Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Board Votes And Actions topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
State Board approves grants, contracts and policy updates; CDA navigator grant fails
Summary
At its April 4 meeting the Nebraska State Board of Education approved multiple grant awards, contracts and a model behavioral intervention policy; one continuation grant for a Child Development Associate (CDA) navigator failed to pass.
The Nebraska State Board of Education on April 4 voted on a range of budget, contract and policy items. The board approved funding recommendations, authorized contracts for statewide services, accepted the annual audit and adopted a model behavioral intervention policy. A proposed continuation grant for a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential navigator failed to receive approval.
Key outcomes at a glance:
- School emergency response mapping grant: Board approved funding recommendations. Vote: roll call in committee and board indicated approval (affirmative votes recorded). The motion to approve the funding recommendations was adopted.
- NCECBVI repair and maintenance contract authorization: The board authorized the commissioner to contract for repairs and maintenance at the Nebraska Center for the Education of Children who are Blind or Visually Impaired. The motion was adopted by roll call.
- Nebraska Statewide Educational Programs and Support Services for children who are deaf or hard of hearing: The board authorized the commissioner to contract to carry out grant activity for statewide services; the motion was adopted by roll call.
- Child program and family outcomes measurement system: The board authorized the commissioner to contract for a measurement system; the motion was adopted by roll call.
- UNL Words Project funding source change: The board authorized use of IDEA funds to support the UNL Words Project; the motion was adopted by roll call.
- Acceptance of the 2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (audit): The board accepted the audit after department staff explained accounting adjustments related to accrual and prior-year reporting; the motion was adopted by roll call.
- Planning and evaluation items: The board approved plans of correction for Rule 10, 14 and 18 school systems and interim program schools; it approved nonpublic schools for 2025–26 and interim program schools for 2025–26; it approved a pilot process for cooperating-teacher qualifications in world languages. The board also approved the Nebraska Department of Education’s model behavioral intervention policy for schools.
- CDA credential navigator continuation grant: The board voted on a motion to approve a $130,000 continuation grant for a CDA credential navigator. The roll call recorded four votes in favor (Douglas, Neary, Renner, Christensen) and four votes against (Schoenhof, Penner, Tegmeier, Jones); the motion failed.
Board discussion and department responses included an explanation of the audit finding (accounting treatment of aid accruals and prior-year adjustments) and department staff clarified details of the CDA navigator pilot, including that initial private funding was provided as part of a RESPECT-related partnership and that private-extension options could be pursued.
Ending: The board’s votes direct the commissioner to implement approved contracts and follow up on policy items; staff will report back as required by contract or by future agenda items.
