1939-1979
Equality and the Equal Rights Movement
National Trends
In its third era, Omaha Public Schools focuses on diversifying the district. It begins with hiring more African American faculty to mirror its student population. The students themselves understood the importance and advocated for diversity. This era allows for the entry of girls into competitive sports, and support of busing efforts to open more opportunities to more students.
1939-1945
World War II causes enrollment decline. Young men, teachers, and employees enlist. The GI Bill of 1944 increases college enrollment numbers.
1941
From 1941 to 1943, OPS implements kindergarten into all schools.
Emphasis in math, science, shop, physical fitness and military readiness throughout OPS education becomes more of a focus.
Civic & Global Contributor
Innovator
1942
After Lt. Col. Harrison Tull’s distinguished military career, he returns to Omaha Public Schools to teach biology and later becomes a counselor at Monroe Middle School, in 1942.
Resilient Achiever
John Pehle, a Central High School graduate, works at the U.S Treasury Department. He was the first director of the War Refugee Board, which aids civilian victims of the Axis powers.
1943
A custodial strike begins due to grievances regarding low wages. The strike causes the temporary closing of most OPS schools.
Resilient Achiever
In that same year, childcare centers started in OPS to serve kids ages 6 to 13 from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. while their parents are away at work.
Innovator
Valentines for Adolf
Dundee Elementary hosts a special war bond drive the week before Valentine's Day which allowed students to purchase special "Valentine's for Adolf.”
OPS plants victory gardens full of vegetables, fruits and herbs in 1943. These gardens were common during WWI and WWII. They helped boost morale and supplement food rations.
Civic & Global Contributor
1944
The Board of Education moves to Joslyn Castle on 39th and Davenport Streets.
Joslyn Castle, pictured at left, in 1989.
1945
OPS hired Lois Goode in 1945. She’d applied to teach at the district for 12 years before being hired onboard.
Resilient Achiever
1946
The Baby Boomer generation causes an increase in the number of schools and teachers.
In the 1950s, large-scale migration of White Americans moved away from inner-cities toward racially-segregated suburbs. This is sometimes referenced as white flight.
1947
The district hires the first African American principal, Eugene Skinner. OPS becomes more open to the idea of hiring black faculty to work with students in the city’s predominantly black schools in North Omaha.
Civic & Global Contributor
Resilient Achiever
In 1950, the district hosts an All City Music Fest.
Collaborator
1952
Dr. Jim Ramirez graduates from Omaha South High School. He worked at the meatpacking plant while attending night classes at Omaha University in the 1960s and 1970s. He was an advocate for Mexican-American rights.
Civic & Global Contributor
1954
Belle Ryan School is established in dedication to Belle Ryan, who passed away in 1948.
Students and faculty participate in the dedication of Belle Ryan School in 1954.
Resilient Achiever
Central High School graduate, Alan Heeger, receives the Nobel Peace Prize for Chemistry in 1954.
Critical Thinker
1954
The U.S. Supreme Court releases decision on Brown v. Board of Education in 1954, banning segregation in public schools. These bans on segregation, although not fully enforced at the time, paved the way for new efforts toward desegregation.
1955
South High graduate Charles Bryant wins a wrestling championship. In 1953, he becomes the first African American letter winner in any sport at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln since 1915.
1956
In 1956, Monroe Middle School becomes the first middle school in OPS.
National News: Indian Relocation Act
Innovator
1960s
Civil Rights Movement
1960s
Tech High grad Dorothy Eure leads an effort to get Omaha to adopt an open housing ordinance that would help integrate the city’s neighborhoods. She would play a large role in desegregating OPS and hiring more African-American teachers. She would also later teach in the district.
Watch Omaha Public Schools’ video on Dorothy Eure, which is part of the Invisible History series.
Civic & Global Contributor
1962
By this year, OPS has libraries in every school, something that only 25% of school districts nationally could claim at the time.
National News: Supreme Court says no prayer in schools, followed in 1963 with no religion in schools.
Innovator
1964
George Laitner, principal of Mason School, establishes the Block Home with input from parents and volunteers. The concepts spreads nationwide. The Block Homes serves as a safety concept and forerunner to the more recent McGruff House and Safe Place.
Civic & Global Contributor
Innovator
1965
Benson High School’s band played at the LBJ inauguration.
Benson band at LBJ’s inauguration in Washington, D.C. in 1965.
Civic & Global Contributor
In that same year, Title I was introduced, which provided federal funding to primary and secondary education.
Innovator
Mid-1960s
African American Teachers Recruited from the South.
New teachers attend a meeting in 1959.
Civic & Global Contributor
1968
The Rhythm Boys were the first all-black starting lineup for the Omaha Central High School basketball team in 1968. They got their nickname because of their character and skills on the court.
Resilient Achiever
1969
Dr. Craig Fullerton is named Assistant Superintendent for OPS. He remains at OPS for 26 years.
Innovator
As an advocate for communication skills and electronic information, Fullerton started radio station KIOS in 1969.
Communicator
Economic disparities, white flight and discriminatory government policies led to civil unrest in North Omaha between 1966 and 1969.
1970
Ernie Chambers becomes a State Legislator (left). Don Benning (right) is named the first African American Athletic Director.
Civic & Global Contributor
Resilient Achiever
That year, Omaha Public Schools hosted its first Nebraska Track Meet.
Innovator
Collaborator
1971
Bryan High School opens. It is named after William Jennings Bryan.
Students gather outside Bryan High School, n.d.
1971
Philanthropist Susan Buffett, daughter of Warren Buffett, is known for her activism in civil rights, abortion rights and birth control. In 1971, she graduates from Central High School and goes on to lead the Sherwood Foundation, a nonprofit organization that promotes equity through social justice initiatives enhancing the quality of life in Nebraska.
Civic & Global Contributor
In that same year, competitive sports open up for girls.
Resilient Achiever
South High School grad, George Dahir’s “stop, drop and roll” is introduced.
Communicator
In 1977, Mike McGee, an Omaha North High School student, graduates after scoring 916 points in one season for basketball.
Resilient Achiever
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