The Nebraska State Board of Education recorded a set of formal actions on March 7, 2025. Below is a concise listing of motions and outcomes taken during the meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Adopt consent agenda without item 6.7.b — Adopted (8 yes, 0 no)
- Motion text: “I move to adopt the consent agenda without 6.7 B.”
- Vote: Roll call recorded; the chair announced the affirmative has it and the consent agenda was adopted.

- Authorize the commissioner to amend contract for agriculture, food and natural-resources education and FFA support (agenda 7.2.b) — Adopted
- Motion text: “Authorize the commissioner to amend the contract for agriculture, food and natural resources education and FFA support.”
- Vote: Roll call recorded; motion carried (roll-call yes votes announced by recording secretary).

- Accept U.S. Department of Education funds for Stronger Connections technical assistance and capacity building (agenda 7.2.c) — Adopted (6 yes, 2 no)
- Motion text: “Authorize the commissioner to accept funds from the U.S. Department of Education to support the Stronger Connections technical assistance and capacity building grant program aimed at student mental health.”
- Vote: Recorded roll call resulted in 6 yes and 2 no; board requested evaluation and sustainability reporting.

- Accept Nebraska Department of Agriculture funds to support expansion of Farm to School and Walk to Unlock (agenda 7.2.d) — Adopted (8 yes, 0 no)
- Motion text: “Authorize the commissioner to accept funds from the Nebraska Department of Agriculture to support the expansion of Farm to School and Walk to Unlock.”
- Vote: Unanimous in favor per roll call.

- Authorize commissioner to contract with QuestionPro survey software (agenda 7.2.e) — Adopted (8 yes, 0 no)
- Motion text: “Authorize the commissioner to contract with QuestionPro survey software.”
- Vote: Unanimous in favor per roll call.

- Approve Rule 11 teacher waiver request from Schuyler Community Schools (agenda 7.3.a) — Adopted (8 yes, 0 no)
- Motion text: “Approve the Rule 11 teacher waiver request from Schuyler Community Schools.”

- Approve pilot process for conducting clinical observations for speech-language pathology virtually for the University of Nebraska at Kearney (agenda 7.3.b) — Adopted (8 yes, 0 no)

- Approve pilot process for conducting clinical observations for school psychology virtually for the University of Nebraska at Kearney (agenda 7.3.c) — Adopted (8 yes, 0 no)

- Authorize commissioner to approve waiver request from NCYF regarding media specialist requirements (agenda 7.3.d) — Adopted (8 yes, 0 no)

- Accept Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services funds to support prevention of youth tobacco use and prevention education (item pulled from consent agenda, 6.7.b) — Adopted (7 yes, 1 no)
- Motion text: “Authorize the commissioner to accept funds from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services to support the prevention of youth tobacco use and prevention education for local education agencies across Nebraska.”
- Vote: Roll call recorded; one recorded no vote (Schonhoff) and seven yes votes.

Notes and follow-up

- The Stronger Connections grant (U.S. Department of Education) prompted the most substantive debate; board members requested midterm evaluation data and clarity about the distinction between screening and therapeutic services.
- The tobacco-prevention subgrant from DHHS is a multi-year subaward; board members asked staff to seek interim data from DHHS in future renewals.
- Several pilot approvals related to virtual clinical observations were approved unanimously; board members noted the approvals were time-limited pilot processes and would return to committee as needed.