The State Board of Education will meet May 2 and 3, 2024, in Lincoln, NE at The NDE Office Building, Board Room, 500 South 84th Street, Lincoln, NE 68510.
The State Board Thursday, May 2, 2024 Work Sessions beginning and 11:15 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. will not be broadcast. The State Board will have a Business Meeting on Friday, May 3, 2024 beginning at 9:00 a.m. The Board may also take a recess for lunch.
The agendas for the meetings are found here: https://www.education.ne.gov/stateboard/state-board-agendas/
Except for emergency items added at the times of the meeting, the agenda will not be changed less than 24 hours prior to the start of the meeting and any changes will be immediately posted on the website.
The Board will attempt to adhere to the sequence of the published agenda, but reserves the right to adjust the order of items if necessary and may elect to take action on any of the items listed.
If you need interpreter services or other reasonable accommodations, please contact the Nebraska Department of Education at 402-471-5059 five (5) days prior to the meeting to coordinate arrangements.
The State Board of Education is an elected, constitutional body that sets policy and ensures that the State Department of Education functions effectively within the framework developed by the state Legislature and the board. By law, the board and the department have broad leadership functions to carry out certain regulatory and service activities.
Statewide oversight of education in Nebraska began in February 1869 when the Legislature created the office of the state superintendent of public instruction. The office was included in the constitution of 1875. In 1917, the Legislature decided to place the state superintendent on a non-partisan basis. In 1920, the constitution was changed to have the superintendent serve a four-year term beginning in 1923.
A 1952 constitutional amendment established a State Department of Education, which acts under the authority of the State Board of Education. The role of state superintendent of public instruction was transferred to the Board of Education or the commissioner of education effective in January 1955.
The 1967 Legislature divided the state into eight districts, and the membership of the State Board of Education was increased from six to eight members effective January 1969. The districts were realigned by the 2021 Legislature.
The board is elected on a non-partisan ballot, with one member from each district. Board members serve four-year terms. Board members are not paid, but are reimbursed for their expenses.