Rachael Arens

Omaha Public Schools is implementing College and Career Academies and Pathways to enhance high school education and prepare students for their futures. This initiative includes academy schools offering career-themed learning in areas such as health, finance, manufacturing, and computer science, alongside pathways focusing on various career clusters. It also features a freshman academy designed for foundational skills development, career exploration, and college visits. The program aims to provide meaningful, skill-building experiences, fostering students' readiness for the workforce, military service, or post-secondary education, ultimately enabling them to excel in college, career, and life.

The key discussion centered on the proposed 'Family Two to Three Plan' for the school district, which included a split schedule of limited in-person attendance combined with remote learning. Public commentary strongly opposed this plan, citing concerns about the detrimental psychological, social, and academic effects on children, particularly those in elementary grades and students with special needs (including those who are autistic or nonverbal and cannot wear masks). Speakers highlighted the negative financial impact on families needing supplemental childcare, the lack of scientific backing for the proposed guidelines compared to OSHA regulations, and the perceived discrimination against students with disabilities or those from lower-income backgrounds. Concerns were also raised regarding inconsistencies with local economic reopening, unresolved human resources questions (liability, sick leave, food access), logistical challenges concerning substitutes and room sanitization, and the absence of teacher/staff involvement in the decision-making process prior to the plan's announcement. Commenters requested that the plan be reworked to allow for full-time return for as many students as possible, aligning with the recommendations of organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics which prioritize in-person learning where safe.

The meeting concerned the committee's presentation on LB 399, which revised previous law regarding American civics education to ensure students become competent, responsible, and patriotic citizens. Key discussions included LB 399's requirements such as ensuring social studies curricula align with state standards, teaching foundational knowledge in civics, history, economics, financial literacy, and geography, and the review and approval of curriculum accessible to the public. The committee noted that OPS already incorporates many requirements, including formative and summative assessments (CBAs and SPS projects) and dedicating time to civics and American history instruction. The discussion also covered state assessment requirements before students leave eighth and twelfth grade, including the possibility of incorporating Indigenous Peoples Day (October 12th) alongside Native American Heritage Day, and ensuring instruction occurs regarding specific holidays.

Discussions during the meeting focused heavily on operational plans related to health and safety, particularly in response to COVID-19 concerns. Key topics included managing staffing shortages due to illness, the protocols for contact tracing, and the logistics of temperature screening. The Board addressed the distribution of donated thermometers to families for home temperature monitoring, as in-school temperature checks were deemed ineffective for asymptomatic children. There was extensive conversation regarding contact tracing procedures, the role of Douglas County Health, and the need to augment the tracing team, potentially using bilingual liaisons. Questions were raised about grading policies and attendance tracking for students who must quarantine, with assurances provided that grading would continue with compassion for missed work. Furthermore, the process for notifying exposed individuals and the need for clear communication regarding quarantine guidelines for families and staff were debated.

The meeting commenced with procedural announcements regarding public comment access via videoconference and provided details on meeting notices previously issued. The Superintendent addressed the challenging recent weeks for the community, emphasizing the district's commitment to its diverse student body and staff, and outlined efforts to facilitate conversations and provide student support through partnerships with organizations like Boys Town. Congratulations were extended to the Class of 2020 on their virtual graduations, and recognition was given to staff for concluding the school year with professional development focused on remote and blended learning scenarios. Updates were provided on the Summer Reading Challenge, summer school starting virtually on June 15th, and ongoing planning for various reopening scenarios for the Fall, including a proposal to shift the school start date to August 11th. Key agenda items involved first readings for policy updates (Policy 4043 and Policy 5008) and an information review of recommended changes to the 2020-2021 Student Code of Conduct. Significant proposed changes to the Student Code of Conduct included extending applicability to remote learning environments, changing terminology from "suspension" to "behavior response," replacing "mandatory" with "administrative response" for Level 1 violations, and adding a new violation for "exposure to bodily fluids," as well as updating the tobacco violation to include vaping.