Loophole allowing Nebraska school districts to go against voters’ wishes could close

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A proposal that would help make sure Nebraska school districts don’t circumvent the will of voters is moving forward.

Legislative Bill 299, introduced by Sen. Lou Ann Linehan, advanced after a unanimous vote on Wednesday.

Districts can currently issue bonds to pay for the construction of school buildings, even if voters said no to those projects, by partnering with an Educational Service Unit.

The new bill would prohibit that practice.

“If the citizens are going to be paying for these projects over the decades … they deserve to approve the projects,” Linehan said.

The bill comes after Sen. Tom Brandt said Beatrice Public Schools and its ESU issued bonds to replace four elementary schools with a new building.

He said voters previously rejected two similar attempts.

Sen. Myron Dorn said Beatrice is at least the third Nebraska school district to use this method.