Omaha and Lincoln to continue as single-district ESUs

A bill that allows Lincoln and Omaha to continue operating as single-district educational service units (ESUs) was passed by the Legislature March 8.

Lincoln Public Schools and Omaha Public Schools currently are authorized to function as single-district ESUs until 2013. LB446, introduced by York Sen. Greg Adams, permits them to continue functioning as single-district ESUs.

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

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

Senators passed the bill on a 46-0 vote.