OMAHA- During the OPS Board's Thursday meeting, a list of goals for the 2023-2024 school year were outlined and presented to interim Superintendent Matt Ray, who is leading the school district during the search for a permanent superintendent. Ray will be evaluated twice during his term on the three main goals outlined by the Board: academics, staff retention and recruitment, and student attendance.

Each goal was given a specific definition of what the Board would see a "acceptable" or "exceptional" work by Ray. "The goal evaluation matches what our board has done in previous years," said Ricky Smith, the board's vice president. Smith went on to say that the first goal was crafted by Ray himself, as he wanted to focus specifically on making sure the district completes a widespread implementation of quality instruction.

The second goal was created by the school board accountability committee, and is attempting to ensure that OPS develops a pipeline of teachers so that 95% of teaching positions are filled by August 1st of 2024. Ray's performance, as laid out by the Board, will be deemed successful if he can ensure that at least 50% of the district's student teachers sign a contract after nine months of teaching, and if he is able to increase engagement in providing pathways to for educators to begin teaching at certain OPS high schools.

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