108S1 LB81 Opposition Testimony

John Skretta
5905 O Street
Lincoln, NE 68505

District 28
Opponent
Representing:
Lincoln Public Schools

LB81 proposed by Senator Halloran would terminate TEEOSA effective July 2027. TEEOSA has been in existence with numerous significant modifications since 1990. It has enshrined in law the longstanding concept that Needs minus Resources = State Aid, and has established numerous components in statute that have helped to ensure equitable commitments of resources from the state based on key demographic factors such as poverty rate and LEP (limited English proficiency), among others.

Lincoln Public Schools, as a member of the Greater Nebraska Schools Association, asserts opposition in principle to any changes to TEEOSA that school districts have not had sufficient opportunity to model and analyze for their impact on LPS and Nebraska k-12 public schools. Unlike somewhat similar proposals, LB81 does not even include intent language for “maintaining support for the public school system in Nebraska.” We oppose LB81 as it simply and directly declares termination of TEEOSA without articulating a viable plan or concepts that would ensure sustainable and sufficient resources for Nebraska public schools and our students.