MAY 2020 | #Nseaiskey Your NSEA President Hope
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35 Percent Petition Folds; Property Tax Relief Unlikely nomic impact of the pandemic – to pay for THE Newspaper Says LB1106 short-term property tax reduction. — Changes to State Aid A Lincoln Journal Star editorial urged VOICE state senators to scrap LB1106 and use the and Property Tax — months before the 2021 session to take a Nebraska State Education Association “hard look” at property taxes. 605 S. 14th Street, Lincoln, NE 68508 is ‘Effectively Dead’ The Journal Star wrote “with the unprec- nsea.org 402-475-7611 · 1-800-742-0047 The Nebraska Legislature has not met edented instant drop in economic activity since mid-March, and no date has been set and the accompanying record increase in Volume 73, No. 9 to reconvene in order to finish the session’s unemployment filings triggered by the vi- ISSN Number: 1085-0783 rus, state tax receipts will be sig- USPS Number: 000-369 deliberations and action. That does not mean, however, nificantly lower than anticipated Executive Director Maddie Fennell, NBCT that the coronavirus pandemic for at least three months and, re- Associate Executive Sheri Jablonski has caused all to go quiet on the alistically, far more. Director & Comptroller political front. “Combine that fiscal real- Field & Special Michelle Raphael For instance, backers of a con- ity with the political reality sur- Projects Manager rounding the bill and it is hard to Director of Public Affairs Karen Kilgarin troversial statewide petition drive & Communications aimed at slicing property taxes by find a reason why the Legislature Assistant Comm. Director Al Koontz 35 percent “formally suspended” should spend any more time de- the campaign in April. Supporters bating an effectively dead pro- NSEA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE cite the pandemic and resulting posal” (emphasis added). President Jenni Benson, Lincoln Instead, editors said senators [email protected] limited personal contact for col- Vice President Paul Schulte, Millard lection of signatures as the reason should spend time between ses- [email protected] for the campaign’s derailment. sions reviewing all tax policy and NEA Director Tracy Hartman-Bradley, Omaha NSEA and other education crafting a bill from all parties that [email protected] organizations, along with the “addresses property tax relief by NEA Director Linda Freye, Lincoln rebalancing property taxes with [email protected] governor and several state sena- tors, said the petition plan would sales and income taxes.” Official publication of the Nebraska State Education slash property taxes by 35 per- Also left unresolved was the Association, 605 South 14th Street, Lincoln, NE 68508- cent, with no method to replace fate of Sen. Wendy DeBoer’s 2742. Periodical postage paid at Lincoln, NE, and ad- LB1073 and LB1023, property ditional mailing offices. Postmaster: send address the resulting loss of an estimated changes to NSEA Voice, 605 S. 14th Street, Lincoln, NE $1.5 billion in local government tax relief bills favored by NSEA. 68508. revenues. The plan would have Appropriations Committee crippled school district budgets. Nebraska Chair Sen. John Stinner said Published 10 times yearly according to this schedule: COVID-19 erased property tax September, October, November, December, January, Meanwhile, the Legislature Legislature ‘20 February, March, April, May and August. went into hibernation with Sen. relief opportunities for the year. Lou Ann Linehan’s flawed LB1106 still He estimates that a 10 percent Payment of annual NSEA membership dues entitles drop in tax revenues would eliminate $500 Nebraska educators to receive The Voice. Total cost of on the docket. LB1106 proposed shifting producing 10 monthly issues of The Voice each year is $130 million in state monies to schools in million in state revenues — the amount less than $2 per member. FY2020-21 to reduce property taxes. NSEA state leaders hoped to have available for property tax relief and other legislation. Advertising rates available upon request. All ad- and most other education organizations op- vertisements and advertisers are screened prior to pose LB1106 because it would further con- University of Nebraska System officials publication. Appearance of an advertisement in The strict state-imposed budget lids and levies said NU will also feel financial shortages. Voice does not imply NSEA endorsement of either the NU President Ted Carter said a shortfall of product being advertised or the views expressed. for school districts. It would also alter the state aid formula and rely on projected in- $50 million is expected in the current bud- creases in state revenue growth – increases get year, with more “economic pain” to that have all but evaporated given the eco- continue into the 2020-21 school year. Find us on Facebook at: Would You Like to Write for The Voice? facebook.com/nsea.org Find us on Twitter at: Would you like to write an item for The Voice? Would you like to write an opinion @nsea_org column or an article on what is working in your classroom? Find us on Instagram at: NSEA would like to begin a regular page for members, entitled Voice from the Classroom. @nsea_org Submissions can be classroom-related, humorous, inspiring or otherwise teaching related. Find us on YouTube at: Submit your questions about the process, and your topics to us at: NSEAMEDIA [email protected] On the Cover: In the face of the pandemic, with schools closed and social A Great Public School gatherings limited to 10 or fewer, Nebraska’s May 12 Primary Election will go forward, with many voters casting ballots by mail. This round of voting includes for Every Child. many educators on the ballot for Legislature and the State Board of Education. Learn more starting on Page 13. PAGE 2 | THE VOICE | MAY 2020 | #NSEAisKey Your NSEA President Hope. It is for Everyone. When I speak to outside groups and organi- manner – with dozens of stakeholder groups to zations about our state’s great system of public ensure our children and our members are getting schools, I often play on Nebraska’s new tongue- the resources they need. in-cheek tourism slogan, “Nebraska. Honestly, It’s Our teachers, professors, college students, Not for Everyone.” counselors, administrators, para-professionals, bus I tell those groups, with emphasis, that “Ne- drivers, and more have sprung into action in every braska. It Is for Children and It Is for Public Edu- corner of the state. They are stepping up to serve cation.” These last two months dealing with the through digital means where possible, in person on pandemic, school closures and uncertainty has the front lines, where necessary. They advocate for only confirmed that truth. Schools and school staff those who are not being served equitably. are the lifeblood of communities across Nebraska. The NSEA Children’s Fund Board of Direc- As we navigate the vagaries of this pandemic, tors invested heavily and voted to give $25,000 NSEA we must maintain in funding to the President hope. Or, to para- Food Bank for the Jenni Benson phrase the Ne- Heartland, which braska catchphrase serves all 93 Ne- once again, “Hope. braska counties. It Is for Everyone.” The NSEA-Retired That’s a basic fact board followed “ of life. Every soul, suit and will give Every soul, every every person needs $10,000 to that person needs hope. In this mo- same food bank. ment, we need All of these ac- hope. hope more than tions continue to fill ever. me with Hope. In this moment, we need hope Hope Often Lies ‘Never Lose in Our Actions Infinite Hope’ more than ever. As I listen to the I know some stories of teachers, may experience support profession- feelings of hope- ” als, administrators lessness. There are and school boards children and fami- going above and lies suffering, the beyond to provide One Bright Moment: Tiffany and Mike Failla, along with sorely needed aid their students and daughter Kora, teased Columbian Elementary School is not reaching ev- families with the teachers in Omaha as the teachers drove through the eryone in need. In tools, the learning school neighborhood in early April. The Failla’s son, Kroy, response to that, I and in many cases, wrote a more sentimental message on the driveway in would suggest that the food they need chalk, ‘Aw...man, no school!’ The photo was snapped by you do not give up to survive this situ- OEA member and Columbian teacher Connie Tefft. hope, that you seek ation, I am filled and help those in with a great deal of hope. need, and that you keep this quote from Dr. Martin Hope often lies in the actions we take. NSEA Luther King Jr. in mind: “We must accept finite moved into action on Day One. In truth, it might disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” be a more truthful characterization to say that I find hope in inspirational stories of service, in we moved into action on Day Zero. NSEA Ex- music and humor, too. We need to practice self- ecutive Director Maddie Fennell began planning care as well. Singing and laughing help me every with staff and leaders several weeks before the day. Connecting with family and friends raises pandemic was known to have crossed our bor- spirits and sustains a sense of hope. ders and make itself known in Nebraska. We had Finally, don’t forget to give yourself some meetings and planning sessions with staff and grace. I want you to know that I believe in you. leaders across the state and nation. Today, we NSEA is here for you. Never hesitate to reach out. continue to meet – now in a socially distanced Through hope and action, we will endure together. #NSEAisKey | MAY 2020 | THE VOICE | PAGE 3 Helping people in times of need. IT’S WHAT WE DO.