[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6258508,"mediaKeyId","3148132-c26c0f1f9c92259a64a07fcfac1dcd25","parentId",3148132,"title","Board hears state legislative update; members flag retirement-contribution bill and omnibus education proposals","audioSeconds",534,"startMs",1167000,"endMs",1701000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3148132-c26c0f1f9c92259a64a07fcfac1dcd25&start=1167&end=1701","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3148132-c26c0f1f9c92259a64a07fcfac1dcd25/thumbnail_1167000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6258508/Nebraska/Board-hears-state-legislative-update-members-flag-retirement-contribution-bill-and-omnibus-education-proposals","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6258508-e24e65ccdf09e5ab8545c8d115e753a8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770968133&Signature=jubBiRKX1Pw43Tjg15Tw11Wmvn2BULVMzfsCgag149PYLjopTvoZUoaTJvT6zyCmLJHYUXP5E3BENbv90qVABfvtC90-huXUXKqIh0RJ394RK9aCWXKzwjSpGzLSyv~eFsgfqOBxWyR5RERDN~2JOnQ4nh-wAiLA~ILy1W7r583Z5dsuS8CUqZEKOeztOIEoSiBzboySw5~alsDo3G39ZrRUDmsnA1gyKaZZYfnDQazK~~sUG0FbK3i1Vyfa~7Izb6-POc0JgHz2KToyVKzKr3aa~bGL7oSHknjlPCyd7-2QZXigfhuUNlrZ-IjP0PoAXkyKXyCxqIpUVLfSzeUVLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ralston Public Schools, NE","date","2025-04-29T16:21:04.377Z","article","Board members and the district's government-relations lead provided an overview of education-related bills pending at the Nebraska unicameral and flagged several measures the district is monitoring.

The retirement contribution bill (LB645) drew particular attention. The presenter said the state's contribution mechanism for NPERS currently results in a fund that is roughly 99.9 percent funded and that LB645 would alter the percentage the state places into the retirement system; the presenter said the change would save the state roughly $83 million in the near term. \"This saves them, right around was it 83,000,000? I think pretty close to that here,\" the presenter said while describing trade-offs between short-term savings and future employer/employee contribution changes.

Board members discussed LB653, a package described as an omnibus education bill that includes items such as option enrollment, transportation provisions for foster care and changes affecting kindergarten through second grade. Board members said the Education Coalition and associations are opposing some aspects of LB653 and intend to fight provisions they see as harmful to public-school operations.

Other bills mentioned included measures to extend paid leave for school employees through payroll-deduction contributions (discussed as a possible addition to another bill) and LB89, described as a polarizing measure that had advanced from general file to select file with a narrow vote. The presenter described LB89 as politically divisive and said amendments were likely necessary for additional votes.

Board members said they are staying engaged with the Nebraska Association of School Boards and local senators, and they reported attending related advocacy events at the Capitol. The board did not take positions on the specific bills during the meeting but said it would continue to monitor developments and update the board as the legislative session continues.

Provenance
Topic introduction: \"Let's talk about some government relations, Sterling.\" (meeting transcript)
Topic finish: Overview concluded: \"...so pretty much anything that costs a whole lot of money is not gonna have a very easy time down in Lincoln right now.\" (meeting transcript)
","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","RPS Board of Education Meeting - April 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","District officials briefed the Ralston board on multiple education bills at the Nebraska Legislature, highlighting LB645 (changes to state retirement contributions for NPERS) and an omnibus education package (LB653) with option-enrollment and other provisions the district said it is monitoring.","taxTitle","RALSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS, School Districts, Nebraska","taxId",76452,"location","Nebraska","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6258513,"Ralston expands school-based mental-health services; Arbor Family reports 82 referrals and full acceptance",1214,3284000,4498000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3148132-c26c0f1f9c92259a64a07fcfac1dcd25&start=3284&end=4498","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3148132-c26c0f1f9c92259a64a07fcfac1dcd25/thumbnail_3284000.jpg","/articles/6258513/Nebraska/Ralston-expands-school-based-mental-health-services-Arbor-Family-reports-82-referrals-and-full-acceptance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6258513-42eb786023bb21c8c80fb5b0434cc6d3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770968133&Signature=FyByUig2KFbYt8OBKKn-mWkuZ92InaayeGUWBqEm6Cfkg8sZAjciqwKQsci-RWrMQbve5ZOP09UgjtoM7~YLVFhe4BEH6XS6N43PayB1uee-q1A0TanyC44x-01m50eIhH5ekE8JKlP9sweDPYzg9avaEugXG2UXjUs5aP3dt2FWjwCks~~wCb9SHFp61MlkhoLAk8tt89CDRcIyNf0Kt994iFAxclMFfKEhNs0OUvjhoFsr~aaf4LF9VnY842SvMmZiL-bHlr45KgSb7FDPv9Qm6hU2nWacM5~u9zPN~2AE8C~kOURrSO3iSkaMG74gw0giciosuU3v98cI2eonHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The board received a semiannual utilization report from Arbor Family, the district's contracted family-counseling partner. Melissa Stoney (Arbor Family) reported 82 referrals for the June'December period; Arbor accepted and served all referrals during that period, the contractor said.

Stoney told the board that a portion of referrals come from employees and families as well as students, and that intake patterns typically peak around fall breaks and the November period. \"In that first part, we had 82 referrals, but 100% of them were accepted and seen,\" Stoney said.

District leaders described on-site counseling and an expansion funded by a School Mental Health grant administered through ESU 3. The district added a bilingual mental-health therapist at Mockingbird and a therapist at the middle school in April. Administrators reported that the two new therapists began work shortly after spring break and are serving about 20 additional students in the first three weeks.

Staff and the Arbor team described presenting concerns as primarily anxiety and depression; trauma and relationship-related referrals also appeared more frequently in the recent reporting period. Stoney and district staff emphasized early intervention and partnerships with non-district providers to reach families who face scheduling and transportation barriers.

District officials said the Arbor partnership includes onsite evaluations, staff training and parent resources; for some disciplinary-related substance incidents the district can refer students to Arbor in lieu of more punitive discipline when families agree to services.

Provenance
Topic introduction: \"Let's discuss some, our our family counseling with Melissa Stoney.\" (meeting transcript)
Topic finish: Board thanks and discussion of expansion and grant funding (meeting transcript)
","Board heard a semiannual utilization report from Arbor Family counseling: 82 referrals between June and December were accepted, and the district added grant-funded bilingual therapists on-site at Mockingbird and the middle school to expand access.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6258517,"Board debates using missed snow days to shift staff start earlier; no vote taken",632,2812000,3444000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3148132-c26c0f1f9c92259a64a07fcfac1dcd25&start=2812&end=3444","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3148132-c26c0f1f9c92259a64a07fcfac1dcd25/thumbnail_2812000.jpg","/articles/6258517/Nebraska/Board-debates-using-missed-snow-days-to-shift-staff-start-earlier-no-vote-taken","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6258517-ecb6ce752d4199116e879f4dda221c08/orig.mp4?Expires=1770968133&Signature=m5v3zAelX6S69tMdx7QRm96N29HN4QCf3srxYREQWc1-n0MWVsAztaswl6LlBRsUKgmJSUWq88bk8~O6QfX7W4olWi1-hFsPr9KGwvomrv3847YEO2Nnh8t-iTV5GbIegy3hRPDdR3WcGapxMI48Byn0ZG~9gOMl6b761KIMoTaKPxBYYk9IR-KDj~uel~Gi2n1LeCepcsV2pTdCVVOj-wtVulqznwCj5dJK5rXXcsPIK51j76LQ5xHxMsA3K0u8-tNhdmNoNNoNsF7Mm-WaNKyRsGKQfmUGTqhxxvzQr~tvSy1vJNK7RA6PaRY9Flb-x-LYqf~7PVUvmcmjdZ8D0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District administrators told the board the district lost seven days of instructional time to inclement weather this semester and proposed using some of the missed days to alter the start-of-year calendar so staff would have more classroom and planning time before students return.

Superintendent Buckingham said the district remains above state minimum instructional-day requirements but suggested bringing some staff back earlier next year to expand front-end planning time. \"What I propose is that we bring them back at the same time our new teachers come back, which is August 1,\" Buckingham said. Under the proposal, new and returning staff would have additional days at the beginning of the next school year to set up classrooms and undertake training tied to a planned math-curriculum adoption.

Board members discussed logistics and staff reaction. One trustee said returning on a Friday could be unpopular: \"I don't like the Friday. I think that's I'd be mad if that was me. I'd be like, it's my end of my summer,\" a board member said. District leaders said staff who already have preexisting plans could take leave; the district would expect buildings to be open for classroom setup or building-level team activities rather than full-day mandatory training.

No formal action was taken; the board asked administration to refine the calendar proposal before returning with a recommended schedule. Administrators indicated they will balance staff preferences, professional-development needs and state requirements when drafting the proposal for a future board vote.

Provenance
Topic introduction: \"Let's have a little conversation about instructional time.\" (meeting transcript)
Topic finish: Discussion of logistics and leave options for staff returning earlier in August (meeting transcript)
","After seven instructional days were lost to inclement weather this semester, district leaders proposed bringing staff back earlier in August to provide planning time and support curriculum rollout. The board discussed options but did not take a formal vote.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6258521,"Ralston reports 77-student enrollment dip; district highlights chronic absentee concerns at high school",699,1834000,2533000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3148132-c26c0f1f9c92259a64a07fcfac1dcd25&start=1834&end=2533","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3148132-c26c0f1f9c92259a64a07fcfac1dcd25/thumbnail_1834000.jpg","/articles/6258521/Nebraska/Ralston-reports-77-student-enrollment-dip-district-highlights-chronic-absentee-concerns-at-high-school","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6258521-4acc2d74e147080ce6e877b1928bacee/orig.mp4?Expires=1770968133&Signature=Aeh2~WpzU2SkICECZW0js4SLrBcvti~TnCGjcZX9-tw7NdRJ-iJL0RdlhO~YK98faCHMvitgRg3NWIZAN6FooqiphahdVum3yAes~BzL~oYFEHUO5TUtLJ~H0R4CD5RqxszshqZybi~bJ53PC6ksonM10uz2OVXkk7TjUFDgHNkbz6-1iREUISA9uTtLIkBySt0Qmpw8RI8m8npatcLRoxh6wAF7IoYukfRjzWTIN1y4GbxDxBOjMOBssKk4JhS9vovXspayVhkWgp-XqeMT5~Ez3~kvBiwV3GxhAsAgwO6XXYCK4rBqw22Y43t99OVGQqobQjM~vOGDdextYpL7mQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ralston Public Schools reported 3,436 students enrolled for the current school year, 77 fewer than the 3,513 reported a year earlier, officials said.

Doctor Harley (district official) gave the enrollment update: \"We are, as of today, at 3,436 students. A year ago, we were at 3,513. So that means we're at 77 kids fewer.\" The district said most grade levels were up year to year except kindergarten, fifth, eleventh and twelfth.

Superintendent Buckingham and district staff detailed factors behind the numbers, including 33 midterm graduates and 23 senior withdrawals this year. \"We did have 33 midterm graduates this year in twelfth grade ... and then we had 23 senior withdrawals this year,\" Buckingham said while describing how early graduations and withdrawals affect reported senior counts.

Attendance and chronic absenteeism
Buckingham reviewed attendance data and said the district still aims for a 95 percent average-daily-attendance goal. He summarized mixed results across schools: several elementary schools and the middle school showed improvement; the middle school increased its attendance over the prior year; the high school has improved but remains behind other buildings.

Buckingham flagged chronic absenteeism as the more persistent problem: \"Ralston High School, we've got 484 kids that are chronically absent, and that's too big a number,\" he said. District staff described chronic absenteeism as driven by multiple, sometimes transient causes'1student mobility, family work schedules and other barriers to regular attendance.

Officials also explained how state data rules can inflate chronic-absence counts for students who enroll for only short periods and then move away, because some absence measures remain in the record for the school year.

What the district is doing
The board discussed efforts to monitor at-risk students and interventions to improve attendance across buildings. Officials said improving middle-school attendance is expected to have downstream benefits for the high school.

Provenance
Topic introduction: Enrollment update: \"We are, as of today, at 3,436 students. A year ago, we were at 3,513.\" (meeting transcript)
Topic finish: Chronic absentee discussion: \"Ralston High School, we've got 484 kids that are chronically absent, and that's too big a number.\" (meeting transcript)
","District officials reported 3,436 students enrolled this year, 77 fewer than a year earlier, and described mixed attendance trends: gains at many grades and schools but 484 chronically absent high-school students that officials said require continued intervention.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6258527,"Ralston board approves Sodexo to run school food service for 2025–26, contingent on state approval",160,2715000,2875000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3148132-c26c0f1f9c92259a64a07fcfac1dcd25&start=2715&end=2875","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3148132-c26c0f1f9c92259a64a07fcfac1dcd25/thumbnail_2715000.jpg","/articles/6258527/Nebraska/Ralston-board-approves-Sodexo-to-run-school-food-service-for-202526-contingent-on-state-approval","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6258527-393c81e8bae6f54550d580b516372fee/orig.mp4?Expires=1770968133&Signature=fuJJwxd-CEBBjK82dGofMMqhocCozwreu2NPjrpcwHDkJOF0e~hPNkpPO0rQOPUXqBb689YOe-q9JNdIlOGFUrwPJG~xkm0XhNVN-Dh0xecZsMx7NgIquiM5LLhPtzT9A8XhTgUOmXj9UL8PCIvOhEd45hCyay2Af7YSKYLh0mBJ5Mz6J8RWV7u2eRn28JhA-5uD0yvK0iyi4bo5-Kz23OFniS3tznGXRJB52uHf~w-CK~8rUhtC1BlMGado-aEWuA55ph96ZapznRSSxQCs0mCDLMuUS06OVPJCZMRVZ0Jusk0d-CUNIGZ~KFYWGPTbWqz5WwAPWQN~fWQnc6EX0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ralston Public Schools Board of Education voted to accept a proposal from Sodexo to provide food-service management for the 2025'26 school year, contingent on final approval by Nebraska Department of Education nutritional services.

Board member Mary (board member) made the motion and Liz (board member) seconded it. Mary told fellow trustees that Sodexo's proposal included a guarantee of positive lunch-account balances and that longtime staffer Judy would return as part of Sodexo's program. \"Judy will be returning as our as part of our our brand. So an asset worth almost more than the, guaranteed return,\" Mary said during discussion.

The board discussed elements from both proposals and praised the competitive process. A board member noted Sodexo's commitment to local food sources and changes in menu offerings, including lower-processed options. \"I just really appreciate Sodexo's commitment to local food sources, and really raised up again, like, the fresh meats,\" one board member said.

Board members called the roll and recorded five affirmative votes. The motion passed. Following the vote, the district said it will send the approved contract to the Nebraska Department of Education for review to ensure federal- and state-nutrition compliance before the contract becomes final.

The vote and next steps
- Motion: \"Accept the proposal for Sodexo Company to be our food service provider for the 2025'26 school year contingent on NDE nutritional services approval.\" (moved by Mary; seconded by Liz)
- Vote: recorded as five recorded ayes; outcome: approved, contingent on NDE approval.

The district plans to forward the contract to NDE for federal- and state-level review. The board indicated the vendor will begin work only after that approval.

Provenance
Topic introduction: \"I recommend we accept the proposal for Sodexo Company to be our food service provider for the 20 25, 20 26 school year contingent on NDE nutritional services approval.\" (meeting transcript, motion start)
Topic finish: \"I'll be sending it down to NDA. Say this is the 1 we approved, and I'll review it to make sure it aligns with the federal.\" (meeting transcript, next-step comment)
","The Ralston Public Schools Board voted to contract Sodexo as the district's food service manager for the 2025'1 school year, contingent on approval from Nebraska Department of Education nutrition services. Board members cited menu improvements and local sourcing in choosing Sodexo over a competing bidder.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board hears state legislative update; members flag retirement-contribution bill and omnibus education proposals

Ralston expands school-based mental-health services; Arbor Family reports 82 referrals and full acceptance

Board debates using missed snow days to shift staff start earlier; no vote taken

Ralston reports 77-student enrollment dip; district highlights chronic absentee concerns at high school

Ralston board approves Sodexo to run school food service for 2025–26, contingent on state approval