The Lincoln Board of Education and Educational Service Unit 18 held regular meetings on Tuesday, September 8, at the Lincoln Public Schools Steve Joel District Leadership Center, 5905 O Street. The Lincoln Board of Education meeting started at 6:00 p.m. with the ESU 18 meeting being held immediately after. You can watch the video stream from both meetings on YouTube.

Lincoln Board of Education Regular Meeting

First reading

2026-27 Lincoln Public Schools budget adoption and tax request

LPS Associate Superintendent for Business Affairs Liz Standish provided a brief presentation about the budget process and highlighted the Board's work over the summer to develop the 2026-2027 LPS budget. 

The Board Finance Committee proposes dropping the total levy one cent to $1.01 after the property assessments increase of 5.6% was certified by Lancaster County. The state invests nearly $1.2 billion in property tax relief providing credits to property owners. Now, approximately 30% of the tax revenue for a school district is paid through state revenue sources that include sales and income taxes instead of solely relying on property taxes.

Below is a comparison on the levy and valuation impact on an average home:

Building the budget begins each February when LPS staff review every budget line item and look at student enrollment and needs to match staffing levels for each school building. The budget process this year also focused on aligning resources with priorities adopted with the 2024-2029 LPS Strategic Plan.

Staff salaries and benefits make up approximately 88.64% of the total 2026-2027 budget. Each month, LPS pays approximately 6,500 employees a total of $30 million - money that pumps back into the Lincoln economy through the purchase of goods, services and property taxes.

LPS will participate in the Nebraska Property Tax Request Hearing - also known as the “pink postcard hearing” - on Thursday, September 17, at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council chambers with the City of Lincoln, Norris Public Schools and Waverly Public Schools.

The Board held first reading on the proposed 2026-2027 LPS Budget, and will hold a second reading and vote at the September 22 Board meeting. More information about the LPS and ESU 18 budgets and the process can be found on the website.

Viking Foundation of Lincoln grant

In 2025, The Career Academy received a small grant through the Viking Foundation to pilot a program within the Early Childhood Education Pathway. This program helped 17 students who receive Special Education support prepare and train for employment in the childcare field during the 2025-2026 school year.

Staff would like to apply for a $10,000 grant to cover program costs for 11 students in the Early Childhood Education Pathway. Costs associated with the program include first aid training, transportation costs for field trips and practicums, and uniforms to wear during their practicum experience. This year, TCA is also looking to expand into the Construction Pathway to help additional students who receive Special Education support complete courses in residential construction. 

The Board will hold a second reading and vote on the grant application at the next meeting.

Second reading

Newly annexed property to the City of Lincoln

The Board of Education assigns school attendance areas to property newly annexed to the City of Lincoln. This action establishes school attendance areas prior to the sale of residential lots, allowing purchasers to know what schools their children will attend.

The area near 112th and O streets was recently annexed into the City of Lincoln. The proposal assigns the newly annexed area to Robinson Elementary School, Culler Middle School and East High School

The Board held a second reading and voted to approve assignments.

Wheelchair school buses

Staff asked for vendors to submit proposals to purchase five wheelchair school buses with three-point safety belts to replace pieces of the existing fleet that are aging. Staff recommended the Board approve the lowest bid from Cornhusker International Trucks in Lincoln for $802,250.

The Board held a second reading and voted to approve the bid.

Informational items and reports

Superintendent update

LPS Superintendent John Skretta opened his comments talking about challenges with the latest heat wave. He commended the thoughtful planning and pivoting done by athletics coaches to help keep activities safe for participants.  

Skretta added, “I would also like to express our gratitude to our drivers and transportation paras for the tireless effort, and to our custodians, maintenance, and grounds crews for taking immaculate care of our outdoor spaces from playgrounds to playing fields regardless of the temps. Thanks for your dedication under very demanding circumstances.”

During the conclusion of his comments, Skretta invited the community to participate in Lincoln’s Welcoming Week that will include a panel with LPS Federal Programs and a tour of the LPS Welcome Center.

Public comment

There were no individuals that addressed the Board during the public comment period. 

Glimpses of LPS

We open every Board meeting with a video that highlights LPS. Tuesday’s Glimpses featured three new-to-LPS teachers as they set up their classroom ahead of the school year. You can watch Classroom Calling: The Spaces We Teach on YouTube.

ESU 18 Regular Meeting

The ESU 18 regular meeting was held immediately after the Lincoln Board of Education meeting. You can watch the ESU 18 meeting on YouTube.

First reading

2026-2027 ESU 18 budget adoption and property tax request

LPS Associate Superintendent for Business Affairs Liz Standish provided a brief presentation about the 2026-2027 ESU 18 budget. The Board will hold a second reading and vote at the Sept. 22 meeting on the proposed flat levy of $0.015, with a budget proposal of $23,244,443.

Highlights from the presentation include:

• Increases for salaries, benefits and contracted services to account for negotiated increases.

• Adjustments to the Pathfinder Program decreasing para, substitutes and professional learning and increasing a teacher for a total increase of $33,604.

• Increase for Co-op Contract for subscriptions and software costs of $22,900.

• Increase for Co-op re-alignment and new teacher professional development of $425,541.

• Increase for software costs of $566,158.