October 19, 2015 at 6:30 PM - Omaha Public Schools Board of Education and Educational Service Unit 19 Board Meeting

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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.

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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 Indian Hill!  The school recently unveiled three murals which reflect the diverse cultural heritage of the school and its community.  The unveiling took place during a special event at the building and was headlined by remarks from the artist who created the murals. 

Rationale:  The Treasurer's Report for September 2015 is attached for review.

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 A

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

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APPROVAL OF CLAIMS - SCHOOL DISTRICT OF OMAHA CLAIMS REPORT C:

All Claims submitted as potential conflict of interest for members of the Board of Education.

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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:  Staff, at the direction of the Board of Trustees of the Omaha School Employees’ Retirement System will recommend approval of the investment in Earnest Partners, LLC for management of a fund investing in Core Fixed Income Assets.

Rationale:  The Superintendent recommends approval of the LOI submitted by the Central High School Foundation.

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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. CARL D. PERKINS VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION GRANT, NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION – PROJECT 471816. 

     Central administrative staff request approval to accept the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Grant budget. 

     This budget amendment, in the amount of $773,694.00, is for the period beginning September 1, 2015, and ending June 30, 2016.  The total budget is written for the period beginning July 1, 2015, and ending June 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 2014-2015 school year for the purpose of improving and expanding career and technical education programs. 

     This program is 100% reimbursable.

B. CAREER EDUCATION STATE GRANT, NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION – PROJECT 472016.

     Central Administrative Staff request approval to accept the Career Education State Grant budget. 

This budget amendment, in the amount of $49,400.00, is for the period beginning September 1, 2015, and ending June 30, 2016.  The total budget is written for the period beginning July 1, 2015, and ending June 30, 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 the purpose to improve, modernize or expand career technical education offerings. 

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 $1,269,507.00 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:  PROPOSED 2015-2016 NON-RESIDENT TUITION RATES

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Staff from Wakonda Elementary will provide an update on technology initiatives and beginning of year activities.  

Rationale:  Staff will provide an update to the Board of Education on efforts at Howard Kennedy connected to Purpose Built Schools. 

Rationale:  Central Office Staff and administration of Lewis and Clark Middle School are requesting approval to expand the Middle Years Program (MYP) at Lewis and Clark for the 2016-17 school year.

Rationale:  Staff will provide the Board of Education an update of the adjustments to the Academic Eligibility Policy based upon the feedback from the Board of Education Workshop held in August.  These policy adjustments will come back in two weeks for Board approval.

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Request for Quotes for Economic Inclusion Services 

The District Operational Services Department will present information regarding a proposed Request for Statement of Qualifications and Price Quotes for Economic Inclusion Services (RFQ).  A draft of the RFQ is attached.  The scope and purpose of the RFQ will be explained and the proposed schedule for receipt and review of RFQ responses and award of contracts will be discussed.  It is anticipated that the RFQ documents may be revised based on feedback received from the Board and that the District Operational Services Department will present a final version for consideration by the Board at its meeting on November 2, 2015.

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.