November 17, 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 Megan Bakhit, Ed.D., for receiving the 2025 Lozier LIGHTS Outstanding Principal Award. 

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: 1
PROGRAM: 2520 Transportation - Other
2750 Transportation - Regular
2760 Transportation - SPED School Age
3102 Transportation - Early Childhood SPED Trans
DEPT: 7162800 Student Transportation
SUPPLIER:   Yant Testing, Supply and Equipment   
POLICY: 7000, VII., 7000, III. D
AMOUNT: $20,522.00

Administration recommends approval of Change Order No.01 for Yant Testing, Supply & Equipment CO.(Yant Equipment) per Bid No. 25-018 for Fuel Station Pump Installation and Software Updates, which the Board approved on July 17, 2025.
 

Addition of sump sensors to the dispenser and tank sumps	Add	$9,150.00
Install 8’long island forms in place of 5’ long island to better protect the new pumps	Add	$2,000.00
Addition of new trash cans on the islands with a steel mount to hold them in place	Add	$1,200.00
Replacement of existing conduits and wiring	Add	$4,638.00
Partial addition of backfill	Add	$3,534.00

 

Total Amount of Change Order No.01	$20,522.00
Original Contract Amount	$264,445.00
Previously Approved Changes	$0.00
Total Revised Contract Amount	$284,967.00
Amount Paid to Date	$0.00
Amount Remaining	$284,967.00

 

Rationale:  FUND: 42 - 2018 Bond Program Proceeds Fund 
PROGRAM:2510 Maintenance School/District Buildings 
DEPT. ID: 7166600 Schoolhouse Planning 
SUPPLIER: Boiler Chiller Systems, LLC
POLICIES: 7000, III.K, 7000, VII.A, 7000, VII.D 
AMOUNT: $7,900.00

Administration recommends approval of Change Order No. 01 for Boiler Chiller System, LLC.. on Bid No. 26-004 for OPS North and Northwest cooling towers replacement project which the Board approved on September 22, 2025.
 

PR - 01

Supply and install 10" CPVC chilled water return pipe to replace the 8" chilled water return currently installed at Northwest High School. Based on recommendation by manufacturer and supported by OPS Steamfitters, the increased return line size will increase the efficiency of the new cooling tower and chilled water system and extend the overall lifespan.

Add

7,900.00

 
 

Total Amount of Change Order No. 01 Add	$ 7,900.00
Original Contract Amount:	$636,700.00
Previously Approved Changes:	$0.00
Total Revised Contract Amount:	$644,600.00
Amount Paid to Date	$0.00
Amount Remaining	$644,600.00

 

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:  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:  $72,900.00

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 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 $72,900.00 and is an allowable reimbursable special education expenditure. 

Rationale:  Fund:  176 Miscellaneous Federal Grants
Program:  1170, English Language Learners
Dept:  7198170, English As a Second Language
Project:  464926, Title III EL
Supplier:  University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO)
Policies:  4035
Amount:  $47,280.00

In keeping with Policy 4035, Administration recommends approval of the UNO Bilingual Education Endorsement Program Memorandum of Understanding to offer Omaha Public Schools bilingual (Spanish/English) certified teachers and administrators the opportunity to earn their K-12 Bilingual Education Endorsement paid for through Title III EL grant funds. It is expected that participants will work three years in OPS after the completion of the program. The contract will be effective for one (1) year, from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026. The anticipated total cost to the District from Title III EL funds is $47,280.00 (12 credit programs; $4,728 per student; 10 participants). The District has previously spent over $50,000 on UNO Bilingual Education Endorsement Program agreements and therefore brings this contract to the Board for approval. The Administration will maintain records of participants.

Rationale:  Pursuant to Policy 7000, IX, A, 1., Administration recommends approval of a permanent right-of-way easement at 2002 M Street, Omaha, NE 68107 (South High School Collin Field) with OPPD. The parcel includes approximately one hundred eighty-four square feet (184 square feet) at the northeast edge of the property. The easement will allow for the installation and maintenance of new electrical equipment, including a switch and distribution line, within the right-of-way.
OPPD will provide compensation of $1.00 for this permanent easement.
 

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 Fund and 279 - Central Activity
PROGRAM: 2150 - Student Safety and 2199 - Other Student Support Services
DEPT: Schools
SUPPLIER: Winter Sports & Music Season Officials
POLICY: 7000, III.K., 7000, VII. A.
AMOUNT: $290,850.00

The Board of Education is required by State Statute 79-584 to approve all expenditures of District funds. Preapproval is requested for the estimated 2025-2026 winter sports season officials’ pay. Payments to officials will be processed on a weekly basis during the season as pay requests are submitted to Accounts Payable. The total amount of approval requested is $290,850.00 and total payments will not exceed this amount without additional Board of Education approval.

Rationale:  Regular attendance and participation at school are the foundations of academic success, including high school graduation. This report provides a review of student attendance and absenteeism for the 2024-25 school year and its relationship to trends across previous school years. A review of student attendance trends at the District, grade level, and student group level allows stakeholders to better understand where absenteeism is impacting the student population.

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

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 on Friday, October 31, 2025.

Rationale:  The purpose of this report is to provide the District’s 2025-26 fall membership, and to discuss trends in total enrollment as well as racial/ethnic representations. Examination of enrollment trends at District, school, and grade levels assists staff in effectively planning for the current school year and for future student population changes. Each year, Research Division staff oversees the preparation of this report. Membership data is further disaggregated at the District, school, and grade levels to better understand trends and patterns in other District-reported statistics.

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.