Decade of Lost Equalization Adds To Doubts About LB974 Funding

FALLS CITY – Falls City School Superintendent Tim Heckenlively told the school board last week that the education community is opposed to LB974, a school funding and property tax relief bill up for debate in the state Legislature.
Heckenlively: “We believe that in spite of a minimal increase in funding to rural school districts in the form of Foundation Aid (aid per student), the new constrictions placed on districts will ultimately be disastrous for FCPS District 56 and a great many districts of all sizes across the state.”
He said the promise for school funding under LB 974 is built on projections of increases in state revenue.
Heckenlively: “With no new sources of revenue, the educational community finds it difficult to trust that the state funding will always be there. Especially considering the fact that over the past decade our school district along with scores of other rural districts have lost all Equalization Aid (state aid). “
Heckenlively said elements of the bill would result in reduced and less stable revenues for schools.