A Culture of Success

Another legislative session is underway, and now that all bills have been introduced, we have a clearer sense of what could move out of the Unicameral by the end of this short, 60-day session.

Bills, Bills, Bills
There are several bills we are excited about. Sen. Ashlei Spivey has introduced a new version of her bill that would provide six weeks of paid family and medical leave. Sen. John Cavanaugh has proposed legislation that would help some of our higher education locals gain access to the data they need to effectively bargain. Sens. George Dungan and Margo Juarez have introduced bills that would require judicial warrants for ICE activities in schools. Sen. Beau Ballard has introduced a bill to update how cost-of-living adjustments are handled for Omaha retirees—a result of a New Business Item adopted at last year’s Delegate Assembly.

There are also proposals that raise serious concerns, including the governor’s proposed cuts to special education funding and his plan to create a $7 million voucher program housed within the Department of Labor.

The bills I want to focus on, however, are those that may be well-intended but could have serious consequences if implemented. One example is LB1050, which would require a student to repeat third grade if they fail to meet certain benchmarks on reading assessments. Few would disagree that improving elementary literacy is critical, but we know mandatory retention is not the solution. Research and classroom experience show that retaining students does not address the root causes of reading challenges and can create long-term academic and social consequences. Bills like this, while well-intended, are where your voice can have the greatest impact.

You are the Experts
Never forget that you are the experts in how we educate students. Your stories, experiences and professional judgment may be exactly what a state senator needs to hear to consider a better path forward. Whether you testify at a hearing, meet with a senator in the Rotunda, or send a quick email or phone call, your voice matters. Last year, a pro-educator bill was prioritized after a meaningful conversation between a state senator and one of our members.

These types of bills are also why we invited every state senator to spend a day in a school last fall. In meetings since then, we are already seeing the impact of those visits. Experiencing a day in your shoes helped lawmakers better understand not only our needs, but our students’ needs as well. When we ground good intentions in the real needs of our schools, that is when things begin to click.

We have already seen this on the Retirement Committee. Reforms enacted last year mean members participating in the NPERS retirement plan will see pay increases for two consecutive summers. This year, there is broad support to assist retirees in the OSERS plan. Next year, we hope to reverse the law requiring educators who began their careers in Nebraska after 2017 to wait an additional five years to retire.

Now, we are working to build that same culture of success across other committees. It will take all of us to make that happen. I am confident that when the session ends in April and we gather at Delegate Assembly, we will have important wins to celebrate. But it will take all of us, working together, to get there.