August 18, 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:  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 recognizes the Omaha Public Schools Research team for winning a 2025 Qualtrics XM Breakthrough Artist Award. The award recognized the team's innovative use of data to improve the educational environment for staff and students.

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:  Administration recommends that the Board of Education approve the attached Agreement with Collective for Youth for the 2025-26 school year with automatic one-year renewals unless terminated. Collective for Youth is a nonprofit organization that manages, facilitates and provides oversight for out of-school-time programs in 41 schools, which are coordinated by 10 nonprofit organizations listed below. All programs focus on goals including reinforcing academic competencies, promoting future focus/fostering curiosity, and the development of positive behaviors while providing a caring adult and a hot meal. Collective for Youth has partnered with the District on this work for the past 16 years.  The services provided by Collective for Youth are entirely privately funded and come at no cost to the District.  

• AIM Institute: 
  • King Science Middle      
• Boys and Girls Clubs of the Midlands: 
  • Bryan Middle      
  • Florence Elementary    
  • Morton Middle     
  • Mount View Elementary   
  • Skinner Elementary      
  • Spring Lake Elementary   
• Civic Nebraska: 
  • Lewis and Clark Middle   
  • Lothrop Elementary      
  • Sherman Elementary     
• Completely Kids: 
  • Field Club Elementary 
  • Forest Station Elementary    
  • Gifford Park Elementary  
  • Gomez Heritage     
  • Highland Elementary      
  • Jackson Elementary       
  • Liberty Elementary      
  • Marrs Middle School      
  • Norris Middle School   
  • Walnut Hill Elementary  
• Dream: 
  • Central Park Elementary  
  • Hartman Elementary       
  • Kennedy Elementary       
  • Nathan Hale Middle       
• Kids Can: 
  • Benson West Elementary  
  • Conestoga Elementary     
  • Druid Hill Elementary    
  • Gilder Elementary 
  • Miller Park Elementary  
  • Minne Lusa Elementary    
  • Wakonda Elementary   
• Teen Center:      
  • Burke High School 
• Urban League of Nebraska: 
  • Franklin Elementary    
  • King Elementary   
  • Monroe Middle     
• YMCA: 
  • Belvedere Elementary    
  • Indian Hill Elementary 
  • McMillan Middle   
• Zoo Afterschool: 
  • Bancroft Elementary      
  • Castelar Elementary     
  • Pine Elementary    

Rationale:  FUND: 1 General Fund
PROGRAM: 2750 Student Transportation—Regular 1%
PROGRAM: 2760 Transportation—SPED School Age 79%
PROGRAM: 3102 Early Childhood SPED Transportation 20%
DEPT: 7162800 Transportation
SUPPLIER: Collaborative Student Transportation, LLC
POLICY: 7000, Article VII, III., D
AMOUNT: Projected $240,500.00

Administration recommends approval of an Amendment to the Vehicle Transportation Services for Title 1 Pre-Kindergarten and Homeless Students contract with Collaborative Student Transportation (CST), LLC, that was approved by the Board of Education on October 26, 2023, and had the first option year exercised on August 15, 2024.  The amendment will add a midday rate to CST’s existing agreement with the district for the 2025-2026 school year. This addition will allow the District to utilize CST for morning, midday, and afternoon runs to support student needs. The rate of $65.00 per midday run will be applicable to any 7 passenger or 10 passenger vehicle providing a midday route.  In addition, CST will provide a minimum of ten (10) 10 passenger vans, which will be in operation no later than October 20, 2025.  In the event CST fails to provide stated vehicles, they will be subject to liquidated damages in the amount of $50.00 per vehicle per school day. The projected additional cost to add midday runs is $240,500.00.
 

Rationale:  FUND: 1 General Fund
DEPT: 3331136 South HS
PROGRAM: 1100 Regular Instruction
VENDOR: Stanbury Uniforms, LLC.
POLICY: 7000. III. D.
AMOUNT: $82,322.76

Administration recommends approval to award Proposal No. P006-25 to Stanbury Uniforms, LLC., for band uniforms for South High in the amount of $82,322.76. The proposal includes the design and purchase of a uniform jacket, bib, leg cape, shako, shako wrap, plumes, gauntlets, garment bags, and storage boxes. The uniforms will be used by students for competitions and community events. The District received two (2) bid responses. Stanbury Uniforms LLC was the low bidder on the complete uniform. The total amount awarded to Stanbury Uniforms, LLC. is $82,322.76.
 

		Stanbury Uniforms LLC*	Fruhauf   Uniforms Inc
Descriptions	Qty	Unit $ (ea)	Unit $ (ea)
Uniform Jacket	130	$278.95	$357.12
Uniform Jacket-Drum Major Details	6	$320.79
Uniform Bib	130	$124.95	$109.03
Uniform Visor	130	$42.15	$51.51
Uniform Visor Box	130	$17.35	$15.52
Visor Wrap	130	$52.65	$49.82
Visor Plume 14"	130	$47.90	$42.00
Visor Plume - opt second color	130	$20.65	$50.15
Plume Storage Box	5	$165.00	$378.30
Uniform Garment Bag	130	$24.10	$18.77
Bib Bar Hangers	130	$3.40	$2.28
Total		$82,322.76	$94,540.22

For complete bid documentation, contact Yvonne.Schuster@ops.org.

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:  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: 1214, 1215, 1222, 1231, 1234, 1235,1236, 1265, 1266, 1270 - Speech Therapy School Age, Speech Therapy Ages 3-5, Nursing Services, Nonpublic Therapists, Nonpublic Teachers, Tuition to Agencies
Project: 461025, 461026, 460025, 460026 - IDEA Base/EP Grant
Policy: 7000 
Amount:  $3,345,410.00

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 fourth set of agency contracts going to the Board of Education for approval for the 2025-2026 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 2025-2026 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 2025-2026 school year. Per their agreement with Omaha Public Schools, all providers must receive NDE approval to provide special education and related services. The total cost to the District for this group is estimated to be $3,345,410.00 and is an allowable reimbursable special education expenditure. 

Rationale:  Fund:  1, General Funds
Program:  2211, Other Student Support Services
Dept:  7196010, Career and Tech Education
Policy: 7000, III.K. and 7000, VII.A.
Amount:  $79,909.22

Administration recommends approval of a renewed contract with Metropolitan Community College to continue with a collaborative staff position. The role of this position provides support to Omaha Public Schools students and staff to enhance, expand, and develop opportunities for students to earn college credits by taking part in Metropolitan Community College dual enrollment courses and support to staff through instructional leadership related to dual enrollment.  The agreement specifies this role will be shared financially between Omaha Public Schools and Metropolitan Community College, where Metropolitan Community College will reimburse Omaha Public Schools fifty percent of the total cost of compensation (pay and benefits), up to $79,909.22, over a 12-month term between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026 (2025-26 academic year).

Renewing this contractual agreement will allow Omaha Public Schools to continue work around Career Education programming in our high schools and will facilitate collaborative connections to expand work as it relates to our secondary programs, career pathways, and career academy programs. This collaborative agreement will also allow Omaha Public Schools to better align to the requirements of the federal Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century (Perkins V) Act where dual enrollment access and participation will be an indicator of program success.  The remaining fifty percent of this FTE is a staffing budget item of Curriculum and Instruction Support, Office of Career Education. 
 

Rationale:  FUND: 156  Head Start/Early Head Start
PROGRAM: 3201  Early Childhood
DEPT: 0660085 Head Start Grant   
POLICIES: 3570, Section 642 Head Start Act
AMOUNT:  $127,690.00

In keeping with 42 U.S.C. 9837 (also known as Section 642 of the Head Start Act), the Board of Education serves as the Governing Body for Head Start.  Under the Head Start Act, the Board of Education has legal and fiscal responsibility for the Head Start program and is required to review and approve all applications for funding submitted by the District and any of its Delegates.  The District has entered into several Delegate agreements for the provision of Head Start services including one with Educare of Omaha, Inc.  Educare of Omaha, Inc. is requesting approval from the District to apply for a one-time grant to update the kitchens at Kellom and Indian Hill Elementary Schools.  Submission of this funding application requires approval from both the Board of Education and the Head Start Policy Council. Board approval is requested currently to ensure timely submission in advance of the August 22, 2025 priority deadline for funding.  In accordance with Head Start requirements, Educare of Omaha, Inc. will be required to contribute a 20% non-federal match, which will be sourced from its unrestricted funds or other allowable non-federal sources.  As such, administration recommends approval of the Educare of Omaha, Inc. request to submit a one-time Nutrition and Healthy Eating Supplemental Funds grant application for Kitchen Equipment.  The total amount of the application is $127,690.00.

Rationale:  FUND:  1 General Fund
PROGRAM: 2610 Operations of Plants
DEPT. ID: 7166700 Environmental/Safety
SUPPLIER: Waste Management of Nebraska
POLICY: 7000, IV, C
AMOUNT: $624,825.88

Administration recommends the acceptance of the first of two possible one-year options to extend the Agreement with Waste Management of Nebraska, Inc. that was approved by the Board of Education on July 17, 2023.  This one-year option provides ongoing waste removal at all sites through July 31, 2026.  All terms and conditions of the agreement already approved remain in effect.  The projected cost of this one-year extension is $624,825.88.

Rationale:  ACCOUNT:53190 CONTRACTED PROFESSIONAL
FUND: 4005 NUTRITION SERVICES, 1 GENERAL FUND
DEPT ID: 7165000 NUTRITION SERVICES, 7105200 STUDENT INFORMATION SERVICES
PROGRAM: 2510 BUSINESS SUPPORT, 2111 STUDENT INFORMATION SERVICES
AMOUNT: $50,266.00

Administration recommends approval of the one-year contract with MyStaff to provide temporary staffing as needed to fill essential positions. The District prefers to directly hire staff to fill these roles. However, when no viable candidates are available, contracted staffing agencies may be consulted for unique specialized staffing needs or for limited temporary projects. MyStaff would support by identifying candidates for temporary classified staffing in clerical and technical areas as well as supporting temporary functions when needed. The cost would depend on the actual position requirements and the length of time the temporary worker is needed. Funding would be based on position and department. The contract would expire on August 3, 2026, and the estimated amount will be $50,266.00.
 

Rationale:  Administration recommends approval of the attached Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Service Employees International Union Local 226 (Local 226). The District remains short of office personnel for temporary work, processing meal applications and educational benefit forms, purging cumulative folders, and processing last spring’s NSCAS results. The parties agree that the number of temporary office personnel positions is such that they could be contracted out without adversely affecting Local 226 office personnel. As such, the MOU will permit the
District to contract out temporary office personnel services between August 18, 2025, and October 31, 2025.

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: 1, General
PROGRAM: 1250, Secondary Resource  
DEPT:  7194010, Special Education Admin
SUPPLIER:  HMH Education Company
POLICIES: 6121, 7000, V., G
AMOUNT:  $93,588.30

Administration recommends approval to purchase additional Read 180 licenses, teacher materials, and associated training for Secondary Special Education. On May 20, 2024, the Board of Education approved the purchase of Read 180 as part of the District curriculum adoption to support Secondary Reading Intervention. The addition of Read 180 materials for Special Education will enhance our capacity to deliver effective reading interventions, fulfill legal obligations under IDEA, and close achievement gaps for students with disabilities. Read 180 is nationally recognized as an effective Tier 2 and Tier 3 reading intervention program. Its efficacy with students who have learning disabilities is well documented, making it a strong match for our special education students. This item is being presented to the Board for approval in keeping with the provisions of Policy 6121,which requires approval by the Board of curricular materials. In keeping with the bid exceptions contained within Policy 7000, Section V., G (Academic Prerogative), no bid was required for this purchase. The total cost of the purchase is $93,588.30.

Rationale:  FUND: 4070, Depreciation Fund
PROGRAM: 2510, Business Support Services
DEPT: 7062100, Accounting and Finance
SUPPLIER: B&H Photo ($50,499.13)
SUPPLIER: Sweetwater  ($6,059.94)
POLICIES:   6121,7000, V.B.
AMOUNT: $56,559.07

Administration recommends approval of the purchase of the equipment listed below from B&H Photo and Sweetwater.  The equipment includes microphones and soundboards for staff to use with individual student performers, as well as stationary microphones to project chorus singing in the District’s Elementary and Middle Schools’ Plays and Musical Productions.  The systems will be housed centrally, in the music storage area, and available for checkout through the music department.  A bid was not required as the purchase is being made pursuant to a cooperative agreement under Policy 7000.V.B.  The total cost of this purchase is $56,559.07.
 
Four(4)Furman PL-PLUS DMC Power Conditioner
Two(2) Behringer WING RACK Full-Stereo Digital Mixing Console
Two(2) Behringer WING-DANTE 64-channel Dante Expansion Card
Two(2) Behringer S32 Digital I/O Stage Box
Two(2) Ubiguiti Networks Wide-Area Indoor/Outdoor Dual-Band Access Point
Two(2) Uqiquiti Networks UniFi Lite 8-Port Gigabit PoE+ Compliant Managed Switch
Four(4) Middle Atlantic D2 2-Space Rack Drawer
Eight(8) Switchcraft EH Series 75Ω Isolated BNC Female Feedthrough Jack Connector
Two(2) Gator Universal 16 Knockout Panel
Twelve(12) Ubiquiti Networks UniFi Cat 6 Ethernet Patch Cable
Six(6) Pearstone Cat 6 Snagless Network Patch Cable (Red, 3')
Two(2) Pearstone Cat 6 Snagless Network Patch Cable (Blue, 7')
Two(2) Pearstone Cat 6 Snagless Network Patch Cable (Black, 25')
Two(2) Gator GTOUR16U-TBL ATA Road Rack Case with Dual Fold-Out Tables
Four(4) Furman PST-8 Power Station
Two(2) Radial Engineering ProD2 Direct Box
Two(2) Radial Engineering StageBug SB-5 Stero Laptop DI
Four(4) K&M 210/9 Tripod Microphone Stand with Telescoping Boom
Four(4) QSC KC12 Active 12" 3-Way Column Loudspeaker System
Four(4) QSC KC12-S-CVR Padded Transport Cover for KC12S Subwoofer
Nine(9) Pro Co Sound Excellines XLR Male to XLR Female Microphone Cable
Four(4) Shure SM58-LC Cardioid Dynamic Microphone
Twelve(12) Shure A25DM Mic Stand Adapter
Six(6) Pro Co Sound Excellines XLR Male to XLR Female Microphone Cable
Six(6) Sennheiser EW-DX EM 4 DANTE Four-Channel Digital Rackmount Receiver with Dante
Two(2) RF Venue Diversity Omni Antenna & DISTRO5 HRD 5-Channel UHF Distribution System Bundle
Twenty-four(24) Sennheiser EW-DX SK 3-PIN Digital Wireless Bodypack Transmitter with 3-Pin LEMO Connector
Two(2) Gator G-Tour 12 U Cast Wheeled Rack Case
Four(4) Hosa Technology XLR-802 8-Channel Male XLR to Female XLR Snake Cable
Two(2) Pelican 1550 Case
Three(3) Gator Rackworks Rack Screws and Washers
Two(2) ProTapes Pro Gaffer Tape
Two(2) Hosa Technology CBT-500 Audio Cable Tester
Two(2) Pelican 1650NF Case without Foam
Two(2) Gator 52" Utility Cart All-Terrain
Two(2) K.2 Series Speaker set
Two(2) Choir Microphone sets were quoted from Sweetwater

Rationale:  Supplier:  Walsworth Yearbooks
Policies:  7000 III.K., VII.D.
Amount:  $6,500.00

Administration recommends approval of the attached contracts with Walsworth Publishing Company, Inc. for yearbook agreements with Beveridge Middle, Marrs Middle, and Morton Middle for the 2025-2026 school year. Walsworth is one of three yearbook vendors approved by the Board of Education at the June 17, 2025 board meeting. As the total of the contracts together is over $50,000, these attached contracts are being presented to the Board for approval pursuant to Board policy 7000, III.K. and 7000, VII. D. The total amount of the three agreements is $6,500.00.

Rationale:  The Nebraska legislature created the School Finance Review Commission during the last legislative session.  The commission, which includes a representative from the District, met for its initial meeting on Tuesday, August 12.   Dr. Holman, who was appointed by the Governor to represent the District, will give an update to the Board regarding the commission meeting.

Rationale:  The Chair of the Accountability Committee will provide an update.

Rationale:  FUND: 1 General Fund
PROGRAM: 2520 Transportation-Other
DEPARTMENT: 7162800 Transportation
SUPPLIER: Masters Transportation
POLICY: 7000, V.B.
AMOUNT: $679,200.00

Administration recommends a waiver of Policy 7000, which requires formal bidding for any purchase exceeding $25,000, in order to allow for the direct procurement of eight (8) 2024 unused Collins 9-passenger vans from Masters Transportation in the amount of $84,900.00 per vehicle. 

The Transportation Division has encountered significant delays in acquiring new vehicles through traditional manufacturing channels post-bid. These delays critically hinder our ability to maintain an up-to-date, operational fleet in accordance with our vehicle replacement plan and updated NDE transportation requirements. Currently, Masters Transportation has eight (8) brand-new 2024 Collins 9-passenger vans available for immediate sale. These vans are fully compliant with the published new Nebraska State transportation requirements, which limit activity vans to 9 passengers (down from the previous limit of 11). These vans are already manufactured and are currently on the lot and can be delivered prior to the start of the 2025-2026 school year. They are being offered at a discounted unit price of $84,900.00 per unit (below the original $92,900.00 per unit price).

Timely procurement of these vans will ensure high schools are supported with adequate transportation for sports and activity programs, maintain alignment with the student transportation replacement plan, mitigate further delays due to supply chain and production constraints, and result in cost savings for the district compared to the projected cost of procuring new vehicles.  The total cost of this purchase is $679,200.00.
 

Rationale:  The Accountability Committee met on Tuesday, August 12, 2025 and recommends approval of the Superintendent's goals and timeline. 

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.