[{"_1":2,"_97":-5,"_98":-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",[32,76,87],{"_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",6458458,"mediaKeyId","5813324-00a2cea0022171246bd508e9a3a3b572","parentId",5813324,"title","Public commenters press Omaha Public Schools on library books, bus-pass program and recording policy at board meeting","audioSeconds",572,"startMs",2095000,"endMs",2667000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5813324-00a2cea0022171246bd508e9a3a3b572&start=2095&end=2667","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5813324-00a2cea0022171246bd508e9a3a3b572/thumbnail_2095000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6458458/Nebraska/Public-commenters-press-Omaha-Public-Schools-on-library-books-bus-pass-program-and-recording-policy-at-board-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458458-15cc22763787def235b1347512f1d69d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770419674&Signature=lcLz4RnV~-aKD-8xqRe7ZmOXbC77J-rccqkVoTzWMr~dLiU-I8MZWGI4pvtY2CUNhmYm~t8hmcVWpYhjlKkofA75vZVbuJE1J~99WRD5a5hzCqUzaeQTy7z5eg6FzuxktezwEnkK6XRe8TjuUo0lIoTOWm6C1d9JIEKz9e-58cCGQp0irKbMyjDdEtE0M9ZUsYDV4gJbrB7GGwP6EVyfj~FG-il8Wxpw4RHAigLDkOJNr3CmWIpmCWqe5t18eg8q7Yvfw8ApSTDUzfHZUCczAoT6cbNmXbcghXZNzAxGKioBZh0vKkKcUeEQvGxMCqsBiS8hJwXAapLVqeOHwE5HOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Omaha Public Schools, NE","date","2025-09-23T01:19:45.223Z","article","Public comment at the Omaha Public Schools Board of Education meeting on Oct. 6 centered on library materials, the district's partnership with Metro for student bus passes and concerns about district recording policies and special education communication.

Clarice Dombeck, representing Regional Metro Transit Authority (RMTA) District 2, spoke in support of the district's K–12 fare-free program (the district refers to it as PASS), saying Metro currently serves 55 of 65 OPS elementary schools, 8 of 13 middle schools and 7 of 9 high schools. Dombeck said the program has delivered an estimated 1,800,000 student trips since it began in 2021 and emphasized many riders are from low-income and minority families. Dombeck said she wants to work with the district to improve the program.

Several speakers urged the board to remove the book Flamer from school library shelves. Amanda DeVries, who identified herself as a parent and former OPS student, described Flamer as “horrific,” citing explicit illustrations and sexual content and urging the board to remove it from schools named in her remarks. Michelle Rogers also read several descriptive passages from the book and urged removal; both speakers said exposure to graphic sexual content can harm minors. The book they referenced is Flamer by Mike Curato; audience members and board members were told which school libraries reportedly hold the title.

Mikaela Kaeser, a college student who said she represents Generation Z perspectives, urged the district to “bring unity and not division” and asked how the district is supporting students traumatized by violent online content; she also praised the board's town-hall series as a place for dialogue.

A procedural matter drew attention during public comment: Jeremy Wilson initially declined to give his name and address and asked the board to waive the usual requirement. The board considered a motion to allow him to speak without providing the information; the motion failed on a roll call (as recorded: 2 yes, 3 no, 2 abstentions) and Wilson then gave his name and address and spoke about special education advocacy, the district's policies on recording on school property and his social-media advocacy for families of students with significant disabilities.

Why it matters: Public-comment speakers focused on library materials and student safety online, highlighting ongoing community debate about library reviews and access to materials. Separately, support for the Metro PASS program underscores transportation access as an operational priority; the agenda included a consent-item purchase of student bus passes that was approved with the broader consent agenda.

Quotes from public commenters:
- \"I am super thankful and grateful that Metro has this partnership with OPS,\" said Clarice Dombeck, RMTA District 2 representative.
- \"This school board does not only have an opportunity, you have a responsibility to ensure that students are receiving an education that prepares them... Protect their innocence,\" said Amanda DeVries, who urged the board to review library materials.
- \"Flamer\" author was identified as Mike Curato during discussion; commenters read descriptions of explicit images and urged removal from school shelves.

Board procedure note: The board enforces Policy 83-46 for public comment time limits and asked speakers to provide name and address unless the board approves a waiver. The board denied one waiver request during the meeting and then permitted the speaker to provide his information and continue.

Next steps and context: The consent agenda that passed included approval of purchasing student bus passes under Agenda item I-2 (the agenda language referenced a quantity for passes that was voiced during discussion as either \"2,700 or 27,000\"). Board members said they want continued coordination with Metro and other local governments to improve the program and to resolve operational issues raised by students and families.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Omaha Public Schools Board of Education Meeting 9-22-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Several public commenters urged the board to remove sexually explicit material from school libraries, praised and urged expansion of a Metro bus-pass program, and a speaker challenged district recording policy during public comment.","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":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6458465,"Omaha Public Schools reports declines in serious behavior events and suspensions; equity gaps remain",0,4154000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5813324-00a2cea0022171246bd508e9a3a3b572&start=4154&end=4154","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5813324-00a2cea0022171246bd508e9a3a3b572/thumbnail_4154000.jpg","/articles/6458465/Nebraska/Omaha-Public-Schools-reports-declines-in-serious-behavior-events-and-suspensions-equity-gaps-remain","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458465-a756730e79f5581bc1b3d17e3ab30268/orig.mp4?Expires=1770419674&Signature=GBX1WvrwC27Ku6cJM6Ybt5umSih6gGWBxbL9IlJf30358nWOhV6~zfGxVMToUi4Xm0V34zyTK9FeTw0zBsTneSXfGlRa62fMvM7csOeKKqSPSl5kVnUtE3aribc374jOLOsQ9MOgtTlb1Ost9kHL48y4Bxong3QRSRm17NsKiIlbqqR4Ttvn-g2m2SOQJ~yKd3tODROHh5D6HU2tcOTAz-aV9HtNlAnYHHi-hOg2a1L7I2tpcwBrUrr5tCDehrI8fnVPMDMfVj7I9x87FZoHLsPtO83oJo2BRw1GfcopFtGCKQbn~YsFZwPUy56fDr9mbnTDN7puUQcbP-~jA263NQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Omaha Public Schools staff presented a districtwide behavior and discipline summary for the 2024–25 school year on Oct. 6 that showed declines in several major categories but ongoing equity concerns.

Danielle Starkey, supervisor of multi-tiered systems of support for behavior (MTSSB), told the Board of Education the district recorded a 2.9% reduction in behavior referrals compared with the prior year, equal to 2,455 fewer referrals. Starkey said the district saw “double-digit percentage reductions in serious behavior events, out-of-school suspensions and expulsions” linked to the districtwide MTSSB implementation.

Key data Starkey presented included:
- Behavior referrals down 2.9% year over year (about 2,455 fewer referrals).
- Short-term out-of-school suspensions down 18% (more than 500 fewer students served out-of-school suspension compared with the prior year).
- Long-term suspensions down 24% compared with 2023–24.
- One-semester expulsions down 18%; calendar-year expulsions rose slightly from 2 to 4.
- In-school suspensions increased 13%; mandatory reassignments rose by eight students.

Starkey said reductions in weapons incidents, assault with injury, fighting and drug possession drove much of the positive change; threats and reckless behavior with injury showed small increases. She attributed results to a mix of prevention, classroom strategies, de-escalation training and stronger systems for individualized support, and told the board the district has prioritized de-escalation training and MTSSB implementation in both February professional learning days and new-staff onboarding.

Board members pressed for details about equity. Dr. Shavona Holman asked whether disproportionality increased or remained the same; Starkey said the rates for students receiving special education services and for Black or African American students “maintained the same” compared with the prior year, though the absolute number of students in those groups experiencing exclusions decreased. Starkey highlighted a measurable improvement for students receiving educational benefits (commonly used as a proxy for low-income status): that group's relative likelihood of exclusion fell from almost twice as likely to about 1.2 times as likely compared with students not receiving benefits.

Several board members asked about whether state law changes (reducing suspensions in early grades) accounted for the decline; Starkey said the decreases extend beyond pre-K through second grade and represent districtwide trends over two years.

Board members also discussed the rise in in-school suspension and asked how those placements were being structured to support academics and behavior; Starkey said in-school suspension instances can span a single class period to a full day and emphasized efforts to keep students on campus and support learning when exclusions occur.

Starkey closed by noting the work is ongoing and that the district will continue strengthening evidence-based interventions, individualized behavior and safety plans, and assessment processes to ensure timely, coordinated responses.

Why it matters: The data indicate progress in reducing exclusionary discipline, which district staff said increases students'access to instruction. At the same time, the board focused on continuing to reduce disproportionality and to ensure supports align with students'needs.","District leaders reported reductions in serious behavior incidents, short- and long-term suspensions and expulsions for 2024–25, while noting ongoing disproportionality for some student groups and increased use of in-school suspension.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":79,"_43":90,"_45":90,"_47":91,"_49":92,"_51":93,"_53":94,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":95,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":96,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6458470,"Omaha Public Schools board approves 4% override, adopts 2025–26 budget and property tax requests",5965000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5813324-00a2cea0022171246bd508e9a3a3b572&start=5965&end=5965","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5813324-00a2cea0022171246bd508e9a3a3b572/thumbnail_5965000.jpg","/articles/6458470/Nebraska/Omaha-Public-Schools-board-approves-4-override-adopts-202526-budget-and-property-tax-requests","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458470-de17e7bb1acd6a5034eb99986493be32/orig.mp4?Expires=1770419674&Signature=hoiT5yMY0dWBaI4KaDbBwvUhw3QfQ6JqaV5K6QwIylRuVWZsIE~50AVLGfH~U-yLLv8HRgkWCZz77WuNJ29imBR7Ga3pOdLAQttLwvJTMC8XxjM5l90UKRF8~Nx35zKzJImpUb~lt4Yspx7Cvbf5YsGhnrb3OMp0SPa3LTCp1R2-WoPGubZhYH9LHrWBQenamuQjDXPXlqYP16oem1MDyJEh6ccEIH1h785iVa-wal4UIzKvnILoFEmR5zvmxO0kZP3QYDBSJaWZWGu57vIuJFGoYNiW8IpmxIASRSu3M2hCvbNch39QaXEbsXnAwZPViClni0fU567lK9exymCoEA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Omaha Public Schools Board of Education on Oct. 6 approved a 4% override of the state growth cap and adopted multiple 2025–26 budgets and property tax requests that the district says will direct the bulk of new funding to staff compensation and transportation.

Board President Erdenberger and board members approved seven linked resolutions to set property tax requests and budgets after presentations from Superintendent Matt Ray and Chief Financial Officer Shane Ryan.

The board adopted a resolution authorizing a 4% increase above the base growth percentage in the district's property tax request. Shane Ryan, chief financial officer, told the board the proposed budgets “allow our district to maintain momentum in staff recruitment and retention with 60% of the proposed general fund budget increase going directly towards staff compensation and benefits.” Ryan said the proposed levy increase of 2.2 cents follows last year’s 11-cent reduction and would leave the district’s total levy “the second lowest total levy rate this century.”

The board set the 2025–26 Douglas County School District 1 property tax requests as follows: general fund $310,445,596; bond fund $56,106,242; special fund $10,321,236; and qualified capital purpose undertaking fund $4,300,515. It also set the Educational Service Unit (ESU) No. 19 property tax request at $5,431,641.

In a companion vote, the board approved the district's general fund local operating budget of $850,000,000, supported by tax requirements of $336,476,010, plus reimbursable programs of $100,465,000, for a total general fund budget of $950,465,000. Other non-levy budgets approved included: school lunch $51,861,944; school activities $10,500,000; central stores $4,000,000; depreciation $65,000,000; employee benefits $14,800,000; student fees $1,000,000; contingency $19,100,000; and cooperative $5,500,000. The ESU budget was approved at $30,800,000.

Superintendent Matt Ray said the package also “provides additional funding to maintain improvements in student transportation and allow flexibility in addressing potential reductions in federal grant programs.” The board voted to approve the full slate of resolutions by roll call; each of the budget and property-tax motions recorded seven ayes and passed.

Votes at a glance (budget and property-tax resolutions):
- Motion to authorize a 4% increase above the base growth percentage (override): mover Mister Tillman; second Miss Magnuson; roll call: 7 aye; outcome: approved.
- Motion to set 2025–26 district property tax requests (general, bond, special, QCPUF amounts as above): mover Dr. Shavona Holman; second Mister Thielen; roll call: 7 aye; outcome: approved.
- Motion to set ESU No. 19 property tax request at $5,431,641: mover Miss Magnuson; second Miss Fall; roll call: 7 aye; outcome: approved.
- Motion to approve the district general fund local operating budget (total $950,465,000): mover Miss Magnuson; second Mister Thielen; roll call: 7 aye; outcome: approved.
- Motion to approve levy-exempt budgets (bond & building funds): mover Mister Thielen; second Miss Magnuson; roll call: 7 aye; outcome: approved.
- Motion to approve non-levy budgets (school lunch, activities, etc.): mover Dr. Holman; second Miss Almanza; roll call: 7 aye; outcome: approved.
- Motion to approve ESU No. 19 budget ($30,800,000): mover Vice President Snipes; second Mister Thielen; roll call: 7 aye; outcome: approved.

Why it matters: The board framed the package as focused on keeping Omaha Public Schools competitive on staff pay while sustaining transportation and providing flexibility against potential federal funding changes. The votes finalize the district's tax requests that county officials will use in computing property tax bills.

Board members asked several technical questions during the discussion and thanked staff for prior briefings and public hearings. Ryan and Ray noted earlier small-group briefings and a public hearing on Sept. 17 where staff answered community questions about the levy and property valuation process.

Next steps: The adopted budgets and tax requests will be filed with Douglas County for tax-rate computation and placement on next year's property tax roll.","The Omaha Public Schools Board of Education approved a 4% override of state revenue caps and adopted multiple 2025–26 budgets and property tax requests, including a general fund budget that directs most of the increase toward staff compensation.","actionData","errors"]

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Public commenters press Omaha Public Schools on library books, bus-pass program and recording policy at board meeting

Omaha Public Schools reports declines in serious behavior events and suspensions; equity gaps remain

Omaha Public Schools board approves 4% override, adopts 2025–26 budget and property tax requests