Education

Former Omaha mayor Mike Fahey is putting his support toward the University of Nebraska Foundation and UNO’s Department of Political Science.

Randall Adkins, Chair of the Political Science Department, says Fahey’s gift will allow the department to do three things.  He says the department will develop a course in Omaha city government and politics.  

They’ll also offer a lecture series where they bring a guest of national prominence each year to discuss city government and politics.  Finally, Adkins says the donation will provide stipends for interns to work at City Hall in city government.

The South Sarpy School District could soon have a new name.

The District 46 school board will hold a public meeting Monday about a possible name change. The board is considering two options: Springfield Community Schools, or Springfield Platteview Community Schools.

Director of Operations Brett Richards says the school district needs a clear identity, something it doesn't have with its current name. South Sarpy is part of the Learning Community, and Richards says a more specific name would help the school district attract students. 

Richards says a name change could also help Springfield grow as a community. Springfield is the only town in the South Sarpy District, which has four schools.

Two Omaha schools are among the Department of Education’s green ribbon schools.

Lothrop Magnet Center and Miller Park Elementary received the designations last week. The Department of Education says green ribbon schools are those that practice sustainability, implement recycling and other environmentally-friendly programs, and promote health.

Pam Galus of Lothrop Magnet Center says the school participates in several environmentally-friendly activities, including composting of plant materials, recycling, and collecting eyeglasses.

The U.S. News & World Report 2012 Department of Finance ranked Creighton University’s college of business finance program 19th in the nation.

Anthony Hendrickson, Dean to the College of Business, says the program is up two points from last year.  He says Creighton boasts more Certified Financial Analyst charter holders on its faculty than any other institution in the world. 

Hendrickson says he thinks the visibility of the master’s in security analysis has attracted a lot of attention.

Nancy Sebring will take over July 1 as the Omaha Public Schools’ new superintendent.

The OPS board unanimously approved Sebring’s contract Wednesday afternoon. She’ll receive a $275,000 base salary, plus $12,000 for transportation expenses and an annuity equal to 14 percent of her salary. The contract does not include bonuses.

OPS board president Freddie Gray says she’s confident Sebring will transition smoothly in to her new role as superintendent.

Current superintendent John Mackiel’s contract ends August 31st. OPS board members approved an amendment to his contract, moving him in to the role of liaison consultant from July first to August 31st. He’ll assist Sebring in her transition to superintendent until that time.

The superintendent of the Des Moines Public Schools is OPS’ choice for its new leader.

The OPS board voted Monday to hire Nancy Sebring as superintendent. Sebring has served as superintendent in Des Moines for the past six years. 11 board members voted in favor of Sebring, with board member Nancy Kratky not voting.

Sebring will take over following the retirement of John Mackiel at the end of this school year.

The OPS board will meet Monday night in closed session to discuss the terms of Sebring’s contract.