Omaha Public Schools Board of Education Meeting

@OmahaPubSchool @oma_documenters All Boardmembers except for @advocacybri (Subdistrict 2) are in attendance. The Board votes to excuse their absence 8-0.

Tonight’s #OPSspotlight is for students who won the 2023 @100BMO African-American history challenge.

https://100blackmenomaha.org/african-american-history-challenge-aahc/ https://t.co/4EVR83JKt5

@100BMO Superintendent @OPS_LoganSupt is absent tonight due to an immediate family need. She submitted a report of congratulations to different members of OPS.

Members @trcasadyops, Smith, @huskermargo, and @JErdenberger spoke on last week’s hoax calls at OPS and schools across Nebraska. They praised the protocols and professionalism of all involved, even as it appears OPS wasn’t forewarned like other schools.
https://journalstar.com/news/local/education/some-nebraska-school-districts-didnt-receive-warning-of-potential-for-fake-shooting-calls/article_222c1578-b7b3-56fd-83cf-d56da4c35d75.html

Superintendent @OPS_LoganSupt wrote an open letter to the public in response, as well, which was published in the @OWHnews.
https://omaha.com/opinion/columnists/midlands-voices-community-partners-are-important-to-omaha-public-schools/article_bc90e01c-baa2-11ed-a57e-2f8b813fb851.html

@OPS_LoganSupt @OWHnews Public comment begins with Marlon Harrison. Harrison praised Black History Month programming which happened at multiple OPS schools last month. https://t.co/WvWdTpVugL

Larry Storer speaks on the Open Meetings Act, arguing that the Board displaying a copy of the act created by the @NASBonline is illegal and delivering the Board a copy of a letter they have sent to the Attorney General, County Attorney, and County Sheriff. https://t.co/oearrBaGYK

This refers to requirement (https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=84-1411) that a copy of the Open Meetings Act be displayed. Here is what is displayed next to the entrance. The effective year in the bottom-right says 2021. AG sites says there was an update in at least 2022 (https://ago.nebraska.gov/open-meetings). https://t.co/yC1MXM7Irh

Public comment is over. Next is the consent agenda, which contains multiple items in it. @DrShavonna and @trcasadyops both need to abstain from Item I.9. The consent agenda passes 8-0 overall, 6-0 with two abstentions on Item 1.9.

@DrShavonna @trcasadyops Some items:
- $57,760 for 2,000 copies of The Joyful Teacher for OPS educators
- Claim B approves $102,161 for student activity funds, all labeled as going to “Various Vendors” and claims ranging from $0.50 to $16,334
- A 2-year $1.2 million contract with Iowa School for the Deaf

Nebraska used to have its own school for the deaf in North Omaha but it closed in 1998 so OPS relies on contracting with the Council Bluffs school which some Iowans are concerned could be consolidated or closed.
https://www.iowapublicradio.org/state-government-news/2023-02-10/government-reorganization-raises-concerns-about-the-future-of-the-iowa-school-for-the-deaf

Principal of @OPS_SouthHigh @jodi_pesek spoke to the implementation of College and Career Academies and Pathways at South High. Their slides are available online: https://meeting.sparqdata.com/Public/Agenda/120?meeting=571765 https://t.co/TZXjUBGqHD

@OPS_SouthHigh @jodi_pesek A question on what Jumpstart is by @tracycasady and to elaborate on Social-Emotional Learning (ESL).

Staff explained Jumpstart is a summer program where freshmen can explore the high school physically and ESL is focusing on helping students’ resiliency in the face of challenges. https://t.co/3sJsA41g1Y

“It’s anything from letting them know it’s okay to fail at something as long as you’ve learned something from that failure because you can move on and it’s okay because today is a new day with a new opportunity to make the world a better place” -Alex Menendez

Next: Action Items. https://t.co/FsVCUKRr40

First action item, an amendment to the @RideSTBus contract.

Administration recommends approval, with a cost of $14mil, $10mil below the original projected cost for the school year of $24mil. Bus fleet age requirements would be waived, though OPS inspects every bus already. https://t.co/6hkffZKCx3

@RideSTBus Member @trcasadyops brings up the removal of @RideSTBus‘s call support system, mentioning that the Here Comes the Bus app isn’t well-functioning.

Admin answers that the app works well when everyone is on their route, but not now when they’re focusing on problem-solving routes. https://t.co/a9DBQwiUyo

@RideSTBus @trcasadyops Member @JErdenberger motions to approve, seconded by @DrShavonna. The amendment is approved 8-0.

@RideSTBus @trcasadyops @JErdenberger @DrShavonna Next action item is the approval of elementary, middle, and high school computer science and technology requirements. John Waterpool (unsure of spelling) is presenting. These requirements come from the passage of #LB1112 in 2022. https://t.co/ipsRb9S6p3

@RideSTBus @trcasadyops @JErdenberger @DrShavonna I’ll mention at this time that the audience has largely left and that was the case before the Action Items began. Perhaps only half a dozen or so non-staff members are still here, judging from who does and doesn’t have a lanyard or business suit on.

Member @JErdenberger said the Board tried to get the #NELeg to not legislate curriculum but failed in this instance. They wanted to know if students can “double-dip” class requirements for the state law and their College and Career Pathways. The answer is yes to some celebration.

Member Smith and @JErdenberger tag-team on “the bad question”: are there enough teachers to meet these requirements.

Answer: they can do development with any and all teachers, and the educators already at OPS should suffice or even exceed requirements once trained. https://t.co/6De3J4oXQz

Member Smith moves to adopt the aligning course sequencing, @DrShavonna seconds. Passes 8-0.

Next, President @Spencer_Head reads out the legislative positions recommendations.

Oppose: #LB528 #LB550 #LB708 #LB811 #LB165 #LB178 #LB635 #LB340 #LB632 #LR24CA #LB529 #LB681
Support: #LB169 #LB523 #LB679 #LB344 #LB529 #LB752 #LB610

Several others are recommended as Monitor.

Member @DrShavonna testified on #LB811 which would allow physical intervention for staff. She was quoted in the @NE_Examiner.
https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/02/28/families-warn-against-bill-allowing-reasonable-physical-intervention-in-nebraska-schools/

Member @JErdenberger expresses some annoyance that these are being presented as just numbers, without their titles. She asks if there are positions OPS is taking that are contradictory to @NASBonline. https://t.co/Em2rL26LYI

President @Spencer_Head says NASB
- opposes LR24CA while OPS monitors because the State Board of Education is a state issue
- monitors LB165 on 529 savings plans while OPS opposes
- monitors LB340 on expulsions while OPS opposes
- supports LB681 while OPS opposes

LB681 opposed by OPS because they see it as a part of the Governor’s package, @NASBonline treats it all as one.

@huskermargo asks how these positions are made. @Spencer_Head says the committee meets and they present what they agree is the best position to take.

Approved 8-0.

Next is approval on transition plans for Matthew Ray for interim Superintendent, presented by Accountability Committee chair Smith.

Ray presents not only his substitute teacher ID from the 90’s, but also a badge from @DrShavonna to much laughter, and I’m sure, shagrin to some. https://t.co/6mpkik38eH

The plans are approved 8-0.

Meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m. This concludes the Omaha Public Schools (@OmahaPubSchool) Board of Education meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for March 20, 2023. For more meeting coverage, check out http://documenters.org.