January 22, 2026 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 Brooklyn Freeman, Westview High senior, for receiving the 2025 Inspire Scholarship Award.

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: 42 2018 Bond Program Proceeds Fund
PROGRAM: 2620 Maintenance School/District Buildings
DEPT ID: 71666000 Schoolhouse Planning
SUPPLIER: Cerris Systems
POLICY: 7000, IV.C
AMOUNT: -$15,457.000

Administration recommends approval of Change Order No. 01 for Cerris Systems. on Bid No. 25-017 for Omaha Public Schools Blackburn - HVAC Improvements project which the Board approved on September 08, 2025.

PR - 01

(Unused Discovery Allowance Credit back to owner) $ 15,457.00

Deduct

$15,457.00

 

Total Amount of Change Order No. 01	($15,457.00)
Original Contract Amount:	$677,500.00
Previously Approved Changes:	$0.00
Total Revised Contract Amount:	$662,043.00
Amount Paid to Date	$595,838.68
Amount Remaining	$66,204.32

Rationale:  Pursuant to Policy 7003, F.4., Administration, in keeping with long-standing practice, the Substantial Completion for Blackburn HVAC Improvements Project is being submitted to the Board of Education for acceptance.

Contractor                                   Project                                               Completion Date
Cerris Systems North Central     Blackburn HVAC Improvements        December 30, 2025
                     
The completion date, as listed above, marks the commencement of the one-year warranty period and is specified in the contract documents. This agreed-upon contractual date will provide continuity in the start dates of the warranties and considers that the Owner had beneficial use and occupancy of the facility.

Rationale:  Pursuant to Policy 7003, F.4., Administration, in keeping with long-standing practice, the Substantial Completion for the North & Northwest High School Cooling Tower Replacement Project is being submitted to the Board of Education for acceptance.

Contractor                        Project                                      Completion Date                         
Boiler Chiller Systems    OPS North & Northwest HS       December 31, 2025
                                   
The completion date, as listed above, marks the commencement of the one-year warranty period and is specified in the contract documents. This agreed-upon contractual date will provide continuity in the start dates of the warranties and considers that the Owner had beneficial use and occupancy of the facility.

Rationale:  Administration recommends acceptance of the attached grant from the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) for participation in the Nebraska Postsecondary Readiness Pilot. It is a two-year, $450,000 grant, running from December 8, 2025, to June 30, 2027.  The purpose of the grant is to improve graduation rates and postsecondary outcomes for English Learner (EL) students at Burke and North High Schools through the creation of two Postsecondary Readiness Navigator positions--one for Burke High and one for North High. These roles will provide targeted academic advising, dual enrollment guidance, and family engagement for 11th and 12th grade EL students, aiming to close gaps in graduation and college readiness, increase participation in advanced coursework, and establish a data-driven support model that can be replicated statewide.  Year one will focus on hiring and training the Navigator, initiating, advising, engaging families, tracking data, and providing staff development. Year two will continue advising, expand dual credit enrollment, monitor outcomes, report progress, and refine practices. Data collected during the pilot will inform best practices across the state. At the conclusion of the two years, the District may request a no-cost extension for a third year to scale the model and expand support to additional schools. 

Rationale:  The following Board members will be appointed to the Nebraska Association of School Boards (NASB) Board of Directors:

Viridiana Almanza - Region 5 Board of Directors 
Kimara Snipes - Region 6 Board of Directors 

Rationale:  Funds: 1, 153   General Fund, Special Education - IDEA
Department: 7194010   Special Education Administration
Programs: 1214, 1215, 1222, 1231, 1234, 1235,1236, 1265, 1266, 1270 - Speech Therapy School Age, Speech Therapy Ages 3-5, Nursing Services, Nonpublic Therapists, Nonpublic Teachers, Tuition to Agencies
Project: 461025, 461026, 460025, 460026 - IDEA Base/EP Grant
Policy: 7000 
Amount:  $39,976.00
 
Administration recommends approval of the attached Amendment between the Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska, for and on behalf of the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and on behalf of the Munroe-Meyer Institute and Omaha Public Schools. On September 22, 2025, the Board of Education approved an agreement with Munroe-Meyer Institute to provide Special Education Services for Omaha Public Schools students. The attached Amendment increases the FTE allocation for the Speech Therapist providing full-time services during the school year and part-time services during the summer. The total cost to the District for this amendment is estimated to be $39,976.00 and is an allowable reimbursable special education 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.).

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:  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:  In keeping with the provisions of Policy 1402, Administration recommends approval of the attached letters to the City of Omaha in order to obtain the required building permits prior to approval of the sewer easement by the Public Works Department.  The project team and Administration are currently in conversation regarding the location and required easements for the relocation of the sewer main that is required for this project.  The City of Omaha Permit and Inspection Department will not issue the building permit until this relocation is approved by Public Works and the easement issue is addressed, unless the District agrees to the conditions outlined in the two hold letters.  These letters guarantee that the District will not seek a Certificate of Occupancy for the Stadium until the combined sewer easement is complete, any other required easement that the city is party to is complete, the post construction stormwater management plan (PCSMP) agreement and easement is complete, the PCSMP application is executed, a drainage study is complete, the BMP certification is complete, and the as-built drawings are submitted.  These are standard city requirements to obtain a certificate of occupancy.  The attached hold letters provide the Permit and Inspection Department with the necessary documentation to issue the building permit, which will enable the next stages of construction to proceed.  Delays in the issuance of this permit will create a risk that the project will not be completed on time, delaying the opening of the stadium. 
 
This project, known as Project Game On, is a collaboration between Omaha Public Schools, YMCA of Greater Omaha, City of Omaha, The Lozier Foundation, The Sherwood Foundation, NewStreet Properties, Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture, and Emspace + Lovgren to provide a game-changing stadium for North High as a part of a larger project.   The new stadium will be constructed on the land immediately to the East of North High School, which is currently owned by the YMCA.  The funding agreement approved on April 7, 2025, was conditioned in part on District approval of the Project design.  The site plan and design concept were approved by the Board on July 17, 2025.  Per the approved funding agreement, the project will be entirely funded through OPSF and its funding partners.

Rationale:  Administration recommends the approval of the notice of acquisition of OHARA, LLC by Maine Employers’ Mutual Insurance Company. The Board of Education approved an agreement with OHARA, LLC for work-related injuries or illnesses at the October 21, 2024, Board Meeting. OHARA, LLC entered into a purchase agreement to be acquired by Main Employers’ Mutual Insurance Company. OHARA, LLC and Main Employers’ Mutual Insurance Company provided notice of the acquisition to the District on November 25, 2025, and requested the District approve the attached agreement assigning OHARA, LLC’s interest in the contract with the District to Maine Employers’ Mutual Insurance Company.  

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: 4070, Depreciation Fund
PROGRAM: 2510, Business Support Services
DEPT: 7062100, Accounting and Finance
SUPPLIER: B&H Photo ($83,048.00)
SUPPLIER: Perdue and Associates ($46,960.00)
SUPPLIER: Dietze ($8,000.00)
POLICIES: 6121,7000, V.B.
AMOUNT: $142,008.00

Per Board Policy 6121, Administration recommends approval to purchase the equipment listed below from B&H Photo, Perdue and Associates, and Dietze. DJ curriculum, turntables, and Campus Coach training is being purchased to support instruction in our middle school exploratory music classes and selected high school music technology courses. These resources will allow students to explore DJing and music production as a creative and technical form of music-making, expanding access to contemporary musical pathways and career-connected skills.

A bid was not required as the curriculum purchase fall under Board Policy 7000 V.A. (Academic Prerogative) and the additional items are being purchased via a cooperative agreement (R201202 under Policy 7000.V.B (Cooperative Purchases).  The total cost of this purchase is $142,008.00.

OPS ITEM#	Description	Awarded Supplier	Units	Cost	Ext Cost
DJ02	DJ Coach Campus Coach Training	Perdue	15	$1,000.00	$15,000.00
	DJ Coach Campus Coach Training - Renewal	Perdue	40	$799.00	$31,960.00
	DJ Coach Professional Development	Perdue	1	$4,000.00	$4,000.00
DJ04	DJ Instructional Workbook-Level 1	Dietze	500	$8.00	$4,000.00
DJ05	DJ Instructional Workbook-Level 2	Dietze	500	$8.00	$4,000.00
DJ03	Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX4 2-Deck Rekordbox and Serato DJ Controller	B&H	250	$262.44	$65,610.00
DJ06	Samson SR350 Over-Ear Stereo Headphones	B&H	500	$15.91	$7,955.00
DJ08	USB-C to 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter	B&H	600	$12.74	$7,644.00
DJ07	Xuma 5-Way Headphone Splitter	B&H	300	$3.74	$1,122.00
DJ09	Pearstone Stereo Mini Male to Stereo Mini Male Cable  6'	B&H	300	$2.39	$717.00

Rationale:  FUND: 5190 ESU19 Information and Management Services
PROGRAM: 2510 Business Support Services
DEPT ID: 7062525 Web Development and Support (50%)
   7062540 Financial Information Systems (50%)
SUPPLIER: TEKsystems
POLICY: 7000, III.K., 7000, V.D.
AMOUNT: Estimated $492,000.00

Administration recommends the approval of the attached staffing services agreement with TEKsystems for two contractors to extend their finish date to December 31, 2026. This new end date puts each contract over (one began in 2019 and the other in 2021) the $50,000 total expense threshold for Board approval.

To maintain operational efficiency and meet strategic objectives, we require the addition of these two specialized roles to our team(s):
1. PeopleSoft DBA Expert ($140/hour x 2000 hours = $280,000)
2. Master Web Developer ($106/hour x 2000 hours = $212,000)

These roles are critical to supporting ongoing projects, ensuring system stability, and enabling future enhancements due to the specialized expertise required and the on-call availability for support to ensure continuity of services. The current needs include transitioning to our new ERP system, establishing development standards and training.

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

Rationale:  Policy 8120 stipulates the Board of Education shall cause policies and regulations to be revised as necessary.  Administration will provide recommended changes to the following policy:

1401 (Community Partnership Proposal Policy) (1st Reading)

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.  The Committee is recommending that the Board adopt the attached new positions which are highlighted with 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.