Public notice proposed for superintendent, ESU contracts

Public notice of potential fiscal impacts of superintendent and ESU administrator contracts would be required under a bill advanced from general file Jan. 23.

Under LB470, as originally introduced by Norfolk Sen. Jim Scheer, a superintendent’s contract — including all current and future costs to the school district — would be publicly posted at least five days before being considered for approval by a school board.

Scheer said public notice would bring needed transparency to the forefront.

“[The bill] is a benefit for not only school districts but also superintendents,” he said. “It gives you a simple way to find out what other districts are paying their superintendents. It just makes sense.”

An Education Committee amendment, adopted 27-0, replaced the bill and additionally would require educational service unit (ESU) boards to publish the current and future costs associated with administrators’ contracts.

Education Committee chairwoman Cedar Rapids Sen. Kate Sullivan said the amendment provides plenty of flexibility to districts and ESUs in meeting the new requirements.

“This simply gives the public, as well as school districts, a chance to see what their neighboring districts are doing,” she said. “We are giving a lot of latitude to comply with this amendment, but we want people to know we are serious about this.”

Omaha Sen. Jeremy Nordquist supported the bill, saying that citizens have a right to know what administrators are earning.

“Our school administrators have a great number of demands and responsibilities and their compensation should reflect that,” he said. “However, as some of the highest paid public employees in the state, it requires a higher level of scrutiny.”

The amended bill would require that contracts for existing superintendents and ESU administrators be published three days prior to approval and two days after approval for new officials. Electronic publication on a school district website would satisfy the requirement if public access to the entire contract is prominently displayed.

After approval of a contract, the bill would require the school board to file a copy of the contract and any amendments with the state Department of Education by Aug. 1. If a school board fails to meet this requirement, all state aid granted under the Tax Equity and Educational Opportunities Support Act would be withheld until the school board is compliant.

Additionally, the county treasurer would be directed to withhold all school money until the contract is filed with the department.

Following the adoption of a technical amendment, senators voted to advance the bill to select file on a 28-0 vote.