Sept. 9, 2022

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

Chief Financial Officer Shane Rhian presented the 2022-23 proposed general budget and ESU19 budget to the Board of Education. The proposed budget focuses resources on key initiatives in the Strategic Plan of Action, investing in the future of our students and staff, and ensuring technology, materials and facilities needed to learn and grow are available to all students.

The total budget includes an increase of $20 million in the general fund budget. The proposed budget also includes a levy decrease of over one-fifth of a cent for 2022-23. 

Revenue and expenses for the general fund are both budgeted at $710 million for the 2022-23 school year. That is an increase of 2.9% from last year. Benefits and salaries make up 78% of the budgeted expenses. The total proposed property tax levy is $1.231091, a decrease of ($0.002007) from the previous year.



A breakdown of the general fund budget is as follows:

General Fund Revenues: 

• Property Taxes: $285.1 million 
• Other Local Receipts (motor vehicle taxes, interest on investments, court fees, fines, licenses, etc.): $42.9 million 
• Other State Receipts: $41 million 
• Federal Receipts: $6 million 
• State Aid: $286.5 million 
• General Fund Reserves $46.3 million

General Fund Expenditures: 

• Salaries and Benefits: $554.9 million
• Contracted or Purchased Services: $97.8 million
• Supplies and Materials: $53 million
• Equipment and Other Costs: $4.4 million

Salaries and benefits include the Annual Required Contribution (ARC) for our district’s pension plan. The budgeted ARC is based on an actuarial study completed in January each year. Twenty-four and a half  ($24.5) million is included in the 2022-23 budget, across all funds, for next year’s ARC.

Our district will participate in a joint property tax request public hearing with other political subdivisions in Douglas County on Sept. 21. This is required for any entity requesting an increase in property tax receipts greater than 2%. The budget and property tax request will come back before the Board on Sept. 22 for approval. 

The Board of Education #OPSProud spotlight recognized Stephanie Hoesing for being named the 2022 School Social Worker of the Year by the School Social Work Association of Nebraska (SSWAN). 

The School Social Worker of the Year Award celebrates the contributions of social work to the educational experience. Hoesing’s nominators described her as a strong advocate for students, families and staff. She is recognized as someone who acts quickly to provide resources when needed in collaboration with community partners.

Opening of the 2022-23 School Year

Superintendent Cheryl Logan, Ed.D., provided an update on the start of the 2022-23 school year.

Enrollment and Family Engagement

Preliminary enrollment has Omaha Public Schools at approximately 51,400 students. Official enrollment will be reported on Oct. 1. Our district is returning to pre-pandemic activities like back-to-school bash, open houses and more. 

Hiring and Staffing

Our Human Resources team has done a great job of continuing to hire staff throughout the summer. They will continue to hire for open positions with a focus on classified staff throughout the year. In addition, our HR team continues to review class sizes at all levels and ensure we effectively retain staff. 

Transportation

Currently, 85% of Omaha Public Schools staffed bus routes have a permanent driver. Our transportation team continues to work with our contracted partner, Student Transportation of America, to manage routes, ensure questions to the call center are answered and that we have effective use of the Here Comes the Bus app. 

Next Omaha Public Schools Board of Education Meeting

The next regularly scheduled Board Meeting is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 22, 2022. It is tentatively scheduled to start at 6 p.m.

Board of Education Agenda

To review previous Board of Education agendas, click here. If you have trouble 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?

The video from the meeting will be available by Wednesday at noon following the meeting. The video can be viewed by clicking here.