[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6267105,"mediaKeyId","3077399-f40276cd38e24ee660c807e91d2bc2bc","parentId",3077399,"title","Omaha Public Schools presents 2025–26 student code of conduct updates, including new cell‑phone rule and dress guidance","audioSeconds",572,"startMs",3259000,"endMs",3831000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3077399-f40276cd38e24ee660c807e91d2bc2bc&start=3259&end=3831","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3077399-f40276cd38e24ee660c807e91d2bc2bc/thumbnail_3259000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6267105/Nebraska/Omaha-Public-Schools-presents-202526-student-code-of-conduct-updates-including-new-cellphone-rule-and-dress-guidance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6267105-796d56c036dd18d2d10a4445b1ad720e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153322&Signature=BFijevBkys1X73b8QwnzWglh1YXG6ztKWcHhVQKiPHW1Fm7IggdoZgxl~~S-GOxsiTF3aoct8vzjSvOM9lfAfwRufEMyPSFFlMRXBIu97TxpxS~Vcu~yCsDhXFIWDeLZnHDLn52EM9-g2SicfWr0TUq9hzTuKV~iLeje-hVbFADwjeQ-PqEe3rU3e9fz0hRwAVy~xJqL0e5YQ0Q56kOtU-5Hl4eWfkduOyKtZpTHyeXKNTf7UKgbwOI9ajP3G6IQwPMLah4OODMkXc5a1YqwpvY-SHNhrvR4jmeuOE-uvNDQbkJOcIVGCWzM136GfoPtMX30QDKMOqntsw7di7rvaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Omaha Public Schools, NE","date","2025-04-22T09:01:00.953Z","article","Omaha Public Schools administrators presented proposed revisions to the districtwide student code of conduct for 2025–26, telling the Board of Education on May 5 that the changes are intended to standardize disciplinary expectations, protect instructional time and align the district with state guidance.

The proposed revisions add noncompliance with cell‑phone and personal electronic‑device expectations as a level‑1 violation, update dress and grooming language to reflect Nebraska Department of Education model policy (including protections for religious attire, tribal regalia and natural/protective hairstyles), and remove specific attendance language so the code references OPS Policy 5‑008 for attendance details. Lisa Utterback, executive leader for student services, told the board the cell‑phone rule aims to limit social‑media interruptions that research shows can harm student focus and mental health.

The changes retain the code’s multi‑tiered behavior supports and emphasize that level‑1 violations should not result in major exclusionary discipline. Utterback said students will be allowed to use devices before and after school, during lunch and passing periods at high schools, or when explicitly directed by staff for instruction or for health‑monitoring reasons. Administrators will first direct students to correct the behavior; persistent refusal could escalate to administrative intervention per the code.

Board members asked for clarity about how staff should address dress violations and device use without escalating incidents. Utterback said staff visibility in hallways and teacher redirection are primary strategies; removal from class is considered an extreme step. The district will continue substitution options for physical education credit (for example, athletics, JROTC, show choir) and plans to publish the code in Spanish for 2025–26 and in seven additional languages after approval.

The administration said the redlined 51‑page draft and a two‑page summary of edits were provided to the board; the code will return for a first reading at the next regular meeting. The board did not take final action on the code tonight; Utterback said first reading is scheduled at the next meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Omaha Public Schools Board of Education Meeting 4-21-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Omaha Public Schools administrators presented proposed revisions to the districtwide student code of conduct for 2025–26, telling the Board of Education on May 5 that the changes are intended to standardize disciplinary expectations, protect instructional time and align the district with state guidance.","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},6267092,"Public commenters urge OPS to remove or restrict certain books; speakers cite The Bluest Eye and curriculum concerns",611,2482000,3093000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3077399-f40276cd38e24ee660c807e91d2bc2bc&start=2482&end=3093","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3077399-f40276cd38e24ee660c807e91d2bc2bc/thumbnail_2482000.jpg","/articles/6267092/Nebraska/Public-commenters-urge-OPS-to-remove-or-restrict-certain-books-speakers-cite-The-Bluest-Eye-and-curriculum-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6267092-e60d87af8b36d1a953f4cabf306ace8a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153322&Signature=Z7mQ6rmrUEdVeShe4kmb3yBEmDKZ8j9lnVinNfHCCw3r9sC5GyMOWOQRwwE~q-Zh2F-4obNZJ4kobDJsr2pmkTaKg83k8EhWMKJsH2ioi-yPrSWyVm2lKxeUptsJJ9TAgEMpVuLwSdIW3sQ5vLyDr~oW9n0dHdQCoc~MPfCn~6Nyrb0~3szV2wL6wM9mL2qwSOCo686wRqB0gbVnegTeeAuwragrMfsXe7vNp7VEAUuFrLElgPuBWRySHHAMXp1U6-4YpSP1OJ~3N6kdkHcBF8W7NM1h6USqDypUTrR1lfVlgaClSQSitjNKWB9JppDOHGta1vYkYeFhishdAulVVw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Two members of the public used the board’s May 5 public comment period to ask Omaha Public Schools to restrict some books available in school libraries or classrooms.

Michelle Rogers told the board she is concerned about a book she identified as The Bluest Eye being available in four OPS schools. She read passages from the book into the record and said the material includes sexual assault and explicit descriptions that she finds inappropriate for students. \"This is extreme perverted stuff,\" Rogers said, and urged the board to remove such books from the district’s collections.

Michaella Kazor also spoke, saying she appears before the board regularly because of the impact of school library or assigned books on students’ mental health. Kazor described being assigned books she said promoted arranged marriages and said classroom materials and library programming once made her feel \"silenced\". She said her remarks are not intended to attack staff but to ask the board to consider the effects of certain curricular materials on students.

Board members did not take immediate policy action during the public‑comment period. The public‑comment rules cited by the board (Policy 83‑46) limit speakers to five minutes and prohibit board responses during the comment period. The speakers asked the board to consider bans or limits for specified titles and to review the district’s selection practices; the transcript records the titles and passages quoted by speakers but the board did not vote on removals at the meeting.","Two members of the public used the board’s May 5 public comment period to ask Omaha Public Schools to restrict some books available in school libraries or classrooms.",{"_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},6267102,"OPS board opposes two state bills after committee update; board votes recorded",1595,5003000,6598000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3077399-f40276cd38e24ee660c807e91d2bc2bc&start=5003&end=6598","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3077399-f40276cd38e24ee660c807e91d2bc2bc/thumbnail_5003000.jpg","/articles/6267102/Nebraska/OPS-board-opposes-two-state-bills-after-committee-update-board-votes-recorded","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6267102-ddf24b0ba73fa0e29b2340f1ec7080a6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153322&Signature=oJOBG6M2kpMPX4EXmMMnZKgmQPj~Tm24ipBKB~nffKV6kColr6ShuSKK7khcVic0evb8EPJWCp2ItVDEvFIPvI0OK8KjADAA4fU2NWynm6eyzh-I9Im3InupRX6byoYUwOFUD7kQR0dPkL-XqS~7H-dYuw2KLJAV~pLVmsQpVMywvwuXAeiyWOXXSoH47gkcucY9dEpzFNVIdHOwQp3DwEBnBEnDpoFbaYTqzRy6WafQhR~6Lj0MkI-f1UzzucyACY~kozojloem9FYlk7X5l4D95IES0BgzvezIc6u6f1eWdNjMa-oOlj4gp9xKZtl8ddDbUSxFWePRs0zilXm1Tw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Omaha Public Schools Board of Education voted May 5 to change its legislative positions on two state measures after its legislative committee recommended a position change.

The board voted to oppose LB 645, a bill that as amended would alter the State School Employees Retirement Plan by changing the state contribution calculation and lowering retirement age provisions; board members said amendments that reduce the state contribution or allow earlier retirements could make it harder to retain experienced teachers and could affect the district’s competitiveness for recruits. The board’s legislative committee said the bill’s modifications could reduce the state’s required contribution and lower the retirement age from 60 to 55 for plan members.

The board also voted to oppose LB 653 after committee members said that LB 653 now incorporates language from LB 507, which expands obligations for districts to provide transportation to special‑education students who live outside the district. Administration staff told the board that, under the LB 507 language folded into LB 653, the district could initially face a large outlay to cover transportation costs for roughly 150 students currently served in foster care placements outside district boundaries; the administration’s worst‑case estimate for providing mileage reimbursements to parents was about $2,444,000 in the first year, with the district later eligible for 80% state reimbursement. If the district supplied dedicated bus routes instead of parent reimbursement, administrators estimated a substantially larger cost.

Before the bill‑by‑bill votes, the board agreed to divide the committee recommendation so LB 645 and LB 653 would be considered and voted on separately. All motions described below passed on board roll calls recorded in the meeting minutes.

Votes at a glance
- Division of question (split LB 645 from LB 653 for separate votes): motion seconded and approved (roll call recorded as 9 ayes).
- Change position to OPPOSE LB 645 (state school retirement plan changes): motion approved (roll call recorded as 9 ayes).
- Change position to OPPOSE LB 653 (bill as amended to include LB 507 special‑education transportation language): motion approved (roll call recorded as 9 ayes).

Board members and staff discussed the fiscal implications, the relationship between DHHS and school transportation for foster students, and whether the proposed state changes could shift costs onto local districts. The board’s legislative committee said it will continue weekly monitoring through the remainder of the legislative session.","The Omaha Public Schools Board of Education voted May 5 to change its legislative positions on two state measures after its legislative committee recommended a position change.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6267087,"OPS recognizes state wrestling champions from Bainbridge, Westview and Norris at board meeting",104,412000,516000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3077399-f40276cd38e24ee660c807e91d2bc2bc&start=412&end=516","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3077399-f40276cd38e24ee660c807e91d2bc2bc/thumbnail_412000.jpg","/articles/6267087/Nebraska/OPS-recognizes-state-wrestling-champions-from-Bainbridge-Westview-and-Norris-at-board-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6267087-2de2f93d2f5a260e497c556dcbbd5a10/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153322&Signature=M2lIuYRMrUxpHuI1pHvkfdCfJgvRxyq6QAze5FiNbcHZrLqqt9DLVMbbJg-91d85bl7tqZUadjLuXrepydrxjKMNlrM5JwqQS4XBaom5mqQH26LyfTUsh90CgUqMdSvm2qpRyo96Dk54EA4l-EbWKpksyGZNyCJwc5Dkv9RZXTxMi1acTPScvW1xTLItMrrArrzDjMNuBKhvSWnB2HnhiKWvkKjWyd029hyQv6IpGc6trkSzozy6ixFMAs4KBFx7NwbcsBvXNMdvTG61bBMSwb~ZmNBCBIkaBYUFzLQ2uHxZdqSVdyXZgluKjWkjHBuPpoSRlJodDcuYP7GDqI3SFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Education opened its school spotlight segment on May 5 by asking wrestling coaches from multiple district high schools to introduce state champions and share brief reflections.

Jason Juschner, head wrestling coach at Omaha Burke‑Bridal (referred to in remarks as \"Bridal\"), introduced Abdi Ramon Unleh, who Juschner said was the first state champion for the school in 24 years and will continue his collegiate athletic and academic career in Lincoln at the University of Nebraska. Colton Wolf, Westview girls wrestling coach, honored Audrey Herron and Kaylin Lyons as Westview's first and second state wrestling champions; Wolf noted Audrey’s 44–1 season with 37 pins. Dan Carlson, Omaha Norris boys head coach, introduced Tyson Terry (four‑time state champion, also noted as high‑ranking academically) and Jermaine Dorch (an undefeated state champion as a junior).

Several champions spoke briefly about goals, resilience and plans. Tyson Terry said he will attend the University of Nebraska for football and noted he wrestled through a torn ACL this season; Jermaine Dorch and others described setting step‑by‑step goals and crediting coaches and teammates. Board members congratulated the athletes and asked them about goals and lessons learned; the meeting included a brief Q&A and photo opportunity at the end of the spotlight.

The spotlight was ceremonial and no board action was taken.","The Omaha Public Schools board welcomed coaches and state champions from several high schools during the school spotlight portion of the May 5 meeting. Coaches introduced student athletes who won state titles and board members congratulated them.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6267097,"Parent tells OPS board video shows aide mishandling nonverbal special‑needs student on bus; requests policy and transportation training",243,2156000,2399000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3077399-f40276cd38e24ee660c807e91d2bc2bc&start=2156&end=2399","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3077399-f40276cd38e24ee660c807e91d2bc2bc/thumbnail_2156000.jpg","/articles/6267097/Nebraska/Parent-tells-OPS-board-video-shows-aide-mishandling-nonverbal-specialneeds-student-on-bus-requests-policy-and-transportation-training","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6267097-a4e40f3d64d1a2485fd8d497aef2a490/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153322&Signature=iEEUzZ7Snu4TOoEsrfs84ToaunJcbamrCHZXLb3FI7ugq83m0v8MZrGUo9-fstGer1w2u~zDmhSYznGR5CGnGi3D9AhPVz~HHqcopqLyoBuatRAV9io4HZj8u5xHGUNvaHymudUcfmPfnJAKo3MkYc9hpz0odxqSM7dE7Ufa9YH0q9Uf2Say8KCpihX5cc1P~UX-4L1KK2Xnuq9nSl-tNDxJwMS3kbFYj73xDLk0NmJqhKpeDJVnsfvWmmdbMOS3nCtxAXSoqjn3u~ZeWz8fHnJpvE5LRXKzuxHNMq9zFf9URrmcKd5Cjzv4~fTazCIIV6jbXU8vbJArlt~2w6aLlg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jeremy Wilson, a parent, told the Board of Education on May 5 that redacted video he obtained under FERPA shows a safety incident involving his nonverbal daughter, who is diagnosed with a rare genetic condition (DDX3X), while riding an OPS school bus.

Wilson said he requested the video and did not receive it until April 10; the video, he said, shows aides and staff not responding appropriately to his daughter’s attempts to communicate. He told the board the director of special education (Ms. Kara, as referenced) is on the student’s IEP team but appears in the video and that he has asked the district to remove her from the IEP team; he said that request was denied.

\"If I do not feel that my daughter is safe on public transportation and you guys are able to sit here and watch this video without cringing or being concerned and actually take the time to listen to my daughter's verbal commands ... then you are a part of the problem,\" Wilson said. He asked the board to require more education for bus drivers about nonverbal students, to hold transportation accountable for who it places on buses, and to consider allowing parents app‑based access to monitoring video feeds so they can check their child’s wellbeing in real time.

Wilson told the board this is a policy and training issue and asked members to review the video he provided. He said he had emailed the board and administration and that only one staff member (Ms. Full) had responded so far. Wilson requested additional transparency and accountability for transportation staff who work with students who need additional supports.

Board members did not take immediate action during the public comment period; Wilson’s remarks were recorded as part of the public‑comment docket. He said he will distribute a redacted copy of the footage to board members and requested board follow‑up.","A parent told the Omaha Public Schools board that a redacted bus video shows a transportation aide mishandling his nonverbal daughter with DDX3X. He asked the board to require more special‑education training for bus drivers, rethink IEP team membership for the student's school, and consider video monitoring and parent access to footage.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Omaha Public Schools presents 2025–26 student code of conduct updates, including new cell‑phone rule and dress guidance

Public commenters urge OPS to remove or restrict certain books; speakers cite The Bluest Eye and curriculum concerns

OPS board opposes two state bills after committee update; board votes recorded

OPS recognizes state wrestling champions from Bainbridge, Westview and Norris at board meeting

Parent tells OPS board video shows aide mishandling nonverbal special‑needs student on bus; requests policy and transportation training