From the Super
By Dave Rokusek
January 30, 2010
From the Super
2-3-2010
Dave Rokusek
The Nebraska legislature is again in session and with a number of education bills already under discussion. This session is a 60 day session and ends on April 14th.Time will tell how the session plays out for education. The board and I monitor bills and work toward passing bills that are beneficial to the education and our school district.
Last week three board members and I attended the Nebraska School Board Legislative Issues Conference in Lincoln. At the conference we had the opportunity to hear Governor Dave Heineman, Senator Greg Adams, chair of the education committee, Senator Mike Flood, Speaker of the House, Senator Lavon Heideman, chair appropriations, and our Senator, Russ Karpisek. Having Senator Karpisek reside in our school district and live in Wilber is a plus for communication.
All presenters stressed that the Nebraska economy appears stronger than other states but cautioned that the economy is expected to lag and be fragile for at least the next 12-18 months. The sluggish economy is anticipated to result in lower state receipts. All senators also expressed this legislative session bills having a financial impact will likely not be passed or get out of committee. They are trying to hold the line on expenditures. Senators also cautioned schools to plan ahead for the 2011-12 fiscal year when the next biennial budget is made by the legislature. State budget shortfalls are anticipated to be near the $1,000,000,000 mark at that time. Also after next school year the Federal Stimulus dollars are to be gone. Those shortfalls will likely come to schools in the form of less revenue from the state. This session’s bills could be characterized as a session of “fix it” bills having no financial costs, but offered to the legislative body to correct some injustice or procedure in past bills. About 400 new bills have been filed with about 100 of them having some possible effects on education
No state aid bill has been filed to date. If the February state economic report is severe, it could cause for a state aid bill to be considered. This could then cut state aide further for Wilber Clatonia. If you recall early in November, during the special session state aid was cut to help the state meet part of their shortfall. Wilber-Clatonia is projected to receive $216,464 less in state aid for next year.
Some key bills for this session that we heard about: LB88-Requires schools to spend at least 65% on “regular instruction” the bill currently excludes a number of indirect costs. LB741- Restricts lobbying expenses from the general fund of all public entities. LB742- Eliminates confidentiality for any settlement agreements involving public entities. LB711- Reopens the option of school unification by school districts dissolving. LB927- Addresses options for allocating funding for the school retirement plan. LB937-Learning Community-Eliminates all pay provisions for council members beyond normal expenses. LB898- Student Expression- Requires a policy dealing with students publishing in school sponsored publications. The bill protects them and others. LB 1006- Creates the new date for children to begin Kindergarten of July,31st rather than the previous date of October 15th. LB1021-Creates the High School Activities Association Act and thus changes the association to be more like a public agency.
Hearings are scheduled for these bills in the next few weeks. We are updated weekly on the progress of the above bills and have opportunity to give testimony to the legislative committee or our Senator. All of the above bills and others have the potential to affect our district. The bills change by amendments as they are discussed. Some make it out of committee. Others do not. Senator Karpisek organizes a weekly conference call for superintendents. He gets a great input and a perspective from rural schools across his legislative district. We’ give him our insights. The Senator did share that at times he feels the votes are made along party lines and/or from the metro perspective which can carry the majority vote. My hope is that our Nebraska Legislature can be non partisan and non metro and can pass sound educational law that is good for the state as a whole.
Our thought for the week, “You can’t leave a footprint that lasts if you are always walking tiptoe-Marion C Blakey—Next week –What did the community focus groups say was good about our schools? Take care and stay in touch.
Next Week’s Schedule:
Monday, Feb. 8th 5:45 p.m. 8th Grade Boys Basketball @ Milford
6:30 p.m. 7th Grade Boys Basketball –Home with Milford
7:00 p.m. High School FBLA
7:00 p.m. FFA Meeting
Elementary BEAR Fair (all week)
Tuesday, Feb.9th 4:00 p.m. JV Wrestling @ Lincoln High Invite
5:45 p.m. JH FBLA
6:15 p.m. JV/V Girls Basketball @ Thayer Central
Wednesday, Feb. 10th 7:45 a.m. NHS Meeting
Girls & Boys State Interviews
Thursday, Feb. 11th 5:00-9:00 p.m. Parent Teacher Conferences
Friday, Feb. 12th 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Parent Teacher Conferences
NO SCHOOL
4:30 p.m. JV/V Girls & Boys Basketball-Home with David City
Girls Basketball Parents Night
Wrestling Districts@ Lousisville
Saturday, Feb. 13th 9:00 a.m. 8th Grade Boys Basketball @ Southern
6:15 p.m. JV/V Boys Basketball @ Tri County
