State Board of Education calls for funding protection

The Nebraska State Board of Education (NSBE) called upon Gov. Dave Heineman and the Nebraska Legislature to protect education funding in resolution approved last Thursday.
The resolution follows Heineman’s Aug. 25 letter encouraging support for repealing federal health care reform to protect state education funding.

The Board adopted the resolution by vote of 7-0.

The resolution states that the NSBE calls upon the governor and legislature to “oppose unfunded mandates and to protect the resources necessary for the provision of a high quality education to the students of our State.”

The NSBE oversees state institutions for primary, secondary, and vocational education. The resolution states “the highest priority of the State of Nebraska is the education of its young people.”

In response to the resolution’s adoption, Heineman said, “I applaud today’s action by the State Board of Education, stating clearly and unequivocally that education is Nebraska’s top funding priority. I am in complete agreement.”

The resolution echoes Heineman’s words stating, the state must balance its budget each year. Unfunded mandates imposed on the state result in pressure to raise taxes or reduce funding for education.