Education
Public forums announced June 5-9 for University of Nebraska-Lincoln chancellor candidate
LINCOLN — Multiple public forums will kick off next week for the public to meet Rodney Bennett, the priority candidate to be chancellor of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Bennett, the former president of the University of Southern Mississippi, will attend nearly 20 forums, generally targeted to specific stakeholder groups but open to all members of the […]
State teachers union files petitions to repeal new ‘school choice’ law
LINCOLN — The ink was barely dry on a new law allowing generous tax breaks for donations for private schooling before the state’s powerful teachers union launched an effort to repeal it. On Wednesday, language for a ballot referendum repealing Legislative Bill 754 was filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office. The effort, by […]
Nebraska passes bill requiring dyslexia reports, school dress codes, teacher compact
LINCOLN — Nebraska school administrators, get out your No. 2 pencils. The Legislature just gave you two new assignments and a little help in hiring teachers. On Wednesday, state senators approved Legislative Bill 298, which merged K-12 education proposals, tracking dyslexia, clarifying school dress codes and streamlining hires of teachers from other states. State Sens. […]
University of Nebraska president previews athletics bylaw change, budget status
LINCOLN — University of Nebraska-Lincoln faculty told the University of Nebraska Board of Regents on Wednesday they were “blindsided” by a proposal to shift the authority of Husker Athletics to central administration. Kelli Kopocis, a UNL professor and president of the campus’s Faculty Senate, said faculty are “very concerned” about proposed budget cuts and the proposed […]
Nebraska Gov. Pillen signs ‘opportunity scholarships’ proposal into law
LINCOLN — Nebraska will soon allow public tax credits for private school education, after the governor signed the bill into law Tuesday. Gov. Jim Pillen signed Legislative Bill 753, the seven-years-long fight led by State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn on the “Opportunity Scholarships” initiative. Lawmakers gave final approval last week on a 33-11 vote. […]
‘Opportunity Scholarship’ bill, given final OK, will make Nebraska a ‘school choice’ state
LINCOLN — Nebraska would join 48 other states in offering “school choice” under a bill given final approval Wednesday. Proponents of the “Opportunity Scholarships Act” said it will allow low-income families the opportunity to send their kids to private and parochial schools via the generous tax breaks offered to those donating funds for private school […]
Nebraska regents to consider shifting Husker Athletics authority to NU president
LINCOLN — The University of Nebraska Board of Regents next week will consider a proposed bylaw change that could shift the direction and oversight of Husker Athletics to the NU president. Regents Tim Clare of Lincoln and Rob Schafer of Beatrice have proposed shifting authority of Husker Athletics from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln chancellor to NU […]
Priority candidate for UNL chancellor is 30-year veteran of higher ed, and would be first person of color in the role
LINCOLN — A 30-year veteran of higher education and former president of the University of Southern Mississippi has been named the priority candidate for chancellor of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Rodney Bennett, if approved by the Board of Regents, would be the first person of color in that role at UNL. He would succeed Ronnie […]
Gov. Jim Pillen tackles ‘obstacle’ to getting new teachers into Nebraska classrooms
LINCOLN — Nebraska is eliminating what Gov. Jim Pillen called a costly and unnecessary obstacle to getting new teachers into classrooms suffering from the statewide workforce shortage. Tuesday, the governor announced the repeal of Rule 23, which requires a basic skills test of math, reading and writing that budding educators must pass to get their […]
State teachers union organizes to hold referendum vote on ‘opportunity scholarship’ bill
LINCOLN — The state teachers union has already organized a campaign committee to challenge the “Opportunity Scholarships Act,” even though the measure hasn’t yet been approved by the Nebraska Legislature. The “Support Our Schools Nebraska” committee was recently filed with the state sunshine commission, and a Support Our Schools website is already up. The website […]
Nebraska K-12 education funding bill moves closer to passage
LINCOLN — A legislative proposal that would provide $1,500 per student in foundation aid and help cover 80% of special education costs moved a step toward passage Tuesday. The bill would represent Nebraska’s largest state investment in K-12 education since state aid to education was created in 1990. The Legislature, which has spent much of the […]
OEA honors Nebraska Examiner and others with awards
The Nebraska Examiner was named the recipient of the 2023 Media Award on Sunday by the Omaha Education Association. “The presentation of this award is to honor an individual or organization for outstanding contributions to Omaha students and teachers through the use of the local media,” the organization stated. The teacher making the nomination wrote, […]