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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 your 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:  Led by

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Omaha Public School District is making national news by working to support and improve the health of our children and our community. As part of their effort, healthy items are featured on their menus and physical education and activity emphasized. Their efforts are part of the HealthierUS School Challenge (HUSSC).  Fifty-seven schools qualified for the Bronze award.  USDA, Food and Nutrition Service/Mountain Plains Regional Office staff will visit our district to present the official award.

The HUSSC application process was led by Tammy Yarmon/Food Service Director.  Special recognition is also due to the school nutrition staff for their efforts in achieving school lunch menu changes leading to a HUSSC Bronze award.

The HealthierUS School Challenge is a voluntary national certification initiative for schools participating in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program.  It supports First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move campaign by recognizing schools that are creating healthier school environments through their promotion of good nutrition and physical activity.  Sponsored by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), the initiative encourages all schools take a leadership role in helping students to make healthier eating and physical activity choices that will last a lifetime.  Fifty-seven OPS schools that champion the HUSSC, work hard to make changes to their school environment in order to (1) improve the quality of the foods served, (2) provide students with nutrition education, and (3) provide students with physical education and opportunities for physical activity.  Each school awarded will receive a monetary incentive of $500, an award plaque signed by a USDA official, a banner to display in their school, and their name listed on the Team Nutrition Web site.

Rationale:  Treasurer

The Treasurer's Report for September 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

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 B

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APPROVAL OF CLAIMS - SCHOOL DISTRICT OF OMAHA CLAIMS REPORT C:

All Claims submitted as potential conflict of interest for members of the Board of Education.

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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:  GRANT FUND BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS

It is recommended that the receipts and expenditures of the detailed grant fund budget for the 2014-2015 fiscal year be amended to include the following reimbursable programs:

The Sherwood Foundation Grants and Grants less than $10,000.00 to be amended into the 2014-2015 budgets are available for review in the Board Workroom.

1.   SHERWOOD FOUNDATION GRANTS

These budget amendments in the amount of $70,374.00 are for the period beginning September 1, 2014, and ending August 31, 2015.  These amendments represent only that part of the budget that will be expended during the 2014-2015 school year for new programs from the Sherwood Foundation.

      This program is 100% reimbursable.

2.   GRANTS LESS THAN $10,000

These budget amendments in the amount of $5,000.00 are for the period beginning September 1, 2014, and ending August 31, 2015.  These amendments represent only that part of the budget that will be expended during the 2014-2015 school year for various Grants less than $10,000.

      This program is 100% reimbursable.

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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 September 2014, be adopted.

Rationale:  Central administrative staff would like to provide notification of the receipt of the High Ability Learner (HAL) grant provided by the Nebraska Department of Education.  The HAL grant offers funding intended for services and support for students K-12 participating in gifted and talented education programs.  The grant totaling $325,287.00 was received on October 9, 2014.

Rationale:  The Delegate Agreement between Omaha Public Schools (OPS) and Educare is from November 1, 2014 to October 31, 2015. The Delegate (Educare) agrees to provide Early Head Start and Head Start services as a delegate agency for OPS at both Indian Hill Elementary and Kellom Elementary locations. All criteria and program expectations for a comprehensive child development program have been specified in accordance with federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations. The Educare Delegate Agreement is updated annually and has been in place since 2005.

Rationale:  As part of our contract with Cross and Joftus (C&J)  to support strategic planning, Cross & Joftus (C&J) was asked to return three times during the 2014-15 school year to assess the school district's progress in implementing the strategic plan and to present findings and recommendations.  Cross and Joftus will summarize their findings to the Board of Education.  

Rationale:  This report will provide an overview of the teacher evaluation system and the alignment with the strategic planning process.

Rationale:  OPS consulting partners Jacobs and Verdis Group, in conjunction with District Operational Services staff, will present information describing various initiatives related to energy efficiency and sustainability.

Rationale:  Staff will provide an update regarding the Community Eligibility Program (CEP).  The program provides an alternative approach for offering meals to schools that have low socioeconomic status.

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Across the United States Purpose Built Communities has established local initiatives to replicate a neighborhood revitalization project in East Lake Atlanta, Georgia. The 75 North Project is the Omaha replication of that initiative and has three components: 1) New Mixed Income Housing 2) Community Wellness and 3) A Cradle to College Education Pipeline. Howard Kennedy is the OPS school that will be a part of the project. It is within the 75 North neighborhood area. Staff will present a brief overview of the 75 North Project and next steps for exploration.

Rationale:  As a direct result of the Strategic Plan, specifically related to Principal 7: Accessible, Transparent, and Two-Way Communication, monthly expenditure reports showing printing expenditures are now automatically sent to each principal. This began in October 2014. Previously, principals referred to an accounting report that provided monthly totals. There was a method to obtain more detailed information from the accounting report but that process was not user friendly. Printing & Publications also provided, upon request, more detailed information. No longer will principals have to request the detailed information.

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.