September 10, 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:  Northwest 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.

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

Rationale:  The #OPSProud Spotlight recognizes Omaha Public Schools students who placed at the 2026 Educators Rising National Conference.

Rationale:  The Treasurer's Report for July 2026 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: 154, Title I A 
PROGRAM: 1100, Title I A
DEPT: Title I Schools
SUPPLIER: The Nebraska Department of Education
POLICY: 6410
AMOUNT: $28,211,887.00  

Title I, Part A, is a federal formula grant that provides additional educational resources to schools serving high concentrations of students from low-income families. The U.S. Department of Education provides Title I funds to the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE), which administers the funds to eligible school districts, including Omaha Public Schools (OPS). 

In accordance with federal Title I requirements, OPS first serves eligible schools with poverty rates above 75 percent, ranked from highest to lowest poverty. After those schools are served, OPS uses eligibility thresholds of 70 percent poverty for elementary schools and 75 percent poverty for secondary schools. 

OPS Title I schools have developed the required School-Wide Plans outlining how Title I resources will support identified student needs, the District’s Strategic Plan of Action, and applicable School Improvement Plans. These plans guide the expenditure of Title I funds throughout the grant period. 

The OPS Title I Division also completes the required grant application process with the Nebraska Department of Education for this Title I award.   Central administrative staff request approval to receive the 2026-2027 Title I Allocation of $28,211,887 for the period beginning August 1, 2026, and ending September 30, 2027. 
 

Rationale:  Fund: 5190 ESU19 Information & Management Services
DEPT ID: 7062525 Web Development & Support
Program: 2510 Business Support Services
Supplier: Securly
POLICY: 7000, VII., 7000, V. B
Total: $ 115,721.39

Administration recommends approval of the renewal of the Securly web filtering software. Securly provides web filtering for all District student and staff devices, both on campus and remotely. The platform helps ensure compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) by blocking access to inappropriate or unsafe websites and content. Securly allows the District to apply consistent internet safety policies across all devices, monitor usage trends, and adjust filtering categories as needed to support instructional goals while maintaining a safe online environment for students. The District has used the Securly Web Filtering Software since 2018.

Annual renewal of Securly Filter Premium is being sourced through the Nebraska ESUCC 2026 Annual Buy Catalog which is an exception to bidding in Policy 7000 V.B. (Cooperative Purchases).  The annual cost of this renewal is $115,721.39.

Rationale:  Fund:  1, General
Department:  7193010, Secondary Education Admin
Program: 1100, Regular Instruction
Vendor: IXL Learning, Inc.
Policies: 6121, 7000, V.A.
Amount:  $2,712.50

Administration recommends approval of the Contract with IXL Learning to purchase IXL Math for the 2026-27 school year to support high school mathematics instruction at the Omaha Virtual School. IXL Math provides students with personalized, standards-aligned practice across Algebra, Geometry, and other high school math content areas including ACT preparation. The program delivers real-time diagnostic insights and supports skill mastery aligned with the Nebraska College and Career Ready Standards for Mathematics. 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 addition, the District has previously spent over $50,000 on contracts with IXL which also requires the contract to be approved by the Board. 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 $2,712.50.

Rationale:  Administration recommends approval of the attached amended OSAA Salary and Benefit Summary for the 2026-2027 school year. The Board of Education approved the OSAA Salary and Benefit Summary for the 2026-2027 school year at its August 17, 2026 meeting. The version approved at the August 17, 2026 meeting incorrectly removed the $3,000 enrollment stipend for High School Assistant Principals. As such, this amended version reinstates the stipend for the 2026-2027 school year. 

Rationale:  Administration recommends approval of Amendments No. 001, No. 002, No. 004, and No. 005 to the Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture (APMA) Contract. This project is part of Project Game On, a collaborative initiative involving Omaha Public Schools, the YMCA of Greater Omaha, the City of Omaha, The Lozier Foundation, The Sherwood Foundation, NewStreet Properties, Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture, Emspace + Lovgren, and the Omaha Public Schools Foundation (OPSF) to develop a transformative stadium and community asset at North High School.

The Board approved the funding agreement amendment with OPSF on April 7, 2025, with an amendment on August 3, 2026, and approved the Architecture Services Agreement with APMA on October 6, 2025 ($1,838,681.00), with the Phase 4 amendment (North High School Existing Facilities Upgrades and Field Amenities) on July 13, 2026 ($205,600.00), resulting in a revised cost of $2,091,631.00. Consistent with the funding agreement, all costs associated with this change order will be funded by Project Game On partners and will not require District funding.

The Amendments include the following:

Amend No. 001	Furniture (APMA) - Supplementary design-related services incorporated into the project scope in place of hiring a separate designer.	Add	$7,500.00
Amend No. 002	Commissioning Services for Stadium Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Systems through Branch Pattern	Add	$22,400.00
Amend No. 004	Civil Design Revisions (Olsson) - Revisions to civil design plans resulting from stadium site development needs.	Add	$12,750.00
Amend No. 005	Commissioning Services for Phase 4 Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Systems through Branch Pattern	Add	$4,700.00

Rationale:  Administration recommends approval of Change Order No. 001 to the Construction Manager at Risk Agreement with Meyers-Carlisle-Leapley Construction Company, Inc. (MCL Construction) for the North Stadium Project Phase 4 (North High School Existing Facilities Upgrades and Field Amenities). This project is part of Project Game On, a collaborative initiative involving Omaha Public Schools, the YMCA of Greater Omaha, the City of Omaha, The Lozier Foundation, The Sherwood Foundation, NewStreet Properties, Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture, Emspace + Lovgren, and the Omaha Public Schools Foundation (OPSF) to develop a transformative stadium and community asset at North High School.

The Board approved the funding agreement amendment with OPSF on August 3, 2026, and approved the Construction Manager at Risk Agreement, site plans and specifications, and the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) Amendment on July 13, 2026. Change Order No. 001 increases the GMP by $2,077,735, resulting in a revised GMP of $2,744,839. Consistent with the funding agreement, all costs associated with this change order will be funded by Project Game On partners and will not require District funding.

Change Order No. 001 includes the following:
 

PCCO-001	The GMP amendment approved on July 13, 2026, incorporated sales tax in the project budget. The locker room renovation project has since been determined to be tax-exempt, reducing the total cost of the project.	Reduction	($29,575.00)
PCCO-002	This amendment incorporates the full project costs into MCL Construction’s Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for the North High School Existing Facilities Upgrades and Field Amenities project. The scope of work includes renovation of the boys’ and girls’ locker rooms, installation of spectator seating at the track area, ADA accessibility improvements, construction of a concession and storage building, and enhanced lighting for the spectator areas.	Add	$2,107,310.00

 

Total Amount of Change Order No. 3 Add	$ 2,077,735.00
Original Contract Amount:	$ 667,104.00
Previously Approved Changes:	$ 0.00
Total Revised Contract Amount:	2,744,839.00

Rationale:  FUND: 176 Miscellaneous Federal Grants /Title IVA
PROGRAM: 2199 Other Student Support Services
DEPT: 3690010 Westview High School
Project/Grant: 472526 Arboretum
VENDOR: M. S. Wiekhorst Arbor Company POLICIES: 7000, IV., C. 
AMOUNT: $58,425.00

Administration recommends approval to award a contract to M. S. Wiekhorst Arbor Company for Tree Removal at the Westview High School Arboretum.

The project scope includes all labor, materials, tools, and equipment to remove 150 trees, grind 96 stumps, and provide a minimum of 30 Cubic Yards of mulch to be stockpiled at the Westview Arboretum.

A tree risk inventory conducted by a certified arborist identified trees for removal that pose an imminent risk of failure due to decay, storm damage, branches extending over neighboring properties, and the emerald ash borer. 30 cubic yards of mulch will remain on site for use by the school and volunteer groups in trail management and new plantings at the arboretum. This project is fully reimbursed by grant funds awarded to the Westview Arboretum by PlantNebraska (formerly Nebraska Statewide Arboretum). Grant funding is provided for the risk inventory and will also fund the planting and maintenance of new trees at a later date.

The District solicited and received three quotes for this project, from A-Plus Tree Service, Inc., Arbor Aesthetics Tree Service, and M. K. Wiekhorst Arbor Company. M. K. Wiekhorst Arbor Company submitted the lowest responsive quote.  The total project cost is $58,425.00.
 

Vendor	Lump Sum Base Bid
A-Plus Tree Service, Inc.	$62,500.00
Arbor Aesthetics Tree Service	$63,000.00
M. K. Wiekhorst Arbor Company	$58,425.00

For complete documentation contact Kenneth.juhl@ops.org.
 

Rationale:  FUND: 31 Special Building Fund 
PROGRAM: 2510 Business Support Services 
DEPT.: 7166600 Schoolhouse Planning
SUPPLIER: Yant Equipment Co.
POLICIES:  7000, IV.C.  
AMOUNT: $148,080.00

Administration recommends approval of change order No. 01 for Bid No. 26-015 to Yant Equipment Co. for the OPS - Transportation South Fueling Islands Project which was approved by the Board on March 19, 2026. Funding for this project is provided through the District's Special Building Fund, which is restricted to the ongoing maintenance and improvement of District facilities and may not be transferred to or used for General Fund purposes.

Changes are:

PCO 01	Owner directed changes to add trash cans to island, and change length of all islands from 5’-0" to 7’-0" to better protect the fuel pumps from accidental vehicle damage.	ADD	$2,281.00
PCO 02	Change from 4" U shaped to 6" straight pipe bollards to allow for more efficient future replacement or repairs.	Neutral	$0
PCO 03	Remove existing electrical panel and light pole to allow for better maneuverability at pumps.	ADD	$1,500.00
PCO 04	Required adjustment of tank placement due to unforeseen subsurface soil conditions that required the relocation of underground tanks. This change includes additional costs for concrete removal and hauling, excavation work, tank repositioning, and associated concrete restoration.	ADD	$144,299.00
Total Amount of Change Order No. 001 Add		$148,080.00
Original Contract Amount:		$598,180.00
Previously Approved Changes:		0
Change Order No. 01-Add:		$148,080.00
Total Revised Contract Amount:		$746,260.00
Amount Paid to Date:		$ 489,880.00
Amount Remaining:		$108,300.00

Rationale:  FUND: 31 Special Building Fund 
PROGRAM: 2510 Business Support Services 
DEPT.: 7166600 Schoolhouse Planning
SUPPLIER: Kingery Construction Co.
POLICIES:  7000, IV.C. 
AMOUNT:  $336,522.08
 
Administration recommends approval of change orders No. 4, No. 5, and No. 6 for Bid No. 26-030 to Kingery Construction Co. for the OPS - Transportation South Interior Office Improvements Project, which was approved by the Board on April 6, 2026. Funding for this project is provided through the Districts Special Building Fund, which is restricted to the ongoing maintenance and improvement of District facilities and may not be transferred to or used for General Fund purposes.

Changes are as follows:

Change Order No. 4:

PR-3

Incorporate modifications required for safety improvements and code compliance. Insulate existing building overhangs to meet energy code. Install new doors and a coiling door at the new breakroom to allow for use as a storm safe area. Remove and rebuild the elevated platform required to remove asbestos - containing materials from beneath. Provide Modifications due to Unforeseen Conditions: Demolition of second-floor walls to allow for roof decking repairs. Ceiling height changes due to unforeseen conditions. Duct modifications due to changes to roof and ceiling conditions. Replace water-damaged drywall at computer stations. Improvements required to accommodate future phase 2 Work Renovate Office 142, to provide a location for the Vehicle Maintenance Supervisor to oversee management of fleet vehicles prior to the final Phase 2 work. Extend sanitary waste piping to provide a connection for future phase 2 work. Duct modifications due to changes to roof and ceiling conditions. Replace water-damaged drywall at computer stations.

Add

$ 143,093.85

Change Order No. 5:

PR-4

Provide and install electrical infrastructure and associated site work for new electrical service from existing transformers to 10 electric bus parking locations, and install owner provided chargers.

Add

$ 124,005.27

Change Order No. 6:

PR-5

Provide Relocation of rooftop mechanical units to shorten duct lengths and avoid conflicts with existing conditions. Relocation includes structural improvements, floor plan changes and roof changes. Relocate electric drinking fountain in work bay to avoid conflict with future phase 2 improvements Remove half-height wall to allow for removal of asbestos containing materials from beneath.

Add

$ 69,422.96

 

Total Amount of Change Order No. 4 Add	$ 143,093.85
Total Amount of Change Order No. 5 Add	$ 124,005.27
Total Amount of Change Order No. 6 Add	$ 69,422.96
Original Contract Amount:	$ 2,081,200.00
Previously Approved Changes:	$ 1,214,348.92
Change Order No. 4, 5, & 6 Combined	$ 336,522.08
Total Revised Contract Amount:	$ 3,632,071.00
Amount Paid to Date	$ 336,690.00
Amount Remaining	$ 3,295,381.00

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:  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:  $1,824,515.00

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 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 $1,824,515.00 and is an allowable reimbursable special education expenditure. 

Rationale:  Administration recommends approval of an easement agreement with the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment (DWEE) and Coranco Great Plains, Inc. (CGP) to permit installation of groundwater monitoring well at Druid Hill Elementary School, North of Druid Hill on Sprague Street approximately 200 ft from Creighton Blvd, as part of the Simpson Supply Co. environmental assessment and remediation project. The easement and monitoring activities will be funded through the Nebraska Petroleum Storage Trust Fund at no cost to the District. The agreement provides for environmental monitoring on the property and requires restoration of the site upon completion of the project.

Rationale:  In keeping with the provisions of Policy 2300, Administration recommends engagement of Dittrick Law, LLC to serve as the hearing officer for an ADA and Section 504 hearing as set forth in the attached engagement letter. Pursuant to Policy 1250, the Board can designate a Hearing Officer to handle complaints alleged under this policy. The Hearing Officer will conduct the hearing, and upon completion, make a report in writing to the Superintendent within ten school days of the conclusion of the hearing. 

Rationale:  FUND: 4070 Depreciation
PROGRAM: 2510 Business Support
DEPT ID: 7062100 Accounting & Finance
SUPPLIER:  Morrissey Engineering, Inc.
POLICY: 7000, IV. D
AMOUNT: $141,000.00

Administration recommends approval of the attached agreement with Morrissey Engineering, Inc. to provide design and construction administration services for auditorium sound system upgrades at Bryan High School, Burke High School, and Northwest High School. The project has an estimated budget of $1,500,000 and is anticipated to be completed by July 2027.

The upgrades will modernize auditorium audio systems in alignment with District standards and support current and future instructional, production, and performance needs.

Under the agreement, Morrissey Engineering, Inc. will provide plans and specifications, construction administration, and system commissioning services. In accordance with Board Policy No. 7000, Section V.D. (Professional Services), these services are exempt from competitive bidding. The total fee for these professional services is $141,000.

Rationale:  Administration recommends exercising the third and final one-year renewal option of the District’s agreement with The Auction Mill, LLC for auction services. The Board of Education originally approved this agreement on April 17, 2023.

The final renewal term will be effective August 1, 2026, through July 31, 2027. All previously approved terms and conditions will remain unchanged. The Auction Mill, LLC will continue to receive 10% of the gross proceeds from vehicle sales, with a $25 title transfer fee charged directly to the purchaser. For the sale of surplus property, furniture, and miscellaneous equipment other than vehicles, The Auction Mill, LLC will continue to receive 20% of the gross sale proceeds. The total cost for each auction will vary depending on the items sold.

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 extension was approved at the August 17, 2026, Board meeting. The pay rate was incorrect. The District has 9,761 current Direct Eligible Users. The current pricing is $1.03 per Direct Eligible User per month rather than $0.97. The estimated cost of services for the four-month extension is $50,300.00. 

Rationale:  FUND: 5190 ESU19 Information and Management Services
PROGRAM: 2250 Instructional Support Services
DEPT: 7062545 Student Data Information Systems
SUPPLIER: Infinite Campus
POLICIES: 7000, III. K.; 7000, V. G.
AMOUNT: $531,685.63

Administration recommends approval of the annual renewal payment to Infinite Campus for the District’s Student Information System (SIS), cloud hosting services, support, and premium products through July 31, 2027. Infinite Campus serves as the District’s enterprise student information system and supports critical functions including student registration, attendance, scheduling, grading, transcripts, state reporting, parent and student access, and other operational and instructional processes across Omaha Public Schools.

The annual renewal payment includes $452,472.30 for Campus SIS licensing, software support, and Cloud Choice hosting services. As approved by the Board on May 18, 2026, the District has transitioned from its previous hybrid-hosted environment to Infinite Campus’s fully vendor-managed cloud-hosted platform. The cloud-hosting model provides enhanced security monitoring, infrastructure redundancy, disaster recovery capabilities, centralized system maintenance, and ongoing platform support.

The renewal payment also includes $108,380.00 for premium product licensing and support services. These services include Campus Learning, Online Registration (OLR) Prime, Custom Development for the District’s report card solution, Database Push (DbPush) services that support real-time synchronization of Infinite Campus data with District systems, and Managed Services for the Availability Group (AG) Enterprise Server, which provides technical administration and hosting of the District’s replicated database environment. The District has used Infinite Campus as its enterprise student information system since the 2008-09 school year.

The total annual cost for the 2026-2027 contract year is $531,685.63. The Infinite Campus End User License Agreement (EULA) and Data Protection Agreement (DPA) were previously approved by the Board on May 18, 2026, and remain unchanged as part of this annual renewal.
 

Rationale:  Administration recommends approval of a Memorandum of Understanding between Omaha Public Schools and the City of Omaha to allow OPS to advertise eligible contracting opportunities valued between $15,000 and $50,000 on the City's OneBiz online procurement platform. The agreement expands visibility of OPS procurement opportunities to local businesses at no cost to the District, while maintaining OPS' full responsibility for procurement compliance, bid evaluation, contract awards, and vendor communications. The City serves solely as a posting platform and assumes no role in the procurement process. Either party may terminate the agreement at any time upon written notice.  

Rationale:  Administration recommends approval of the attached salary schedules and part-time hourly rates summary for staff not otherwise covered by a negotiated agreement.  The approval will be for the 2026-2027 school year.  There are approximately 500 full-time and 1500 part-time non-negotiated employees.  In 2021, the Board, in an effort to provide greater transparency for affected employees, placed non-negotiated employees on new salary schedules that generally mirrored the collective bargaining unit or meet and confer group with which the job most corresponds.  Non-negotiated personnel match up with the following bargaining units and meet and confer group:  OEA, Paraprofessionals, Office Personnel, OSAA, Operations, Transportation, Nutrition, Bilingual Liaisons and Maintenance and Crafts.  The attached summary designates the bargaining unit or meet and confer group to which each job is mirrored.  Non-negotiated employees will receive a 2.70% total package increase for the 2026-2027 school year. All non-negotiated personnel who are eligible for health insurance will receive benefits in accordance with the bargaining unit to which they are mirrored.  This includes language to offset health insurance premiums to ensure employees do not make less than the previous year.  Non-negotiated employees shall be eligible to receive any other benefit provided for in Board Policy or in the corresponding collective bargaining or meet and confer agreement.

Rationale:  FUND: 5190 ESU19 Information & Management Services
DEPARTMENT: 7062535 Network Management
PROGRAM: 2252 Technology Support
SUPPLIER: Norlem Technology Consulting
POLICIES: 7000, III. K., 7000, V. B., 7000, V. G.
AMOUNT: $116,320.00

Administration recommends approval to enter into an agreement for the renewal of a one-year support and licensing agreement for the District's endpoint detection and response (EDR) platform. This agreement provides ongoing end point licensing, threat protection, and advanced detection and response capabilities through the Palo Alto Networks Cortex XDR platform. Cortex XDR delivers centralized monitoring and protection for District-owned computers and other devices by preventing malware, ransomware, and other cyber threats while providing staff with advanced investigation and response tools. The solution correlates security data across endpoints and network systems to identify suspicious activity, accelerate incident response, and strengthen the District's overall cybersecurity posture.

These services support critical security operations across instructional, administrative, and operational environments throughout the District and help ensure continued protection of District devices and data. Our first agreement with Palo Alto Networks was signed on July 20, 2020.
The agreement is procured through the E&I Cooperative Services Contract EI00063~2021MA in compliance with OPS Board Policy 7000, Section V.B. (Cooperative Purchases).

The cost of this renewal is $116,320.00 for a one-year term running from October 30, 2026, through October 29, 2027. The renewal will provide uninterrupted endpoint security services and maintain protection of District devices throughout the agreement period.

Rationale:  Administration recommends approval of the attached OPPD Right of Entry Agreement for Lewis and Clark Middle School, located at 6901 Burt Street, Omaha, Nebraska. The agreement grants OPPD temporary access to conduct surveying, geotechnical investigations, appraisals, and environmental assessments along the east side of North 72nd Street as part of its planning efforts to rebuild existing transmission lines adjacent to the roadway.

There is no cost to the District associated with this agreement. Should OPPD determine that work on District property is necessary, it would be required to request a separate easement and obtain District approval prior to performing any such work.

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 the Board of Education reject all bids submitted for Bid No. 26-049 for T-Shirt Bags. Only one supplier submitted a proposal in response to the bid solicitation. However, during the review process, it was determined that the Q&A process was not followed in accordance with District Policy.

To ensure all suppliers have the opportunity to submit proposals based on complete and accurate information, Administration is recommending rejection of all bids and rebidding the project.  This will help ensure a fair and competitive bidding process and allow the district to obtain the best value for its T-Shirt Bags procurement.

Rationale:  FUND: 01 , General Fund
PROGRAM: 1100, Regular Instruction
DEPT: 7193010, Secondary Education Administrative
SUPPLIER: United Way of the Midlands (Jobs for America’s Graduates)
POLICY: 7000 III.K., VII.A.
AMOUNT: $110,000.00

Administration recommends approval of a continued Master Services Agreement between Omaha Public Schools and United Way of the Midlands for the operation of the Jobs for America’s Graduates Program (JAG).  JAG is currently engaged in programming at Bryan Middle, Nathan Hale, King Science, Marrs, Monroe, and Norris Middle Schools, Benson, Bryan High, Buena Vista, Northwest, and South High Schools. There is a cost of $10,000 per site, per school year. JAG through the United Way of the Midlands serves students as they focus 87 competencies through its evidence-based programming to connect students to building workplace and life skills through a service provider relationship for school credit during the school day. The total cost of this program for 2026-2027 is $110,000.00.

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

Rationale:  High school on-track is an important indicator of progress toward graduation and is a shared responsibility across school and District teams. This report and presentation will update the Board on progress toward increasing on-track percentages over time and across schools. 

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

Rationale:  Policy 8230 requires the Secretary to the Board of Education to prepare a quarterly report summarizing all Board member travel and expenditures associated with attendance to workshops, conferences, or meetings. 

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.