August 17, 2026 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.

The Moonshot: All students will read on grade level by 2030.

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:  Policy: 6410

In keeping with the provisions of Policy 6410, Administration recommends acceptance and approval of the Title I Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) Grant from the Nebraska Department of Education's (NDE).  The Grant is offered to schools that need additional strategic instructional support as identified utilizing the state’s Accountability System (AQuESTT) and is required for all CSI designated schools.  The NDE Office of Federal Programs, Coordinated Schools, and the District have collaborated to provide CSI schools with targeted, customized support in developing and implementing their plans.  The Grant aligns with the District’s Strategic Plan.  The CSI and CSI-Additional Targeted Support and Improvement (ATSI-CSI) Grant Allocation amount is $665,710.00 for the period beginning May 30, 2026, and ending September 30, 2027.  The following 28 schools are receiving the grant:

High Schools
Benson High
South High

Middle Schools
Beveridge Middle
Bryan Middle
King Science Middle
Lewis and Clark Middle
McMillan Middle
Monroe Middle
Morton Middle
Nathan Hale Middle
Norris Middle
RM Marrs Middle

Elementary Schools
Bancroft Elementary
Beals Elementary
Belvedere Elementary
Benson West Elementary
Central Park Elementary
Conestoga Elementary
Field Club Elementary
Florence Elementary
Fontenelle Elementary
Gateway Elementary
Jackson Elementary
King Elementary
Mount View Elementary
Skinner Elementary
Wakonda Elementary
Walnut Hill Elementary
 


 

Rationale:  Pursuant to Policy 7003, F.4., Administration is submitting the Substantial Completion of the TAC Student & Community Services Renovation Project to the Board of Education for acceptance, consistent with established District practice.
 

Contractor	Project	Substantial Completion Date
Kingery Construction Co.	TAC Student &Community Services Renovation Project	July 31, 2026

The Substantial Completion date marks the commencement of the one-year warranty period as defined in the contract documents. Establishing this contractual date provides consistency in warranty administration and reflects that the District had beneficial use and occupancy of the facility prior to final acceptance.

Rationale:  FUND: 176 Title IIA - Federal Funds 
PROGRAM: 2251 Staff Development 
DEPT. ID: 7043300 Staff Development 
SUPPLIER: New Leaders, Inc. 
POLICIES: 7000, III.K, 7000, VII.A, 7000, VII.D 
AMOUNT: $338,700.00 

Administration recommends approval of the attached agreements with New Leaders, Inc. to provide professional learning in reading foundations and literacy for instructional paraprofessionals in support of our District’s Moonshot goal. This learning will impact 500 instructional paraprofessionals. The sessions will be held during job-embedded professional learning time. The District will continue its ongoing partnership with New Leaders to provide professional learning and collaboration beginning September 2026 and ending July 31, 2027. The total cost is $338,700.00.

Rationale:  FUND: 154   Title I
PROGRAM: 1100   Regular Instruction
PROJECT:  PROJECT:?407727 (Lewis & Clark), 407827 (Marrs), 407927 (McMillan), 413127 (Monroe), 413427 (Norris) 
DEPTS:  8771110 (Lewis & Clark), 8831110 (Marrs), 8791110 (McMillan), 8801110 (Monroe), 8721110 (Norris)
POLICIES: 7000, VII 
AMOUNT:  $325,562.00

Administration recommends approval of the attached agreement with Partnership 4 Kids (P4K) to provide high-impact tutoring in Math and English Language Arts (ELA) to students at the following five middle schools: Lewis & Clark - ($90,000), McMillan - ($70,000), Monroe - ($25,562), Norris - ($70,000), and RM Marrs - ($70,000) during the 2026-27 school year. 
The total cost is $325,562.00.

Rationale:  FUND: 31 Special Building Fund
PROGRAM: 2510 Business Support Services
DEPT ID: 7166600 Schoolhouse Planning
PROJECT: 320114 Student Transportation South
SUPPLIER:  Schemmer Associates, Inc.
POLICY: 7000, IV. D
AMOUNT: $305,500.00

Administration recommends approval of the agreement with The Schemmer Associates, Inc. for architectural, engineering, and construction administration services for the Transportation South Phase 2 Renovation Project at 5402 L Street. The project includes the renovation of approximately 25,300 square feet in a second building at the Transportation South facility, including assembly and break areas, vehicle maintenance space, wash bays, and storage areas. An alternative bid option for installing an elevator in the main building is also included.

These renovations (Phase 2 of a three-phase project) will establish a fully functional transportation hub capable of housing and servicing approximately 50% of the District’s student transportation fleet. Operating from two separate transportation facilities will reduce the risk associated with severe weather events, improve operational efficiency, shorten route times, and lower fuel costs.

Pursuant to Board Policy No. 7000, Section V.D. (Professional Services), these additional professional services are exempt from competitive bidding requirements. The total professional services fee is $305,500.00, including $224,700.00 for design services and $80,800.00 for bidding and construction administration services. The project schedule anticipates completion of schematic design, design development, and construction documents this fall, with receipt of bids around mid-December.

The Board previously approved the Transportation South Phase 1 Renovation Project agreement with Schemmer on January 5, 2026.

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, 1231, 1265, 1266, 1274 - Speech Therapy School Age, Nursing Services, Nonpublic Teachers, Nonpublic Therapists, Psychological Svcs-School Age  
Project: 461027, 460027 - IDEA Base/EP Grant
Policy: 7000 
Amount:  $3,321,434.00

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 third set of agency contracts going to the Board of Education for approval for the 2026-2027 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 2026-2027 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 2026-2027 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 $3,321,434.00 and is an allowable reimbursable special education expenditure. 

Rationale:  Administration recommends the approval of the extension of the agreement with Telus Health Ltd. through December 31, 2026, for the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The Board of Education approved the initial agreement with Telus Health (formerly known as "Lifeworks, Inc.") for EAP services on August 15, 2022. The initial Agreement was for one year and was renewed for three years, ending on August 31, 2026. Administration issued a Request for Proposals for EAP services and is currently reviewing proposals. The four-month extension will maintain current EAP services and hold the current pricing through December 31, 2026, while the Administration completes the RFP process. The District has 7,526 current Direct Eligible Users, and current pricing is $0.97 per Direct Eligible User per month. The estimated cost of services for the four-month extension is $50,300.00. This will be billed monthly based on the exact number of Direct Eligible Users. 

Rationale:  FUND: 156  Head Start/Early Head Start
PROGRAM: 3201  Early Childhood
DEPT: 0660085, Kennedy Head Start Grant
AMOUNT: $1,992,087.00
 
Administration recommends approval of the attached proposed Delegate Agreement between the District and Educare of Omaha.  The Delegate Agreement names Educare as the District’s delegate to provide Head Start and Early Head Start services.  Educare is agreeing to follow all Head Start regulations.  The agreement is for an abbreviated period through December 31, 2026, the current date through which federal funding has been authorized.  The total amount of the agreement is $1,992,087.00. Approval is required by Section 642 of the Head Start Act.

Rationale: 

Administration recommends approval of the attached Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Service Employees Local No. 226, Operations Division.  Local 226 and the District previously agreed upon a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) for the 2026-2027 school year.  The parties desire to gather data relating to the classification levels of Morton, Monroe, and Lewis and Clark Middle Schools for the Head Custodian Engineer position.  To that end, Local 226 and the District have agreed to collect that data and will meet together to discuss the District's rationale for those classifications on or before November 1, 2026. 

Rationale:  Administration recommends approval of the attached Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Omaha School Administrators Association. In the course of conferring over the Salary and Benefit Summary for the 2026-2027 school year, which is being contemporaneously approved at this meeting, the parties indicated a desire to gather data relating to salary levels, placement methods, movement on step, and education stipends from comparable school districts. To that end, the District and OSAA have agreed to collect that data during the 2026-27 school year which is memorialized in the attached MOA. 

Rationale:  Administration recommends approval of the attached OSAA Salary and Benefit Summary for the 2026-2027 school year.  OSAA is a meet and confer group so there is no formal collective bargaining agreement.  OSAA will receive a 2.71% total package increase for the 2026-2027 school year.  In keeping with agreements negotiated with the District’s collective bargaining partners, the Summary includes language to ensure employees do not make less than the previous year as a result of increased health insurance costs. 

Rationale: 

Administration recommends approval of the attached Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Omaha School Psychologist Association (OSPA).  The District and the School Psychologists have completed negotiations for a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) for the 2026-2027 school year, which is being contemporaneously approved at this meeting.  The parties desire to gather data relating to whether comparable school districts provide additional compensation for meetings that may occur outside of a School Psychologist's scheduled duty hours, including MDT and IEP meetings.  To that end, the OSPA and the District have agreed to collect that data during the 2026-27 school year which is memorialized in the attached MOA. 

Rationale:  Fund: 176 Federal Grants
Department: 7105800 Student and Community Services
Program: 2110 Student and Community Services
Project: TBD Title IV A Student Support Academic Enrichment
Policy:  7000,V., G., 6121
Amount: $500,000.00

In compliance with Policy 7000, staff recommends approval of the Service Agreement between the District and Methodist Community Counseling Program (CCP) for up to $500,000.00 for the current 2026-27 school year to provide counseling services to Omaha Public Schools secondary (middle and high school) students and their families that would otherwise be cost prohibitive. The Board of Education previously approved similar agreements in 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25, and 2025-26.  Counseling services include: (1.) Assessment and referral (2.) Individual therapy, group therapy, and family therapy for students (3.) Evaluation of individual student counseling progress (4.) Crisis management support (5.) Educational programs and (6.) Substance abuse screenings. The total cost of the agreement exceeds $50,000.  As such, the agreement is now being presented for Board approval. 

Rationale:  Administration recommends approval of the attached collective bargaining agreement with the School Psychologists unit, represented by Omaha School Psychologist Association, for the 2026-27 School Year which has been ratified by the unit. The District will continue to provide a $1200 deductible health plan and will increase its health insurance premium contribution by 5%. While employees will cover the remainder of the premium increase, the District has agreed to ensure that no employee shall suffer a reduction in gross pay resulting from the increased health insurance premium contribution. The total package cost of the one-year agreement is 2.92%.

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:  Administration recommends that the Board of Education reject all bids submitted for Bid No. 26-006 for Commercial HVAC Filters. Three suppliers submitted proposals in response to the bid solicitation. However, during the review process, it was determined that a group of schools was omitted from the total filter count and delivery schedule. To ensure all suppliers have the opportunity to submit proposals based on complete and accurate information, Administration is recommending rejection of all bids and the rebidding of the project.  This will help ensure a fair and competitive bidding process and allow the District to obtain the best value for its HVAC Filter procurement.
 

Rationale:  Fund: 176, Federal Grants
Department: 7105800, Student and Community Services
Program: 2110, Student and Community Services
Project: TBD, Title IV A, Student Support Academic Enrichment
Policy: 7000,V., G., 6121
Total: $259,000.00

Administration recommends approval to purchase Edmentum software to be utilized by high school students for credit recovery in the 2026-27 school year. Edmentum provides credit recovery opportunities to all Omaha Public Schools high school students that would otherwise be cost-prohibitive and increases the number of students on-track for a timely high school graduation. This curriculum aligns with course standards and 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 this purchase is $259,000.00.

Rationale:  Administration recommends approval of a three-year agreement renewal with the Omaha Zoological Society to facilitate the High School Zoo Academy program for the 2026-2027 through 2028-2029 school years, pursuant to Policy 6121. Omaha Public Schools provides staffing of two teachers to the High School Zoo Academy program and, in return, Omaha Public Schools is provided forty (40) enrollment seats in the program.  The High School Zoo Academy is a component of the Omaha Public Schools Career Center. Papillion-Lavista Schools is also a part of this agreement where they provide three staff members in exchange for sixty (60) seats in the program. An additional twenty (20) seats are contracted to other metro-area school districts.  

Rationale:  Fund: 176 Federal Grants
Department: 7105800 Student and Community Services
Program: 2110 Student and Community Services
Project: TBD Title IV A Student Support Academic Enrichment
Policy:  7000,V., G., 6121
Amount: $60,000.00

Pursuant to Policy 7000, staff recommends approval of the Service Agreement between the District and Child Saving Institute for up to $60,000.00 to support the operation of the School and Family Enrichment (SAFE) case management program to serve Omaha Public Schools elementary school students and their families. The Board previously approved similar agreements in 2022-2023, 2023-2024, 2024-2025, and 2025-2026.  This service shall include assessment and service provision in the school environment and in a student’s place of residence. Services include individualized service planning and family-based interventions with the intent of improving students’ school performance, inclusive of academic achievement and classroom behavior.  The total cost of the agreement exceeds $50,000.00.  As such, the agreement is now being presented for Board approval. 

Rationale:  FUND: 4005 Nutrition Services Fund
PROGRAM: 2199 Other Student Support Services
DEPT: 7165000 Nutrition Services
SUPPLIER: Hiland Dairy Foods, LLC
POLICIES: 5417, 7000, IV.C.
AMOUNT: $3,170,000.00  
                    
Administration recommends acceptance of the second of three possible one-year extensions with Hiland Dairy Foods, LLC., for Dairy Products for the 2026-2027 school year. These products are a part of the District’s healthy school breakfast and lunch program for all students. This is the second year of a three, one-year additional option available on the contract with Hiland Dairy Foods, LLC. The Board of Education approved the original contract on April 19, 2024. Hiland Dairy (formerly Roberts Dairy) has provided milk products for the District’s breakfast and lunch programs since 1922. The total amount for the 2026-2027 school year is $3,170,000.00.

Rationale:  FUND: 5190 ESU19 Information and Management Services
PROGRAM: 2510 Business Support
DEPT. ID: 7062525 Web Development and Support
SUPPLIER: Quogent, LLC 
POLICIES: 7000, III. K.,
AMOUNT: $359,808.00 
 
Administration recommends approval of a Statement of Work with Quogent, LLC to provide K2 platform consulting, application development, technical architecture, mentoring, and training services from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2027. The Board previously approved and executed a Master Agreement with Quogent, LLC in February 2020.

Under this Statement of Work, Quogent will support the District’s existing K2 Cloud environment through discovery and design services, development of new K2-based business applications, mentoring of district staff in solution development, and training for current and future K2 developers. Existing K2 applications support key district operations, including Student Transportation contact logs and Student Community Services workflows. Services will include a dedicated full-time Senior Consultant and ongoing support from a Principal Technical Architect to provide technical leadership and project oversight.

The estimated cost of services is $359,808.00 and will be billed on a time-and-materials basis for actual hours worked. This agreement supports the continued operation, enhancement, and expansion of workflow automation and business process solutions that improve efficiency and service delivery across the District.

Rationale:  FUND: 154, Title I A  
PROGRAM: Various 
DEPT: 7192010 - Elementary Education 
SUPPLIER: The Nebraska Department of Education  
POLICY: 3570 
AMOUNT: $529,357.00

As part of Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), it is required to provide educational services for children and youth in local and state institutions for neglected, delinquent and homeless agencies. Title I Contracts with eight (8) agencies to give supplemental instructional support to help students meet state academic standards.
 
Total of 8 agencies:

AGENCY	TOTAL
DCYC	$219,457.00
Open Door Mission	$  36,000.00
CHI Health Immanuel/Residential Treatment Center	$  60,000.00
Child Saving Institute	$  42,000.00
Nebraska Youth Justice Initiative	$  34,500.00
NOVA Treatment Community	$  34,500.00
Omaha Home for Boys	$  30,000.00
Rite of Passage - Uta Halee Academy	$  72,900.00
TOTAL	$529,357.00

 

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

Rationale:  The Chair of the Legislative 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, 2025.  Dr. Holman, who was appointed by the Governor to represent the District, will give an update to the Board regarding the commission meeting on Tuesday, August 4, 2026.

Rationale:  Administration recommends that the Board of Education approve the attached agreement with Kissel, Kohout, ES Associates Inc. to serve as the District’s lead Government Relations and Lobbying representative in Lincoln, Nebraska for the 2027-2028 legislative biennium.  The agreement is an extension of the agreement initially approved by the Board on October 3, 2022, following completion of RFQ Q020-22 for Lobbying and Government Relations Services.  The initial agreement was extended for the 2025-2026 biennium on July 15, 2024.  The new agreement will increase the monthly fee by 5% ($400) from $8,000 to $8,400 per month.  This is the first increase in four years.  The agreement is intended to extend through the next legislative biennium and will expire December 31, 2028.

Rationale:  The Accountability Committee recommends approval and adoption of a new evaluation tool and timeline for the evaluation of the Superintendent. The committee reviewed multiple evaluation frameworks from urban school boards across the country and selected an approach that best captures the Board's governance expectations.

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

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

5001 (Admission Requirements)
5205 (Graduation)

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.