Public commenter says EEOC issued reasonable-cause finding against Omaha Public Schools; urges policy review

OMAHA — During public comment at the Omaha Public Schools board meeting on April 6, resident Scott Prochaska said he possesses a redacted reasonable-cause letter from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleging the district violated the Americans with Disabilities Act in an employment matter.

"I do have a reasonable cause letter issued by the EEOC towards Omaha Public Schools as a respondent; it is redacted and just an excerpt," Prochaska told the board and said the charging party alleged they were disciplined and placed on administrative leave while seeking reasonable accommodation.

Prochaska urged the board to review policy 4,003 (discrimination/anti-discrimination/ harassment) and district processes for handling accommodation requests and confidential medical information. He suggested administrative changes used by smaller districts — for example, making some personnel processes available online or limiting the number of staff involved in sensitive personnel handling — to reduce risks of mishandling medical information.

Board members did not respond during the public-comment period; district officials and the superintendent were present. The board's public-comment rules were announced before the speaker's remarks, including a five-minute limit and a request not to identify specific students or staff in public testimony.

Status: Prochaska presented the EEOC determination as a claim; the board did not take formal action on the matter at the April 6 meeting. The district had previously indicated it would review policies and take steps to address audit findings and personnel processes during the meeting's other agenda items.