The Papillion-La Vista School District Learning Community Belief!
By Dr. Rick Black, Superintendent

I want to thank you for your interest in the Learning Community (LC) and for visiting our District website.  As many of you know over the past few years, the Papillion-La Vista School District (PLSD) has expressed several concerns regarding the LC Law.  It is the belief of the School District that this very complex law was formed as a solution to a boundary concern between a few school districts.  Now 11 school districts are charged with operating under a completely different set of rules than the remainder of the state. Our concerns about the LC are because we care about all students, including the students in the Papillion-La Vista School District.  We believe the LC law does not focus on improving student learning, instead it adds governance, moves tax dollars out of the local school districts, and is applied to only two counties in the entire state.

Our efforts over last several years, as we have vocalized our concerns, have also been filled with our support for changes in current operation.  We have supported changing the state aid formula, and for adding resources that directly help districts with high poverty needs and limited language learners.  Many districts, including PLV, have such needs and student populations, some districts greater than others.  In no way, are our issues aimed at making that job more difficult.  We simply believe there are avenues not yet traveled, that could accomplish the task, without creating a two county/one school district concept.

Throughout this website you will see the perspectives held by the Papillion-La Vista Board of Education and School District on law that went into effect for the 2009-2010 school year.  It is a law that has some pieces with ramifications for schools throughout Nebraska, but seems to zero in, AND have the most affect on the 11 school districts in Douglas and Sarpy County.  As we have shared our view points with others, it has definitely raised questions.  It is our commitment to cooperate with the Learning Community and impact all students in the 11 school districts in a positive manner.  However, we will continue to share our concerns and advocate for what we believe to be better solutions for everyone.