OPS Board Digest 10-4-2022

A review of Omaha Public Schools Board of Education meetings.

Oct. 4, 2022

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

#OPSProud Spotlight

Legion of Valor Bronze Cross for Achievement Winners

The Board of Education #OPSProud spotlight recognized JROTC Cadets Vel T. Par (Central High) and Ayiana D. Woodman (Benson High) as the Legion of Valor Bronze Cross for Achievement recipients. The Legion of Valor Bronze Cross is considered the highest award in JROTC. It recognizes students for their excellence in service, academic standing and community service. One cadet of every 4,000 is nominated for the honor. These honorees are part of a long-standing history of cadets recognized with the Legion of Valor across Omaha Public Schools.

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 Kissel, Kohout, ES Associates Inc. to Serve as the District’s Lead Government Relations and Lobbying Representative in Lincoln, Nebraska ($8,000 per Month)
Approval of the Agreement with Omaha Education Association Adding ESports as an Approved Coaching Stipend and Permitting the Utilization of UNL Online High School During the 2022-2023 School Year
Approval to Award Bid No. 23-002 to Southwest Strings, Shar Products Co., and Dietze Music for String Music Instruments at Forest Station Elementary School, Pine Elementary School, Bluestem Middle School, Buena Vista High School, and Westview High School (2018 Bond Project) ($198,062.61)
Approval of Change Order No. 002 for Spring Lake Elementary School: Capital Improvements and Addition – 2018 Bond Program - (Add $197,125.57) Revised Total: $6,597,239.85
Approval of Maintenance Agreement with Paul Wenninghoff for 78th & Craig Street Acreage from November 2022 through October 2023
Approval of Post Occupancy Evaluation of Westview High School and Buena Vista High School by Jacobs Company from October 2022 through August 2023 ($30,000)
Approval of Resolution 22-006 Family Engagement
Approval of a Service Agreement with Alpaca Inc. to Provide Monthly School Supply Packs to All OPS Elementary Schools for the 2022-2023 School Year ($284,400.00)
Approval of Updated and Extended Agreement with Blackboard, Inc. for Website, Mobile Application, and Mass Notifications System ($203,653.80 Annually)

View the entire consent agenda.

Board of Education Action Items

Approval of First Reading Policy 8273 (Vacancies) and 8346 (Public Participation at Board Meetings)

The Policy Committee recommended changes to the following policies. The Board approved the first reading. The policies will come before the Board for a second reading.

Policy adjustments:

Board of Education Information Items

College & Career Academies and Pathways Update

Chief Academic Officer Susan Christopherson provided an update on the implementation of College & Career Academies and Pathways. Last school year (2021-22), our district implemented Freshman Academy and freshman seminar classes in all high schools. They also began to form advisory boards and committees. Twenty-eight (28) of those groups currently convene representatives from in a particular field to help define the skills, curriculum and software students need to succeed in college and career. Members also align experiential learning opportunities for students.

This school year, our district expanded access for all students by implementing academies and pathways for all grade 10 students. Students selected their pathway from 115 offerings.

Our staff has been working hard behind the scenes to implement academies and pathways. School design teams, summer professional development, student ambassador training, and advisory boards connect students and staff with the greater Omaha community.

Just as college and career fields change, we expect our academies and pathways to evolve. Staff continue to collaborate and provide feedback with Curriculum and Instruction Support for future enhancements.

Next Omaha Public Schools Board of Education Meeting

The next regularly scheduled Board Meeting is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 17, 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.

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

Questions or feedback? Email us at: BoardDigest@ops.org

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