Lincoln Board of Education Legislative Guidelines for 2024–2025

Whereas, the mission of the Lincoln Public Schools is to prepare ALL students for successful careers, lifelong learning, and civic engagement; and,

Whereas, the Board recognizes the critical importance of the recruitment, retention, and development of educators so that each student receives the maximum opportunity for growth; and

Whereas, the Lincoln Board of Education recognizes the impact of state and federal statutes on the governance of the school district; and,

Whereas, the Board has a responsibility to communicate with our representatives about the impact of legislative proposals on the ability of the school district to provide a quality educational opportunity for all students;

Therefore, the Lincoln Board of Education supports legislation that:

  1. Affirms that locally elected School Boards should have authority over local public schools.

  2. Prohibits discrimination and affirms local control of decisions concerning educational programs for all students and staff and fiscal processes that facilitate those decisions.

  3. Requires mandated state and/or federal programs to have financial resources adequate to fund the requirement, or that they be optional for districts.

  4. Allows complete local discretion to control access to school property and events by uninvited persons along with granting school districts additional authority as required.

  5. Maintains the annexation policies of the City of Lincoln and Lincoln Public Schools.

  6. Aligns with Lincoln Public Schools Board’s philosophy and purpose as stated in Policies 8000 and 8001 and approved strategic goals.

  7. Ensures parents, guardians, agencies, or others having actual physical custody of a student have responsibilities under the Discipline Act, 79- 254 to 79- 296

  8. Organizes the state’s early childhood, elementary, and secondary education system in a manner that enhances efficiency.

  9. Promotes equity, ensures that all taxpayers provide an appropriate share of the cost of public education, and adequately funds locally determined needs through the equalization of revenue sources for public school districts.

  10. Provides for community redevelopment when it does not erode the local property tax base for all property tax-supported governmental subdivisions.

  11. Allows school districts to budget reserve funds to effectively manage unanticipated revenue losses, predictable funding shortfalls due to staggered revenue and expenditure cycles, and unplanned emergency expenses.

  12. Increases opportunities for Nebraska school districts to fund capital infrastructure, safety and security, technology needs throughout the early childhood, elementary, and secondary levels.

  13. Encourages ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the current Nebraska Public Employees Retirement System to ensure sustainable resources to fund future benefits, contributed equitably by employers and current employees who are future beneficiaries.

  14. Continues the District’s interdependent and impactful relationship with Educational Service Unit #18, and supports the state’s network of educational services units and the services our ESUs provide to districts.

  15. Empowers the District to provide appropriate compensation and benefits for its employees and protect the District from inappropriate or inaccurate litigation, and/or claims against its employees, board members, or the District in general.

  16. Clarifies elements of the law that appear in conflict with other laws or whose intent is not understood.

Lincoln Public Schools may oppose legislation contrary to these positions.