Bill urging districts to prioritize teacher pay draws support and concern
Summary
Sen. Margot Juarez presented LB 12‑08 to encourage districts to allocate at least 50% of general funds toward instructional teacher pay and benefits. Supporters called for action to address teacher burnout and low salaries; rural and school-board groups warned it could function as an unfunded mandate and disproportionately harm small districts.
Senator Margot Juarez opened debate on LB 12‑08, citing a study of teacher burnout and national trends showing administrative positions have grown far faster than instructional positions. The bill asks districts to assess general‑fund spending so that at least half of general funds go to instructional teachers’ salaries and benefits, and it adopts the statutory definition of "teacher" in existing law.
Juarez said the measure is intended to elevate teacher pay and respect for the profession. She distributed national and state data showing Nebraska’s low relative starting pay and argued boards should evaluate and prioritize classroom compensation.
Opponents including the Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association and Nebraska Association of School Boards testified that a hard 50% threshold could act as an unfunded mandate, shift budgets unpredictably in small districts, and produce a moving target subject to retirements and personnel changes. They urged local control and collaborative solutions with school boards and the coordinating commission. The sponsor said she is willing to work with stakeholders and noted the committee’s prior work reviewing district scholarship and funding inventories.
