After a few changes and rescheduling, it seems like the meeting date for the OPS Board to discuss the potential changes to the Student Assignment Plan will be:   

MONDAY, JULY 21st
3-6PM
TAC Building
3215 Cuming St. (between N 30th St. & 33rd St.)
Omaha, NE  68131

The special PTO meeting provided answers to some questions, but not all.

First, though, thanks to Dan and Susan Rock for starting and wrapping up the meeting on time.

At this point, EVERYTHING that is being discussed is a proposal; NOTHING is set in stone.  Which is why many questions at this point simply had no answers; nothing yet has been decided.

There were four main points of discussion.  See the outline below of the highlights.

1.  Sixth grade being moved to Lewis and Clark Middle School
-- There are studies to promote both points of view (6th in elementary vs middle school)
-- National model is 6, 7 and 8
-- Middle Schools of just two years lack continuity of families; families aren't as willing to invest time/resources into the school for just two years worth of attendance
-- No matter what ages, student performance suffers with TRANSITIONS rather than their age groupings

2.  Dundee 'home school' boundaries being changed
-- No new, potential map has ever been presented
-- Boundaries would change ONLY IF a new school is built (or a substantial addition is added to another nearby school)
-- Historically, families are grandfathered in to a home school once a child has attended

3.  Early Childhood Education programs
-- Programs would be open to 3 and 4 year olds across the district
-- No cost to parents
-- Would require 400+ new classrooms throughout the district

4.  Bond Vote
-- There will be a bond vote to raise funds for implementation of projects in November's election
-- ALL ISSUES ARE CONTINGENT ON PASSAGE OF THE BOND. 
-- New high schools in northwest and south Omaha 
-- All programs, plans, etc., are by priority.  (Buildings needing structural and safety updates will receive priority of funding before other programs are implemented.)



Board of Education members Marian Fey and Katie Underwood were in attendance at the meeting and provided the answers above.  They were both adamant that parent's voices need to be heard.  Mrs. Fey and Mrs. Underwood also indicated that the best way to contact them with specific concerns is via e-mail.  See their contact information below:

Marian Fey
marian.fey@ops.org 

Katie Underwood
katie.underwood@ops.org

Omaha Public Schools - Board of Education Members

THANK YOU for taking the time to read through all of this information to keep yourself informed.  As always, contact us with your questions and concerns.