Message from OPS Superintendent
Dear Omaha Public Schools community,
Nothing is more important than the health, safety and well-being of every student we serve.
Nothing.
To me, to our Board of Education, to our 9,000 dedicated staff members.
When I learned last week that School Resource Officers were equipped with “Generated Low Output Voltage Emitters,” or GLOVEs, I had countless questions and concerns. Just as I know our Board, staff, students and families did.
We sought answers and accurate information.
We’ve had open and frank conversations with Omaha Mayor John Ewing and Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer.
We’ve heard community input and concern.
We listened.
Today, we communicated with both Omaha Police and Bellevue Police to request that School Resource Officers (SROs) no longer be authorized to carry GLOVEs on any Omaha Public Schools premises.
We recognize our long-standing relationships with law enforcement partners and the important role SROs have in promoting school safety.
Continued use of GLOVEs would be counterproductive to our work together.
As we heard at Monday’s Board of Education meeting, students must be safe and feel safe.
Tomorrow, we welcome students for the 2026-27 school year.
Serving our community is a privilege and a responsibly we take most seriously.
We have important, tough conversations.
And we stay grounded in our mission.
We are relentlessly focused on doing better for every student we serve.
Strengthening student experiences.
Fostering deeper connections with families.
Improving outcomes.
We are ready for the new year.
Thank you to our staff who make it happen.
Thank you to our families who entrust us with your children.
It is an honor to be part of our district community.
-Matthew
Well good on him, the school board, and the mayor for using common sense.