April 6, 2021
Following each Board of Education meeting, the Office of District Communications recaps the board meeting in the Board Digest.
If you are having trouble accessing direct links, please click here to view the full Board of Education Agenda with presentations and other documents.
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Student Participants of School Naming Committees (SNC) |
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The #OPSProud spotlight featured students from each of the School Naming Committees (two elementary schools and two high schools). Students talked about the process, where the ideas were generated from, the meaning behind the colors, name and mascots and their final recommendations.
To view the student presentation, click below.
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Board of Education Consent Agenda |
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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 Amendment to Memorandum of Understanding with Midland University for ESL Endorsement Program
- Approval of Appointments to the Omaha Public Schools Foundation Board of Directors
- Approval to Award Bid No. 21-011 to Scholastic Inc., for Book and Tote Bag Bundles for Summer 2021 ($930,039.00)
- Approval to Award Bid No. 21-014 to Dostals Construction Company, Inc. for Early Childhood Playground Improvements at Western Hills Elementary School for the Spring/Summer of 2021 ($143,000.00)
- Approval to Award Bid No. 21-015 to Dostals Construction Company, Inc., for Early Childhood Playground Improvements at Columbian Elementary School for the Spring/Summer of 2021 ($179,000.00)
- Approval to Award Bid No. 21-017 to Prime Communications Inc. for Data Storage Expansion for Security Cameras ($374,737.00)
- Approval to Award Bid No.21-021 to Jayour LLC., for Reusable Cotton Face Masks for 2021 ($341,100.00)
- Approval to Award Bid No. 21-022 to Buller Fixture Co., for Lewis & Clark Middle School for Cafeteria Serving Lines - 2018 Bond Program ($53,471.00)
- Approval of Change Order No. 002 – Bid No. 20-075 to Downs Electric for Generator Replacement at Fontenelle Elementary School – (Add $26,415.00) Revised Total: $93,498.00
- Approval of Head Start Program Agreement between Omaha Public Schools and Millard Public School April 2021 through July 2023
- Approval of Head Start Program Agreement between Omaha Public Schools and Ralston Public Schools April 2021 through July 2023
- Approval of Non-Tenured or Continuing Contracts for Probationary Certificated Employees
- Approval to Purchase Network Infrastructure Equipment from Sirius Computer Solutions Inc., for 10th and Pine Street New Elementary School – 2018 Bond ($239,092.38)
- Approval to Purchase Network Infrastructure Equipment from Sirius Computer Solutions Inc., for 60th and L Street High School - 2018 Bond ($667,837.14)
- Approval to Purchase Network Infrastructure Equipment from Sirius Computer Solutions Inc., for 1000 N. Fort Crook Road NE School - 2018 Bond ($246,982.41)
- Approval to Purchase Network Switches from Sirius Computer Solutions Inc., for technology refresh of the TAC Data Center and Scott Data Center ($105,143.00)
- Approval to Purchase STEAM Kits, Curriculum Materials, and Professional Development from WoZ ED Inc., for Fifth and Eighth Grade Summer Next Level Learning 2021 ($472,480.00)
- Approval to Purchase STEM Kits from National Inventors Hall of Fame Inc., for Fourth and Fifth Grade Summer Next Level Learning 2021 ($75,000.00)
- Approval to Purchase STEM Kits from National Inventors Hall of Fame Inc., for Sixth and Seventh Grade Summer Next Level Learning ($267,900.00)
- Approval to Purchase Summer Skills Practice Books from Scholastic Inc., for Summer 2021 ($183,812.16)
- Approval to Purchase Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) Telephones from Sirius Computer Solutions Inc., for the 60th and L Street Facility – 2018 Bond ($73,570.00)
- Approval of Second Reading of Policies 3090 and 7000
- Approval of UNO Bilingual Education Endorsement Program Memorandum of Understanding from May 2021 through July 2022
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To see the full consent agenda, click here.
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Administrative Appointments |
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The Board approved the following administrative appointments on the consent agenda:
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Dr. Langston Frison, current Principal at Rose Hill Elementary, will be assigned as Principal at Norris Middle School.
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Alicia Gillespie, current Assistant Principal at Walnut Hill Elementary, will be assigned as Principal at Washington Elementary.
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Christopher Humphries, current Interim Program Director at Blackburn, will be assigned as Program Director at Blackburn.
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Dr. Kimberly Jackson, current Principal at Morton Middle School, will be assigned as Principal at Northwest High School.
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Mark Kelln, current Principal at Adams Elementary, will be assigned as principal at Indian Hill Elementary.
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Jodi Pesek, current Interim Principal at South High School, will be assigned as Principal at South High School.
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Board of Education Action Items |
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Approval of the following Names, Mascots, and School Colors for the Two New Elementary Schools and the Two New High Schools: Pine Elementary School (10th and Pine), Forest Station Elementary School (1000 N. Fort Crook Rd.), Buena Vista High School (60th and L) and Westview High School (156th and Ida) |
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Last night was exciting as the Board of Education took a major step toward the opening of our district's newest elementary schools and high schools. The Board of Education approved the names, colors and mascots for the two new elementary schools and two new high schools opening in 2022.
Each school formed a School Naming Committee (SNC) comprised of the Principal/Principal Supervisor, district leadership, incoming students, parents of incoming students and community members. High school committees also included students from feeder schools. The elementary committees held four meetings and the high school committees held five meetings to brainstorm and discuss selections, narrow the list, match names, mascot and color combinations and make a final selection.
The approved names and mascots are below.
The name of the new middle school, opening in 2023, will be brought before the Board at a future meeting.
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Buena Vista High School
(60th and L High School)
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Buena Vista High School recognizes beautiful views (good view) and adds to the identity of South Omaha and much of the student population.
Mascot: Bison
The bison is the ruler of the plains. They are pragmatic animals that are resourceful and dedicated to the pursuit of success.
School Colors: Black/Silver/Burgundy
Black represents boldness and strength. Silver represents accomplishment. Burgundy (color of intensity) represents ambition, power and sophistication.
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Westview High School
(156th and Ida High School)
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Westview High School represents the beautiful view of west Omaha and the west Omaha community.
Mascot: Wolverines
Wolverines are symbols of fearlessness and courage. They are brave, powerful and strong. Wolverines stick together and work in groups.
School Colors: Orange/Black/Royal Blue
Orange is warm and full of joy – it represents success, creativity, encouragement and determination. Black represents power and strength. Royal Blue represents competition, tranquility and the calmness of the sky.
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Pine Elementary School
(10th and Pine Elementary)
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Pine Elementary is geographically located on Pine Street. Large evergreen trees will be preserved in the building process.
Mascot: Porcupines
Porcupines look fierce and intimidating but are very curious and gentle natured.
School Colors: Green/White/Gray
Green represents nature and is symbolic of the large trees nearby that were important to the community to protect. White is new/freshness and gray is balance.
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Forest Station Elementary
(1000 N. Fort Crook Elementary)
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Forest Station Elementary is located near Fontenelle Forest and the word station comes from the historical feature (the train) in the neighborhood.
Mascot: Owls
Owls represent wisdom and knowledge. Owls are great thinkers that prefer to plan out their strategies instead of using force.
School Colors: Dark Green/White/Tan
Dark green represents nature and growth. White is new/freshness and tan is warmth, security and stability.
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Approval of the Report of the Legislative Committee Including Recommended Legislative Positions |
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An update was provided to the Board regarding where bills are currently in the Nebraska Legislature.
The Legislative Committee continues to review bills as they change throughout the legislative session. The committee provided updated recommendations for several bills based on their potential impact on Omaha Public Schools. The Board approved the following new positions.
- LB 529 The bill extends the sunset on the usage of state lottery funding for K-12 and higher education programs, as well as creating new programs to be funded with state lottery dollars. The bill includes funding for Educational Service Units to provide behavioral awareness and intervention training for school personnel. Change from Monitor with Research to Support.
The OPS Board Legislative Committee will continue to monitor bills and will review any adjustments. As adjustments to bills are made, the OPS position may change as well.
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Resolution in support of Legislative package transferring management of the Omaha School Employees’ Retirement System to the Nebraska Public Employees Retirement Board and reaffirming that any and all liability for OSERS remains fully and completely vested with Douglas County School District 0001, the plan sponsor. |
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The Board of education approved a Resolution in support of the Legislative package transferring management of OSERS (Omaha School Employees' Retirement System) to the Nebraska Public Employees Retirement Board and reaffirming that any and all liability for OSERS remains fully and completely vested with Omaha Public Schools.
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Board of Education Information Items |
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Freshman Academy Implementation Metrics and Assessment |
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In the fall of 2021, Omaha Public Schools will implement the Freshman Academy at all seven high schools. Members of the Research and Curriculum and Instruction Support Departments shared information on the metrics and benchmarks that will be used for continuous improvement.
Data collection will begin in the fall of 2021 to create a baseline of the benchmarks that will be used. Efforts to link implementation of Freshman Academies causally will begin as early as the 2022-2023 school year, but only after implementation is assured. Our District will review qualitative and quantitative data. This will include student attendance data, student behavior data, information on student well-being, student achievement and on-track for on-time graduation. In addition, feedback from students, families and staff will be an important part of the metrics collected.
More specifics on defined metrics and goals will be shared after baseline data is collected.
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Information on the Academic Calendar for the 2021-2022 School Year |
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When developing the calendar for the 2021-22 school year, our district wanted to take into account what students and staff have been through with the pandemic.
Our district wanted to focus on three key areas:
- A staggered start time to ensure a smooth transition for all families
- Uninterrupted teaching and learning
- Opportunity for recovery efforts/extra duty pay during breaks
The proposed 2021-2022 calendar that takes these focus areas into account was presented to the Board last night.
The Research Department will begin sending information to students, families and staff today about the proposed calendar. After reviewing the information, individuals will be able to provide feedback on the proposed calendar. The feedback will inform the proposed calendar that will be brought before the Board on April 19.
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Important Information for OPS Staff |
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CHI Health and Omaha Public Schools partner to honor teachers across the District |
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CHI Health wants nominations of Omaha Public Schools teachers changing the lives of students. Each month, they’ll surprise a Top Teacher nominee with a treat basket for the teachers' lounge and a personal gift card. CHI will draw winners on the last Friday of the month. CHI Health will select winners from three different grade levels across the District.
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Next OPS Board of Education Meeting
The next regularly scheduled Board Meeting is tentatively scheduled for April 19. It is tentatively scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m.
Board of Education Agenda
To review previous Board of Education agendas, click here. If you are having trouble accessing direct links, please access the full Board of Education Agenda to view presentations and other documents.
How Can I Watch a Previous Board of Education Meeting?
The video from the meeting will be available by Wednesday at noon following the meeting. The video can be viewed by clicking here.
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Omaha Public Schools| 531-299-0220 | www.ops.org
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