March 9, 2025
Sen. Dave Murman, Chairperson
Sen. Margo Juarez
Sen. Jana Hughes, Vice Chairperson
Sen. Dan Lonowski
Sen. Danielle Conrad
Sen. Glen Meyer
Sen. Megan Hunt
Sen. Rita Sanders
Chair Murman and members of the Education Committee:
The Lincoln Public Schools respectfully asserts our opposition to LB49, which would provide for a model ban and bar policy for school districts. Conceptually, the bill resonates with our abiding commitments to supporting parent involvement and citizen engagement. The Lincoln Public Schools deeply values parental involvement and citizen engagement. Parents and family members of all students are welcomed and encouraged to become involved with their child’s school and education.
With that being said, the Lincoln Public Schools opposes Senator McKinney’s proposal, as it overtly conflicts with standing board-adopted Legislative Guidelines. Specifically, the Lincoln Public Schools affirms that locally elected School Boards should have authority over local public schools. LB49 would substantially diminish local control by stipulating conditions and duration for ban and bar actions under which schools may prohibit individuals from being on school property or attending school activities or events. Furthermore, as described in LPS Legislative Guidelines, we assert that the district’s authority must continue to allow complete local discretion to control access to school property and events by uninvited persons along with granting school districts additional authority as required. The Lincoln Public Schools takes the entirety of the process seriously and makes decisions judiciously when determining a need to restrict or prohibit access by individuals to school grounds, events, or activities.
We would further assert our opposition to LB49 on the basis that the model policy called for would also equate to an unfunded mandate. Specifically, the model policy language proposed would enshrine a right to appeal and request for hearing before the school board. This could foreseeably result in substantial additional expenditure of resources at the local level even in situations where the prohibition or restriction issued on the individual is a prima facie case.
In conclusion, the Lincoln Public Schools works diligently to judiciously administer and oversee the rare situations and circumstances which necessitate limiting or prohibiting an individual from being on school grounds or attending or participating in school activities or events. These decisions are made with a prioritization on student and staff safety and an ability to maintain the integrity of the instructional environment and orderly operations of the school day.
We oppose the advancement of LB49.
Sincerely,
Dr. John Skretta
Interim Superintendent
Lincoln Public Schools
402-440-9092
