A group of organizations that champion education and children have come together to encourage policymakers to invest in early childhood education, after-school programs, school nutrition and career education efforts.
The Nebraska Education Collaboration includes 13 organizations and state agencies that already advocate for such programs, but hope to be more effective by working together.
“Basically the purpose of the collaboration is to use and leverage each other’s expertise,†said Ann Hunter-Pirtle, executive director of Stand For Schools, a nonprofit organization that advocates for public schools and against privatization efforts.
The collaboration is the latest step by public school advocates against growing momentum for school privatization efforts backed by Gov. Pete Ricketts, including bills that would introduce both vouchers and charter schools to Nebraska.
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The evidence-based strategies would boost economic development and make public schools stronger -- and privatization efforts would impede the ability of Nebraska to invest in such programs, Hunter-Pirtle said.Â
Among the programs touted by members of the collaboration Tuesday were before- and after-school programs they say allow community organizations to partner with schools to offer academic-based programs that expand learning past the school day and help working parents.
The group supports LB246, which would allow school districts to exceed spending lids for before- and after-school programs.
No one spoke in opposition to the bill during a committee hearing Tuesday although Sen. Mike Groene wondered why schools couldn’t operate within their budget authority for such programs, or ask community organizations to foot the bill.
The collaboration also advocates for all-day preschool programs, career and technical education programs that they say can fill a much-needed gap for skilled workers in Nebraska and taking better advantage of federal school breakfast programs.
Nebraska continues to rank near the bottom in participation in federal school breakfast programs and few schools participate in a U.S. Department of Education program that allows some high-poverty schools to serve breakfast and lunch to all students regardless of income level.
Collaboration members include the Nebraska Department of Education, Nebraska Council of School Administrators, Nebraska Association of School Boards, Nebraska State Education Association, STANCE, Greater Nebraska Schools Association, Nebraska Rural and Community Schools Association, Educational Service Units Coordinating Council, Holland Children’s Movement, First Five Nebraska, Voices for Children in Nebraska, Beyond School Bells and Stand for Schools.