LINCOLN – Governor Jim Pillen has announced appointments to the School Financing Review Commission, as created through the passage of LB303. The bill, which received bipartisan support from the Legislature on a vote of 48-0, was introduced on the Governor’s behalf by Senator Jana Hughes. When passed, LB303 included an emergency clause, making it effective when Gov. Pillen signed it on June 4.
The commission, consisting of 18 members, is tasked with reviewing the state’s school funding formula – the Tax Equity and Educational Opportunities SupportAct (TEEOSA) – and providing the Legislature with annual recommendations about adjustments to ensure stable state aid to schools, while also reducing property taxes.
"I believe the state needs to fulfill its constitutional obligation to fund public K-12 education. Not run those schools but fund them. Creation of this commission is a first, but critically important step in fixing the 35-year problem that has resulted from TEEOSA,” said Gov. Pillen. “If we are to get a grip on the state’s property tax crisis, we must be willing to address the ever-growing burden that falls on property tax as a result of footing the bill for our schools.”
Commissioner of Education Brian Maher will serve as the commission’s chairperson and the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) will provide assistance to the group. The remaining 17 positions, and the Governor’s appointees, are listed below.
Property Tax Administrator (or designee): Sarah Scott, Property Tax Administrator Governor’s Representative: Grant Latimer, Policy Advisor to Governor Pillen Representatives Appointed by the Legislature (three, nonvoting): Senator Dave Murman, Chairman, Education Committee; Senator Eliot Bostar, Appointed by the Revenue Committee; Senator Jana Hughes, Appointed by the Executive Board Postsecondary Education Representative with Expertise in School Finance: Paul Turman, Chancellor, State College System Superintendents or School Board Members from Class I, II, III Districts (four): Class I: Ann Foster, Superintendent, Brady Public Schools; Class II: Jason Dolliver, Superintendent, Pender Public Schools; Class III: Aaron Plas, Superintendent, Bennington Public Schools; Additional: Keith Runge, President, Columbus Lakeview School Board Class IV District Member (one) and Class V District Member (one): Class IV: Liz Standish, Associate Superintendent for Business Affairs, Lincoln Public; Class V: Shavonna Holman, School Board Member, Omaha Public At-Large Members (five): Former Senator Lou Ann Linehan; State Treasurer Tom Briese; Certified Public School Teacher: (This position has not yet been appointed); Former Senator Fred Meyer; John Schwartz, Superintendent, Millard Public Schools “I appreciate the commitment of these dedicated public servants who, like me, want to ensure the quality of our state’s education, but recognize the need to balance that investment with smart tax policy, making us more competitive with our neighboring states so we can grow Nebraska,” said Gov Pillen. “We are fortunate to have leadership on this commission ready to begin this important initiative.”
Always continue the climb. It is possible for you to do whatever you choose, if you first get to know who you are and are willing to work with a power that is greater than ourselves to do it. — Ella Wheeler Wilcox
