Single-district educational service unit bill advances

A bill that would allow Lincoln and Omaha to continue operating as single-district educational service units (ESUs) advanced from general file Feb. 9.

Lincoln Public Schools (LPS) and Omaha Public Schools (OPS) currently are authorized to function as single-district ESUs until 2013. LB446, introduced by York Sen. Greg Adams, would permit both LPS and OPS to continue functioning as single-district ESUs.

Adams said the number of students served by the two districts is significantly higher than most of the multi district ESUs. He said that while the two districts would maintain autonomy under his plan, they also would be expected to collaborate with other schools.

“They need to have the option to stand alone,” Adams said. “But they have to recognize that they need to be part of statewide initiatives.”

Under the bill, a school must be categorized as a Class IV or V school to qualify as a single-district ESU. Other ESUs would be required to have at least four school districts in order to levy a property tax.

The current infrastructure funding formula would be modified to reflect a 5 percent decrease in student counts for the single-district ESUs. This would account for the inherent lack of district cooperation in a single-district ESU. An additional 5 percent of core service dollars would be dedicated to statewide initiatives.

Senators advanced the bill to select file on a 34-0 vote.