May 5, 2025 at 6:00 PM - Omaha Public Schools Board of Education and Educational Service Unit 19 Board Meeting
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A. OPS Board Of Education Information
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. |
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B. Call to Order
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C. Pledge of Allegiance
Rationale:
North High School's JROTC will present the Colors and lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
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D. OPS Vision and Mission Statement
Rationale:
The Vision: Every Student. Every Day. Prepared for Success.
The Mission: To prepare all students for success in college, career, and life. |
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E. Roll Call
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E.1. Excused/Unexcused Absence
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F. School Spotlight
Rationale:
The #OPSProud Spotlight recognizes Wah Hsee Paw of Benson High and Jasmin Aguilar Basilio of South High for receiving gold and silver medals in the 2025 National Scholastic Art and Writing Awards program.
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G. Board and Superintendent Communications
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G.1. Treasurer
Rationale:
The Treasurer's Report for March 2025 is attached for review.
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G.2. Superintendent
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G.3. Board Members
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H. Public Comment and Recognition
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I. Consent Agenda
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.
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I.1. Reading of Minutes
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I.1.a. Monday, April 21, 2025 - Regular Meeting Minutes
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I.1.b. Monday, April 28, 2025 - Workshop
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I.2. Approval of Claims Report A - District Expenditure
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.).
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I.3. Approval of Claims Report B - Expenditures from Various Student Activity Funds for which the Board Serves as Custodian
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.
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I.4. Approval of Claims Report C - Expenditures on behalf of Board Members or their Related Organizations
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.
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I.5. Approval of Claims Report D - Payroll Expenditures
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.
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I.6. Approval of Claims Report E - Payroll Estimated Expenditures
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.
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I.7. Approval of Educational Service Unit No. 19 Claims - Expenditures to be Paid from Education Service Unit's Funds
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.
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I.8. Committee on Claims Audit Approval (05/05/2025)
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.
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I.9. Approval of Contribution Agreement Contract Between Metropolitan Community College and Omaha Public Schools for 2024-2025 Covering Collaborative Work Providing Dual Enrollment Credit Opportunities to Students and Instructional Support for Teachers and School Staff ($78,150.83)
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: $78,150.83 The Office of Career Education, Department of Curriculum and Instruction Support, 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 agreement 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 (pay and benefits), up to $78,150.83, over a 12-month term between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025 (2024-25 academic year). 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.
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I.10. Approval to Exercise the First Option of the Contract with Medical Enterprises for Drug & Alcohol Testing and Employee Physical Examinations per Bid No. 24-070 (Projected Cost: $44,250.00)
Rationale:
FUND: 1 General Fund
PROGRAM: 2750 Regular Education; 2760 Special Education; 3102 Early Childhood Special Education DEPT: 7162800 Student Transportation SUPPLIER: Medical Enterprises, Inc. POLICY: 7000, VII., III, A AMOUNT: Projected Cost: $44,250.00 Administration recommends exercising the first one-year extension option in the Drug and Alcohol Testing and Employee Physical Examination Contract with Medical Enterprises, Inc. The Board of Education approved this contract on August 19, 2024 and has the option to extend the term of the Agreement for two (2) one (1) year terms. If approved, this would take effect on August 1, 2025, and end on July 31, 2026. Actual cost is based on actual usage during the year. Based on last year's usage, the projected cost would be approximately $44,250.00.
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I.11. Approval of First Amendment to Contract with Bishop Business Equipment Company for the Roll to Cut Inkjet Printer for the Printing and Publication Expansion Project, Bid No. 24-073 ($356,255.00)
Rationale:
FUND: 4070 Depreciation Fund
DEPT: 7062600 Printing and Publication PROGRAM: 2510 Printing and Publication SUPPLIER: 3641 Bishop Business Equipment Company POLICY: 7000. III. D. AMOUNT: $356,255.00 Administration recommends approval of the First Amendment to Bid No. 24-073 with Bishop Business Equipment Company for the Roll to Cut Inkjet Printer Equipment Contract. This contract was approved by the Board of Education on March 24, 2025. The First Amendment clarifies several items: 1) that the $572/monthly service fee in Exhibit A is waived; 2) that the $0.0025 impression charge will not increase during the term of the agreement; 3) the number of option years is five, following the first two years of the warranty period; and 4) reduces the District's cost for ink. Administration recommends approval of this Amendment as it clarifies future pricing and does not add any cost to the original contract. For complete bid documentation, contact Catherine.Utecht@ops.org.
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I.12. Approval for Head Start Request to Carryover Unspent Funds Into the Fiscal Year 2025 (Unspent $263,250.00)
Rationale:
FUND: 156, Head Start/Early Head Start
PROGRAM: 3201, Early Childhood PROJECT: 650525, Head Start - Kennedy DEPT: 0660085, Kenndy POLICIES: 3570 AMOUNT: $263,250.00 In keeping with 42 U.S.C. 9837 (also known as Section 642 of the Head Start Act), the Board of Education serves as the Governing Body for Head Start. Under the Head Start Act, the Board of Education has legal and fiscal responsibility for the Head Start program and is required to review and approve all funding requests. The carryover funding is from previous fiscal years that was unspent in the amount of $263,250.00. This narrative requests the carryover be used to help offset salaries for Head Start staff in the fiscal year 2025.
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I.13. Approval of Memorandum of Understanding between Maintenance Crafts Division and Douglas County School District No. 0001 Regarding Qualifications for Steamfitter Positions
Rationale:
Administration recommends approval of the attached Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Maintenance Crafts Division and Douglas County School District No. 0001 Regarding Qualifications for Steamfitter Positions. Due to the number of current open positions and the declining number of qualified candidates for Steamfitter positions, this MOU will permit the District to hire Steamfitters with Journeymen experience but who do not have a Steamfitter’s license. The newly hired Steamfitter would have six (6) months to obtain a Steamfitter’s license (coinciding with their probationary period). Maintenance Crafts Division and District agree that this MOU will expire at the conclusion of the current Maintenance Crafts Division collective bargaining agreement on July 31, 2026. All other terms and conditions outlined in the 2024-2026 CBA shall remain in effect.
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I.14. Approval of Proposed Staffing Adjustments
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.
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I.15. Approval of Rejection of All Bids Submitted for RFP No. 025-24, for Alternate Curriculum Textbooks, Materials and Resources to be used in the District's Kindergarten through Age 21 (Transition) Program
Rationale:
Pursuant to Policy 7000, II.D, staff recommends the Board of Education rejects all bids for RFP # 025-24 for Alternative Curriculum Textbooks, Materials and resources. This includes the bids submitted by STAR Autism Support, Project Learning Tree, TeachTown and N2Y submitted to be used in the District's Kindergarten through Age 21 (Transition) program. The proposed rejection by the District is based upon the review of the four (4) received RFP submissions. None of the bids received met requirements and fully supported student needs. STAR Autism Support and Project Learning Tree did not meet the RFP requirement of including core curriculum resources with extensive support aligning with the extended indicators. TeachTown did not meet the required multicultural specifications of the RFP. Based on field testing results and current use of N2Y materials we are rejecting because the curriculum does not meet all of the Nebraska state standards.
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I.16. Approval of Second Reading of Policy 5301
Rationale:
Policy 8120 stipulates the Board of Education shall cause policies and regulations to be revised as necessary. The Policy Committee will provide recommended changes to the following policies:
5301 - Dress Code and Grooming (NEW Policy) (Second Reading)
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I.17. Grant Fund Budget Awards
Rationale:
It is recommended that the grant fund budget be amended to include the receipts and expenditures of the attached grant awards.
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J. Discussion and/or Action Items
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J.1. Information Item(s)
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J.2. Action Item(s)
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J.2.a. Approval of First Reading of the 2025-2026 Code of Conduct
Rationale:
Administration recommends first reading approval of the 2025-26 Code of Conduct.
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J.2.b. Approval of First Reading of Policy 5205
Rationale:
Policy 8120 stipulates the Board of Education shall cause policies and regulations to be revised as necessary. The Policy Committee will provide recommended changes to the following policies:
5205 - Graduation (Information)
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J.2.c. Approval of the Report of the Legislative Committee Including Recommended Legislative Positions
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.
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K. Receipt of Reports
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K.1. Head Start Monthly Board Report for March, 2025
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.
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L. Request for Closed Session
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.
Explanation
At this point, it is appropriate for the Board to meet in closed session for one of the stated matters and/or any other permissible closed session matters in compliance with the law. That the Board hold a closed session: 1. For strategy session with respect to negotiations/collective bargaining clearly necessary for the protection of the public interest or for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual in compliance with the law. 2. For strategy session with respect to property/real estate matters clearly necessary for the protection of the public interest or for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual in compliance with the law.
3. For strategy session with respect to pending litigation, or litigation which is imminent as evidenced by communication of a claim or threat of litigation to or by the public body clearly necessary for the protection of the public interest or for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual in compliance with the law.
4. For discussion regarding deployment of security personnel or devices clearly necessary for the protection of the public interest or for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual in compliance with the law.
5. For investigative proceedings regarding allegations of criminal misconduct clearly necessary for the protection of the public interest or for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual in compliance with the law.
6. For personnel and the evaluation of job performance clearly necessary for the protection of the public interest or for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual in compliance with the law.
7. For discussions of the legal consequences of specific action and legal advice clearly necessary for the protection of the public interest or for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual in compliance with the law. |
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M. Adjournment
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