Senator Walz has introduced LB 890 that would have a significant impact on how schools are funded through state resources. Currently, as many of you are aware, the Chambers District, like many small rural districts, relies heavily on local property taxes to support the school system. Our local general fund tax rate is $.76 for every $100.00. The only current state-aid Chambers receives is the net-option enrollment funding from students who attend the Chambers District but live in a different school district. During the 2021-2022 school year our state-aid is $120,000. If no changes are made to the state funding formula, our state aid next year (2022-2023) will be $107,000.
Under the provisions of LB 890 Chambers would receive an additional $364,000 in state aid for the 2022-2023 school year and $653,000 in the 2023-2024 school year.
The funding for this increase would primarily come from using state surplus revenue, eliminating the net-option funding, and adding a $.05 sales tax to sustain the funding.
Education should not be viewed as something we pay for, but rather as an investment in our children, community, and state. The Unicameral is holding a public hearing on LB 890 on Tuesday, January 25 at 1:30 PM. Please reach out to Senator Tim Gragert, District #40, at 402.471.2801 or by email: tgragert@leg.ne.gov to voice your thoughts on LB 890.