‘It’s tough for the state’: Senators look into Nebraska’s funding formula for public schools

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Nebraska state senators Myron Dorn and Jana Hughes are pushing for a new interim study that could reshape the future of education funding in Nebraska.

The study would take a full, deep dive into whether Nebraska’s current funding formula is fair, efficient and stable for all students.

For many school leaders, Nebraska’s funding formula has been a constant struggle.

Jason Buckingham, Superintendent of Ralston Public Schools, said a review like this is long overdue.

“We’re a district that has about 65% free and reduced lunch, so we have a fairly high poverty concentration in our district,” he said. “We really, really strive to make sure that we take those funds that we receive, whether it’s from local sources or state sources, and distribute that as equally as possible among our district.”

The study would look at three significant areas: Fairness in funding, efficient use of tax dollars and whether schools can count on stable revenue.

But superintendents said they want to reduce Nebraska’s heavy reliance on property taxes and increase the state’s share instead.

“Increases in funds at the state level is really much appreciated, we understand that property taxes can be a burden on people particularly in our school district,” Buckingham said. “So, in result, any additional dollars from the state, we’d love to return that to our local property taxpayers to give them a break on the amount that they’ve been paying.”

Buckingham said he understands the state’s current economic stance.

“It’s tough for the state right now because they are in a bit of a budget crunch,” he said. “One of the components of the state’s formula is really pretty complicated, but it’s an allowance for poverty-stricken students.”

Lawmakers said it’s just a first step, but superintendents are calling it one of the most important conversations they’ve had in years.