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Parents and taxpayers press OPS on library books, grading and taxes during public comment
Summary
Public commenters at the Omaha Public Schools board meeting urged age-appropriate library material reviews (naming Looking for Alaska and The Art of Being Normal), proposed grading-scale changes to improve clarity for families, and criticized recent budget/levy actions and property-tax impacts.
Several members of the public used the board’s public-comment period to press the school board on library collections, grading scales and property-tax concerns.
Anna Peters, who identified herself and provided an address at the podium, praised the district’s move to an adapted middle-school block schedule (regular classes three days a week and block twice), telling the board her building’s teachers are enthusiastic and that the change should help sixth-grade transitions.
Scott (self-introduced as a concerned taxpayer) urged the board to reconsider the district’s 1–4 grading scale at middle and high schools and realign it to a seven- or 10-point scale used by peer districts, saying a more familiar scale would help parents understand their children’s progress and could influence graduation trajectories.
Two speakers raised objections to specific library titles. Michelle Rogers identified books she said are available in multiple OPS libraries (citing Looking for Alaska as available in 13 libraries) and asked the district to ensure age-appropriate materials in school libraries; she offered to meet with district staff to discuss review processes. Separately, Jeff Wernicki read passages from The Art of Being Normal and urged removal of the book, arguing its portrayal of transgender characters could influence young readers; he referenced Nebraska legislation (LB731) in making his case.
Taxpayer advocates and residents also pressed the board about the proposed budget and levy. Doug Kagan of Nebraska Taxpayers for Freedom said a state recalculation reduced OPS state aid (he referenced a $30.5 million reduction to the current year in his remarks) and argued the district had previously increased local levies and made discretionary purchases; he urged the board to adopt many publicly suggested cuts. Alan Cybert and other residents asked detailed questions about the preliminary budget’s levy assumptions and how recent valuation increases might affect property bills.
Board members did not respond during public comment, per board procedure, but staff later addressed some of the budget concerns during the budget presentation. The public-comment portion lasted roughly 30 minutes and included six scheduled speakers.
