Omaha Public Schools board approves hiring flexibility for steamfitters, rejects alternate-curriculum bids and advances code, graduation changes

OMAHA, Neb. — The Board of Education of Douglas County School District 1 (Omaha Public Schools) on May 19 approved an agreement to broaden qualifications for steamfitter hires, rejected all bids for alternate-curriculum textbooks, and approved or advanced several policy changes including updates to the student code of conduct and graduation-credit requirements.

The board passed the memorandum of understanding (I-13) after district staff said the change will expand the applicant pool for a trades classification the district is finding hard to fill. “Steamfitters is a very hard to fill position right now. We currently have three vacancies,” said Wakefield, a district staff member representing maintenance and crafts operations. The MOU removes a requirement that candidates already hold a steamfitter license and instead gives an eligible hire six months to obtain the license.

Board members voted to reject all bids for alternate-curriculum textbooks (I-15) for the district’s kindergarten through age-21 transition program. Curriculum staff told the board the district will continue working with the curriculum committee to recommend new instructional materials for the alternate curriculum, K–12 physical education and K–12 music programs.

The board also moved several policy items forward. The code-of-conduct update (policy 5301/code revision) and its companion code were approved; the revisions add a preamble citing the Nebraska Department of Education model policy and clarify dress expectations, stating students must be “fully clothed with their torso covered and shoes,” and restore “obscenities” to the list of prohibited attire. The policy committee presented the changes as harmonizing language between the policy and the code and reflecting statutory guidance.

Separately, the board approved first reading of policy 5205 (listed as 52 0 5 in meeting materials), a graduation-requirements update that reduces total credits required from 49 to 48, lowers the physical-education requirement from four credits to two, and increases elective credits from 15 to 16. Board member Thielen explained those were the substantive adjustments in the proposal.

Votes at a glance: - Consent agenda (with items I-13, I-15 and I-16 pulled for separate consideration): motion moved by Thielen, seconded by Smith; roll call 7–0 (with one abstention on item I-4 noted prior to the vote). Outcome: approved. - I-13 (MOU to adjust steamfitter qualifications): motion moved by Thielen, seconded by Dr. Holman; roll call recorded as Smith, Snipes, Thielen, Almanza, Burdenberger, Coleman, Kratke — all “Aye.” Outcome: approved. - I-15 (rejection of all bids for alternate curriculum textbooks): motion moved by Thielen, seconded by Dr. Holman; roll call 7–0. Outcome: approved (rejection of bids). - Code-of-conduct/code revision (policy 5301 and associated code edits): committee motion (no second required); roll call 7–0. Outcome: approved. - First reading of policy 5205 (graduation requirements): committee motion (no second required); roll call 7–0. Outcome: approved (first reading).

The board’s actions on I-13 aim to address immediate staffing shortages in the district’s trades group; curriculum staff said the rejection of bids was procedural and that the district will present new recommendations to the curriculum committee in coming weeks. The policy updates were described as technical and alignment changes with statutory guidance and existing code language.

The meeting record shows no defeated motions on these items. Several board members and district staff participated in the discussion and roll calls; the meeting adjourned at 6:52 p.m.