OPS Board Digest 3-5-2024

A review of Omaha Public Schools Board of Education meetings.

March 5, 2024

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

#OPSProud Spotlight

Nebraska School Counselor Association Administrator of the Year

The #OPSProud Spotlight recognized Terry Burton, principal at Gateway Elementary, who was named Administrator of the Year by the Nebraska School Counselor Association.

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:

Staff Adjustments
Approval of Agreement with First Wireless, Inc (Proposal No. P003-24) for Two-Way Digital Radios, Supporting Equipment, Service and Installation and Related Services for a District-Wide Upgrade to its Emergency Two-Way Radios and Equipment for All Schools and Building Needs in the Omaha Public Schools ($6,550,871.00)
Approval to Award Bid No. P027-23 to Insignia Software Corporation for a District-Wide Integrated Library System that Includes Textbook Management and the Addition of a Sheet Music Library, 2024-25 to 2030-31 ($841,666.00)
Approval to Award RFP No. P005-24 to Pairaphrase LLC for Special Education Document Translation ($52,300.00)
Approval of Change Order No. 002 for Highland Elementary School: Capital Improvements and Renovation Project – 2018 Bond Program - Add $225,000.00 Revised Total: $1,319,640.79
Approval of Change Order No. 004 for Buena Vista High School: New High School Project – 2018 Bond Program - (Deduct $508,375.74) Revised Total: $83,143,474.26
Approval of Contract with Agencies for Special Education Services for the 2023-2024 School Year ($484,884.00)
Approval of Contract Extension for Managed Services Agreement with ACA Track Services from January 2024 through December 2027 ($73,210.00)
Approval of Contract with BCDM Architects to Serve as the Design Firm for Capital Improvements at South High School – Tier 1 & Tier 2 Expanded Scope ($222,350.00)
Approval of Contract with Cheever Construction Company for Bid No. 24-017, US Mills Printing and Publishing Remodel, Spring 2024 to Fall 2024 ($3,314,000.00)
Approval of First Amendment to Agreement with the Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska for the Teacher Scholar Academy for School Years 2024-2025 through 2027-2028 ($1,140,000)
Approval of Rejection of All Bids Submitted for Bid No. 24-009 OPS Pool Equipment Upgrades
Resubmit Approval to Purchase One Hundred and Seventy-Four (174) Audiometer Units and Seventy-Five (75) Additional Headsets from School Health Inc. ($213,936.78)

View the entire consent agenda.

Board of Education Information Items

Staff Presentation on K-5 Science Textbooks and Related Materials for Use Beginning with the 2024-2025 School Year

Curriculum and Instruction Support (CIS) staff shared the process they undertook to review new science textbooks and materials. Our district issued a request for proposal for materials and selected initial materials. CIS staff then led a field test that included at least one staff member at each school.

CIS staff took the analysis of science standards, standards alignment, teacher reviews, field testing, bias reviews, and community reviews into account as part of the findings and recommendations. They summarized the findings and recommendations for the Board.

Curriculum and Instruction Support staff recommended the adoption of McGraw Hill Inspire Science. Staff shared that the student materials from McGraw Hill Inspire Science allow students to apply and practice literacy while learning science. The student materials include read-aloud, consumable and hard copy materials and digital textbooks.

The committee will bring the recommendation back to the Board for final approval.

Review of Annual Audit Reports for Douglas County School District #0001, Educational Service Unit No. 19, and KIOS-FM Radio

A representative from Eide Bailly L.L.P. presented for review the draft 2022-23 Annual Audit Reports for Douglas County School District #0001, Educational Service Unit No. 19, and KIOS-FM. Eide Bailly L.L.P. is currently undergoing a quality review of the audits and then will finalize the reports.

To view the presentation, click here.

The following documents were shared with the Board.

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 may provide recommendations for positions on a bill based on its potential impact on Omaha Public Schools. The Board did not adjust any recommended positions.

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.

Board of Education Action Items

Approval of Agreement and Superintendent Pay Transparency Notice for Matthew Ray to Serve as Superintendent

The Board of Education approved the agreement for Matthew Ray to begin as Superintendent on July 1, 2024. The contract is for the 2024-25, 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years.

Mr. Ray will continue as Interim Superintendent until July 1.

Superintendent Transparency Act Information

Next Omaha Public Schools Board of Education Meeting

The next Board meeting is March 18, 2024. It is tentatively scheduled to begin at 6 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

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