April 6, 2015 at 6:30 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:  Led by Boy Scout Troop 76.

Rationale:  The Vision:  Every Student.  Every Day.  Prepared for Success.

The Mission:  Omaha Public Schools prepares all students to excel in college, career, and life.

Rationale: 

Congratulations to Brooke Biby of Joslyn Elementary!  The sixth-grade OPS student took first place at the Midwest Spelling Bee in March.  Now, she is set to represent western Iowa and the entire state of Nebraska at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. later this spring.  Biby won the OPS Spelling Bee earlier this semester in order to advance to the Midwest competition.   

*** 

We salute OPS’ state wrestling champions!  John Feeney (Northwest), Connor Fox (Burke), Ty Jackson (North), and Andrew Pistillo (Burke) all finished first in their respective weight classes at the state championships at the CenturyLink Center.  Adding to those accomplishments is this fact:  OPS had more individual state wrestling champions in 2015 than any other metro district.   Congratulations to all!

 

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 B

Rationale: 

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:  The Committee on Claims met on 04/06/2015 and approved the audit of claims conducted by the Secretary to the Board of Education. 

Rationale: 

Appointment to a three year term to expire June, 2018 is requested for:

Mr. Daniel Rock

Prepared by:           

Toba Cohen-Dunning

Executive Director

Omaha Schools Foundation

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:

 

1.   TITLE I, PART C – EDUCATION OF MIGRATORY CHILDREN, NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - PROJECT 471215.

            

Central administrative staff request approval to accept the Title I, Part C Education of Migratory Children budget.

 

This budget amendment, in the amount of $1,696,012.00, is for the period beginning September 1, 2014, and ending August 31, 2015.  The total budget is written for the period beginning July 1, 2014, and ending September 30, 2015.  This amendment represents only that part of the budget that will be expended during the 2014-2015 school year. It represents the continued participation in a program conducted during the 2013-2014 school year for the purpose of supporting high quality and comprehensive educational programs for migrant children in order to reduce the educational disruption and other problems that result from repeated moves.

 

This program is 100% reimbursable.

 

2.   TEXTBOOK LOAN PROGRAM (RULE 4), NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION – PROJECT 473115.

 

Central administrative staff request approval to accept the Textbook Loan Program budget.

 

This budget amendment, in the amount of $177,331.05 ($83,764.39 new + $93,566.66 carryover), is for the period beginning March 1, 2015, and ending August 31, 2015.  The total budget is written for the period beginning March 1, 2015, and ending February 28, 2016.  This amendment represents only that part of the budget that will be expended during the 2014-2015 school year. It represents the continued participation in a program conducted during the 2013-2014 school year for the purpose of supporting non-public schools that do not have the financial resources to provide necessary textbooks.

 

This program is 100% reimbursable.

 

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.

 

3.   SHERWOOD FOUNDATION GRANTS

    

These budget amendments in the amount of $342,560.00 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.

Rationale: 

DOUGLAS COUNTY LAND REUTILIZATION COMMISION (D.C.L.R.C.) INTERLOCAL

Staff will recommend the one year extension of an Interlocal Cooperation  

Act contract between the D.C.L.R.C., Douglas County, the City of Omaha, 

and the Omaha Public Schools. 

This contract is to provide $25,000.00 in financial or equivalent support to the D.C.L.R.C. from each of the contracting parties. This financial support will provide for a continuation of D.C.L.R.C. services for one year.

Rationale: 

Head Start Performance Standard 1305.3 requires that each grant will determine community strengths and needs with in the proposed service area.  In accordance with the 2007 Head Start Act, the Board of Education will be presented with information regarding reports for Douglas County School District 001 Head Start Community Assessment and program planning. 

When looking closely at development issues in a community, there is a need for detailed information about the needs of individuals and the organizations that serve them, as well as the resources that a community has available to solve those needs.  Our Community Assessment has attempted to provide an overview of Douglas County focusing primarily on those who are eligible for Head Start/Early Head Start services.  The Community Assessment is a required document that is completed every three years and updated annually.  The 2014-2015 school year is an update year for the Community Assessment.  The update was approved by the Head Start Policy Council on March 24, 2015.

Rationale:  The monthly Douglas County School District 0001 Head Start Governing Body Report for February 2015 is provided as an attachment in accordance with the 2007 Head Start Act.

Rationale:  Committees of the Board of Education will provide a brief update.

Communications Committee:   Mrs. Goding
Citizen Bond Oversight Committee:   Mr. Scanlan

Rationale:  Staff will be providing an update on the progress of the Collaborating For Equity Grant.  Testimony from grant Principals and Instructional Leadership Team members will provide insight to the advancement of the grant work and how the grant has made a positive impact in their buildings.

Rationale:  Dr. Dwayne Chism will provide an update on the process with the Wakonda School Improvement Grant and an update on Federal changes that have occurred with the grant. 

Rationale:  An update will be provided about the ongoing work of the 75 North Project as it relates to Howard Kennedy Elementary. Staff will present a plan and request approval for future programming at Howard Kennedy Elementary and a SIG turnaround grant.

Rationale:  The Board may vote on any items presented by the District Lobbyist, John Lindsay, and any bill currently in front of the Nebraska Legislature.

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:  The Superintendent recommends approval of the Letter of Interest for partnership with Boys & Girls Club.

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.