PILLEN TAPS SCHOOL OFFICIALS, FORMER STATE SENATORS FOR NEBRASKA SCHOOL FUNDING COMMISSION

LINCOLN — Gov. Jim Pillen on Tuesday announced the appointments of all but one member to Nebraska’s new School Financing Review Commission to review and provide annual recommendations to examine state aid to schools and reduce reliance on local property taxes.

State lawmakers created the 18-member commission, chaired by Nebraska Education Commissioner Brian Maher, in a 48-0 vote this spring. It took effect June 5 and required initial appointments within 30 days.  The group’s main task is reviewing the main school funding formula — the Tax Equity and Educational Opportunities Support Act (TEEOSA) — and providing periodic suggestions so the Legislature can update it. 

The appointed members of the commission are:

Property Tax Administrator (or designee):

Sarah Scott, Property Tax Administrator

Governor’s Representative:

Grant Latimer, Policy Advisor to Governor Pillen

Representatives Appointed by the Legislature (three, nonvoting):

Senator Dave Murman, Chairman, Education Committee

Senator Eliot Bostar, Appointed by the Revenue Committee

Senator Jana Hughes, Appointed by the Executive Board

Postsecondary Education Representative with Expertise in School Finance:

Paul Turman, Chancellor, State College System

Superintendents or School Board Members from Class I, II, III Districts (four):

Class I: Ann Foster, Superintendent, Brady Public Schools

Class II: Jason Dolliver, Superintendent, Pender Public Schools

Class III: Aaron Plas, Superintendent, Bennington Public Schools

Additional: Keith Runge, President, Columbus Lakeview School Board

Class IV District Member (one) and Class V District Member (one):

Class IV: Liz Standish, Associate Superintendent for Business Affairs, Lincoln Public

Class V: Shavonna Holman, School Board Member, Omaha Public

At-Large Members (five):

Former Senator Lou Ann Linehan

State Treasurer Tom Briese

Certified Public School Teacher: (This position has not yet been appointed)

Former Senator Fred Meyer

John Schwartz, Superintendent, Millard Public Schools

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