School Board Agenda & Packet Summary – OPS – July 13, 2026

Meeting Information

• Public Body: Omaha Public Schools
• Organization Type: school-district
• Government Body: school-boards
• Meeting Title: Omaha Public Schools Board of Education and Educational Service Unit 19 Board Meeting
• Meeting Date: 2026-07-13
• City: Omaha
• County: Douglas
• State: nebraska
• Meeting Source URL: https://meeting.sparqdata.com/Public/Agenda/120?meeting=751936
• Meeting Listing URL: https://meeting.sparqdata.com/public/Organization/120
• Public Body Website: https://www.ops.org/board/board-members
• Meeting Video URL: Not available
• Video Channel URL: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQVPf0Gc_lWLy5wIQUgFnYA

What Community Members Should Know

The July 13, 2026 Omaha Public Schools Board of Education meeting is dominated by major investments in facilities, literacy initiatives, special education, employee agreements, and long-term instructional improvements. While many items appear on the consent agenda, they represent significant policy and financial commitments affecting classrooms, buildings, transportation, and district operations.

The largest financial action is approval of a required $36.08 million additional contribution to the Omaha School Employees' Retirement System. Alongside that obligation, the Board is asked to approve millions of dollars in contracts for special education services, transportation, professional development, curriculum, facility renovations, technology, and building maintenance. Many instructional initiatives are supported by federal grants or outside partners rather than unrestricted local operating funds.

Facilities remain a major priority. The packet includes continued work on Project Game On at North High School, a privately funded science renovation at North High, emergency HVAC repairs at Bryan High, transportation facility improvements, playground upgrades, parking lot reconstruction, boiler replacement projects, and other capital improvements designed to modernize aging infrastructure before the 2026-27 school year.

The meeting also advances the district's literacy "Moonshot," expands professional development for educators, updates collective bargaining agreements, addresses staffing shortages through temporary contracting arrangements, and approves specialized transportation and special education services intended to maintain student support despite workforce challenges.

Major Discussion and Action Items

Retirement system contribution

The largest single financial item requires Omaha Public Schools to contribute $36,079,542 to the Omaha School Employees' Retirement System under Nebraska's Class V School Employees' Retirement Act. The contribution was determined through actuarial analysis by CavMac Actuarial Consulting Services and must be paid by August 31, 2026. This represents a statutory obligation rather than discretionary spending and directly affects the long-term funding of employee retirement benefits.

North High School investments and Project Game On

Several agenda items continue the district's significant investment in North High School.

Project Game On Phase 4 includes a $667,104 construction amendment with MCL Construction and a $205,600 architectural amendment with Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture. Improvements include renovated athletic locker rooms, additional spectator seating, concession and restroom facilities, and a ticket building.

Separately, the Board is asked to approve architectural services for a $4 million science renovation that modernizes laboratories, classrooms, greenhouse facilities, and STEM instructional spaces. According to the packet, both Project Game On improvements and the science renovation are funded through the Omaha Public Schools Foundation and partner organizations rather than district capital funds. Construction is anticipated to reach substantial completion by August 2027.

Literacy and instructional improvement initiatives

Multiple contracts support the district's literacy strategy and Moonshot goal of having all students reading on grade level by 2030.

Major approvals include:

• $901,947 with Leading Educators for professional development funded through Title I, Title IIA, and literacy grants.
• $737,250 with District Management Group for attendance teams and MTSS improvement coaching.
• $126,789 with TNTP to integrate Science of Reading practices into Career and Technical Education.
• $85,000 consulting agreement with literacy expert LuAnn Jacobs.
• $867,117.64 for early childhood literacy curriculum and instructional materials from Teaching Strategies.

The packet describes these efforts as coordinated investments in educator training, instructional quality, and evidence-based literacy practices across multiple grade levels.

Special education and student services

The Board considers approximately $2.594 million in annual contracts with outside agencies providing required special education services for students from birth through age 21. These agreements support services mandated under Nebraska regulations and federal special education requirements.

Additional actions include transportation contracts for Title I, preschool, homeless, and eligible students totaling an estimated $2.96 million between Collaborative Student Transportation and HopSkipDrive, with expenditures based upon actual student needs throughout the school year.

Major facilities and operational improvements

Numerous building and infrastructure projects prepare schools for the upcoming academic year.

Notable projects include:

• Emergency compressor rebuild at Bryan High School ($158,811).
• Gomez Heritage Elementary boiler replacement ($280,000).
• OPS Service Center parking lot reconstruction ($398,713.55).
• Transportation South office renovation change orders increasing the project to $3.296 million after discovery of significant roof deterioration.
• Jefferson Elementary playground replacement ($213,700).
• Technology replacement for cafeteria operations ($134,415).
• Transportation South furnishings ($180,789.39).

These projects address aging infrastructure, code compliance, safety concerns, accessibility improvements, and operational modernization.

Workforce agreements and staffing challenges

The Board reviews several collective bargaining agreements with SEIU Local 226 covering paraprofessionals, nutrition services employees, social workers, and transportation staff.

Separate memoranda of understanding address ongoing staffing shortages by permitting temporary contracting of vacant transportation routes and open special education paraprofessional positions while requiring continued recruitment and periodic review. Another agreement establishes transportation employee uniforms beginning with the 2027-28 contract year. A separate agreement with the Omaha Education Association expands Science of Reading incentives for secondary educators.

Financial Matters

Major financial actions include:

• $36,079,542 required retirement system contribution.
• $2,593,980 estimated special education agency contracts.
• Approximately $2.96 million projected contracted transportation services for Title I, preschool, and homeless students.
• $901,947 literacy-focused professional development.
• $867,117.64 early childhood literacy curriculum purchase.
• $737,250 improvement coaching contract.
• $667,104 Project Game On Phase 4 construction amendment.
• $398,713.55 Service Center parking lot improvements.
• $280,000 Gomez Heritage boiler replacement.
• $205,600 North High Project Game On design amendment.
• $180,789.39 Transportation South furnishings.
• $160,200 projected multifunction printer contract extension.
• $158,811 Bryan High emergency HVAC repair.
• $134,415 cafeteria technology replacement.
• $126,789 Science of Reading consulting.
• $87,859.48 Career and Technical Education curriculum materials.
• $620,000 waste removal contract extension.

Funding sources include the General Fund, Special Building Fund, federal Title I, Title IIA, Title IVA, Perkins grants, literacy grants, Nutrition Services funds, the Omaha Public Schools Foundation, and other restricted funding sources depending upon each project.

Policies, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Governance

Several actions implement existing Board purchasing and curriculum policies while approving exceptions permitted for academic materials, cooperative purchasing, emergency repairs, and privately funded projects.

The Board is also asked to approve multiple collective bargaining agreements and memoranda of understanding affecting employee compensation, staffing flexibility, transportation operations, literacy incentives, and workforce practices for the 2026-27 school year. Curriculum approvals and associated data protection agreements accompany new instructional materials and software supporting Career and Technical Education, gifted identification, and early childhood literacy.

Reports, Presentations, and Informational Updates

The packet includes the May 2026 Treasurer's Report for Board review along with superintendent communications.

Supporting materials explain the rationale behind curriculum adoptions, literacy initiatives, school improvement grants, facilities planning, transportation improvements, and capital projects. Several proposals describe partnerships with the Nebraska Department of Education, Omaha Public Schools Foundation, educational consultants, and community organizations to expand instructional quality and student support without relying solely on district operating funds.

Personnel, Appointments, and Organizational Matters

The meeting includes negotiated labor agreements covering multiple employee groups.

Several agreements address workforce shortages by allowing temporary contracting for vacant transportation routes and special education paraprofessional positions while maintaining commitments to recruit permanent employees.

Professional development investments support teachers, literacy leaders, principals, Career and Technical Education instructors, attendance teams, and school improvement staff throughout the 2026-27 school year.

Projects, Facilities, Infrastructure, and Operations

Major operational projects include emergency HVAC work at Bryan High, North High athletic and science improvements, Transportation South office renovations, Service Center parking lot reconstruction, Jefferson Elementary playground replacement, Gomez Heritage boiler replacement, cafeteria technology upgrades, Transportation South furnishings, and roadway easements associated with the North 24th Street Streetscape project near Lothrop Elementary.

The packet emphasizes improving safety, accessibility, instructional environments, transportation operations, and long-term maintenance while addressing aging facilities before students return for the new school year.

Public Hearings and Opportunities for Community Input

The agenda includes a public comment period during which individuals may submit a "Request to be Heard" form before speaking.

The packet also notes that agenda items may be reordered during the meeting and reminds attendees that the Nebraska Open Meetings Act is available for public inspection in the meeting room. No separate public hearings are identified within the readable packet materials.

Community Impact

Students and families may benefit from expanded literacy initiatives, updated curriculum, improved science facilities, safer playgrounds, upgraded heating and cooling systems, improved transportation services, and expanded special education support.

Employees are directly affected by retirement funding, negotiated labor agreements, professional development investments, staffing initiatives, and compensation provisions designed to offset health insurance cost increases.

Taxpayers should note that while several major projects involve significant dollar amounts, some large capital improvements—including Project Game On and the North High science renovation—are described as being funded through the Omaha Public Schools Foundation and partner organizations rather than district capital funds. Other projects rely upon restricted funds or federal grants.

Questions Community Members May Want to Ask

• How will the additional retirement contribution affect future district finances?
• What measurable outcomes are expected from the literacy and professional development investments?
• How will Project Game On be coordinated with school operations during construction?
• What metrics will determine whether attendance coaching improves student outcomes?
• How will contracted transportation providers be monitored for service quality?
• What progress has been made toward filling vacant transportation and paraprofessional positions?
• How will the North High science renovation expand STEM opportunities?
• What additional facility needs remain after the current capital projects are completed?
• How will success of the early childhood literacy curriculum be measured?
• What long-term maintenance planning is underway for other aging district buildings?

Important Dates, Deadlines, and Next Steps

• July 13, 2026: Board meeting and consideration of consent agenda.
• August 1, 2026: Temporary staffing agreements for transportation and special education positions become effective.
• August 31, 2026: Deadline for required retirement system contribution.
• 2026-27 school year: Implementation of approved curriculum, professional development, transportation, and labor agreements.
• July 31, 2027: Scheduled expiration of several one-year contracts and contract extensions.
• August 2027: Anticipated substantial completion of the North High science renovation.

Key Takeaways

• The meeting contains numerous high-value consent agenda items.
• A required $36.08 million retirement contribution is the largest financial action.
• North High School continues receiving major athletic and STEM investments.
• Literacy remains a district-wide strategic priority supported by multiple contracts.
• More than $2.59 million supports contracted special education services.
• Transportation services and staffing remain significant operational priorities.
• Multiple aging facilities receive repairs before the upcoming school year.
• Several projects rely on foundation funding or federal grants rather than unrestricted district funds.
• Multiple union agreements establish compensation and staffing provisions for 2026-27.
• Building safety, accessibility, and instructional modernization remain recurring themes.

Official Sources

• Meeting source: https://meeting.sparqdata.com/Public/Agenda/120?meeting=751936
• Meeting listing: https://meeting.sparqdata.com/public/Organization/120
• Public body website: https://www.ops.org/board/board-members
• Meeting video: Not available
• Video channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQVPf0Gc_lWLy5wIQUgFnYA

About the Public Body

• Name: Omaha Public Schools
• Organization type: school-district
• Government body: school-boards
• Location: Omaha, nebraska
• County: Douglas
• Provider: sparq

Keywords

Omaha Public Schools, Board of Education, ESU 19, July 13 2026, Project Game On, North High School, retirement system, literacy, Moonshot, Science of Reading, special education, transportation services, HopSkipDrive, Collaborative Student Transportation, Leading Educators, District Management Group, Bryan High School, Gomez Heritage Elementary, Jefferson Elementary, STEM renovation, facilities, collective bargaining, SEIU Local 226, curriculum adoption, early childhood literacy, professional development, school construction, capital improvements, Nebraska Department of Education