New Contract with Commissioner Matthew L. Blomstedt

The Nebraska State Board of Education approved a new three-year contract with a 2.3 percent raise next year and the year following for Nebraska Education Commissioner Matthew L. Blomstedt. The Commissioner’s new contract will go into effect July 1, 2019 and run through June 2022.

Priority School Designations

Nebraska state law requires the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) to designate Priority Schools, those most in need of support to improve. Board members approved the removal of Loup County Elementary School from Priority School status based on progress made over the past three years in the areas of student achievement, student and staff culture, instructional leadership, and clear and compelling direction. Board members also approved the addition of Santee Elementary and Santee High School as Priority Schools, joining Santee Middle School as part of a larger system-wide approach. Schuyler Central High School is also a Priority School.

Loup County Recommendation

Santee Recommendation

Expanded Learning Opportunity Grant Program Act

The Expanded Learning Opportunity Grant Program Act was created by the Nebraska Legislature to promote academic achievement in high-need schools during out-of-school time after school and during summer break. Proceeds from the Nebraska Lottery fund the grants. Grant amounts will range from $10,000-$30,000 and applicants are required to have a one-to-one funding match. The Board approved grant proposals for 48 sites in seven cities.

Expanded Learning Opportunity Proposals

Nebraska Leadership and Learning Network (NLLN)

The board received information on the launch of the Nebraska Leadership and Learning Network (NLLN), a system of support created by school leaders, for school leaders, in schools with the highest need for leadership development. Stakeholders from across the state will provide guidance to a team of school principals and superintendents to ultimately scale the system across the state. The NLLN is comprised of five schools: Winnebago Middle School, Winnebago High School, Wauneta-Palisade Middle School, Bayard Elementary School, and Walnut Middle School in Grand Island. Participants engage in activities designed to help leverage new approaches to solving problems of practice, build a network, and apply applicable research and case studies to their contexts.

More information on the NLLN is available online at https://www.education.ne.gov/educatoreffectiveness/nebraska-leadership-and-learning-network-nlln/.