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Omaha Public Schools board approves $1.26 million K–12 physical education curriculum and equipment adoption
Summary
The board approved agreements to adopt Spark PE and related materials for K–12 physical education across the district, covering equipment packages for elementary, middle and high schools and additional specialty items; the contract package totals $1,257,473.14 for the 2025–26 through 2031–32 school years.
The Omaha Public Schools Board of Education on June 16 approved agreements to adopt new K–12 physical education curriculum materials and equipment, awarding a package of instructional resources and equipment totaling $1,257,473.14 for the 2025–26 through 2031–32 school years.
The curriculum recommendation presented by Cody Shevlin, teaching and learning consultant for K–12 physical education, names Spark PE as the district’s elementary, middle- and high-school curriculum with supplemental materials from Human Kinetics. "A strong K through 12 physical education program boosts academic performance by improving concentration, memory, and classroom behavior," Shevlin told the board, saying the selection followed field testing and teacher review.
The adoption covers standardized equipment packages and supplemental items for every school. Each elementary school will receive a K–2 equipment package of 315 pieces and a grades 3–6 package of 312 pieces; each middle and high school will receive a 277-piece equipment package. Additional items purchased districtwide include archery and cricket sets, tumbling mats, medicine and stability ball sets, exercise mats, foam rollers, a portable net system for pickleball/tennis/badminton/volleyball, and other grade-level supplemental resources. Shevlin said the materials include teacher resource packages, assessment cards and Spanish-language glossaries.
Board members asked practical questions about specific equipment and student safety. Dr. Holman asked what an "omnic" ball is; Shevlin described it as an oversized lightweight ball similar to a giant beach ball that provides reaction time suitable for younger students. Superintendent Ray and curriculum staff said they will begin curriculum writing and professional learning this summer to prepare teachers for the 2025–26 rollout.
The motion to approve the vendor agreements came from the committee and was moved without a second. The board approved the agreements in a roll call vote recorded as nine ayes.
The curriculum adoption will be implemented through district-led professional learning this summer and the coming school year; the district’s curriculum office will provide the timeline and training details to schools.
Clarifying details: the board approved a total contract package of $1,257,473.14; equipment counts per school level were described by staff as 315 (K–2), 312 (grades 3–6), and 277 (middle/high). The recommendation followed an RFP timeline that included field testing from October through April and teacher review sessions. No vendor contract numbers or ordinance references were provided in the meeting record.
The board plans to provide updates to the community as implementation progresses and professional learning dates are finalized.
