Full 4 OPS

I’m so impressed with OVS, and Miss L is doing a great job as program director. OVS is a super unique combined virtual and in-person school that serves nontraditional students who may struggle in a traditional classroom. I ❤️ our alternative programs.

It was great to give OPS board member, Bri Full, a tour of our building yesterday and share about our program!!

Have you voted today? Did you vote already? Do you still need to make a plan to vote? It’s not too late! You have until 8pm tonight. Don’t forget your ID. Tell me how y’all will be voting in today’s election! And don’t forget to vote for me. :)

Election Day is tomorrow. Don’t forget to bring your Real ID in order to vote. If you have a mail-in ballot, drop it off at a drop box as it is too late for it to make it in time. Vote, vote, vote!🗳️

There is a very important election happening next week, and Metro is offering free rides all day Tuesday, May 12th. Download MyRide OMA to plan your trip to the polls. Get out and vote! Graphic from

I want to take a moment to give a huge thank you to Senator Machaela Cavanaugh for her work on LB 966, the Hunger Free Schools Act, which recently passed this legislative session. This means that for the next 5 years, students who receive reduced lunch through the federal Free and Reduced Lunch program will now receive their lunches for free. This is a huge step forward towards food security for our next generation of children and is sure to make a positive impact on learning outcomes in OPS. I won't stop advocating for free student lunches for all students, and hope that this is the momentum we need to make it a reality.

LB966 Hunger Free Schools Act becomes law! - Nebraska Appleseed The Nebraska legislative session wrapped up Friday and senators successfully passed LB966, the Hunger Free Schools Act, which will feed more kids in Nebraska schools! For a five year period starting next year, kids who qualify for reduced-price meals (in families with incomes between 130-185% FPL) w...

Thank you for your service to our district Mr. Lee we are lucky to have you.

This is not an official statement of the Board. It reflects my individual views as a member of the Omaha Public Schools Board of Education.

I support the OPS students who exercised their constitutional rights this week by walking out alongside their classmates. These students - some directly impacted by immigration enforcement and others standing in solidarity - organized peacefully and intentionally in support of their peers and the broader community during a deeply uncertain moment in our country.

Students who participated in the walkouts were marked truant. There were known consequences for their actions, and they chose to proceed anyway. That choice reflects a level of civic awareness and moral conviction we should not ignore.

I also want to acknowledge OPS administrators and school staff who worked to support student safety during the walkouts.

If I have fallen short in emphasizing the seriousness of what our young people are witnessing and responding to right now, then I want to be clear that this moment matters.

Now more than ever, it is critical that families talk with their children about what is happening around them. Talk about the protests taking place across the country, what they represent, and why so many people - including students - are choosing to raise their voices. Our young people are not disengaged. They are paying attention.

As a Board member, I will listen to our students, take their concerns seriously, and support them within my role. I will also support revisiting and strengthening OPS policies related to immigration and student protections to ensure our schools remain safe, welcoming spaces for every child, regardless of background or immigration status.

Our students deserve to be heard. It is our responsibility as adults and leaders to listen.

Nothing about this short legislative year is going to be “smooth sailing” for OPS. Big changes to the way the state funds public schools have been a long time coming.

School funding and the quality of our public schools in Nebraska are complicated issues. For years legislators have attempted to apply band aid solutions by creating state programs that divert public dollars to private schools, often in the name of giving children options when they are not thriving in a traditional public school setting.

After serving on the school board for the past three years, I understand why programs like this might seem like a good idea. I see students fall through the cracks of our traditional systems all the time. At the same time, I’ve also seen the powerful opportunities our OPS alternative school programs create for students who don’t thrive in conventional public school environments.

Having the majority of OPS alternative school programs in my district has opened my eyes to the quiet but important work our alternative school staff does every day to support diverse learners from all backgrounds. I truly believe that a more intentional and strategic investment in these programs would make our district stronger as a whole.

My main point is this: I understand why some people want to take funding away from OPS. They hear stories and feel like they’re not getting their bang for their buck. As a board member, I’m trying to be honest about what is happening in our schools, but I also want to be clear that this is not the time to give up on OPS. There is still tremendous untapped potential in our district that could lead to better outcomes for every student who walks through our doors. Strengthening our alternative school programs is just one way to do that. But it will require courage from both board members and OPS administration to make it happen.

Here’s how Nebraska funds its public schools. It involves a lot of ‘bells and whistles’ Nebraska’s school funding system has kept politicians, taxpayers and educators arguing for decades. It’s probably kept people confused for just as long. Nebraska Public Media’s Elizabeth Rembert asked some experts to explain.

Even with temporary setbacks, our efforts to raise awareness around food insecurity in our schools have not been for nothing. Through continued discussions with OPS administration, several action items emerged. District administrators have now sent clarification to school counselors, principals, school liaisons, food services staff, and others who regularly interact with students who may not be eating lunch.

I have already heard encouraging feedback from OPS staff who were previously unclear about protocols for hungry students with lunch debt. The good news is that students will not be turned away due to an inability to pay. Hopefully, it is now clear to staff and families alike that even if a student has lunch debt, they can still go through the line and receive a hot meal.

That said, I remain deeply concerned about students accruing lunch debt. One story shared with me was particularly troubling: an older student who knew their parent was struggling financially chose not to ask for lunch money because they didn’t want to be an additional burden. I often think about what that kind of responsibility does to a child’s mental health, carrying the weight of their family’s financial stress on their back. Worrying about lunch money is not something a student should have to deal with. They already have enough on their plates.

In addition to sending out clarifications, the administration has also expressed interest in conducting a survey to identify which students paying full price for lunch in our 21 non-Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) schools could benefit from assistance. Some board members have expressed hesitation about paying for “students who can afford it.” A study could help us better distinguish between students who need immediate support and those who are truly comfortable paying full price.

Lastly, the community mobilization I’ve witnessed, especially outreach to PTOs and donations toward reducing the $50,000+ in student lunch debt at non-CEP schools, has been incredibly heartwarming. I’ve always admired how our neighbors show up for one another in times of need and uncertainty.

Food insecurity is not new, but we cannot become complacent with the reality our students currently live in. I remain committed to reducing barriers to education through full bellies and ensuring a quality learning environment where no student feels ashamed or embarrassed around accessing a lunch.

Are you still looking for the facts on the status of food access for OPS students? I've put together some resources that might be helpful to understand the issue further!

Are you still looking for the facts on food insecurity in OPS? A majority of students in Omaha Public Schools receive a free lunch through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), a federal program that funds free lunches at schools in high-poverty areas. Th…

You asked what's next and how you can support me after being sanctioned by the OPS Board President, Jane Erdenberger, by removing me from my committee appointments. Please go to the Advocacy link on my website to be added to the email list where you will be sent more information about what you can do.

I truly appreciate all the encouragement and won't let this setback keep me from advocating for the students with food insecurity issues and beyond!

Please share this post to help me reach the most people I can!

Advocacy Want to help make change? Enter your email to be added to Bri’s advocacy updates and calls to action.