October 19, 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.

The Moonshot: All students will read on grade level by 2030.

Rationale:  The OPSProud Spotlight recognizes Omaha Public Schools students who earned Advanced Placement Capstone Diplomas from the College Board.

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:  Pursuant to Policy 7003, F.4., Administration is submitting the Substantial Completion of the OPS Bancroft Elementary Chiller Replacement Project to the Board of Education for acceptance, consistent with established District practice.
 

Contractor	Project	Substantial Completion Date
Grunwald Mechanical	OPS Bancroft Elementary Chiller Replacement	July 31, 2026

The Substantial Completion date marks the commencement of the one-year warranty period as defined in the contract documents. Establishing this contractual date provides consistency in warranty administration and reflects that the District had beneficial use and occupancy of the facility prior to final acceptance.

Rationale:  Administration recommends that the Board of Education approve the attached two-year agreement for After School Services with Collective for Youth through July 31, 2028, with automatic one-year renewals thereafter. Collective for Youth is a nonprofit organization that manages, facilitates and provides oversight for out-of-school-time programs in 41 schools, which are coordinated by 10 nonprofit organizations, serving 7,445 students. All programs focus on goals including reinforcing academic competencies, promoting career readiness, and the development of positive behaviors while providing caring adult supervision and a hot meal. Collective for Youth has partnered with the District on this work for the past 17 years.  The services provided by Collective for Youth are entirely privately funded and come at no cost to the District.

Organizations and School Served:

AIM Institute: 

• King Science Middle      

Boys and Girls Clubs of the Midlands: 

• Bryan Middle      
• Florence Elementary    
• Morton Middle     
• Mount View Elementary   
• Skinner Elementary      
• Spring Lake Elementary   

Civic Nebraska: 

• Lewis and Clark Middle   
• Lothrop Elementary      

Completely Kids: 

• Field Club Elementary 
• Forest Station Elementary    
• Gifford Park Elementary  
• Gomez Heritage     
• Highland Elementary      
• Jackson Elementary       
• Liberty Elementary      
• Marrs Middle School      
• Norris Middle School   
• Walnut Hill Elementary  

DREAM: 

• Central Park Elementary  
• Hartman Elementary       
• Kennedy Elementary       
• Nathan Hale Middle       

Kids Can: 

• Benson West Elementary  
• Conestoga Elementary     
• Druid Hill Elementary    
• Gilder Elementary 
• Miller Park Elementary  
• Minne Lusa Elementary    
• Sherman Elementary
• Wakonda Elementary   

Teen Center:      

• Burke High School 

Urban League of Nebraska: 

• Franklin Elementary    
• King Elementary   
• Monroe Middle     

YMCA: 

• Belvedere Elementary    
• Indian Hill Elementary 
• McMillan Middle   

Zoo Afterschool: 

• Bancroft Elementary      
• Castelar Elementary     
• Pine Elementary  

Rationale:  FUND: 42 2018 Bond Program Proceeds Fund
PROGRAM: 2591 Buildings and Grounds
DEPT: 3690010 Westview High School
VENDOR: Sampson Construction Co, Inc.
POLICIES: 7000, IV., C. D.
PROJECT: 321509 Westview HS: New High School Project
AMOUNT: $34,242.75

Approve the Construction Management Agreement with Sampson Construction Co., Inc. and the related agreement with the Young Men’s Christian Association of Greater Omaha (YMCA) for repairs to the deteriorated pool deck at Westview High School. The project will restore a shared-use swimming pool deck utilized by both Omaha Public Schools and the YMCA, supporting the continued safe operation of the facility.

Under the terms of the YMCA agreement, the YMCA will fund 75% of eligible project costs, including construction expenses and approved change orders, while Omaha Public Schools will administer the project and manage contractor payments. Sampson Construction Co., Inc. has been selected as Construction Manager for the project with a Guaranteed Maximum Price of $136,971.00.

Once approved, the agreement with the YMCA establishes project administration, funding responsibilities, construction oversight, and contractor performance requirements. Pursuant to the existing lease agreement with the YMCA, the District’s cost is 25% of $136,971.00. The total project cost for the District is $34,242.75.

Rationale:  SymPro is a specialized investment and debt management software platform that will integrate bi-directionally with the district’s new Oracle Cloud General Ledger. The system will support OPS’s Treasury function by managing investment portfolio tracking and debt administration. This solution addresses a functional area not natively covered by the core ERP system and was identified as a required third-party component during the proposal and selection process. This agreement is being presented for board approval for a total three-year contract value of $157,350; $71,250 in Year 1 (software fees plus one-time setup, training, and implementation services), $42,000 in Year 2 (software fees only), and $44,100 in Year 3 (software fees only), with automatic one-year renewals thereafter unless either party provides 60 days’ written notice of termination.

Rationale:  Fund:   158  Sherwood Foundation Grant
Program:  1100  Regular Instruction
Department:  0951100  Indian Hill Elementary Instruction
Project: 430727  Sherwood -Indian Hills Canopy South
Policies:  7000  Purchasing and Contracting Policies 
Amount: $451,758
 
Administration recommends approval of an agreement with Buffett Early Childhood Institute (BECI)  to strengthen early literacy practices and advance birth-through-Grade 3 alignment across two additional schools: Indian Hill and Kennedy. This partnership directly supports Omaha Public Schools literacy moonshot goal by integrating language and literacy-focused instructional coaching, professional learning, leadership consultation, and continuous improvement systems. The work centers on early language development, sustained family engagement and learning, and targeted literacy supports for children with the greatest needs. This is a three-year agreement in partnership with 75 North and Canopy South for the 2026-2027 to 2028-2029 school years and is funded through the Purpose Built Communities grant. The total cost of this agreement is $451,758.00.

Rationale:  Pursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. § 77-3203, President Erdenberger recommends the appointment of Dr. Shavonna Holman as Alternate to the Land Reutilization Commission. Dr. Holman will be the Alternate for Ricky Smith who is currently serving on the LRC.

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: 31 Special Building Fund 
PROGRAM: 2510 Business Support Services 
DEPT.: 7166600 Schoolhouse Planning
SUPPLIER: Hayes Mechanical Co.
POLICIES:  7000, III.K, 7000, VII.A, 7000, VII.D   
AMOUNT:  $6,263.00
 
Administration recommends approval of Change Order No. 001 for Hayes Mechanical Co. on Bid No. 26-042 for the OPS - Gomez Heritage Elementary Boiler Replacement Project which was approved by the Board on July 13, 2026: 

Changes are as follows:

PCO 01	Remove existing under slab drainpipe and replace with new due to existing pipe being damaged beyond repair.	Add	$2,492.00
PCO 02	Install 1-1/4" gas pipe to new boiler location and tie into existing gas service. The existing gas piping differed from what was on record. The existing pipe was not adequate for the new boilers.	Add	$3,771.00

 

Total Amount of Change Order No. 001 Add	$ 6,263.00
Original Contract Amount:	$ 280,000.00
Previously Approved Changes:	$ 0.00
Change Order No. 001 - Add	$ 6,263.00
Total Revised Contract Amount:	$286,263.00.
Amount Paid to Date	$0.00
Amount Remaining	$286,263.00

Rationale:  Pursuant to Policy 7003, F.4., Administration is submitting the Substantial Completion of the OPS Gomez Heritage Boiler Replacement Project to the Board of Education for acceptance, consistent with established district practice.
 

Contractor	Project	Substantial Completion Date
Hayes Mechanical	OPS Gomez Heritage Boiler Replacement Project	September 30, 2026

The Substantial Completion date marks the commencement of the one-year warranty period as defined in the contract documents. Establishing this contractual date provides consistency in warranty administration and reflects that the District had beneficial use and occupancy of the facility prior to final acceptance.

Rationale:  Administration recommends approval of Change Order No. 001 to the Construction Manager at Risk Agreement with Meyers-Carlisle-Leapley Construction Company, Inc, Doing Business As MCL Construction for the Omaha North Stadium Project. 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, Emspace + Lovgren, and the Omaha Public Schools Foundation (OPSF) 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 the District has acquired from the YMCA. The Funding agreement with OPSF was approved by the Board on April 7, 2025.  The site plan and design concept were approved by the Board on July 17, 2025.  The Construction Manager at Risk Agreement was approved by the Board along with approval of the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) Amendment at the May 4, 2026, meeting. 

Change Order No. 006 will decrease the GMP by $309,825.00, bringing the total to $17,207,538.00. In keeping with provisions of the funding agreement between the District and OPSF, the project, including Change Order No. 001, will be entirely funded by the funding partners.  

Change Order No. 006 includes the following:
 

PCO 006

During construction, a temporary Heliwall earth shoring system was approved through PCCO-003 to support concurrent construction activities. Subsequent construction sequencing and foundation wall installation methods eliminated the need for the Heliwall system, resulting in the removal of the previously approved scope. This change order reconciles and removes the associated costs.

Deduct

$309,825.00

 

Original Contract Amount:	$ 17,119,336.00
Previously Approved Changes:	$ 398,027.00
Total Contract Prior to Change Order	$17,517,363.00
Total Amount of Change Order No. 006 Deduct	$ -309,825.00
Total Revised Contract Amount:	$17,207,538.00

Rationale:  FUND: 31 Special Building Fund 
PROGRAM: 2510 Business Support Services 
DEPT.: 7166600 Schoolhouse Planning
SUPPLIER: Kingery Construction Co.
POLICIES:  7000, IV.C. 
AMOUNT:  $252,102.86
 
Administration recommends approval of Change Order No. 8 for Bid No. 26-030 to Kingery Construction Co. for the OPS - Transportation South Interior Office Improvements Project, which was approved by the Board on April 6, 2026. Funding for this project is provided through the District’s Special Building Fund, which is restricted to the ongoing maintenance and improvement of District facilities and may not be transferred to or used for General Fund purposes.

Changes are as follows:

PR-6

During selective demolition required for roof membrane replacement, unforeseen long-standing deterioration of the existing roof decking, was discovered. To safely continue the planned interior improvements and roof membrane replacement, the roof decking in the remainder of roof section B, and all of roof sections D & F must be replaced. The additional scope of work includes demolition of old decking, insulation and installing new metal roof decking. New insulation, cover board, roof drain relocation, storm sewer tie-ins, flashing, and installation of a new roof membrane were previously approved in CO 2 and CO 3. Due to these necessary repairs and improvements, the project's substantial completion date will be extended by 21 calendar days.

Add

$ 252,102.86

 

Total Amount of Change Order No. 8 Add	$ 252,102.86
Original Contract Amount:	$ 2,081,200.00
Previously Approved Changes:	$ 1,576,783.50
Change Order No. 8	$ 252,102.86
Total Revised Contract Amount:	$ 3,910,086.36
Amount Paid to Date	$ 915,356.70
Amount Remaining	$ 2,994,729.66

Rationale:  Rationale:  Funds: 1, General Fund
Department: 7194010   Special Education Administration
Programs: 1214, 1211, 1222, 1231, 1270 - Speech Therapy School Age, Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Nursing, Special Education Placement, Tuition to Other Agencies
Project: 
Policy: 7000 
Amount:  $3,523,990

Administration recommends approval of the attached annual Special Education Services contracts.  Every year, the Special Education Division, within Curriculum and Instruction Support, negotiates and renews contracts with outside agencies for special education services that are required under Rule 51 and Rule 52.  This is the seventh set of agency contracts going to the Board of Education for approval for the 2026-2027 school year and is part of the District's annual practice.  In keeping with the provisions in Policy 7000, contracts that may exceed $50,000 are being placed on the agenda for Board of Education approval. Attached you will find a service provider rate sheet, contracts, and a contract cost sheet for your review for contracts that exceed or may exceed $50,000. The contract rate sheet includes NDE approved rates for services that need to be purchased by Omaha Public Schools from outside agencies that will provide special education services to students ages birth-21. The contract cost sheet includes the agency, address, type of service the agency provides, the estimated number of students that receive services from that agency and 2026-2027 contract rate. The sheet includes an estimate of the total cost for special education services provided by contract agencies. The rates and contracts are budgeted for within the 2026-2027 school year. Per their agreement with Omaha Public Schools, all providers must receive NDE approval to provide special education and related services. Included in these contracts is a one-year extension of the District’s contract with Curriculum Associates, originally approved by the Board of Education on August 5, 2024, for online diagnostic and progress monitoring tools. The total cost to the District for this group is estimated to be $3,523,990 and these expenditures are allowable for the reimbursement by federal and state special education reimbursement programs. 

Rationale:  FUND: 31 Special Building Fund
PROGRAM: 2510 Business Support Services
DEPT ID: 7166600 Schoolhouse Planning
PROJECT: Kellom Elementary School Chiller Replacement
SUPPLIER:  Advanced Engineering Systems Inc.
POLICY: 7000, IV. D
AMOUNT: $136,500.00

Administration recommends approval of the attached agreement with Advanced Engineering Systems Inc., as the design firm for replacement of the chiller, fan coil units, and related equipment at Kellom Elementary School, located at 1311 North 24th St., Omaha, Ne 68102.  Under this agreement, Advanced Engineering Systems provides completed plans, specifications, and construction administration services to complete chiller replacement. The replacement will remove the old chiller, outdoor condensing units, controls, electrical work, plumbing and controls and replace with a high efficiency chiller and water-cooling tower and associated parts. The current chiller has reached the end of its life and cannot provide adequate cooling to maintain temperatures within the building. These services are not subject to bidding, as they are an exception to bidding under Board Policy No. 7000, V.D. (Professional Services). The agreed-upon fee for these services is $136,500.00. Funding for this project is provided through the District's Special Building Fund, which is restricted to the ongoing maintenance and improvement of District facilities and may not be transferred to or used for General Fund purposes.

Rationale:  FUND: 1 General Fund
PROGRAM: 2750, Regular Education ($26,042,789.38)
PROGRAM: 2760, Special Education ($202,610.51)
PROGRAM: 3102, Special Education/Early Childhood ($48,729.11)
DEPT: 7162800 Student Transportation
SUPPLIER: Zum Services
POLICY: 7000, Article VII, Section III A
AMOUNT: $26,294,129.00 (Budgeted)

Administration recommends approval of the first of two available one-year extensions to the Agreement with Zum Services.  The Board of Education approved awarding Bid No. 24-027 to Zum Services Inc. on May 6, 2024.  The agreement was originally approved by the Board of Education on October 1, 2024. This extension will provide daily student transportation services for Omaha Public Schools students from August 1, 2027, through July 31, 2028.

The extension also includes the Zum App and tablets used on OPS Special Education buses at a budgeted cost of $256,469.00. All previously approved terms and conditions of the Agreement will remain in effect. The total budgeted cost for this one-year extension is $26,294,129.00.

Rationale:  Pursuant to Policy 7000, IX. A, Administration recommends that the Maintenance Agreement with Paul Wenninghoff for the 78th and Craig Street Acreage be extended to October 31, 2027. This agreement provides that in exchange for weed control, mowing, and general maintenance, Mr. Wenninghoff can farm this plot of land.

This is an annual renewal dating back to the 1989-1990 school year and was previously approved by the Board of Education on October 6, 2025.

There is no cost to the District for the annual maintenance of this acreage.
 

Rationale:  HR
FUND: 5190 ESU19 Information and Management Services
DEPT ID: 7062550 HR Information System
PROGRAM: 2510 Business Support Services
AMOUNT: $607,101.22

FIS
FUND: 5190 ESU19 Information and Management Services
DEPT ID: 7062540 Financial Information System
PROGRAM: 2510 Business Support Services
AMOUNT: $686,368.09, $45,840.41

FUND: 1 General Fund
DEPT ID: 7024000 Retirement Office
PROGRAM: 2330 Executive Administrative Services
AMOUNT: $65,215.60

Supplier: Mythics
POLICIES: 7000, III.K; 7000, V.H.
Total Amount: $1,404,525.33

Administration recommends approval of the annual renewal of the Oracle PeopleSoft Enterprise Agreement for the 2026-2027 school year. The renewal provides Software Update License and Support services for the District’s Human Capital Management (HCM) and Financial Information System (FIS) environments, supporting critical business functions including human resources, payroll, benefits administration, recruiting, talent management, financial management, budgeting, accounting, purchasing, asset management, inventory, eProcurement, project costing, portal technologies, and public sector operations.

The renewal ensures continued access to Oracle software updates, security patches, regulatory compliance updates, vendor support, and product enhancements necessary to maintain district operations. Omaha Public Schools has utilized the PeopleSoft platform since May 2003. As the District begins its transition to the Oracle Fusion Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platform, this renewal provides essential continuity of operations and support during the implementation period. Pursuant to Board Policy 7000, Section V.H., this renewal is exempt from competitive bidding requirements as maintenance and support of an existing proprietary software solution.

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:  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:  The purpose of this report is to present information regarding the post-high school activities and outcomes of the 2025 Omaha Public Schools graduates.  Specifically, the follow-up study focuses on graduates' college and career goals, enrollment in post-secondary education and/or transition into the workforce, factors influencing these decisions, and how graduates feel about their time in OPS.  This report offers valuable insights into how and what OPS students are doing after graduation.

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.