The Nebraska State Board of Education met in March and April at the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) building in Lincoln.

Federal funding changes addressed

When the federal Department of Education pulled back all unspent Covid funds from states and school districts, Nebraska had $9 million in unliquidated funds. One project that was affected was a literacy training program through UNL called the WORDS project.

This training was developed by UNL for standards based instruction and an intervention system for literacy.

Because literacy is a state board priority, staff reallocated some unused funds from other projects and funded the WORDS project through August. At that time, the federal literacy grant will be in effect to continue funding reading instruction training for Nebraska’s classroom teachers.

Freedom of speech protected

The March meeting contained a discussion by board members concerning views on advocacy for bills in the legislature. Members from both sides of the aisle have either privately contacted senators or submitted official written testimony. The discussion centered around one board member’s belief that state board members should not engage in advocacy.

I shared my conversation with Attorney General Mike Hilgers who reassured board members that their freedom of speech does not end upon election to their position. He did suggest that all board members include a written disclaimer to prevent future concerns. The board agreed to this course of action as it is already a board policy, but refused to agree to any additional restriction of speech.

From private to public funding

Board members were asked to approve $130,000 per year to fund the Child Development Associate position which had been privately funded for one year. During the board meeting, the Early Childhood Director was asked a variety of questions concerning the position and its funding sources.

When questioned, NDE staff admitted that no request had been made for the private funding to continue. Staff also stated that the position was advertised as a temporary one due the funding and the employee was aware of this.

In my perspective, moving a paid position from private to public funds is one way government bureaucracy has grown into the behemoth we have today.

I voted against this item as it increases the burden on taxpayers when private funds might have been requested.

Model Behavior Policy

Per state statute 79-262.01, the NDE is required to develop and adopt a behavioral model policy for school districts. This policy addresses behavior intervention and management, classroom management, and procedures for the removal of students from classrooms. All districts are required to have a policy in place by Aug. 2025.

Most Nebraska school districts already have such policies in place, so I am not sure that the resulting effort will achieve what lawmakers intended when they passed the bill in the 2023 session.

Public input requested

The state board is working with NDE to create a new strategic plan to guide education for the next five years. The public is encouraged to share their thoughts at focus groups throughout the state.

I will attend all three meetings to be held in District 7. In Valentine on May 7 at 5 p.m. in the High School Commons. On May 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the Scottsbluff Public Schools Building 23. In McCook on May 15 at 1:00 p.m. at the Mid-Plains Community College McCook East Campus in conference room 1.

The next meetings of the board are June 5 & 6 in Lincoln.

This summary was written by Elizabeth Tegtmeier, District 7 representative, and is not an official statement of the board.