New learning community funding method proposed
Members of the Education Committee heard testimony Feb. 10 on a bill that would change how state aid is distributed to members of a learning community.
Currently, state aid for the 11 members of the Omaha Learning Community is calculated collectively. The combined formula needs of all the districts in the learning community are compared to their combined formula resources to determine the amount of equalization aid for the school districts in the learning community. Each school district receives a proportional share of equalization aid based upon its share of total formula needs.
Under LB528, introduced by Cedar Rapids Sen. Kate Sullivan, state aid would be calculated for each member school district individually. Sullivan said the bill addresses several suggestions by member school districts to improve the learning community.
“I was not in the Legislature when the learning community was created. I’ve spent the better part of the last year talking with member superintendents, trying to learn as much as possible about the issues they face,” she said. “[LB528] is my attempt to carry forward through legislation some of the recommendations of the member districts.”
The repeal of the collective state aid calculation would increase state aid to schools by an estimated $3.8 million in fiscal year 2016-17.
Additional changes to the state aid funding formula for learning community members proposed by LB528 include:
• eliminating educational service unit funding for the learning community and restoring funding to ESUs #19 and #3;
• allocating up to $600,000 annually of state lottery funds to the learning community for evaluation and research purposes;
• appropriating up to $500,000 of lottery funds to the state Department of Education for learning community focus school start-up grants;
• eliminating the requirement for a learning community advisory council of school superintendents; and
• allowing the state Committee for the Reorganization of School Districts to approve petition requests to transfer parcels of land up to 640 acres between learning community member districts.
Elkhorn Superintendent Steve Baker, representing the 11 superintendents of the Omaha Learning Community, spoke in favor of the bill, saying that the community needs continual review and refinement in order to work effectively.
“We have accomplished some great things. Great things can happen when people work together for a common cause,” he said. “If we’re going to continue to have the learning community, let’s make it the best it can be.”
Mark Adler, Ralston Public Schools superintendent, also supported the bill. He said the learning community’s success with early childhood education is evidence of the good the community can achieve.
“[LB528] continues the discussion encouraging a more effective learning community focused on student development and growth,” Adler said. “I am confident that the initiatives outlined in the bill are just the beginning of what can be accomplished for students.”
No one testified in opposition to the bill and the committee took no immediate action on it.
