October 5, 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:  The #OPSProud Spotlight recognizes DeLayne Havlovic, Ed.D., for receiving the Outstanding Secondary CTE Administrator Award from the Nebraska Department of Education.

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:  4591, Learning Community
Program:  3201, Early Childhood Ed
Department:  7192010, Elementary Education Admin.
Project: 351127, Learning Community North
Policies:  7000
Amount: $750,000.00

Administration recommends approval of an Agreement with Buffett Early Childhood Institute (BECI) to establish the Intensive Early Childhood (IEC) North Program to strengthen early literacy practices and advance birth-through-Grade 3 alignment across four schools: Conestoga, Franklin, Kellom, and Lothrop. This partnership directly supports Omaha Public Schools literacy moonshot goal by integrating language and literacy-focused instructional coaching, professional learning, leadership consultation, and continuous improvement systems. The work centers early language development, sustained family engagement and learning, and targeted literacy supports for children with the greatest needs. This is a three-year agreement for the 2026-2027 to 2028-2009 school years and is funded through a Learning Community Grant. The total cost of this agreement is $750,000.00.
 

Rationale:  Approval is requested for amendments to the professional services agreement with Alley Poyner Maccietto Architecture (APMA) for additional civil engineering and surveying services related to Phase 4 improvements at the North High Stadium. 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 proposed amendments provide:

· Additional Topographic Survey and Utility Investigation Services to document existing sanitary sewer conditions and site features necessary for project design and construction. Services include survey control, utility locating, topographic mapping, and coordination of public utility condition assessments. The amendment adds $7,000, plus reimbursable expenses, to the agreement.

· Post-Construction Stormwater Management Plan (PCSMP) Services required to satisfy City of Omaha stormwater regulations. Services include preparation of stormwater management plans, drainage calculations, detention analysis, maintenance documentation, and coordination required to support permit approval and waiver requests. The amendment adds $4,500 to the agreement.

These additional services are necessary to address site-specific civil engineering, utility, and regulatory requirements identified during project development and to support compliance with City of Omaha standards for the North High Stadium & YMCA project.

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 $2,103,131.00. 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.
 

Rationale:  Administration recommends approval of the attached agreement with Olsson to provide independent construction materials testing and special inspection services for Phase 4 of the North High Stadium Project (Project Game On). These services will verify that earthwork, utility backfill, pavement, and concrete installations comply with project specifications and applicable quality standards. The testing, inspection, and reporting activities will support successful project delivery and help ensure the long-term performance and durability of the completed facilities.

The agreement provides for an estimated fee of $10,066, plus reimbursable expenses. Compensation will be based on actual hourly services and testing activities performed during construction; therefore, the final cost may vary depending on the level of testing and inspection required.

Project Game On is a collaborative partnership among Omaha Public Schools, the YMCA of Greater Omaha, the City of Omaha, The Lozier Foundation, The Sherwood Foundation, NewStreet Properties, Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture, and Emspace + Lovgren to develop a transformational athletic stadium and community asset for North High School as part of a broader redevelopment initiative. The stadium is being constructed on property immediately east of North High School that is currently owned by the District.

The funding agreement approved by the Board on April 7, 2025, was conditioned in part upon District approval of the project design. The Board subsequently approved the site plan and design concept on July 17, 2025. Consistent with the approved funding agreement, all project costs, including design, construction, inspections, and testing services, will be fully funded through the Omaha Public Schools Foundation and its funding partners. No District funds will be used for these improvements.
 

Rationale:  Kimara Snipes will be appointed to the Nebraska Association of School Boards (NASB) Board of Directors, Region 6.

Rationale:  FUND: 1 General Fund
PROGRAM: 2150 School Safety    
DEPT: 7105700 School Safety        
VENDOR: Uniform Warehouse, Inc.
POLICY:  7000 V. (B)
AMOUNT: $50,000.00 Annual Projection

Administration recommends approval to purchase security uniforms from Uniform Warehouse, Inc. These uniforms will be used by all District Security Officers at all Omaha Public School locations to provide consistent dress across all schools that readily identifies staff as security officers. The District issued RFP No P002-27 for Security Uniforms. After receiving multiple bids, Administration ultimately selected Uniform Warehouse,Inc. The Omaha Public School has 188 security officers. The officer's uniform options will include short-sleeved or long-sleeved polo shirts, pants, jackets, rain jackets, shoes, ball caps, or stocking caps. The projected amount to be expended by July 31, 2027 is $50,000.00.

Rationale:  FUND: 31 Special Building Fund 
PROGRAM: 2510 Business Support Services 
DEPT.: 7166600 Schoolhouse Planning
SUPPLIER: Kingery Construction Co.
POLICIES:  7000, IV.C. 
AMOUNT:  $25,912.50
 
Administration recommends approval of change orders No. 7 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:

PR-6

Provide additional data drops at the service bays to enhance connectivity for staff performing vehicle and equipment repairs. These data connections will remain in place for Phase 2 and support future service bay improvements. Increase the pavement replacement area on the west side of the building to include additional deteriorated asphalt, replacing it with concrete as part of the new construction work.

Add

$ 25,912.50

Total Amount of Change Order No. 7 Add	$ 25,912.50
Original Contract Amount:	$ 2,081,200.00
Previously Approved Changes:	$ 1,550,871.00
Change Order No. 7	$ 25,912.50
Total Revised Contract Amount:	$ 3,657,983.50
Amount Paid to Date	$ 336,690.00
Amount Remaining	$ 3,321,293.5

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:  In keeping with the requirements of Nebraska Revised Statute sections 79-817 to 79-822 as well as Nebraska Revised Statute sections 79-2401 to 79-2405 (Educational Administrator Pay Transparency Act), Administration recommends approval of the agreement with Kanyon Chism, Ed.D. to serve as Administrator of ESU #19 for the 2026-2027 School Year as well as the applicable Superintendent Pay Transparency Notice, both of which are attached.  Administration notes an overstatement in the Superintendent Pay Transparency Notice, related to Dr. Chism’s compensation in the 2026-2027 school year. Like all eligible employees, Dr. Chism’s length of service with Omaha Public Schools allows unused leave time to be converted for payment upon separation from the school district. All Dr. Chism’s unused leave is required by law to be counted as payment in the Superintendent Pay Transparency Notice and thus creates a notice that inaccurately reflects her total compensation. That includes $45,201.03 of accrued but unused vacation, and $2,767.41 for unused personal days, totaling $47,968.44.  These amounts were accrued by Dr. Chism throughout her previous years of service to the District and are not new compensation under this agreement.  Of the listed amount, only $11,069.64 can be cashed out during the 2026-2027 school year without separating from the school district. The remaining $36,898.80 is only payable upon separation from employment. The Superintendent Pay Transparency Notice overstates Dr. Chism’s total potential compensation for the 2026-2027 year by $36,898.80.  The actual compensation total for the 2026-2027 school year would be $314,215.70. 

Rationale:  FUND: 154, Title I A 
PROGRAM: Various
DEPT:  7192010 - Elementary Education
SUPPLIER: The Nebraska Department of Education 
POLICY: 3570
AMOUNT: $50,700.00

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 agencies. Title I Contract with The Boys Town & Assessment Interim Program gives supplemental instructional support to help students meet state academic standards. Boys Town is one of nine agencies receiving this financial support. The other 8 agencies and their budgets were approved at the August 17, 2026 Board of Education meeting.

Rationale:  Fund: 153, Grant funded 
Program:   1238, Special Education Administration 
Department: 7194010, Special Education Administration  
Project: 462427 - PEAK Grant 
Supplier: STAR Autism Support Inc.  
Policy: 7000 III.K, 7000 VII.A  
Amount: $5,900.00
 
Administration recommends approval of a Consulting Agreement with STAR Autism Support Inc. to provide professional learning opportunities and materials for Alternate Curriculum Program Teachers and Paras regarding serving special education students with Autism as well as providing coaching to teachers in the 2026-2027 school year. These are allowable special education expenditures. The total reimbursable cost to the District is $5,900.00. The District has cumulatively spent over $50,000 with STAR Autism and therefore brings this contract to the Board for approval. 

Rationale:  Funds: 1, General Fund
Department: 7194010   Special Education Administration
Programs: 1214, 1211, 1222, 1270, 1274 - Speech Therapy School Age, Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Transition, Tuition to Other Agencies
Project: 
Policy: 7000 
Amount:  $1,585,311.00

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 sixth 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. Included in these contracts is a one-year extension of the District’s contract with Curriculum Associates, originally approved by the Board of Education on August 5, 2024, for online diagnostic and progress monitoring tools. The total cost to the District for this group is estimated to be $1,585,311.00 and these expenditures are allowable for the reimbursement by federal and state special education reimbursement programs. 

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:  The purpose of this presentation is to review data from the 2025-2026 Behavior and Discipline Report to provide an overview of the disaggregated suspension and expulsion data for the 2025-2026 school year. The presentation includes a discussion of Multi-tiered Systems of Support for Behavior (MTSS-B) and next steps for the behavior support and response process.

Rationale:  The Chair of the Legislative Committee provided an update of the Committee’s pre-legislative session activities.

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 Head Start/Early Head Start Program Information Report (PIR) provides comprehensive data on the services, staff, children, and families served by our Head Start/Early Head Start program. The attached reports were submitted on June 30, 2026 for the 2025-2026 school year. This report is a required informational report to be shared with the governing body annually.

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.