School levy increase for school security proposed

The Revenue Committee heard testimony March 7 on a bill that would allow schools to raise money for school security improvements.

LB346, introduced by Omaha Sen. Rick Kolowski, would allow school districts to levy a maximum one cent above their existing maximum levy for school security improvements, including cameras, identification cards and security officers. The levy increase would require a two-thirds majority vote by the school board.

Kolowski said school security is an issue that affects both rural and urban schools.

“As an educator for over 40 years and a high school principal for 15 years, I know what kind of security it takes to run a school of over 2,000 students,” he said. “We need to provide our local school districts with the ability to make the security changes necessary to keep our students, teachers and parents safe without taking money away from the classrooms.”

If a school district exercises this option, the school board would establish a school security fund separate from the general fund. Any money in the school security fund could be used only for school security measures.

Fremont Public Schools superintendent Stephen Sexton supported the bill, saying that safety and security have become the center of attention in recent years.

“The nature of a school was originally intended to be an open, inviting environment,” Sexton said. “Unfortunately they can be an easy access target for those wanting to do harm. While there are no guarantees, some precautions can reduce the attractiveness of schools as a target.”

Ron Jensen, representing the National Rifle Association, also testified in support of the bill. He said that while most people do not want schools to be fortresses, security measures are necessary.

“The most important thing to any parent or grandparent, at the end of the day, is that our children are safe,” he said.

No one testified in opposition to the bill and the committee took no immediate action on it.