September 9, 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:   

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:  Congrats to South!  Its band was recently chosen to represent the State of Nebraska at the 75^th annual Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C.  This is a major honor; the selection process is very competitive and the parade is among the largest such events in the country.  We salute South on this extraordinary achievement.   

 

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.

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 09/09/2015 and approved the audit of claims conducted by the Secretary to the Board of Education. 

Rationale: 

GRANT FUND BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS

It is recommended that the receipts and expenditures of the detailed grant fund budget for the 2015-2016 fiscal year be amended to include the following reimbursable programs:

A. SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT GRANT (SIG) – NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - PROJECT 449916.

Central Administrative Staff request approval to accept the School Improvement Grant budget.

This budget amendment, in the amount of $472,778.00, is for the period beginning September 1, 2015, and ending August 31, 2016.  The total budget is written for the period beginning August 7, 2015, and ending August 31, 2016.  This amendment represents only that part of the budget that will be expended during the 2015-2016 school year.  This is a new grant for school improvement at Wakonda Elementary School.

This program is 100% reimbursable.

B.  NEBRASKA 21^ST CENTURY COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTERS GRANT – NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - BETHESDA/LOTHROP – PROJECT 459916.

Central Administrative Staff request approval to accept the Nebraska 21^st Century Community Learning Centers budget.

This budget amendment, in the amount of $50,000.00, is for the period beginning September 1, 2015, and ending August 31, 2016.  The total budget is written for the period beginning July 1, 2015, and ending September 30, 2016.  This amendment represents only that part of the budget that will be expended during the 2015-2016 school year. It represents the continued participation in a program conducted during the 2014-15 school year at Bethesda Urban Community Development for the purpose of providing academic support, recreational activities, arts, and character building in before and after school programs.   

This program is 100% reimbursable.

Foundation Grants and Grants less than $10,000.00 to be amended into the 2015-2016 budgets are available for review in the Board Workroom.

1.   FOUNDATION GRANTS

These budget amendments in the amount of $1,040,380.00 are for the period beginning September 1, 2015, and ending August 31, 2016.  These amendments represent only that part of the budget that will be expended during the 2015-2016 school year for new Foundation Grants.

     This program is 100% reimbursable.

2.   GRANTS LESS THAN $10,000

    

No Grants less than $10,000 have been submitted for Board Action.

Rationale:  Staff recommends the approval of the corrected 2015-16 Non-Negotiated salaries of the attached positions.

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

Rationale: 

As a part of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) sanctions, a portion of the Title I funds must be spent on academic tutoring from Supplemental Educational Service (SES) providers state approved providers.  Students eligible for Supplemental Educational Services must attend a second year “Needs Improvement” Title I school, qualify for the free/reduced lunch program and have greatest academic need based on Nebraska State Assessment (NeSA) scores.  

All 30 SES providers are required to attend the SES Orientation September 10, 2015. They must also have the following documents turned in to the Title I Office before servicing students:

• SES Service Agreement Contract
• Background authorization form
• Student Learning Plans - Educational plans created for each student to develop strategies to support the student in math and/or reading. Parents/guardians must participate in the planning conference and sign the agreement plan.

Central office staff requests approval of the annual SES Contract for the 2015-2016 school year. Attached are the following documents:

• State approved SES provider list for 2015-2016
• SES Contract for 2015-2016

Rationale:  Central office staff is requesting on behalf of South High Magnet School and Bryan High School the use of their off formula building dollars for the purchase of Read180 at the price of $58,278.75 each with the total amount of $116,557.50.  This purchase includes teacher resources, a full classroom library, student materials, software licenses, technology support, and professional development. Read180 is currently being used as a support tool for tier three reading at the high school level.

Rationale: 

The Second Step program is a Tier 1, universal, classroom-based curriculum that teaches foundational social-emotional and self-regulation skills to all students, Early Childhood through Grade 8.  The District is currently implementing Second Step curriculum at the Pre-Kindergarten, 1^st, 7^th, and 8^th grades levels.

This request for purchase of additional Second Step materials is aligned with the Omaha Public Schools Strategic Plan 1.2.1: Expand implementation of a social-emotional learning curriculum focusing on creating a culture of positive relationships, kindness, and respect. The cost is $117,914.00.

The Department of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment School Counseling staff seeks approval to order the Second Step K-6 curriculum for all elementary buildings and for the district’s middle school transition programs. A description of the Second Step Curriculum is attached.

Rationale: 

As part of No Child Left Behind (NCLB), it is required to include providing educational services for children and youth in local and state institutions for neglected, delinquent and homeless agencies. The Title I Office in Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Department contracts with 14 agencies to ensure students who are homeless, neglected and delinquent have the opportunity to meet the state academic content standards.

 Central office staff requests approval of the following three annual contracts for the 2015-2016 school year: Homeless Agency Contract, Neglected & Delinquent Contract and Douglas County Youth Center Contract. Attached are the following documents:

• Homeless, Neglected and Delinquent Agency Service Providers 2015-2016
• Homeless Agency Contract 2015-2016
• Neglected and Delinquent Contract 2015-2016
• Douglas County Youth Center Contract 2015-2016

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

Committees:
Accountability
Budget and Audit
Communications
Policy
Americanism
Student Assignment Plan
Legislative
Construction Manager at Risk (CM@R)
Specialty Schools Review and Recommendations (SSRR)
Citizen Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC)
Code of Conduct

Rationale:  Mrs. Neiles-Brasch will present her annual report on legal services.

Rationale:  Jacobs staff will be available to present an update on bond progress and to respond to questions from the Board.      

Rationale:  Staff will be available to provide an update on progress toward the establishment of the long-range Facilities Capital Plan for the District. Steps completed thus far, as well as next immediate steps in the process, will be delineated.

Rationale: 

APPROVAL OF DOUGLAS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 0001 2015-2016 BUDGETS WHICH DO NOT REQUIRE A TAX LEVY 

The Board will consider attached resolution to approve the 2015-2016 non-levy budgets for
Douglas County School District 0001, which includes the following:  

School Lunch                                    $   43,701,133
School Activities                               $     6,500,000
Central Stores                                   $     6,500,000
Depreciation                                      $     5,000,000
Employee Benefit                             $    10,666,000
Student Fees                                     $         800,000
Contingency                                     $    10,100,000
Cooperative                                      $    56,391,645
Prior Service Retirement                 $        149,432

Rationale: 

APPROVAL OF DOUGLAS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 0001 2015-2016 BUDGETS WHICH REQUIRE A LEVY – EXCLUDING GENERAL FUND

The Board will consider attached resolution to approve the 2015-2016 Douglas County School District 0001 budgets, which require a tax levy, excluding the General Fund as follows:

Bond Fund                                                  $ 67,619,248

Special Building Fund                                  $171,561,000

Qualified Capital Purpose Undertaking Fund     $ 6,133,922

Rationale:  APPROVAL OF 2015-2016 GENERAL FUND BUDGET – DOUGLAS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 0001

The board will consider attached resolution to approve a 2015-2016 General Fund local budget in the amount of $557,287,399, and a reimbursable grant budget in the amount of $81,393,577 , for a total General Fund Budget of $638,680,976.

Rationale:  APPROVAL OF 2015-2016 BUDGET – EDUCATIONAL SERVICE UNIT No. 19

The Board will consider attached resolution to approve the 2015-2016 ESU No. 19 budget of $23,550,294.

Rationale: 

The staff recommends that the Board of Education authorize the calling of a public hearing pursuant to Nebraska Revised Statutes sections 79-1096 and 25-2504 regarding the School District's proposed acquisition of property located on the Northwest corner of 156^th and Ida streets.  The staff recommends acquisition of all or a part of the following generally described parcels:

1.   15802 Ida --   approximately 10.26 acres (parcel no. 0123290006)

2.   15850 Ida -- approximately 11.4 acres (parcel no. 0123300018)

3.   6904 N. 156^th -- approximately 1.43 acres (parcel no. 2247942000)

4.   Lot 2, Sugars Place -- approximately 8.01 acres (parcel no. 2247942002)

5.   7002 N. 156^th – approximately 4.91 acres (parcel no. 0123290005)

6.   7150 N. 156^th -- approximately 12.97 acres (parcel no. 0123290010)

7.   7350 N. 156^th -- approximately 10.5 acres (parcel no. 0123300004)

Staff shall further be authorized to set the date, time and location for such hearing and shall give all notices as are required by law.  Staff shall not be authorized to file any petition allowed under Nebraska Revised Statutes sections 76-704 to 76-724 without further approval of the Board of Education.

Rationale: 

Staff recommends the approval of an Agreement with The Lund Company to negotiate with the following property owners for the purchase of their properties:

6904 N. 156th -- approximately 1.43 acres (parcel no. 2247942000)

Lot 2, Sugars Place -- approximately 8.01 acres (parcel no. 2247942002) 

7002 N. 156th -- approximately 4.91 acres (parcel no. 0123290005)

The Agreement provides for a commission of 2.5% of the gross purchase price of each unlisted property purchased by the District pursuant to a purchase agreement negotiated by The Lund Company.  Commissions would be paid by the District to The Lund Company at the closing of each purchase with a maximum commission of $55,000 in the aggregate for all unlisted properties acquired through their services.  There would be no commission paid by the District on properties purchased by the District that are listed for sale.

 

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.