Board of Education District 8 Vacancy

Job Details

The Board of Education of Douglas County School District 0001 (the Omaha Public Schools) is seeking qualified applicants to fill a vacancy in Sub-District 8. This is an extraordinary opportunity for an individual who is passionate about supporting the Omaha Public Schools and who will help chart the District's Mission.

Qualifications

The successful applicant shall be a legal voter in District 8. Nebraska Revised Statute 79-543.

The successful applicant shall not be engaged in a contract to teach pursuant to sections 79- 817 to 79-821 with the Omaha Public Schools. Any applicant who has a contract to teach in the Omaha Public Schools will be required to resign from such contract if selected to serve as a board member. Nebraska Revised Statute 79-544.

The successful applicant shall be a taxpayer in and a resident of the District for at least six months. Nebraska Revised Statute 79-552.

In addition to the above-referenced legal requirements, the Board is seeking a new member who possesses:

· A successful track record of leadership within the business, education, government, philanthropy, or the non-profit sectors of the community;

· Extensive professional experience with significant leadership accomplishments;

· A commitment to and understanding of Omaha Public Schools' beneficiaries, preferably based on experience;

· Savvy diplomatic skills and a natural affinity for cultivating relationships and persuading, convening, facilitating, and building consensus among diverse individuals;

· Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and passion for improving the lives of students, families, and staff of Omaha Public Schools; and

· The ability to regularly attend Board meetings at 6:00 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of each month, special meetings and workshops as called by the Board President, training programs, and other District-related events.

Responsibilities

The Board is responsible for the overall management of the Omaha Public Schools and provides mission-based leadership, governance, and direction through its policies and strategic decision-making. The Board both supervises and works in partnership with the Superintendent to ensure the implementation of its policies and strategic vision. The Board’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following functions:

· Serving as a trusted advisor to the Superintendent of Schools in the development and implementation of the strategic plan;

· Reviewing outcomes and metrics of the District and evaluating their impact, measuring performance and effectiveness using those metrics; reviewing agenda and supporting materials prior to board and committee meetings;

· Approving the annual budget, audit reports and materials, business decisions, being informed of and meeting all legal and fiduciary responsibilities;

· Contributing to an annual performance evaluation of the Superintendent of Schools;

· Partnering with the Superintendent and other board members to ensure that board resolutions are carried out;

· Serving on committees or task forces and taking on special assignments, establishing and supporting effective policies;

· Representing the District to stakeholders;

· Serving as an ambassador for the Omaha Public Schools;

· Ensuring the District's commitment to a diverse Board and staff that reflects the communities the District serves;

· Accepting the responsibility to serve as a Board of education member to improve public education and the educational welfare of all children attending Omaha Public Schools;

· Respecting the confidentiality of privileged information, rendering decisions based on available facts, and exercising independent judgment rather than succumbing to the influence of individuals or special interest groups;

· Studying educational issues;

· Demonstrating strong community stewardship;

· Exhibiting the privilege and responsibility of partnering with the community, neighborhoods, schools, organizations, etc., to protect, support, and enhance the community in all facets as a positive role model;

· Setting the District's Direction by drawing upon the community to describe a shared vision and establishing goals, standards, and strategies to transform the vision into reality;

· Ensuring alignment of strategy, resources, policies, programs, and processes with District goals;

· Assessing & Accounting for Progress using comprehensive data, thorough deliberation, and open communication;

· Continuously Improving the District by accentuating and reinforcing the positive and correcting the negative; and

· Serve as an advocate for the Omaha Public Schools and public schools with the community/public and legislative body

Board Term

The selected applicant will serve as a Board Member for the unexpired portion of the term through the first Monday of January 2027.

How To Apply

Visit our website at: www.ops.org/Careers

Refer to job opening 130742150

Complete the online application; please upload the following documents to your application: a detailed resume, including special skills, volunteer work, honors, and awards you have earned, and 2 letters of recommendation. Additionally - please upload a document with your responses to the following ESSAY questions.

1. Why do you want to serve on the Omaha Public Schools Board of Education?

2. Given the necessary time commitment, do you feel you can attend most of the meetings/events?

3. What do you consider to be the three most pressing issues in public education?

4. What is the importance of team building? Also, please share a personal team building experience.

Other Information

All applicants must be available to attend the Board of Education meeting on January 23, 2025, for a public interview.

Location: Teacher Administration Center 3215 Cuming St, Omaha NE 68131

Reports to: Board of Education President

Contact Information: OPS Board of Education Office (531) 299-9815

Equal Employment Opportunity