The Omaha Public Schools Board of Education meeting opened with recognition of the OPS Research team, which won a 2025 Qualtrics XM Breakthrough Artist Award for its innovative use of data, including an attendance automation system that annually saves thousands of staff hours. Board members praised the smooth start to the school year, and superintendent communications were brief.
Public comments centered on parental involvement and calls to remove two books, The Infinite Moment of Us and Monday’s Not Coming, from district libraries, with speakers citing sexually explicit and violent content. The board proceeded to approve its consent agenda unanimously after removing one item for later discussion, allocating funds for special education services, dual enrollment programs, band uniforms, reading intervention curriculum and temporary staffing.
The board also approved the purchase of eight nine-passenger vans for high school activity transportation at a cost of $679,200, waiving standard bidding policies due to procurement delays. Members adopted goal indicators and a timeline for evaluating the superintendent, despite concerns from board member Bri Full about the lack of midyear public updates on the superintendent’s performance.
Meeting documented by Will Ramsey
Read full meeting notes here
Omaha Documenters is a program that empowers citizens to actively participate in local governance by documenting public meetings. This initiative enhances transparency and accountability by making critical information accessible to the community, fostering informed public discourse, and promoting civic engagement. Through its network of dedicated Documenters, the program bridges the gap between government entities and the public, ensuring that decisions affecting the community are transparent and inclusive. For more information and to get involved, visit documenters.org.
Leah Wambui Keinama boasts a robust professional journey, commencing as a systems engineer and integrator within the software industry. In this capacity, she excelled in the conception, design, construction, and deployment of software systems, adeptly managing projects from inception to completion. Transitioning into the nonprofit realm, Leah directed her expertise towards enhancing food systems, with a particular emphasis on soil health, regenerative agriculture, and bolstering food accessibility while fostering resilient communities. Her repertoire includes comprehensive program design skills coupled with a profound commitment to community engagement. Leah's fervor for cultivating networks and forging meaningful connections underscores her dedication to advancing organizational goals.
