Omaha Public Schools board approves policy updates, removes textbook-loan duty for district

The Omaha Public Schools Board of Education approved several policy updates and a second-reading motion on policy 6240 during Wednesday’s meeting, a package that included changes reflecting recent state legislative action.

Mister Thielen, who reported for the policy committee, told the board the committee met Dec. 12 and recommended updates and removals tied to legislative changes. He said Policy 6310, the district’s textbook loan program, is being removed because the Nebraska Department of Education will assume that responsibility under recent state law. ‘‘This policy was reviewed by the committee but no changes were recommended it will not show up on, the, first reading or second reading I just wanted to note it that we had reviewed and that we're not making recommendations for edits,’’ Thielen said while explaining the committee’s work.

Thielen also described that policy 6320 (parent requests for alternative texts) language will be merged into 5419 and that policy 6360 received cleanup language. The board then moved to approve Policy 6240 on second reading; the motion passed by roll call with eight ayes.

Board members asked a clarifying question about whether removal of the textbook-loan duty included parochial schools; Thielen confirmed the change means the Department of Education will now handle that obligation. The board’s action was recorded by roll call and the motion passed.

The board’s vote on the second reading finalizes the updates discussed by the committee; the meeting record shows the board approved the consent agenda earlier in the meeting and then approved the listed policy changes on second reading. No additional expenditures or implementation details for the policy changes were provided during the meeting.