Board recognizes Teacher of the Year, adopts two proclamations; public commenters urge theater endorsement change and literacy support

The Nebraska State Board of Education on April 4 adopted ceremonial resolutions recognizing April as Month of the Military Child and April 30 as National Apprenticeship Day, and heard a presentation from the 2025 Nebraska Teacher of the Year, Lindsay Wilson, a middle school teacher at Bennington Middle School.

Lindsay Wilson described initiatives she has led to expand inquiry-based science learning, family engagement, and teacher recognition, saying the year had been “life changing” and outlining goals to promote equity and hands-on learning across the state.

Public comment: Four people addressed the board during the public-comment period. Julia Catton, a senior and student teacher at Nebraska Wesleyan University who student-teaches at Burke High School, asked the board to shift theater and speech from a supplemental endorsement to a subject endorsement under Rule 24 so future educators could receive more comprehensive preparation in theater performance, stagecraft and program-building. Catton said the change would better equip educators to run sustainable theater programs and to foster students’ leadership and communication skills.

Dr. LaDonna Griffin, an educator with 30 years’ experience in Omaha, spoke on reading and parent engagement; she said basic reading skills were foundational and described a parent-focused 10-week course she helped develop to support students’ reading. Leo Lewis II described community organizing work on disciplinary disparities for African American students and said local efforts — including restorative practices — were underway to strengthen relationships between families and schools. Marybeth Hevron raised questions about the state audit (referencing adjustments reported in the audit) and asked whether reintegration "buddies" referenced in a model behavior policy would be students or adults.

Department staff and board discussion: Finance Officer Bryce Wilson addressed public questions about the audit, explaining that a large dollar figure cited in public comment represented accrual marking and year-of-recording adjustments, not misappropriation. Student services staff clarified that the model behavioral intervention policy's reference to a "designated buddy" may include a peer support but also recommends adult supports and parental communication; the policy is intended as a model districts may adapt.

Ending: The board presented the adopted proclamations and will continue to receive committee and staff follow-ups on apprenticeship expansion, literacy work and audit corrective steps. Public commenters urged policy changes and community-based initiatives that board members and staff said they would track and address in committee work and future meetings.