LB 282 allows K-12 teachers in Nebraska public, private, denominational, or parochial schools to seek up to $300 in reimbursement for school supplies they personally purchased. Teachers must submit receipts to the State Department of Education, which will administer the program based on policies developed by the State Board of Education. The bill requires the State Board to specify eligible supplies and establish application procedures, effective starting the 2025-26 school year. This directly affects teachers who cover out-of-pocket supply costs, providing a structured reimbursement process.
This bill creates Nebraska's Special Education Teacher Forgivable Loan Program, targeting students pursuing special education teaching credentials at eligible Nebraska colleges. It provides loans covering remaining tuition costs after federal/state aid, which are forgiven if recipients teach special education in Nebraska public schools for five consecutive years. To qualify, students must be U.S. citizens or specific eligible noncitizens, enrolled in special education programs, and have applied for other financial aid. Failure to teach in Nebraska for the required period results in repayment with 5% annual interest.
LB 429 requires Nebraska school boards to provide equal access to school employees' mailboxes, meetings, and posting spaces for all professional employees' organizations (like teacher unions or professional development groups). It mandates that if one organization is allowed to recruit at employee events, display information, or post materials in school spaces, all similar organizations must receive the same access. The bill also prohibits school boards from naming school calendar days or breaks after any professional employees' organization. This applies to all school employees, including teachers, administrators, and paraprofessionals, and aims to ensure fair treatment among competing professional groups.
Nebraska's LB 549 allows school boards to hire chaplains - licensed by their religious organization - to provide student support services like emotional or behavioral health assistance, without requiring a teaching certificate. Chaplains may serve as paid or volunteer staff, but must pass a criminal background check and comply with school policies developed by the board. The bill explicitly states this employment does not endorse any religion and exempts chaplains from standard teacher certification rules under Nebraska law. It affects all Nebraska public school districts and directly impacts students receiving non-academic support services.
LB 572 allows Nebraska school districts to exceed their annual budget limits for stipends paid to student teachers or interns completing teaching practicums. This change adds stipends to the list of allowable budget exceptions under the School District Property Tax Limitation Act, meaning districts can cover these costs without triggering tax limitation penalties. The bill directly affects school districts managing teacher training programs and student teachers in public or private Nebraska schools. It makes no changes to other budget restrictions or tax policies.
Nebraska's LB 411 amends the Teacher Recruitment and Retention Act to change how teachers qualify for retention grants. It establishes tiered annual grants: $2,500 for first through sixth years of teaching, $3,000 for seventh through fifteenth years, and $4,000 for 16+ years. Teachers with endorsements in special education, math, science, technology, or dual-credit may also qualify for a one-time $5,000 high-need retention grant if they sign a future teaching contract in those subjects. The bill eliminates school-based prioritization for grants, requiring automatic distribution to school districts that then pass funds directly to eligible teachers. These changes take effect July 1, 2025, with specific transition rules for existing applications.
LB 524 expands Nebraska's Teacher Recruitment and Retention Act to include paraeducators - school staff providing instructional support without teaching certification - by creating new retention grants. Paraeducators working 28+ hours weekly qualify for a $1,000 grant, while part-time staff receive proportional payments based on hours worked. The bill also amends the Education Future Fund to prioritize funding for teacher and paraeducator retention programs (Section 79-1021(e)), ensuring these grants are funded through state education resources. This directly affects Nebraska public school districts and paraeducators employed in classrooms statewide.
LB 523, the Student Teacher Compensation Act, provides a $4,000 financial stipend per semester to student teachers in Nebraska completing a teaching practicum at participating schools. It directly affects student teachers enrolled in accredited Nebraska teacher education programs who demonstrate financial need and are placed in public or private schools for their practicum. The bill requires the State Department of Education to administer the stipend program, verify eligibility, and publish annual reports on participation and program effectiveness. It does not create new funding but declares legislative intent for annual appropriations to support the program.
LB 440, the Education Leave and Support Act, creates a state fund to help school districts cover costs when teachers take federal medical leave (FMLA). It requires school districts to collect a 0.35% payroll fee from certificated teachers' wages (with employers matching this amount), which funds the State Education Leave Fund. This fund reimburses school districts for hiring substitutes during the first six weeks of a teacher's FMLA leave, ensuring teachers don’t need to use personal or sick leave during that period. Any surplus funds over 20% of annual needs will transfer to an Education Retention Fund to address teacher shortages and support professional development. The bill takes effect January 1, 2026, with reimbursements starting July 1, 2026.
This resolution (LR 144) proposes an interim study to examine creating an apprenticeship-based pathway for individuals with equivalent education and professional experience to become K-12 teachers in Nebraska. It would specifically study barriers in current certification, best practices from other states, necessary teaching skills training, and how school districts and the State Board of Education could oversee such programs. The study aims to address teacher shortages, particularly in rural and high-need areas, by evaluating whether an apprenticeship model could maintain quality while expanding the teacher workforce. This is a study request only - no policy change is enacted by the resolution itself.
