Bill could mean challenges for rural school districts

A bill set to be discussed by the Nebraska Legislature’s Education Committee on Tuesday would prohibit a school board member and an immediate family member from being employed at the same school district. School officials throughout the state are concerned about the legislation’s consequences for rural communities.

Jennifer Jorgensen, legal counsel for the Nebraska School Boards Association, said her organization is opposed to the bill.

“There’s not a lot of people who are in the smaller districts,” she said. “It’s going to be common that somebody on the board also has a family working at the school. We think this is a pretty substantial issue.”

Legislative Bill 601 was introduced by Sen. Dave Bloomfield (R-17) on Jan. 21. During tomorrow’s committee meeting, the bill can be amended, postponed or sent to the full Legislature. Before becoming law, LB 601 would have to be approved by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Pete Ricketts. It would take effect three months after the Legislature adjourns on June 5.

Bloomfield did not respond to a phone call for comment before press deadline.

Creek Valley Public Schools Superintendent Ted Classen said in his district, board of education members can have a family member employed by the district as long as it’s disclosed to the rest of the board.

“In small schools and communities, it is normal for a family member to be employed by the district because of the lack of people to fill positions,” he wrote in an email. “I would not want the bill to pass because of that fact.”

He added, an issue has never arisen because of a board member’s family member being employed by the district.

Current laws are already in place to protect against potential conflicts of interest and are monitored by the state’s Accountability and Disclosure Commission.

“There are specific steps in place that, in our opinion, we believe work to make sure there are no conflicts that would be detrimental to a district if a board member has a family member who is working for the district,” Jorgensen said.

The process includes filing forms noting the conflict, which are public documents, and refraining from voting on matters that could financially benefit a family member – such as contracts.

“We can’t see that those aren’t working in the way they are meant,” Jorgensen said.

Currently, a Leyton Public School District school board member has a family member who works for the district, Superintendent Greg Brenner said.

“In smaller school districts, it’s difficult to separate things so you have to have policies to counteract that,” he said. “A lot of people are related to other people in small districts.”

The district has never had a dispute because of the practice.

“We just have to make sure things are handled in a manner that it is appropriate,” Brenner said.

The Potter-Dix Public School District likewise has a family member of a school board member working at the district.

Superintendent Kevin Thomas said that’s sometimes the reality in a small town, and if passed, the bill would create complications.

“I don’t know if the mom would resign or the son would resign,” he said. “They both like what they’re doing. It would probably be an issue.”