[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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],{"_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",6060012,"mediaKeyId","3293312-325766034a70eb429adb5c85bde9f89a","parentId",3293312,"title","Senate package under review: paid‑leave payroll tax, superintendent limits, religious release and special‑ed loan among measures discussed","audioSeconds",77,"startMs",576447,"endMs",654180,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3293312-325766034a70eb429adb5c85bde9f89a&start=576&end=654","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3293312-325766034a70eb429adb5c85bde9f89a/thumbnail_576447.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6060012/Nebraska/Senate-package-under-review-paidleave-payroll-tax-superintendent-limits-religious-release-and-specialed-loan-among-measures-discussed","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6060012-0be976d379e5f57f66558f7e90467d67/orig.mp4?Expires=1770458972&Signature=HSS3uhxiB8FwCBaFjiyRWVGXnRNyyBEk-fyMjLOeH74ljlY6hvhpydwd7r2P1ZjFq9GAKHLS2vJ9vJ1bPFFzOTDnMCkWqIRcx7oIIzAygcr~Z9RT9F1KR~~7AprmIrlADgYDeIrhwt8lvPKwPnN6pKmaTXvZmXPN5zTuMB3iBvSmemuW6oPEWpZ1G-6rpVVCv3ucZgrWa0K44JtQsdDOtNJiOdyK6DK2dW3iRLzFw4icyF0OrNgJOhF9e5covCBDm74qMG6FD~RlRWVH3wC3dPiG2UmJwUvvLRYSA9QjLWmif5IpImBKkwPMqygonuftFw~R6zLJ77dylGOHjw0N7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ralston Public Schools, NE","date","2025-05-13T13:23:23Z","article","At a board meeting, district government‑relations staff summarized a set of bills being discussed by the state Legislature and told the Ralston Public Schools Board of Education how several provisions could affect district operations and costs.

“Senator Juarez … talked about 306,” the staff member said, describing what they called a Christmas‑tree bill that bundles several measures. The presenter listed items in the package, including a paid‑leave plan (identified as “440” in the discussion) that was amended from four weeks to three weeks and would be funded in part by a payroll tax. The presenter illustrated the potential cost to an employee earning $70,000 as roughly $276 under the proposed payroll assessment.

Other provisions summarized by the staff member included a bill described as “682” that would restrict outside work by superintendents, a measure previously flagged as likely to face constitutional challenge; a measure originally requiring districts to allow students to leave for religious instruction that was amended from “shall” to “may” (identified as “550”); and a proposed forgivable loan for special‑education teachers (referred to as “408”). The presenter said the package also contains a bill affecting post‑secondary reporting of foreign gifts (referred to as “378”).

Why it matters: several of these bills would change district obligations and costs. The presenter said the paid‑leave payroll tax is designed to offset substitute costs — “it offsets the cost of substitutes,” they said — but that some teachers the presenter spoke with were not supportive and were unlikely to use the benefit. The presenter also noted potential legal challenges for measures that restrict a person’s outside employment.

The government‑relations staff called the conversation with Senator Juarez “productive” and said the senator has been a “great partner.” Board members who attended the earlier phone conference were urged to continue communication with legislative staff and to monitor amendments as the bill package moves through the committee process.

Ending: Staff said they will continue to track the bills, report substantive amendments to the board and outline potential budgetary impacts if the payroll tax or other mandates are adopted.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","RPS Board of Education: May 12, 2025 - Part 2","oneSentenceSummary","At a board meeting, district government‑relations staff summarized a set of bills being discussed by the state Legislature and told the Ralston Public Schools Board of Education how several provisions could affect district operations and costs.","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},6060014,"Ralston district reports $1.2 million one‑time apportionment; nutrition and supply costs rising",196,47485,244050,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3293312-325766034a70eb429adb5c85bde9f89a&start=47&end=244","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3293312-325766034a70eb429adb5c85bde9f89a/thumbnail_47485.jpg","/articles/6060014/Nebraska/Ralston-district-reports-12-million-onetime-apportionment-nutrition-and-supply-costs-rising","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6060014-1c3ec1a906e0ca276398b50ac35aebd2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770458972&Signature=jS-KTItlycZydDknL0g7wgmeQ0e2QZ09hBXQ6~LcmLvUf2uhlkk0HKfOHvZubLkvuCubt~6SZIfGK24u8~zOs5UjrOmyw1lzSoM9dSbuyakMj6XUsRMW5s4BskxL-j2lpzTkBmnl1Jlysa8ThU2SD5p58FE7x9IPkYU6efxS1hM3maz8NbTsaV4e~NY1YbYcBK79Xo1vzDiimlcQevFoUnuDFltC4iARqHAnmllM2w4MgsrELhyifZucHvaBhxVIlwyR9d2rJxpNnAruo0cMywrtOrPB8kW8HIyDS8zT7~RV9DiP4bfr17YrqmpNfgecfFFymZk-ky5-wjDrH1CPGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District finance staff told the Ralston Public Schools Board of Education that the district received an unexpected $1.2 million estate apportionment this year and that some operating lines have shifted as federal ESSER funds were used up.

The finance presenter said the estate apportionment “was extensively larger than we've experienced in the past” compared with a forecast of $385,000 and cautioned the board that the district should not expect a similar amount next year. “What we have been communicated is that it'll be somewhere between what we've gotten in the past and what we got this year,” the staff member said.

Why it matters: the one‑time payment boosts this year’s receipts but is not guaranteed again, and the district is tracking recurring costs that are rising. The presenter said disbursements look lower this year because ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funds that inflated last year’s spending are no longer available.

On nutrition services, district staff reported higher salary and supply costs. “Annual salaries … is about 60,000 more than it was last year,” the finance presenter said, and “the supplies line is 300,000 more than last year.” The presenter added that supply costs have “almost doubled in our supply cost over the course of the 2 year period.” The board was told the district will revisit vendor pricing after the recent Sodexo RFP renewal and that the district may need to consider modest increases to lunch and breakfast prices.

Staff also flagged timing risks to special‑education and Title reimbursements. The presenter said the district is “not necessarily concerned about getting money from the federal government at this point for IDEA or Title,” but warned about timeliness because of reduced federal staffing and longer reimbursement queues. “We submit our reimbursements into the state and re‑submit reimbursement to the federal government,” the staff member said, noting the district is trying to file earlier to avoid year‑end queues.

Board members asked clarifying questions and were directed to the finance and HR committee’s prior discussion of the estate apportionment and related forecasts. The presenter said preexisting budget forecasts had estimated about $385,000 from that source and that the larger payment this year should be treated as nonrecurring.

Ending: The district will present next year’s budget projections with a reduced estimate for the estate apportionment and report back on vendor pricing and any proposed changes to student meal prices during upcoming budget discussions.","At a board meeting, district finance staff reported a $1.2 million estate apportionment windfall this year, noted rising supply and salary costs in nutrition services and warned special‑education reimbursements may be delayed by federal processing constraints.",{"_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},6060008,"Enrollment down 108 students year‑over‑year; district rolls out rebranding, surveys and community partnerships",85,872380,958100,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3293312-325766034a70eb429adb5c85bde9f89a&start=872&end=958","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3293312-325766034a70eb429adb5c85bde9f89a/thumbnail_872380.jpg","/articles/6060008/Nebraska/Enrollment-down-108-students-yearoveryear-district-rolls-out-rebranding-surveys-and-community-partnerships","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6060008-4ba10a3a12747f34db70bd8a834f0c9a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770458972&Signature=QsDTnPA6dMy4ZUYmk-DlGM2rV7aRROHbn7pOnP8WAe6EWw~Wn3PRi5WpDAGCW4b5JNYrT3XvfjxGbm4RUc9~b1giSg12XVn8unQsVyHnGk~RR~alkwJM4hOnq5dHVhvae5rERlHEr4HvJAeIkyNaRFo-cWRxyTsj9pz3J8OLY89bItqIuAygrYpJAQRCWD0YfO2RZ5Q8X4u1W11fFIAI6UOVhDmx1Q45E3Hy1lvmWpiTiwdHNBbHIKMFIzfEwdeMdBz9g7xsHrR~izVBSst8FIiHoRoNy5zOmguiHl5FwcF9T3mcawOQg5lLLkCgyXukXkwrOx6lRrws0R3Kd465MQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District communications staff told the Ralston Public Schools Board of Education that current enrollment stands at 3,438 students, 108 fewer than a year ago, and briefed the board on a range of communications and engagement activities.

“Today, we are at 3,438 students, and that is 108 fewer than we were a year ago,” a staff member reported.

Communications staff said the district is rebranding the middle and high schools, including updated mascots and an official font. They reported 372 parent surveys completed on a recent parent communication survey and nearly 200 student surveys returned for grades 3–6 and 7–12. Staff said staff and parent perception surveys are scheduled and a graduate survey will be distributed through the high school. The communications team plans a summer presentation summarizing survey results.

The presenter also noted outreach and partnerships: a potential reading partnership with Costco to begin in elementary summer school and an introduction to Civic Nebraska’s Kid Governor program for fifth graders. Several school events and programs were highlighted, including a student PBIS activity at Meadows and participation in community events.

Why it matters: enrollment changes affect funding and staffing; rebranding and engagement work aim to support student recruitment and community communication. The district plans to compile survey results this summer and present findings to the board.

Ending: Staff said they will share survey results in a summer presentation and continue communications work around rebranding, alumni recognition and community partnerships.","District staff reported enrollment at 3,438 students (108 fewer than a year ago), described ongoing rebranding efforts for the middle and high schools, and announced parent and student surveys plus community partnerships including a potential Kid Governor program and a Costco reading partnership.",{"_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},6060010,"Ralston bond work ahead of schedule; board asked to plan for next roofing, stadium and capital projects",95,1459550,1555535,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3293312-325766034a70eb429adb5c85bde9f89a&start=1459&end=1555","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3293312-325766034a70eb429adb5c85bde9f89a/thumbnail_1459550.jpg","/articles/6060010/Nebraska/Ralston-bond-work-ahead-of-schedule-board-asked-to-plan-for-next-roofing-stadium-and-capital-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6060010-99a5255b9a84c88e79be78926171d2b3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770458972&Signature=KFWnZDG5buMJ4vSRHn9sSiHkH4~isAzjaARZZH24qg0SyRt2gX-6lbCljZxf2zegWjg9unwT2X2wXYPp8vEJcgTI1mCZ88l8v8cEUTapFRC12rpCsTiqPw0UwTtLgnBe1Yj8I7Bjyubpm5~wClkR47d7W7C82rPisPM9BpLu0h6Z5Y5kgcdbOCTcpLGAUYih02VfHUwfOIOgtvGI9ZZNgUyYqH2ixD2yZnyCbNvZDe7w1ZXZ2RBQ6MyaxNHUSMK6LN7G3eYz90IJajsPhXWtoO1ezfcC~Kt209Joib~x90NiV1b9WIJIdvQPWRGNgpQdH5bKNmEQ1SlmMWsK-cM88A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Construction and bond‑project staff told the Ralston Public Schools Board of Education that work at Ralston High is running about a month ahead of the earlier schedule and that crews have completed substantial infrastructure work.

A staff member described progress at the high school: band and choir spaces and classrooms downstairs are complete and the next work will focus on shop areas and a computer lab that requires additional electrical upgrades. “They've gotten a ton of work done. We thought we'd be about up to the office. At this point, they've already blown past the office,” the staff member said.

At Ralston Middle School, staff said much of the remaining work is in ceilings and involves cameras, fire alarms, intercoms and assistive audio — low‑voltage installations that can be completed without large classroom disruptions. The presenter noted the upper parking lot mobilization was scheduled for the 23rd of the month and that parking‑lot and HVAC work in the gym, weight room and band room remain priorities for the summer.

Why it matters: with projects ahead of schedule, the district will need to decide how to allocate remaining bond funds for follow‑on capital needs. The presenter asked the full board for a “pretty thorough board discussion” within the next three to four months on next steps and identified roofing projects and possible stadium/grandstand work as early priorities.

Staff said the district’s current remaining funds compared to contracted amounts look “pretty decent,” but recommended a formal estimate sheet showing costs for prospective projects so the board can reach a consensus on priorities. The staff member also proposed orientation and retreat opportunities for incoming board members and new staff to review the strategic plan and project status.

Ending: The district will continue construction through the summer, provide cost estimates for roofing and stadium options, and bring the capital‑planning discussion to the full board for direction.","District construction managers reported the Ralston High project is about a month ahead of schedule and that significant summer work remains on parking, HVAC and the middle school’s low‑voltage systems. Staff asked the board to schedule a follow‑up discussion about remaining bond funds and future capital priorities, including roofing and stadium.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate package under review: paid‑leave payroll tax, superintendent limits, religious release and special‑ed loan among measures discussed

Ralston district reports $1.2 million one‑time apportionment; nutrition and supply costs rising

Enrollment down 108 students year‑over‑year; district rolls out rebranding, surveys and community partnerships

Ralston bond work ahead of schedule; board asked to plan for next roofing, stadium and capital projects