Dr. Black's LB 387 Testimony

My name is Rick Black; I am superintendent of the Papillion-La Vista Public Schools

I am here today to testify in support of Senator Gay’s LB 387. The bill asks the legislature to put aside the Gen Fund portion of the common levy for the Learning Community districts. It keeps in place the 5 cent common levy which funds the work of the LC Gov Council in the creation of focus schools and programs.

PLV has supported and participated in the legislative process as work on the details of the LC has evolved. I appreciate the approachability of Senator Adams in listening to our concerns and making the details more workable for the LC concept. PLV is happy to have been a part of the discussions and hope we have brought added perspective to the shaping of the LC to make it an effective approach.

All eleven districts are committed to our present and future students and community. We all want the best educational opportunities and successes for ALL learners. Too visibly the discussions so far have appeared to be about finances. Unfortunately that seems to be where agreement on approaches seems to waiver. However, it has overshadowed the work that has been on-going throughout the Metro in providing cooperative programs for students for years. In addition to approaches previously implemented, 3 of the districts are operating an inter-local school that they are finding to be successful.

LB 387 asks you to allow the funding pieces of LB 988 passed last year to be allowed to work, before moving to the implementation of the common levy. For 2008-2009, adjustments to the formula have infused millions of dollars into districts with high needs based upon ELL and concentration of low socio-economic students. PLV actively supported this change knowing full well that we would see little infusion ourselves. We have supported the hold harmless pieces being worked upon so the effects of a common levy are not as damaging to other districts in the LC – again knowing that this support would be reducing resources to our district. It is interesting to me that when talking to several superintendents in the LC…. the concerns and need for a hold harmless component…… does not exist….it goes away…. IF there is no common levy.

The districts most adamant about the common levy are the very districts benefitting most by the state aid funding formula and its changes. In addition to state aid and a common levy that we all must share one of those districts receives millions of dollars in federal aid that only they can access…..no sharing here with the LC. IN essence they are being equalized twice but only sharing a portion. This is not sour grapes on our part, only an explanation that some districts desiring the common levy, are accessing millions of dollars in other funds to support or carry out their essential activities….that the rest need to get from local tax dollars.

Since the discussions regarding LB 988 and finance began and subsequently were passed, I have heard former and current senators say that…. it needs a chance to work. Beyond the fact that it also needs to be fully funded, I wholeheartedly agree. Give the new formula….. …….. the recognition and commitment the state has made… to support districts with higher needs at a higher level …… a chance to work. PLV is saying the same thing. We are also saying, to give the formula a chance to work before you start redistributing the available local tax dollars from local districts to the extreme step of a Gen Fund common levy. Allow the higher needs districts ..the opportunity to utilize their increased revenue… without limiting the development of other districts.

LB 387 maintains the five cent common levy for the development of focus schools and programs. This is part of the concept that truly gets to the education of students and innovative programs.

Today, in speaking on behalf of LB 387, we see this as our final opportunity to work through the legislative process on our most serious issue with the LC concept – the common levy. There has been dialogue and some compromise on many other areas to make them workable. However, discussion on the common levy for General Fund has remained taboo. I have been above board with my fellow superintendents and with both the legislature and governor on our concerns. We ask that you consider….

1. Maintaining the 5 cent common levy for focus schools and innovative programs. Allow the LC Gov Board a chance to start
2. Delay implementation of the common levy until you know it is truly needed…by using it right away, your only fall back is more state aid if schools are severely affected.
3. Allow the state aid revisions in LB 988 to work