Education

This legislative resolution honors Coach Russ Ninemire for his fifty-year career coaching high school girls' basketball in Nebraska. It acknowledges his achievements, including winning ninety-five consecutive games and earning six hundred sixty-six total victories, as well as his induction into the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame. The measure formally recognizes his contributions to students and girls' athletics and directs that a copy of the resolution be sent to him.

This legislative resolution congratulates Nancy Kratky on her retirement after twenty-five years of service to the Omaha Public Schools Board and over thirty-three years as a teacher. The measure formally recognizes her extensive contributions to education, including her work on various committees and her role in introducing Positive Action Center rooms used in Omaha Public Schools today. The resolution directs the Legislature to send a copy of this acknowledgment to Kratky as a gesture of appreciation for her career.

This legislative resolution honors Dr. Neal H. Schnoor for his inauguration as the tenth Chancellor of the University of Nebraska at Kearney. It recognizes his background as a Nebraska native and first-generation college graduate who previously led other universities before returning to UNK. The document formally congratulates him on his leadership and commits to sending a copy of the resolution to him.

Legislative Resolution 497 formally congratulates the seven student leaders of the 2025-26 Nebraska FFA Association State Officers for their service and dedication. This document serves as an official acknowledgment from the Nebraska Legislature, recognizing the officers' efforts in promoting agricultural education and rural community development across the state. The resolution lists the specific names and chapters of the seven officers being honored and directs a copy of the document to be sent to each of them. As a commemorative measure, it does not alter any laws or policies but rather celebrates the achievements of these student leaders.

This bill allocates $118,000 from the General Fund for each of the fiscal years 2026-27 and 2027-28 to the Nebraska State Department of Education. The funds are designated to support the implementation of Legislative Bill 841, which was passed in the 2026 legislative session. The appropriation specifically prohibits using these funds for employee salaries, temporary staff wages, or per diem expenses. This measure provides financial resources to the department without directly altering the underlying policy provisions of the related bill.

This legislative resolution directs the Nebraska Education Committee to conduct an interim study on federally funded Head Start and Early Head Start programs. The study will examine how these programs operate in Nebraska, review their history and funding sources, and assess staffing challenges and compliance with federal background check requirements. It will also compare Nebraska's approach with strategies used in other states to support early childhood education. The committee is tasked with reporting its findings and policy recommendations to the Legislature after completing the study.

This legislative resolution directs the Nebraska Education Committee to conduct an interim study on suspension and exclusionary discipline practices in elementary schools. The study will examine current policies, demographic data, and the impacts of these disciplinary actions on student outcomes, while also reviewing alternative approaches like restorative practices and available support resources. The committee will analyze funding gaps, workforce needs, and best practices from other states, ultimately submitting findings and recommendations to the Legislature. This measure focuses on gathering information rather than implementing immediate policy changes.

This legislative resolution directs the Nebraska Education Committee to conduct an interim study on the recruitment, retention, and professional recognition of prekindergarten, elementary, and secondary educators. The study will examine factors contributing to educator shortages, causes of burnout and attrition, compensation competitiveness, workplace conditions, and strategies to improve job satisfaction and retention. The committee is tasked with reviewing evidence-based practices from other states and developing recommendations for the Legislature to address these challenges. The resolution does not enact new laws but establishes a framework for gathering information to inform future policy decisions.

This legislative resolution directs Nebraska's Education Committee to conduct an interim study examining educational opportunities and services for deaf and hard of hearing elementary students in the state. The study will assess teacher availability, access to communication supports like sign language interpretation and assistive technologies, early language development outcomes, coordination among schools and families, educator training, and regional disparities in service access. The committee will gather input from parents, educators, specialists, and state agencies before submitting findings and recommendations to the Legislature. This measure focuses on gathering information rather than implementing immediate policy changes.

This legislative resolution from the Nebraska Legislature urges the U.S. Congress and President to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The bill directly affects children with disabilities in Nebraska and their families by calling for federal financial support that has historically been underfunded. It highlights that since 1975, the federal government has only provided 40% of the authorized funding for special education, leaving state and local schools to cover the remaining costs. The resolution requests that federal authorities enact legislation to meet the full funding mandate, thereby reducing the financial burden on Nebraska schools and taxpayers.