[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6372536,"mediaKeyId","2147558-4a73ee0331b0a73c87f63cc9204ade69","parentId",2147558,"title","Omaha school board declines to adopt committee's recommended support for LB 430 after heated debate over suspensions for young children","audioSeconds",3219,"startMs",216000,"endMs",3435000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2147558-4a73ee0331b0a73c87f63cc9204ade69&start=216&end=3435","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2147558-4a73ee0331b0a73c87f63cc9204ade69/thumbnail_216000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6372536/Nebraska/Omaha-school-board-declines-to-adopt-committees-recommended-support-for-LB-430-after-heated-debate-over-suspensions-for-young-children","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6372536-4d169738698811b52f1db3ee630fd52f/orig.mp4?Expires=1776487767&Signature=X2Cmd9PmIhj58TMK9J98mgDjGcFKP4PhOyA4hrDmi7r866tnaQeZHKSB2ZVSwSADFMaiFc0xnqZya~U4LutiOp8ts7hX5YPN28jSTGSBBSiGuqMyA~k48XPz99bJcmDGIv5F635ksrGDdb6PXxBxgV-q2TszMocLJjwdws1h2jaREsb5cJwZvj910C6W-J4n~gC-jWyMcX1CnDTWUn8CJp54dkSP3LRTieWW7EOakdKPZRf1RsDegXgZaSqBEWx-hwUPbDPjyPYAvKbPCahO9k~q34hMsvZ6fTd~w76n7xC-e~jRF8nGq~0QRcc7ngl5R7AeE8Atgp1HHUHRMf-Flw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Omaha Public Schools, NE","date","2025-01-24T03:34:42Z","article","The Omaha Public Schools Board of Education on Feb. 3 voted to approve a broad package of legislative positions recommended by its legislative committee but declined to adopt the committee's recommendation to support LB 430, a bill that would expand the reasons a student may be suspended or expelled to include “violent behavior capable of causing physical harm to another student or school employee.”

Board members approved the slate of committee recommendations other than LB 430 by unanimous voice/roll call (8-0). After discussion and separate roll-call consideration of LB 430, the motion to adopt the committee's position on that bill failed. The board recorded several individual votes, abstentions and no votes during the LB 430 roll call and the motion did not pass.

Why it matters: LB 430 would alter the statutory framework that governs short‑ and long‑term exclusions for very young students; board members said the bill raises practical and equity concerns for classroom safety, staffing and the district's ability to support students who need behavioral and mental‑health services.

Context and debate: The district's legislative committee presented a long packet of recommended positions on hundreds of introduced bills and resolutions and recommended support, oppose or “monitor with research” on specific measures. Committee members said they tried to limit formal positions to bills with clear, direct impact on the district's ability to educate students.

Public comment before the vote included Kathy Poehling, president of the Omaha Education Association, who urged the board to support LB 430 and to “not go back to the way it was” regarding suspensions for preschool–2nd‑grade students. Poehling told the board that districts have struggled to address disruptive behavior while keeping students in school and asked the board to back LB 430’s approach to forming teams and plans for students with significant behavioral needs.

Board members pressed district counsel and staff for specifics about how LB 430 differs from existing law and how the district currently handles emergency exclusions, positive action centers (PACs), and long‑term suspensions. Staff said LB 430 would add language allowing suspension or expulsion where a student engaged in violent behavior capable of causing physical harm and would also require teams and plans for students who face exclusion. Administrators described current practice: short emergency exclusions are generally used to allow a team to convene and develop a plan, long‑term suspensions are defined under existing law (five or more days), and PACs are intended to de‑escalate students and return them to class.

Several board members said they favored monitoring and further study rather than taking a firm support position because they wanted more evidence on implementation, resource needs and the law's effects on disproportionately impacted student groups (students of color and students with disabilities were repeatedly mentioned).

What the board voted on (actions): The board approved the committee's recommended positions on the packet of bills except LB 430 (roll call: 8 ayes). On LB 430 the board took a separate roll call; several members voted yes, others voted no or abstained and the motion to adopt the committee recommendation failed.

What comes next: The legislative committee will continue to review bills as the legislative session progresses and will return with recommended positions at the board’s Feb. 3 meeting follow‑up and future committee meetings. Board members asked staff and the committee to track implementation details — timelines for any required plans, who must be on required teams, and data on outcomes — before taking further stances.

Ending: The board’s handling of LB 430 illustrated the district's tension between avoiding exclusionary discipline for very young children while retaining tools for responses to violent or dangerous incidents. Members said they will keep monitoring related bills and seek clearer implementation guidance from staff and legal counsel.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Omaha Public Schools Board of Education Meeting 1-23-2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Omaha Public Schools Board of Education on Feb. 3 approved a broad set of legislative positions recommended by its legislative committee but refused to adopt the committee's recommendation to support LB 430, a bill that would expand reasons districts may suspend or expel preschool through second‑grade students.","taxTitle","OMAHA PUBLIC SCHOOLS, School Districts, Nebraska","taxId",13054,"location","Nebraska","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6372526,"Omaha school board appoints Viridian Almanza (Almanza Zavala) to fill Subdistrict 8 vacancy; sworn in at meeting",2435,9863000,12298000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2147558-4a73ee0331b0a73c87f63cc9204ade69&start=9863&end=12298","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2147558-4a73ee0331b0a73c87f63cc9204ade69/thumbnail_9863000.jpg","/articles/6372526/Nebraska/Omaha-school-board-appoints-Viridian-Almanza-Almanza-Zavala-to-fill-Subdistrict-8-vacancy-sworn-in-at-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6372526-c6433433c511105c9f052d15de442335/orig.mp4?Expires=1776487767&Signature=ifhf-PQsUCnBcNzGGJIpeTzTKDFSvgs2QL18v9iLPFZqAo2ZaOS7gsJ7WSzZ1UWJ3j8Un0lb6q8ZtHeTSeiupyEhatW0qtupKzDXGjhR9iPwIF7szw-7LUU-vsOOzmpWSHQ2oGHim9w6ik-VXqykoQJyGOG4tEIGtaiZoYMWHM55esmFdhJSYl5VrIJlBSHvw9tgWT4JtEdV5l0ugNaj0VsVy7PdG~z2tclgs7lJ2J1Ks22mS-00RUjLhZcRJNRF5ySgAWa5WQQAW7gcJo72fiZKHcr0l884mvwfugFGuFJJ~39OENeRL5JYkaelhTAoEpnK3NNkFD84VvbD3Ti~Vg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Omaha Public Schools Board of Education on Feb. 3 appointed Viridian (Viri) Almanza (Almanza Zavala) to fill a board vacancy in Subdistrict 8 and administered the oath of office at the meeting.

Selection process and rationale: The board interviewed three candidates in public sessions earlier in the meeting. During discussion before the vote board members cited Almanza's work with community nonprofits, direct experience supporting students and families, Spanish language skills and program leadership at the Latino Center of the Midlands as qualifications that matched the district's needs for Subdistrict 8.

Board action: Board Member Magnuson nominated Almanza; the nomination received a second. On roll call the motion carried; the board recorded a majority of yes votes, one no vote and the new member was sworn in immediately. The oath was administered and Almanza took her seat at the table.

Why it matters: The new member brings community‑based experience with immigrant and Latino families, programs focused on school attendance and career pathways, and bilingual communication — skills board members said would help the board represent Subdistrict 8 and engage families who speak Spanish.

What Almanza said: After taking the oath, Almanza said she was “super excited” and pledged to help ensure students feel safe and that board decisions position students for future success. (Remarks summarized; candidate made brief public comments on taking the oath.)

Ending: The board thanked all three candidates for applying and said the quality of applicants was strong. Members encouraged continued community engagement as Almanza transitions into the role.","After interviewing three candidates for the Subdistrict 8 vacancy, the board nominated and appointed Viridian Almanza (Almanza Zavala). Board members cited her community engagement, work with immigrant families and experience in youth programs. She took the oath of office immediately and will serve the remainder of the term.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6372531,"OPS reports improved staffing and asks board to approve staffing adjustments; board approves motion",681,6605000,7286000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2147558-4a73ee0331b0a73c87f63cc9204ade69&start=6605&end=7286","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2147558-4a73ee0331b0a73c87f63cc9204ade69/thumbnail_6605000.jpg","/articles/6372531/Nebraska/OPS-reports-improved-staffing-and-asks-board-to-approve-staffing-adjustments-board-approves-motion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6372531-cb3dbbebe03a157fa602047cdc6a6255/orig.mp4?Expires=1776487767&Signature=nRSXx7m1xwpdK15yzWEEhOmTIuB9GvVAWoacGyAGb9g5-scbniop~BXLZCSx0KsY9wr9XNVAiFs9NHbSLqZX7WAc12Yvzi31tPO0ivqZUeDEYA0SKq8Q0eT1Rcjm0L4w-yPlfLzykJXjQzo~LMYts~EUAA8Xwixrp7-BOinzYvqKAPjEbMUai1elu0Bd9GifPwPygGF-u6Qmec5db39K19dKCwjwqtxCF2PW6dML07OYif26-hiGiHmiZnPNUrftB4AdSA03Ld8Nl4WEtB6YTY8gKE1Ww8jMsiZgCON~Sgaqz6SMtNPNop3AZPe5Lk6du0DYW82AC43snq1FhhRBVw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Omaha Public Schools Board on Feb. 3 approved proposed staffing adjustments after district human resources and central office leaders reported measurable improvements in hiring and retention.

What the district presented: Assistant superintendent / HR leadership described multiple factors the district credits for progress: higher wages approved in recent budgets, active recruiting partnerships with local universities, “grow your own” programs that move paraprofessionals into teaching roles, expanded substitute pools and improved collaboration with bargaining units. District staff said the net effect has been a substantial increase in filled teacher positions compared with the start of the 2023‑24 school year and stronger substitute availability.

Key numbers and classroom impacts: District staff told the board that full‑time teacher counts are up more than 100 from the start of 2023–24; roughly 75% of classrooms fall in the 20–24 student range; a small number of kindergarten–6 classrooms remain near 30 students and remain an active staffing focus. Staff described part‑time paraprofessionals moving to full time and noted that some part‑time declines are attributable to promotions into full‑time roles.

Board action: Board Member Thielen moved and Vice President Snipes seconded a motion to approve the staffing adjustments; the roll call recorded eight ayes and the motion passed.

Why it matters: Board members said the staffing gains help classroom stability and instruction. Several members stressed the district still has “pockets” of high‑need subjects and schools (special education, math, science and high‑need schools) and asked HR to continue targeted recruitment.

Follow‑up tasks: The board asked HR and administration to keep providing weekly hiring snapshots, to continue university partnerships and “grow your own” programs, and to identify remaining high‑need positions for prioritized recruitment.

Ending: The board praised the HR team and administration for recruitment progress but said work must continue to close gaps in hard‑to‑staff areas.","District HR and leadership reported improved hiring and retention — more teachers and paraprofessionals, a rise in substitutes and about 75% of classrooms now between 20–24 students — and the board approved proposed staffing adjustments.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Omaha school board declines to adopt committee's recommended support for LB 430 after heated debate over suspensions for young children

Omaha school board appoints Viridian Almanza (Almanza Zavala) to fill Subdistrict 8 vacancy; sworn in at meeting

OPS reports improved staffing and asks board to approve staffing adjustments; board approves motion