August 21, 2017 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:  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: 

Madam President, members of the board, Superintendent Evans, our #OPSProud Spotlight is on Florence Elementary and Central High School.

The Omaha World Herald held its second annual Omaha’s Choice Awards this summer. Community members had the opportunity to go online and vote for their favorite businesses and/or organizations in more than 200 categories. One of those categories was education and three of our schools were voted top schools. Two are here to be recognized tonight.

Central High School and Florence Elementary ranked in the top three for Omaha's Choice in the education category. We salute these schools for their commitment to ensuring students succeed academically and socially. To discuss some of the great work happening at the schools, we now invite students and principals Mr. Dan Hoeck of Florence Elementary and Dr. Bennett from Central High.

Rationale: 

The Treasurer's Report for July 2017 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: 

It is recommended that the claims for the School District of Omaha be approved as presented by the Central Administrative Staff.

A.  CLAIMS A REPORT

Rationale: 

It is recommended that the claims for the School District of Omaha be approved as presented by the Central Administrative staff.

A.  CLAIMS B REPORT

Rationale: 

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 8/21/2017 and approved the audit of claims conducted by the Secretary to the Board of Education. 

Rationale: 

Central Administrative Staff request approval to accept the Title I Neglected, Delinquent and Homeless Agency Contracts for the 2017-2018 School Year.

Rationale: 

OPS Staff, Jacobs and Steering Committee representatives will provide an update on the 2014 Bond Program and share recent Steering Team Committee discussions with regard to a potential phase 2 and its timing with the Board of Education.  

Rationale: 

Staff will present a brief Transportation Update.

Rationale: 

Central Office staff will provide an update on the Strategic Plan.  

Rationale: 

The Superintendent Search Committee recommended authorization for the committee to enter into contract negotiations with Ray & Associates to provide superintendent search consulting services.  

Rationale: 

The Board of Education will indemnify Daniel Bartels against expenses he has incurred or would otherwise incur in connection with the pending suit, KD and JD, Parents, Natural Guardians and Next Friends of LD v. Douglas County Public School District No. 001, a/k/a Omaha Public Schools, Daniel Bartels, Brian Robeson, Joe Doe and Jane Doe, Case No. 8:17-CV-00285-LSC-CRZ filed in the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska that commenced because he is an employee of the school district.

The Board will determine that indemnification of Mr. Bartels is proper in the circumstances because he acted in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the school district.

The Board of Education will engage counsel to provide the legal services related to the pending action, suit, or proceeding against Mr. Bartels.

Rationale: 

The attached policies have been reviewed by the Policy Committee. The Policy Committee voted 3 to 1 to forward the attached policies to the full Board for information.   

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.