Governor Pillen Forms School Finance Review Commission
Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen has officially announced the appointments to the newly established School Finance Review Commission, a key initiative under the recently passed LB303. The commission is tasked with evaluating how the state allocates funding to public schools, with the ultimate goal of easing the property tax burden on Nebraskans.
“If we are to get a grip on the state’s property tax crisis, we must be willing to address the ever-growing burden that falls on property tax as a result of footing the bill for our schools,” Pillen said in a statement accompanying Thursday’s announcement.
Commission’s Role and Legislative Background
The commission will review the state’s current school funding formula, known as the Tax Equity and Educational Opportunities Support Act (TEEOSA). This formula determines how Nebraska’s tax dollars are distributed among school districts. The commission will be responsible for analyzing the effectiveness of the formula and submitting recommendations for reform to the state legislature.
Governor Pillen emphasized that reforming the TEEOSA formula could bring substantial property tax relief while maintaining the quality of education across the state. He added, “I appreciate the commitment of these dedicated public servants who, like me, want to ensure the quality of our state’s education, but recognize the need to balance that investment with smart tax policy, making us more competitive with our neighboring states so we can grow Nebraska.”
Commission Composition and Leadership
The newly formed commission will be led by Brian Maher, Nebraska’s Commissioner of Education. Maher will serve as chair of the 18-member panel, which includes a mix of legislators, education administrators, and financial experts.
The commission’s membership includes three non-voting state senators, as well as representatives from each class of school districts across Nebraska. One position, reserved for a certified public school teacher, has yet to be filled.
Appointees to the Commission
Governor Pillen named the following individuals to the School Finance Review Commission:
- Sarah Scott, State Property Tax Administrator (or designee)
- Grant Latimer, Governor’s Policy Advisor
- Sen. Dave Murman, Sen. Eliot Bostar, and Sen. Jana Hughes – Non-voting legislative appointees
- Paul Turman, Chancellor of the Nebraska State College System, representing postsecondary education with expertise in school finance
Representing Nebraska’s Class I, II, and III school districts:
- Ann Foster, Superintendent of Brady Public Schools (Class I)
- Jason Dolliver, Superintendent of Pender Public Schools (Class II)
- Aaron Plas, Superintendent of Bennington Public Schools (Class III)
- Keith Runge, President of Columbus Lakeview School Board
Other representatives include:
- Liz Standish, Associate Superintendent for Business Affairs, Lincoln Public Schools (Class IV)
- Shavonna Holman, School Board Member, Omaha Public Schools (Class V)
At-large members appointed by the governor include:
- Former Sen. Lou Ann Linehan
- State Treasurer Tom Briese
- Former Sen. Fred Meyer
- John Schwartz, Superintendent of Millard Public Schools
- A certified public school teacher – to be appointed
Focus on Tax Relief and Education Quality
The formation of this commission comes amid growing concerns about the sustainability of Nebraska’s reliance on property taxes to fund education. Governor Pillen’s administration views the commission as a critical step toward achieving long-term relief for property owners while ensuring that the state’s public schools continue to thrive.
Pillen reiterated that the objective is not to reduce investment in education, but rather to spend more wisely. “Balancing quality education with smart tax policy is the only way we can make Nebraska more attractive to families and businesses,” he said.
The commission will begin meeting later this year, with recommendations expected to be presented to state lawmakers during the next legislative session.
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