February 3, 2025 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:  Buena Vista High School's JROTC will present the Colors and lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

Rationale:  The Vision:  Every Student.  Every Day.  Prepared for Success.

The Mission:  To prepare all students for success in college, career, and life.

Rationale:  The #OPSProud Spotlight celebrates students who earned a military academy nomination from Rep. Don Bacon:

• Andrew Calub of Westview High School - Air Force
• Zander Miller of Central High School - Air Force, Army
• Hendrick Shradar of Central High School - Air Force, Army, Navy, Merchant Marines

Rationale:  The Treasurer's Report for December 2024 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:  Fund: 158 Sherwood Foundation Grant
Dept:  7072002 (School Improvement
Prog:  2330 Executive Administrative Services
Project:  456525 District Moonshot Initiatives
Policy: 7000, VII
Amount: $146,900.00

Administration recommends approval of the attached agreement with Leading Educators, LLC (LE) to engage in a strategic partnership to provide consulting services for a customized course including modules and tasks aligned to OPS curriculum, job embedded professional learning with the University of Nebraska Omaha, and individual feedback to all participating teachers (approximately 270) during the 2024-25 school year.
Funding for the agreement recently approved by the Sherwood Foundation under the District Moonshot Initiatives. The total amount is $146,900.00.

Rationale:  Administration recommends approval of Amendment No. 003 to the ground and tower space lease agreement with New Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC Doing Business As AT&T Mobility Corporation for the communications facility at 3225 North 52nd Street (Benson High School).  Amendment No.003 allows for the upgrade of antennas, cables, and communications instruments by New Cingular Wireless PCs, LLC within the leased area. There is no cost to the District for this work.

Amendment No. 001 was approved by the Board of Education on June 20, 2011.

Amendment No. 002 was approved by the Board of Education on July 17, 2023.

Rationale:  The following Board member will be appointed to the Nebraska Association of School Boards (NASB) Board of Directors:

• Nancy Kratky - Region 5 Board of Directors (term will end December 31, 2028)

Rationale:  The following Board member will be appointed to the Nebraska Association of School Boards (NASB) Legislation Committee:

• Kimara Snipes - Legislation Committee Member #1 (term will end December 31, 2026)
• Jane Erdenberger - Legislation Committee Member #2 (term will end December 31, 2028)

Rationale:  Dr. Shavonna Holman will be appointed to the Omaha Public Schools Foundation Board of Directors for a three-year term.

Rationale:  FUND:     31 Special Building Fund
PROGRAM:  2620 Maintenance School/District Buildings
DEPT. ID: 7166600 Schoolhouse Planning         
SUPPLIER: Downs Electric, Inc.
POLICIES: 7000, III. K., 7000, VII.D
AMOUNT:   $33,267.54

Administration recommends approval of Change Order No. 006 for Downs Electric, Inc on Bid No. 23-008 for the South High School Capital Improvements, which was approved by the Board on September 22, 2022. This project started in Fall 2022 with work being done when students were not in session.
 

RFP#	Type	Description	Type	Amount
RFP-02	Mech	Install pressure-reducing valves to existing branches of gas piping within the building which are required to raise the gas pressure in the building. The existing gas pressure was discovered to be insufficient to supply fuel to the new gas-powered emergency generator after installation.	Add	$31,269.68
RFI #025	Mech.	Relocate condensate pumps and reroute waste pipe to allow for drainage of condensate from mechanical units.	Add	$2,597.86

Total Amount of Change Order No. 006 - Add	$33,867.54
Original Contract Amount	$2,774,700.00
Previously Approved Changes	$624,139.02
Change Order No. 006 - Add	$33,867.54
Total Revised Contract Amount	$3,432,706.56
Amount Paid to Date	$3,398,839.02
Amount Remaining	$33,867.54

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:  In keeping with the provisions of Nebraska Revised Statute section 79-981, the Board of Education is responsible for the transaction of OSERS’ business, including approval of expenditures of OSERS’ funds.   The Administration recommends approval of the attached claims to be paid from OSERS’ 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:  Funds: 1, 153   General Fund, Special Education - IDEA
Department: 7194010   Special Education Administration
Programs: 1222, 1270- Transition Services, Tuition to Agencies
Project: 461024, 461025 - IDEA Base/EP Grant
Policy: 7000. K.
Amount:  $1,050,390.00

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 ninth set of agency contracts going to the Board of Education for approval for the 2024-25 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 2024-25 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 2024-25 school year. Per their agreement with Omaha Public Schools, all providers must receive NDE approval to provide special education and related services. Munroe Meyer Severe Behavior Clinic is a specialized setting for students with Autism and significant behaviors. This is a two-year contract for 2024-25 through 2025-26. Munroe Meyer Transition Programs provides a workplace setting and vocational instruction for Transition-age students and is a one-year contract. The total cost to the District for this group is estimated to be $1,050,390.00 and is an allowable reimbursable special education expenditure. 

Rationale:  FUND: 1 General Fund
PROGRAM: 2510 Business Support Services
DEPT: 7062510 Information Management Service
SUPPLIER: 24091 CDW Government Solutions, LLC
POLICY: 7000  III., K., 7000, VII., A
AMOUNT: $145,449.30

Administration recommends the approval to enter into a contract with CDW Government Solutions, LLC per Bid No. 25-003 Network Switches and Wireless Access Points, which was awarded by the Board of Education on Jan. 23, 2025. This contract purchases network switches, wireless access points, and switch modules to update existing District Network equipment at the following schools: Miller Park Elementary, Minne Lusa Elementary, Mount View Elementary, Sherman Elementary, Skinner Elementary, Nathan Hale Middle, and Benson High. This contract will hold pricing for future purchases from July 2025 through June 2026.

The total amount to be awarded to CDW Government Solutions, LLC. is $969,661.98. This purchase is eligible for e-Rate, which is a Federal program that provides discounts on telecommunications, internet access, and internal connections to eligible schools. Our District receives an 85% discounted rate for eligible purchases. The total cost to the District after the projected 85% e-Rate discount is $145,449.30.

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:  FUND: 4070 Depreciation Reserve Fund 
DEPT: 7062560 Districtwide Technology 
PROGRAM: 2510 Business Support Services 
SUPPLIER: Riverside Technologies Inc. 
POLICIES: 7000, III. K.,7000, V. G. 
AMOUNT: $740,566.00
 
Administration recommends approval to purchase nine hundred twenty-seven (927) additional HP ProBook 450 G10 Laptops for use at secondary schools. Bid 24-042, approved by the Board of Education on May 20, 2024, holds pricing for one (1) year beginning May 20, 2024, through May 19, 2025. The bid includes the option of three (3) and one (1) year term extensions at the set price on the purchase of additional units.   
 
This purchase will provide devices for schools to use across all curricular areas, including but not limited to: keyboarding, state testing, research, computer science, and other areas that might need a laptop. It will also provide spare devices necessary for student enrollment changes or devices needing repair. This purchase includes fifty (50) devices specifically for students in the Early College program at Northwest High School. 
 
This purchase is part of the Technology Purchase Plan and ensures access to appropriate devices for all secondary buildings. Previously, these purchases have been purchased by individual school budgets, but are now included in the IMS budget to maintain and refresh equitably across the District, according to the IMS Technology Purchase Plan. 

Rationale:  Policy 8120 stipulates the Board of Education shall cause policies and regulations to be revised as necessary.  The Policy Committee will provide recommended changes to the following policies:

Recommended Approval of Second Reading:

5419 - Parent, Guardian, and/or Educational Decisionmaker Involvement and Student Privacy Protection Policy
6310 - Textbook Loans (REMOVE)
6315 - Use of Maps in Instruction (NEW)
6320 - Parent Requests for an Alternate Text (REMOVE - will be included in Policy 5419)
6360 - Recognition of Religious Beliefs and Customs

Rationale:  It is recommended that the grant fund budget be amended to include the receipts and expenditures of the attached grant awards.

Rationale:  The Legislative Committee, in keeping with the provisions of Policy 8150, recommends approval of its findings and recommendations as set forth in the attached summary of bills introduced before the Nebraska Legislature.  The summary has been prepared with the assistance of Kissel Kohout ES Associates and generally includes legislation which may affect the District.  The Committee continuously monitors legislative activity and may, from time to time, recommend that the Board take or update a position on a particular bill, resolution or amendment.  Committee recommendations typically include one of the following: Support, Oppose, or Monitor with Research.  In the absence of one of those recommendations, the Committee is recommending that the District take no position.  Given the fluid nature of the legislature, the Committee may need to present new bills, resolutions or amendments, including some that may not have appeared on the bill summary, to the Board for consideration.  In addition to the bill summary, the Committee, on occasion, recommends Board approval of position statements to guide the Board President and/or Superintendent when dealing with legislative debate on issues particular concern to the District that arise between Board Meetings.  The Committee is recommending that the Board adopt the attached new positions which are highlighted with this report.
 

Rationale:  This document provides the Board of Education with monthly Head Start information regarding attendance and enrollment, meal counts, in-kind amounts, health requirements, policy council minutes, delegate reports, and program information summaries to maintain a communication structure to support oversight responsibilities as stated in Head Start Performance Standard 1301.2.

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.