Bellevue Public Schools reports finances, programs; says $2 million federal grant was terminated

A Bellevue Public Schools representative told attendees at a recent presentation that the district faces tightening finances, declining enrollment and program successes — and that a $2 million federal grant was suddenly terminated after federal reviewers raised objections to language in the application.

The district representative said Bellevue Public Schools now receives about $3 million a year in federal Impact Aid, down from more than $15 million previously, and that roughly 54% of the district—s revenue comes from the state, 37% from local sources and about 8% from federal sources (about $10 million). The representative added that a federal grant known as Project Shape Up, a $2 million award for outdoor physical-education equipment, was terminated in February 2024 after federal officials flagged language stating the program would serve "all kids including special needs kids." "Immediately, $2,000,000 off the table," the representative said.

Why it matters: District officials said the loss is material for staffing and programming. The representative said that walking away from federal funds would jeopardize about 100 positions and that the district felt it could not abandon the money. "From Bellevue Public Schools standpoint, we can't walk away from that money," the representative said, describing the decision to sign federal DEI-related compliance paperwork rather than forfeit funding.

Budget and funding context came early in the presentation. The representative said district residents pay a higher levy in part because Bellevue contains federally owned land that does not generate local property tax revenue. The district—s budget, the presenter said, is personnel-heavy: about 87% of spending goes to employees and 13% covers other costs. The district also noted a recent state-level revenue shortfall that could limit future state aid.

Enrollment and student services: The district reported an enrollment of roughly 9,400 students with about 12% enrolled through option enrollment from other districts. Free and reduced-price lunch participation was described as nearly 40%. Special education caseloads are about 21% of enrollment, which the representative said is well above the Nebraska average; 26% of students are military-connected, down from over 50% in earlier years. The district said student-to-teacher ratios average about 15-to-1 and that 76% of staff hold a master's degree or higher.

Programs and facilities: The presentation highlighted career and technical programs at the Frank Coomer Career Center, including automotive and health-science pathways, an Education Academy aimed at growing future teachers, and a newly launched aviation program funded in part by a grant and by purchasing surplus equipment from Grand Island Public Schools. The district also described bond-funded infrastructure work from a February 2016 bond measure — primarily roofs and HVAC — and two specific projects: an expanded auditorium at Bellevue West that will provide about 900 seats and the Frank Coomer facility serving career programs.

Grants and federal compliance: The representative said the district has pursued nearly $8 million in federal grants over five years; the terminated Project Shape Up grant represented the largest recent award at $2 million. The presenter said the termination notice cited "wasteful spending" and objected to language promising services to all students, including those with disabilities. The district said it will continue writing grants but will change wording and compliance approaches to reduce the risk of future terminations. The representative said Bellevue was one of six U.S. districts to receive that termination notice and that the terminated award did not involve a large staff count, though another grant had required hiring five staffers who were later laid off when funding ended.

Community partnerships and outreach: The representative highlighted partnerships with the Bellevue Public Schools Foundation, Bellevue University and local employers such as Beardmore (for automotive placements) and health-care providers for health-sciences pathways. The district noted free early-childhood services at a welcome center and that many students take free dual-enrollment courses to earn college credit while in high school.

What the district emphasized: The presenter framed the current period as a challenging time for K-12 districts because of federal policy changes and uncertainty about the future of the U.S. Department of Education and federal grant rules. The representative said the district will comply with federal requirements for now while monitoring legal and policy developments and will adjust grant language going forward.

The presentation did not include any formal board votes or motions; the remarks reported here were part of an informational update to the community.