February State Board Report

As the State Board convened in February, the line-up is a little slimmer, with the official resignations of Mark Quandhal and Rebecca Valdez. These two vacancies bring the Board down to just 6 members at the current time.

With the Legislature in full swing, the State Board took up legislative issues first and foremost. Board President Rachel Wise specifically thanked Commissioner Blomstedt for testifying against LB 952, particularly because the Board supports LB 438, which is Senator Adams's priority schools bill. The Board also discussed a bill being introduced by the Education Committee, LB 1103, as well as LB 1077, introduced by Senator Sullivan, called the "Shared Responsibility for Access and Success Act." The bill is unlikely to advance at this point, but the Board discussed its support of the ideas included within it, pending future developments and details. 

Several bills related to education are competing for the same lottery dollars, and the Board reviewed several of them with Assistant Commissioner Brian Halstead. First up for discussion was LB 754, with funding for career education programs supported by lottery dollars. The Board moved to support the bill, stating the importance on goals and strategic planning in the process. LB 842, which allocates funds to the Excellence in Teaching fund, would increase funding by $200,000, again using lottery dollars. The Board took no action on this. LB 789, which would authorize study and investment in training of paraeducators -- noting that guidance hasn't, in some cases, been updated since the 1980s. The Board also took no action on this. 

The Board also remained neutral on LB 834, which would increase funding for the school breakfast program, with Pat Timm stating that the Board supports the concept. Finally, the Board discussed LB 972, the renamed charter school bill, now named the Independent Public Schools Act. The Board moved for opposition with staff testimony, based on the fact that there are already educational options, that it would add burden to the Board and NDE, that it would be inequitous based on only serving the Omaha area, and that these schools would not be subject to accreditation and scrutiny up to state standards. Five board members voted to oppose, with John Sieler abstaining. The Board also voted to support LB 958, which would reinstate the student achievement coordinator position at NDE.

On the federal level, Halstead informed the Board that the President signed the budget that authorizes funding through the fiscal year, meaning funds for Title I and IDEA will continue. Board member Molly O'Holleran, who serves on the NASBE Governmental Affairs committee, provided an update from the national discussion of state boards, including discussions on ESEA, early childhood, and using data. O'Holleran noted that Nebraska is poised to be a leader in student data use. 

Donlynn Rice provided a general update on the Standards process, and was joined by Debbie Defrain in updating the Board on the Fine & Performing Arts Standards. Noting the need for time to review additional input, the Board voted to delay action on standards adoption.

The Board also approved updates to Rule 20 and Rule 24, both relating to teacher preparation, and also approved a contract for an online teacher certification system.