A review of Omaha Public Schools Board of Education meetings.

Feb. 9, 2024


Following each Board of Education meeting, the Office of District Communications recaps the board meeting in the Board Digest.

#OPSProud Spotlight

Student Earns Perfect ACT Score

The #OPSProud Spotlight recognized Lucy Rawlinson of Central High for

earning a perfect score on the ACT.

 Board of Education Consent Agenda

Consent Agenda Items

Consent agenda items are packaged into one agenda item. They are often routine and garner very little discussion.


The consent agenda items were:

  • Approval of Agreement with Boys Town National Community Support Initiatives to Provide Services to Students and Parents Throughout the District through Common Sense Parenting Workshops and Training Sessions ($8,612.00)
  • Approval of Amendment No. 002 to the Agreement with Hausmann Construction, Inc. – Northwest High School Capital Improvements & Renovation Project – 2018 Bond Program – (Add $632,500.00) Revised Total: $6,928,065.00
  • Approval of Amendment No. 004 to the Agreement with Hausmann Construction, Inc. – North High School Capital Improvements & Renovation Project – 2018 Bond Program – (Add $567,500.00) Revised Total $8,704,773.00
  • Approval to Award Bid and Contract to FLR Sanders, Inc. for Bid No. 24-013 Bryan High School Gym Floor Replacement, Spring/Summer 2024, ($185,000.00)
  • Approval to Award Proposal No. P010-24 to Rockytech Inc. for Project: Common Sense Media, for the 2024-2025 School Year ($95,354.00)
  • Approval of Change Order No. 002 for Westview High School: New High School Project – 2018 Bond Program - (Deduct $440,673.00) Revised Total: $88,640,160.00
  • Approval of a Contract with Downs Electric, Inc. for Bid No. 23-086 for Hydration Stations - Project III at Multiple Buildings, Winter of 2023 through Summer 2024 ($527,700.00)
  • Approval of the Head Start Grant Carryover Request for the Fiscal Year 2023 ($16,913.00)
  • Approval of Head Start Non-Federal Share Waiver Request for Fiscal Year 2023 ($2,065,383.00)
  • Approval to Purchase Dental Equipment from Patterson Dental Supply, Inc. for the Benson High Medical Clinic Addition ($238,551.48)
  • Approval to Purchase One Hundred and Seventy-Four (174) Audiometer Units and Seventy-Five (75) Additional Headsets from School Health Inc. ($213,936.78)
  • Approval to Purchase Three-Year Software Subscription from Layer Platform, Inc. ($186,278.40)
  • Approval of Second Reading of Policy 6213
  • Approval of Surplus Inventory Items for Auction or Discard


View the entire consent agenda.

Board of Education Information Items

College & Career Academies and Pathways Update

Deanna Moisset, executive director of secondary education, updated the Board on College & Career Academies and Pathways implementation. Three-year data trends were shared with a focus on dual enrollment, industry certification and advanced academic diplomas. All nine high schools in our district offer advanced academic opportunities through Advanced Placement (AP) courses, dual enrollment courses, honors courses and the Seal of Biliteracy. More students are taking advantage of dual enrollment and industry certifications through expanded access. 


In addition, each high school will now offer an advanced academic diploma program. Our district will complete full implementation for the senior class of the 2026-27 school year.


The programs offered are:


CollegeBoard AP Capstone

  • Burke High
  • North High
  • Westview High


Cambridge International

  • Benson High
  • Bryan High
  • Buena Vista High
  • South High


Early College

  • Northwest High


International Baccalaureate

  • Central High


In a recent survey, most 2022 graduates felt prepared for life after high school. They shared that their Omaha Public Schools education was rigorous and prepared them for college, career and life.


Industry Certifications

Students across our district earned approximately 1,300 industry certifications during the 2022-23 school year. These include certificates in Certified Nursing Assistant, OSHA , Microsoft, Adobe and more.


Next Steps?

Staff will provide a presentation to the Board in July 2024 to update on the implementation process, share pathway participation information, business and community engagement, student organization opportunities and experiential learning.

Board of Education Action Items

Approval of Superintendent Candidate Finalists

Our superintendent search firm and Board of Education announced finalists for the role of Superintendent.

 

After the application window closed, the search firm thoroughly reviewed the applications and qualifications of all 26 applicants. Candidates included educational leaders from Nebraska and 18 other states.

 

The finalists are:

 

Thomas Ahart received his Ed.D., Ed.S., and MPA from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, and his BA in Speech Communications from the University of Denver in Colorado.

 

Dr. Ahart currently is a Consultant/Coach contracted with the Council of Great City Schools. His previous positions include Superintendent of Schools in the Des Moines Public Schools, Associate Superintendent and Middle School Principal in the Des Moines Public Schools, and Director of Human Resources in the Ankeny Community School District in Ankeny, Iowa.


Christopher Bernier received his Ed.D. from the University of Central Florida in Orlando, MS in Educational Leadership from NOVA Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and his BA in U.S. History from Le Moyne College in Syracuse, New York.

 

Dr. Bernier currently serves as Superintendent of Schools for the School District of Lee County in Fort Meyers, Florida. His previous positions include Chief of Staff in the Clark County School District, Las Vegas, Nevada, Associate Superintendent and Senior Director of Professional Development in the Orange County Public Schools, Orlando, Florida, and Middle and High School Principal in Orlando, Florida.


Matthew Ray received his Ed.S. from the University of Nebraska Kearney, and MS in Educational Administration, BS in Elementary Education and BS in Criminal Justice from the University of Nebraska Omaha.

 

Mr. Ray is currently serving as Interim Superintendent of the Omaha Public Schools. Previous positions include Deputy Superintendent/Chief of Staff, Interim Chief of Accountability, School Improvement and Innovation, Interim Chief Academic Officer, Secretary to the Board of Education and Executive Director of Student and Community Services for the Omaha Public Schools.


Luis Solano received his Ed.S. from Florida International University in Miami, MBA from NOVA Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, MS in Special Education and BS in Special Education from Florida International University.

 

Mr. Solano currently serves as the Deputy Superintendent of Detroit Public Schools Community District. He previously served as Associate Superintendent in Collier County Public Schools in Florida as well as High School Principal in the Miami Dade County Public Schools in Florida.

 

We look forward to the next steps of our search and invite you to participate:

  • Monday, Feb. 12, 2024, 5 to 6:30 p.m. – A community meet and greet open house with finalists. It will be held inside Buena Vista High at 5616 L St., Omaha, NE, 68117.
  • Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024, 5 p.m. (anticipated) – A public Board of Education meeting to interview each finalist. The meeting will be inside the Teacher Administrative Center (TAC) at 3215 Cuming St., Omaha, NE, 68131. A live stream will be available at ops.org/board.

 

Since May 2023, your input has guided this process. It continues to. Responses to our May 2023 survey and October 2023 survey, and fall community forum feedback helped develop our 13 attributes of an ideal candidate.

Approval of the Report of the Legislative Committee Including Recommended Legislative Positions

The Board Legislative Committee updated the Board regarding where bills are currently in the Nebraska Legislature.


The committee provided an updated recommendation for one bill based on its potential impact on Omaha Public Schools. The Board approved the recommended position.

 

The Board Legislative Committee will continue to monitor bills and will review any adjustments. As adjustments to bills are made, the Omaha Public Schools position may also change.

Next Omaha Public Schools Board of Education Meeting

The next Board meeting is Feb. 13, 2024. It is tentatively scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. The meeting will take place at the Teacher Administrative Center.


Board of Education Agenda

To review previous Board of Education agendas, click here. If you need help accessing direct links, please access the entire Board of Education Agenda to view presentations and other documents.


How Can I Watch a Previous Board of Education Meeting?

Video from Board of Education meetings/workshops is most often available by noon the day after the meeting. The video can be viewed by clicking here.

Omaha Public Schools | 531-299-0220 | www.ops.org

Questions or feedback? Email us at: BoardDigest@ops.org
STAY CONNECTED
Facebook  Twitter