May 5, 2014 at 6:30 PM - Board of Education Regular 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.

Rationale:  Led by Boy Scout Pack 17 from Dundee Elementary School.

Rationale:  The Central High School class of 2014 is the first ever to include International Baccalaureate Programme (IB) candidates in the Omaha Public Schools. Twenty-three CHS students have chosen to complete the rigorous coursework, finish the community and service project, write an extended essay, and take multiple final exams that are graded throughout the world. Specifically, IB is designed as an academically challenging and balanced program of education -- with final examinations that prepare students for success both at the university level and beyond.  The curriculum is designed to ensure a cohesive, comprehensive education for students, no matter where they live in the world.  Students who complete this program are preparing not only for success in college, but for success in life.  

OPS was just named a 2014 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools District Sustainability Award winner by the U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan.  The district is one of only nine districts in the entire country to receive the award this year.  At the same time, Fontenelle Elementary was honored with a Green Ribbon Award, too -- it's one of only 48 schools in the nation to receive individual-school recognition as part of the awards.  The Green Ribbon awards are given out each year in recognition of districts’ and schools’ efforts to reduce utility costs, lessen environmental impact, promote better health, and ensure effective environmental education.

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. 

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GRANT FUND BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS

It is recommended that the receipts and expenditures of the detailed grant fund budget for the 2013-2014 fiscal year be amended to include the following reimbursable programs:

 

1. NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN EDUCATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION – PROJECT 491014.

 

Central administrative staff request approval to accept the Native American Indian Education budget.

 

This budget amendment, in the amount of $197,465.00, is for the period beginning September 1, 2013, and ending June 30, 2014.  The total budget is written for the period beginning July 1, 2013, and ending June 30, 2014.  This amendment represents only that part of the budget that will be expended during the 2013-2014 school year. It represents the continued participation in a program conducted during the 2012-2013 school year for the purpose of providing support to school district programs that serve Native American students.

    

This program is 100% reimbursable.

 

2.   DEMONSTRATION GRANT FOR INDIAN CHILDREN, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION – PROJECT 491312.

           

Central administrative staff request approval to accept the Demonstration Grant for Indian Children budget.

 

This budget amendment, in the amount of $296,132.00, is for the period beginning September 1, 2013, and ending August 31, 2014.  The total budget is written for the period beginning July 1, 2011, and ending June 30, 2015.  This amendment represents only that part of the budget that will be expended during the 2013-2014 school year. It represents the continued participation in a program conducted during the 2012-2013 school year for the purpose of providing additional opportunities for success of Native American students by academically supporting current school district programs.

 

This program is 100% reimbursable.

 

3.   NATIVE INDIAN CENTERED EDUCATION (NICE) PHASE IV GRANT, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION – PROJECT 491313.

           

Central administrative staff request approval to accept the NICE Phase IV Grant budget.

 

This budget amendment, in the amount of $299,321.00, is for the period beginning September 1, 2013, and ending August 31, 2014.  The total budget is written for the period beginning July 2, 2012, and ending July 1, 2016.  This amendment represents only that part of the budget that will be expended during the 2013-2014 school year. It represents the continued participation in a program conducted during the 2012-2013 school year for the purpose of providing additional opportunities for success of Native American students by academically supporting current school district programs.

 

This program is 100% reimbursable.

 

4.   VISITOR IMPROVEMENT FUND GRANT, DOUGLAS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISIONERS – PROJECT 499114.

 

     Central administrative staff request approval to accept the Visitor Improvement Fund budget.

 

     This budget amendment, in the amount of $15,000.00, is for the period beginning September 1, 2013, and ending August 31, 2014.  This program will defray the cost of shuttle service for State Track Meet attendees between the Westroads Mall and Burke High School during the 2014 State Track Meet.  It will also offset the increase of rental cost at Creighton for State Soccer.

 

     This program is 100% reimbursable.

 

The Sherwood Foundation Grants and Grants less than $10,000.00 to be amended into the 2013-2014 budgets are available for review in the Board Workroom.

 

5.   SHERWOOD FOUNDATION GRANTS

    

These budget amendments in the amount of $151,200.00 are for the period beginning September 1, 2013, and ending August 31, 2014.  These amendments represent only that part of the budget that will be expended during the 2013-2014 school year for new programs from the Sherwood Foundation.

 

     This program is 100% reimbursable.

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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:

All claims submitted excluding those listed in Claims Report B

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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:  The monthly Douglas County School District 0001 Head Start Governing Body Report for March 2014 is provided as an attachment in accordance with the 2007 Head Start Act.

Rationale:  There are many reasons to be proud of our community and the resources that it provides to OPS Head Start children and families however, there are still areas of concern that must be addressed. This community assessment has attempted to provide an over­view of OPS Head Start and Early Head Start service area (Douglas County) focusing primar­ily upon those who are eligible for Head Start services.  The Community Assessment is a required document that is conducted every three years and updated annually.  OPS Head Start does an extensive update every year to ensure data is current. 

Rationale:  Grantees are required to submit a supplemental application for the FY 2014 appropriation that restores the 5.27 percent reduction grantees received in FY 2013 due to sequestration. The expectation is that grantees will use these funds to restore cuts programs made to absorb the reduction or to make additional program enhancements for children and families.  The attached document outlines how Omaha Public Schools Head Start will utilize the restored funding.

Rationale:  Omaha Public School District is requesting permission from Head Start Regional Office to make adjustments to the OPS Head Start part day operating schedule beginning on August 18, 2014.  This adjustment is in compliance with the Head Start Act regulation (Sec. 640).  It allows for center-based Head Start programs to have the flexibility in the number of hours of service required by the regulations as long as it is not less than three hours of service per day.  The request will assist in aligning part day early childhood services, student transportation, and the teacher contract. 

Rationale:  Mr. Evans and Dr. Garnett will provide an update to the implementation of the Strategic Plan. 

Rationale:  Information will be provided on the progress of the Ad Hoc Committee Student Assignment Committee.

Rationale:  Central Office staff will provide an update on eFunds.

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A presentation will be provided on the statewide Working to Institutionalize Sex Education (WISE) initiative that is being undertaken to update health curriculum. Omaha Public Schools has been invited to participate which will allow our school district to gather input from the community that will inform curricular decisions for future curricular materials. At the conclusion of the work, an update of any health curricular content changes, health policy and curriculum materials will be provided to the Board of Education for discussion and approval.

Omaha Public Schools is not the fiscal agent for the grant that is supporting this effort; however, OPS will be a recipient of funds to purchase new curricular materials.

Rationale:  LEARNING COMMUNITY

Douglas/Sarpy County Learning Community Coordinating Council minutes of the February 20, 2014 regular meeting.

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.