Learning community council changes advanced

Early childhood education would be prioritized by the Omaha Learning Community coordinating council under a bill given first-round approval April 10.

LB585, introduced by Papillion Sen. Jim Smith, would change numerous responsibilities of the coordinating council. Smith said the bill is an attempt to improve an existing law.

“It’s no secret that I have been no fan of the learning community,” he said. “I will always favor local control. However, I am committed to doing whatever I can to make it better.”

An Education Committee amendment, adopted 37-0, replaced the bill.

Currently, the coordinating council has a 2 cent levy authority for elementary learning center facility leases and focus school capital projects. An additional 1 cent levy is dedicated to learning community pilot projects and elementary learning center employees and contracts.

As amended, LB585 would reduce the 2 cent levy authority to one-half cent. The 1 cent levy would be increased by one-half cent to fund early childhood education programs for children in poverty. This would result in a net decrease of 1 cent in levy authority.

Omaha Sen. Rick Kolowski, a former member of Omaha’s coordinating council, supported the bill, saying the learning community is constantly evolving.

“Over the life of the learning community, the council has continually brought suggested changes to the Education Committee,” he said. “[The council was] very involved in the suggestions and modifications represented in this bill and amendment.”

Under the amended bill, current free transportation requirements would not apply for open enrollment students who have not previously been accepted if the student is transferring to another school within the home district or to a school district that does not share a border with the home district.

Learning community advisory committees, comprising superintendents of member districts, would be required to:
• submit a plan to the coordinating council providing for the implementation and administration of early childhood education programs for children in poverty;
• provide recommendations for improving the learning community’s diversity plan;
• review issues related to open enrollment;
• review proposals for focus programs, focus schools, magnet schools and pathways;
• provide recommendations for improving academic achievement across the learning community; and
• provide input to the coordinating council on other issues as requested.

The advisory committees would seek input from member school districts and community resources in order to maximize opportunities and resources. The committees also would make special effort to establish programs that are readily available and accessible to children located in high poverty areas.

Senators advanced the bill on a 42-0 vote.