Allied schools could offer more classes

The Education Committee heard testimony Jan. 28 on a bill that would require small schools to enter into allied systems.

Norfolk Sen. Jim Scheer introduced LB682, which would require any school district with fewer than 650 students to enter into an allied system with at least three other districts of the same size. The arrangement would last for at least two consecutive school years and must be formed before July 1, 2015.

Scheer said the bill would allow school districts to increase educational opportunities previously impossible because of financial and geographical constraints.

“I hear all the time about small districts having a hard time finding adequate professional teachers in specific areas,” he said. “With a web-based system, a teacher in one district could teach math to students in other districts. It would allow small districts to finally start offering educational opportunities that have been restricted to larger districts in the past.”

Schools in an allied system would be required to participate in an interlocal agreement, which would require the member schools to operate on the same yearly calendar and daily schedule beginning with the 2016 school year.

The member districts would not be required to combine or coordinate revenue, spending, taxation or state aid.

Bob Evnen of Lincoln supported the bill, saying it would give school districts considerable freedom.

“It’s a compact bill that is not at all intrusive,” he said. “It creates an environment that would encourage member districts to see if they can use it for the expansion of curriculum and instruction in their districts.”

Representing the Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association, Jon Habben opposed LB682, saying more information is needed before moving forward with the bill.

“There are a lot of schools getting curriculum from many places and finding teachers to share now,” Habben said. “This is an attempt to create a legal structure to fix something without having created the information base about what is happening now.”

The committee took no immediate action on the bill.