Allowance provisions for focus and magnet schools and programs could change

Senators advanced a bill March 29 that would allow multiple-member school districts to collaborate on focus and magnet schools and programs.

Currently, if multiple-member school districts collaborate on a focus or magnet school or program, one of the districts must be designated as the primary district that maintains legal, financial and academic responsibility. These schools and programs may be included in member school districts pursuant to a diversity plan developed by the learning community coordinating council.

Under LB558, introduced by Omaha Sen. Jeremy Nordquist, a focus or magnet school or program that participates in a diversity plan could be eligible for a focus school and program allowance.

The focus school and program allowance for each school district in a learning community must equal the sum of the allowances calculated and operated by the school district for the fiscal year that aid is being calculated.

Nebraska has the largest race achievement gap in the country, Nordquist said, and the bill is a step towards eliminating that gap by encouraging development and collaboration among school districts. Collaboration brings a breadth of experience and knowledge to schools, he added.

Cedar Rapids Sen. Kate Sullivan spoke in support of the bill, saying it gives more flexibility to the learning community. Focus schools and programs engage students in the education system, she said, which could narrow the achievement gap.

Lincoln Sen. Amanda McGill supported the bill and said that a focus school operating in a single member district is at a greater risk of closing in tough economic times. The bill allows schools to be collaborative in their efforts, she said, which could reduce the risk of losing focus schools.

Valentine Sen. Deb Fischer opposed the bill and said she is concerned that shifting funds within the learning community could increase their needs and affect state aid among schools.

An Education Committee amendment would require multiple-member school districts collaborating on a focus or magnet school or program to form a joint entity to assign legal, financial and academic responsibilities as well as assign students who reside in nonparticipating school districts to districts that participate in such schools or programs.

The committee amendment was adopted 40-0 and the bill advanced from general file on a 33-1 vote.