• If you are having problems logging in please use the Contact Us in the lower right hand corner of the forum page for assistance.

Ranchers.net

Neb.)-Heineman Doesn't Want Rural Schools Left Out

By: Chris Fankhauser Posted at: 03/31/2008 08:25 AM


(Chadron)-Last week in the state legislature, a bill related to changing school funding received second round approval. This bill has some lawmakers thinking the state is balancing the budget on the backs of students. However, Governor Dave Heineman says the issue with school funding needs to be put into perspective.

The budget needs to be balanced, according to Heineman, and one of the things the legislature is looking at is not necessarily cutting funding to schools, but reducing the amount of money that had been originally increased to 17 percent. Likely, it will now be 9 percent.

The problem is, with this new way of looking at school funding, it appears some schools will fall short of their needs, with many of those schools being in the Nebraska panhandle.

The school aid formula, according to Heineman, is not easily understood, and is very volatile. Small schools do a good job, and Heineman doesn't think would be fair to send all the money to schools in Omaha and Lincoln.

As amended on Thursday, the bill would allow the state to spend $60 million less on schools next year than was originally expected.


________________________________________________


I wasn't sure where to put this. The issue of rural schools in this area anyway effects ranchers due to the need for ranch help. Without the schools it would be harder to draw people to the rural areas for employment. Funding however seems is going to keep getting harder to keep to keep the doors open. Some do realize that their is still a need.
Top