The structure and compensation of local boards of education was the focus of a Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee hearing Jan. 18.<\/p>\n
Under LB720, introduced by Omaha Sen. Scott Lautenbaugh, the Omaha Public Schools\u2019 board of education would be limited to five members. The board is currently composed of 12. Under Lautenbaugh\u2019s bill, members would be forced to vacate their position after two consecutive four-year terms. The bill also calls for a $20,000 annual salary for all board members.<\/p>\n
Lautenbaugh said the size of the Omaha board is simply too large to function effectively.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou get to a point of diminishing returns with larger numbers,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s harder for members to assert themselves when you get a larger number.\u201d<\/p>\n
Omaha Sen. Brenda Council introduced LB717 in response to Lautenbaugh\u2019s bill. Her bill would require that any changes made to the Omaha board be applied to every board of education.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not our job to meddle in one district\u2019s business, but to set statewide public policy,\u201d she said. \u201cIf you believe those provisions represent sound public policy, it should be applied to all districts in Nebraska.\u201d<\/p>\n
Council, a former member of the Omaha Board of Education, testified to the board\u2019s effectiveness during her 11-year term. She said the current structure allows representatives to hear from all areas of their districts.<\/p>\n
John Lindsay, representing Omaha Public Schools, testified in opposition to LB720. He said the size of Omaha\u2019s subdistricts would become much too large under the bill.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome subdistricts would have to be nearly twice the size of some legislative districts,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Current board member Mary Morrissey opposed both the reduction in size and annual salaries proposed in LB720.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t want to be paid for my services,\u201d she said. \u201cI feel like the money should be better spent in the classrooms.\u201d<\/p>\n
Former senator Ernie Chambers of Omaha testified in a neutral capacity. He said the problem is the quality, not quantity, of people serving on the board.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t have to change the structure,\u201d he said. \u201cYou have to get better and more responsive people on the board.\u201d<\/p>\n
No one testified in support of either bill, and the committee took no immediate action on them.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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