April 20, 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 Board of Education Spotlight recognizes the Omaha Public Schools students who qualified for the 2026 Educators Rising National Conference. 

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:  Administration recommends the approval of Amendment No. 003 to the Ground Space and Tower Space Agreement with Sprint Spectrum Realty Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, for the communications facility at 3225 North 52nd Street (Benson High School).  The agreement with Sprint Spectrum Realty Company, LLC was approved by the Board of Education on October 9, 1996, Amendment No.001 was approved by the Board of Education on August 16, 2021, and Amendment No.002 was approved by the Board of Education on May 2, 2022. Amendment No. 003 allows the lessee to utilize ground space and the right to install a new generator on a concrete pad on the premises. The District will be compensated for this additional space by an increase in monthly rent paid by Sprint Spectrum Realty Company, LLC in the amount of $250.00 additional per month (new total monthly lease will be $2,738.32). Improvements to the site will include the installation of fencing, a concrete pad, a generator, underground conduits to existing equipment, and a new automatic transfer switch, and will be completed by the lessee at their expense. 

Rationale: 

ACCOUNT: 53280  Property Insurance 
FUND: 1 General Fund 
DEPT ID: 7043400 District Risk Management 
PROGRAM: 2620 Maint. School/District Bldgs 
SUPPLIER: First National Insurance Company (FNIC) 
POLICY: 7000, VII 
AMOUNT: $9,793,250.00

Administration recommends approval of the following insurance package negotiated with the assistance of  First National Insurance Company (FNIC) for a total premium of $9,793,250.00 (including the already approved FNIC fee of $80,000.00). This package includes the following:
 

Description of Coverage	Expiring Premium	Renewal Premium	$ Difference	% Difference
Property	$6,907,566	$7,244,747	$337,181	4.9%
Excess Property	$540,750	$471,740	($69,010)	-12.8%
Automobile Open Lot - Primary $2.5M	$183,430	$183,430	$0	0.0%
Automobile Open Lot - Excess $7.5M	$52,038	$44,516	($7,522)	-14.5%
Liability	$1,073,182	$1,190,810	$117,628	11.0%
Excess Workers’ Compensation	$349,913	$349,913	$0	0.0%
Blanket Builders Risk (deposit)	$5,000	$5,000	$0	0.0%
Travelers Crime (3 year policy)	$7,700	#$7,700	$0	0.0%
Cyber (Including Taxes/Fees)	$129,160	$129,160	$0	0.0%
Excess Cyber 5 x 5 w/Indian Harbor	$83,430	$83,430	$0	0.0%
Fiduciary (Chubb - Layer 1)*	$58,564	$0	($58,564)	-100.0%
Excess Fiduciary (Great Midwest - Layer 2)*	$52,742	$0	($52,742)	-100.0%
State Track Meet (Including Taxes/Fees)	$2,944	$2,804	($140)	-4.8%
Broker Fee	$80,000	$80,000	$0	0.0%
Total Estimated Premium	$9,526,419	$9,793,250	$266,831	2.8%

The total  premium amount for 2026-27 represents an increase of $266,831.00, or 2.8% from the total premium paid in 2025-26, which is attributed to the following factors: 1) A continued hard insurance marketplace; 2) A 1.5% increase in the District’s average daily student attendance; 3) An 8.8% increase in the number of District teachers; and 4) A 27.4% increase in total District employees.  

#The Crime policy is for a 3-year term through 2028 at an annual premium of $7,700.00. The total premium amount is $23,100.00.
 
*Administration, in consultation with legal counsel, recommends not renewing the District’s Fiduciary and Excess Fiduciary Liability coverage for OSERS.  These coverages are no longer necessary, as NPERB and NPERS have assumed all OSERS pension administrative responsibilities. The District maintained these coverages for an additional year to ensure a smooth transition.

Rationale:  Administration recommends approval of the appointment of Rhonda Harvey, Gretchen Hooper, Olajaide Cooper and Edwin Lyons and the reappointment of Clara Ohr to the Omaha Public Schools Foundation (OPSF) Board of Directors.  In keeping with the provisions of the OPSF Bylaws, appointment and re-appointment of OPSF Board members must be approved by the Board of Education.  The appointments are for a period of three years beginning in June of 2026 and running through March of 2029.  Their resumes are attached.  

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:  FUND: 1 General Fund
PROGRAM: 2750 Regular Education (1%)
         2760 Special Education (76%)
         3102 Early Childhood Special Education (23%)
DEPT: 7162800 Student Transportation
SUPPLIER: Medical Enterprises, Inc.
POLICY: 7000, Article VII, Section III A 
AMOUNT: Projected Cost: $45,400.00

Administration recommends approval of the second and final extension for the Drug and Alcohol Testing and Employee Physical Examination Agreement with Medical Enterprises, Inc. This contract, which was approved by the Board of Education on August 17, 2024, and includes the option for two (2) one (1)- year extensions. Approval of this item would authorize the second and final extension of the agreement, effective August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.  During the 2024-2025 budget year, the District incurred $44,700.00 in costs related to drug and alcohol testing and employee physical examinations. Based on this usage, the projected cost of this extension term is $45,400.00.

Rationale:  Fund: 176 Misc Federal Grants
Dept: 7043300 Staff Development
Grant: 466425 Title IIA
POLICIES: 7000, V., G.
AMOUNT: $180,000.00

Administration recommends approval of the attached amendment agreement with New Leaders for the 2026-2027 school year. New Leaders is a national non-profit organization whose focus is to recruit and train school leaders working toward improving education results for all students. New Leaders will support Omaha Public School’s leadership development program, the Aspiring Principals Program (formerly iLead), to provide leadership development for aspiring principals to align with our Moonshot goal and all District priorities. The total amount is $180,000.00. 

Rationale:  Administration recommends approval of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with OneWorld Community Health Centers, Inc. that supplements the existing Agreement for School-Based Health Centers (SBHC) from 2025-2032. The MOU establishes site-specific parameters for the installation and limited use of an internal telephone at the Buena Vista High School SBHC to support student appointment scheduling and attendance release procedures.  OneWorld and Omaha Public Schools ("OPS" or "District") entered into the SBHC Agreement on or about October 13, 2025, under which OneWorld operates School-Based Health Centers serving OPS students, select family members, and District staff. As part of this partnership, OneWorld operates the SBHC at Buena Vista High School, supporting student health, academic success, and overall school community wellness.  The proposed MOU enhances coordination between school staff and the SBHC, ensures appropriate safeguards for technology use consistent with District policies, and supports timely student access to healthcare services. The MOU will be effective August 1, 2026, and will remain in effect through June 30, 2032, or the last day of the 2032 OPS summer session, whichever occurs later.  Approval of this item results in no additional financial obligation to OPS, as all costs related to the telephone’s installation, maintenance, and use will be the responsibility of OneWorld.

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 Reserve Fund
DEPT: 7062560 District-wide Technology
PROGRAM: 2510 Business Support Services
SUPPLIER: Riverside Technologies Inc.
POLICIES: 7000, III. K.,7000, V. G.
AMOUNT: $69,696.00

Administration recommends approval to purchase 48 Probook laptop devices for students in the Northwest Early College program.  These devices are necessary for completing coursework at Metropolitan Community College. This purchase utilizes the NASPO statewide contract: NASPO Master Agreement #23011, State Contract #15919OC. The total cost will be $69,696.00. This purchase is part of the IMS Technology Purchase Plan.

Rationale:  FUND: 4070 Depreciation Reserve Fund
DEPT: 7062560 Districtwide Technology
PROGRAM: 2510 Business Support Services
SUPPLIER: GovConnect
POLICIES: 7000, III. K.,7000, V. G.
AMOUNT: $96,825.60

Administration recommends approval to purchase four hundred ninety-two (492) StarTech Thunderbolt 3 docking stations for use by TAC staff receiving refreshed laptop devices. These docking stations will enable laptops equipped with USB-C ports to connect directly to USB-A peripherals and Ethernet for hardwired network access. This purchase supports the deployment of Apple MacBook Air devices previously approved by the Board of Education on March 9, 2026, and is part of the IS Technology Purchase Plan aimed at device standardization and efficient technology support. The purchase was not competitively bid, as the docking stations will be procured through a cooperative purchasing agreement under Sourcewell Contract 121923-GVC. This purchasing method is authorized as an exception to the competitive bidding requirements pursuant to Board Policy 7000, Section V.B. (Cooperative Purchases). The total for this purchase is $96,825.60.
 

Rationale: 

Rationale:  In accordance with Policy 3090, Administration recommends approval of the sale of the attached list of surplus items, including vehicles and miscellaneous equipment, that are no longer usable by the District. These items will be sold as is through an online public auction conducted by The Auction Mill, L.L.C., scheduled to occur from April 26, 2026, through May 10, 2026.  The District will remit a fee equal to 10% of the gross sale proceeds for any vehicles sold. A title transfer fee of $25.00 will be charged directly to the purchaser of each vehicle. The Auction Mill, L.L.C. will receive 20% of the gross proceeds from the sale of miscellaneous surplus items.  Administration further recommends that the Board of Education authorize the Superintendent or his designee to execute all necessary transfer documents upon receipt of full payment from the purchasers.

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

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

Rationale:  FUND: 4070, Depreciation Fund
PROGRAM: 2510, Business Support Services
DEPT: 7062100, Accounting & Finance Office
POLICIES: 6121, 7000. III
Total Amount:  $4,491,733.56

Administration issued requests for proposals for multiple curricular materials beginning in March of 2025 for High School Career and Technical Education curriculum adoptions.  Following receipt of proposals, Administration conducted a robust and thorough evaluation process including teacher review, field testing, community review, further administrative review, additional teacher and research evaluation.  In keeping with the provisions of Policy 6121, which requires approval by the Board of curricular materials, Administration presented its recommendations to the Curriculum Committee on February 25.  The Curriculum Committee adopted those recommendations and presented them to the Board on March 9 as an information item.  The Committee now recommends the following:

A. Rejection of the following portions of the Requests for Proposals where the District did not receive submissions or had very low favorability from teacher reviews after initial evaluation and field-testing:
B. Adoption of, award to, and approval of the Agreements and Data Protection Agreements for High School Career and Technical Education curriculum materials for the 2026-2027 through the 2032-2033 school years as follows:

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: 

FUND: 1 General Fund
PROGRAM: 2120 School Counseling 
DEPT: 7105300 School Counseling 
SUPPLIER: SchooLinks
POLICIES: 6121, 7000
AMOUNT: $142,583.35

Administration recommends extension of Agreement and auto-renewal of Data Protection Agreement with SchooLinks for online career and college access platform to be used in the District’s middle and high schools. SchooLinks was initially selected via RFP No. P017-23 and approved by the Board of Education on January 11, 2024, following the process outlined in Policy 6121.

Starting in the Fall of 2024, students in middle and high school used SchooLinks to explore careers and learn about post-secondary options. 12th graders used the program to access college information, apply to colleges, submit and learn about scholarships, request transcripts, and access Common App. Schools use SchooLinks for all facets of the college application and scholarship process. SchooLinks is also used to build portfolios of student coursework, offer and collect information about work-based learning, and set up college and career events.

In accordance with the language of RFP No. P017-23, Administration recommends extension of the agreement with SchooLinks online career and college access platform for use in middle and high schools for the 2026-2027 school year. The total amount of this extension is $142,583.35.

Rationale:  FUND:176 Misc Federal Grants    
DEPT: 7043300 Staff Development Dept
PROGRAM: 2251 Staff Development
VENDOR: 52900 Bulk Books ($11,556.00)
VENDOR: 13760 Textbook Warehouse, LLC ($100,536.00)
POLICY: 7000, III. K., 7000, VII.A
AMOUNT: $112,092.00

Administration recommends the purchase of the professional development books listed below for our New Teacher Institute from Bulk Books and Textbook Warehouse, LLC. At the District's New Teacher Institute, approximately 400 new teachers will receive instructional books offering valuable insights, strategies, and techniques to help them develop their teaching skills.
 
All new teachers will receive: Welcome to Teaching and 180 Days Self-Care for Educators. Supporting Beginning Teachers will be given to all new teacher mentors. Behavior Intervention Manual, 2nd Edition, will be given to every New Special Education Teacher, and Reach for Readers, 7 Mighty Moves, There’s Research for that, and Literacy Foundations for English Learners are provided for all new teachers who are joining ATSI and CSI Schools, who participated in the Science of Reading Cohorts.
 
Providing these resources, which support the New Teacher Mentor Program, is an investment in their professional growth and supports our District’s Moonshot goal of ensuring every student reads at grade level.

The District will utilize pricing on the TIPS Contract #250802 and TIPS TAPS Contract #230904, which is an exception to normal bidding procedures outlined in Policy 7000 V.B. (Cooperative Purchases)
 

Supplier	Total Cost
Textbook Warehouse LLC	$100,536.00
Bulk Bookstore	$11,556.00

 

SUPPLIER		Textbook Warehouse	Bulk Bookstore
TITLE	Quantity	Unit Cost	Unit Cost
Welcome to Teaching!	400	$36.30	$28.89*
180 Days Self-Care for Educators	400	$27.45*	$33.58
Supporting Beginning Teacher	200	$27.45*	$34.80
Behavior Intervention Manual	100	$94.85*	N/A
Reach All Readers	50	$19.68*	$24.64
7 Mighty Moves	50	$24.95*	$28.79
There's Research For That	50	$24.61*	$26.39
Literacy Foundations for English Learners	50	$32.35*	$40.46

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.