Early childhood education would be prioritized by the Omaha Learning Community coordinating council under a bill given first-round approval April 10.<\/p>\n
LB585, introduced by Papillion Sen. Jim Smith, would change numerous responsibilities of the coordinating council. Smith said the bill is an attempt to improve an existing law.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s no secret that I have been no fan of the learning community,\u201d he said. \u201cI will always favor local control. However, I am committed to doing whatever I can to make it better.\u201d<\/p>\n
An Education Committee amendment, adopted 37-0, replaced the bill.<\/p>\n
Currently, the coordinating council has a 2 cent levy authority for elementary learning center facility leases and focus school capital projects. An additional 1 cent levy is dedicated to learning community pilot projects and elementary learning center employees and contracts.<\/p>\n
As amended, LB585 would reduce the 2 cent levy authority to one-half cent. The 1 cent levy would be increased by one-half cent to fund early childhood education programs for children in poverty. This would result in a net decrease of 1 cent in levy authority.<\/p>\n
Omaha Sen. Rick Kolowski, a former member of Omaha\u2019s coordinating council, supported the bill, saying the learning community is constantly evolving.<\/p>\n
\u201cOver the life of the learning community, the council has continually brought suggested changes to the Education Committee,\u201d he said. \u201c[The council was] very involved in the suggestions and modifications represented in this bill and amendment.\u201d<\/p>\n
Under the amended bill, current free transportation requirements would not apply for open enrollment students who have not previously been accepted if the student is transferring to another school within the home district or to a school district that does not share a border with the home district.<\/p>\n
Learning community advisory committees, comprising superintendents of member districts, would be required to:
\n\u2022 submit a plan to the coordinating council providing for the implementation and administration of early childhood education programs for children in poverty;
\n\u2022 provide recommendations for improving the learning community\u2019s diversity plan;
\n\u2022 review issues related to open enrollment;
\n\u2022 review proposals for focus programs, focus schools, magnet schools and pathways;
\n\u2022 provide recommendations for improving academic achievement across the learning community; and
\n\u2022 provide input to the coordinating council on other issues as requested.<\/p>\n
The advisory committees would seek input from member school districts and community resources in order to maximize opportunities and resources. The committees also would make special effort to establish programs that are readily available and accessible to children located in high poverty areas.<\/p>\n
Senators advanced the bill on a 42-0 vote.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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