeled space will accommodate the equipment and functions of the Printing and Publishing Division, expanding the capabilities of this department to support students and staff needs better. This project is funded by the special building fund (Fund 31) and is scheduled to be completed in August 2024.
 
The total price of this contract is $3,314,000.00.

Rationale:  Fund: 1 General Fund
Program:  2251 Staff Development
Dept:  7043100 Human Resources
Policy: 7000, VII.D.
Amount: $1,140,000

Administration recommends approval of the attached First Amendment to the Agreement Between Douglas County School District 0001 and the Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska for the Teacher Scholar Academy. The original agreement was approved by the Board of Education on September 8, 2022. The amendment outlines support for a cohort of university students beginning in the 2024-25 school year and effective through the 2027-28 school year and updates the rights and responsibilities of each party in implementing the program for Teacher Scholar Academy student participants.   Students in the program would receive a $5,000 scholarship per semester.  The cost will be $285,000 per year for the next four years, for a total of $1,140,000.

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:  Pursuant to Policy 7000, III.D, Administration recommends the Board reject all bids submitted for Bid No. 24-009, OPS Pool Equipment Upgrades. The proposed rejection, by the District is based upon the bid significantly exceeding the Engineer’s estimated cost. There was only one bid received. The scope of the project will be revised and then rebid.

Rationale:  FUND: 1 & 175 COVID Federal Grants
PROGRAM: 2130 Health Services
DEPT ID: 7105500 Health Services
PROJECT: 499250 Family and Community Engagement
SUPPLIER: School Health Inc.
POLICIES: 7000, III.K, 7000, VII.A
AMOUNT: $213,936.78

The total amount of $188,245.50 was not correct on the rationale that was submitted as I.21. and approved on February 8, 2024, Board Agenda.  As such we are resubmitting this item for approval with the corrected amount for Board approval. Administration recommends the purchase of one hundred seventy-four (174) Audiometers and seventy-five (75) Headsets for Health Offices in all District schools. This is part of our Family and Community Engagement under Pillar IIII using ESSER funds. These additional Audiometers and Headsets are needed to supplement the 5 units already purchased after Board approval of Bid No. 22-085 for Medical Supplies on August 15, 2022. These Audiometers and Headsets will be used to comply with the Nebraska state mandate, Title 173, Chapter 7, Nebraska Revised Statue 79-249, screening for hearing of students by delivering different frequencies and loudness levels of sound.  Each Audiometer unit includes one (1) ac/dc power adapter, one (1) carry case and one (1) Headset. The audiometers will be sent to all schools. The additional headsets are for the units at sites with larger student enrollment.

Each Audiometer unit purchase amount is $1,070.47 and each additional Headset is $369.00.  The approved bid included terms that pricing be held until July 31, 2024, on the purchase of additional units.  The total amount of this additional purchase is $213,936.78.

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

Rationale:  Administration has been in the process of undertaking a systemic review of the District’s K-5 elementary science textbooks. As part of the process, the District issued Request for Proposal (P014-23). Following the initial review of submissions, multiple textbooks, resources, and related materials were selected for field-testing. Administration will present a summary of its findings and recommendations based on an analysis of science content and standards-aligned skills, teacher reviews, field-testing, bias reviews, and community reviews consistent with the Curriculum Development Cycle. In keeping with the provisions of Policy 6121 and Policy 7000, Administration will present its final recommendations along with negotiated agreements with the selected vendor to the Board for approval at a future meeting.
 

Rationale:  Administration and representatives from Eide Bailly L.L.P. will present the audit reports for Douglas County School District #0001, Educational Service Unit No. 19, and KIOS-FM Radio for review.

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

Rationale:  The Accountability Committee recommends approval of the attached Agreement and Superintendent Pay Transparency Notice for Mr. Matt Ray to serve as Superintendent.  The agreement will commence on July 1, 2024 and will end on June 30, 2027.  The agreement provides that Mr. Ray will be paid a base salary of $336,500 and will receive benefits that mirror those provided to the previous Superintendent. The increase to Mr. Ray’s salary amounts to 2.22% of his previous salary plus rollover of the $4,500 stipend payment.  These two increases are identical to those received by all other employees of the District for the 2024-2025 school year.   

The Accountability Committee notes an overstatement in the Superintendent Pay Transparency Notice, related to Mr. Ray’s compensation in the 2024-2027 school years. Like all eligible employees, Mr. Ray’s length of service with Omaha Public Schools allows unused leave time to be converted for payment upon separation from the school district. All Mr. Ray’s unused leave is required by law to be counted as payment in the Superintendent Pay Transparency Notice and thus creates a notice that inaccurately reflects his total compensation. That includes $88,665.78 of unused sick leave, $40,488.04 of unused vacation leave, and $3,300.29 of unused personal leave, totaling $132,454.11. These amounts were accrued by Mr. Ray throughout his previous years of service to the District and are not new compensation under this agreement. Without separating from the school district, Mr. Ray may only convert $15,841.44 of unused leave for payment in the 2024-2025 school year.  The Superintendent Pay Transparency Notice overstates Mr. Ray’s total potential compensation for the 2024-2025 year by $116,612.68.  The actual compensation total for the 2024-2025 school year would be $484,798.64.  Mr. Ray's compensation for future years is similarly overstated.

Rationale:  The Legislative Committee, in keeping with the provisions of Policy 8150, recommends approval of its findings and recommendations as set forth in the attached summary of bills introduced before the Nebraska Legislature.  The summary has been prepared with the assistance of Kissel Kohout ES Associates and generally includes legislation which may affect the District.  The Committee continuously monitors legislative activity and may, from time to time, recommend that the Board take or update a position on a particular bill, resolution or amendment.  Committee recommendations typically include one of the following: Support, Oppose, or Monitor with Research.  In the absence of one of those recommendations, the Committee is recommending that the District take no position.  Given the fluid nature of the legislature, the Committee may need to present new bills, resolutions or amendments, including some that may not have appeared on the bill summary, to the Board for consideration.  In addition to the bill summary, the Committee, on occasion, recommends Board approval of position statements to guide the Board President and/or Superintendent when dealing with legislative debate on issues particular concern to the District that arise between Board Meetings.  There are no new recommended positions in this report.
 

Rationale:  This document provides the Board of Education with monthly Head Start information regarding attendance and enrollment, meal counts, in-kind amounts, health requirements, policy council minutes, delegate reports, and program information summaries to maintain a communication structure to support oversight responsibilities as stated in Head Start Performance Standard 1301.2.

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.