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Westside committee denies SEIU Local 226 grievance over Prairie Lane kitchen manager
Summary
A three-person Westside Community Schools Board committee held a Feb. 2 grievance hearing on a SEIU Local 226 appeal concerning the Prairie Lane Elementary kitchen manager and voted unanimously to deny the appeal and uphold Superintendent Dr. Lucas's determination after closed-session deliberations.
A three-person committee of the Westside Community Schools Board of Education met Feb. 2, 2026, at the district administration office for a public grievance hearing filed by SEIU Local 226 concerning the Prairie Lane Elementary kitchen manager. After hearing testimony and cross-examination from counsel for the union and counsel for the district, the committee voted unanimously to deny the union's appeal and uphold Superintendent Dr. Lucas's determination.
The hearing opened at 5:00 p.m. with Adam Yale confirming that notice was provided in accordance with the Nebraska Open Meetings Act and Board Policy 1220. The district posted notice on its website beginning Jan. 26, 2026, and published the notice in the Omaha Daily Record on Jan. 30 and Feb. 2, 2026, according to certified proof of publication submitted to the record.
Counsel for SEIU Local 226 presented the union's case arguing the grievance should be sustained; counsel for the district presented reasons the superintendent's determination should stand. Each side was permitted to ask questions and cross-examine witnesses, and the Board Committee asked follow-up questions about items in the record of evidence.
At 6:17 p.m., Committee member Kris Karnes moved to deliberate the matter in closed session; Dana Blakely seconded and the motion carried with Karnes, Blakely and Yale voting in favor. The committee returned to open session at 6:39 p.m. At that time, Karnes moved to deny the union's grievance appeal and uphold Superintendent Dr. Lucas's determination; Blakely seconded. The motion passed with the three committee members voting in favor and none opposed.
The committee adjourned the hearing at 6:42 p.m. The transcript and attachments indicate the proceedings were conducted while the meeting was open to the public except for the period of closed-session deliberation, and that proof of public notice and publication is on file with the district.
