State Board of Education approves changes to Textbook Loan Program

The State Board of Education changed its Textbook Loan Program during its June meeting.

Private or religious schools can now request any book under the textbook loan program for state-required classes like math and science. Before, nonpublic schools could only request what their local public district asked for.

This is due to a legislative bill that put the state Department of Education in charge of the program instead of public school districts.

The State Board of Education approved the changes after some debate on using the word “nonsectarian,” which means nonreligious and can also mean nonpolitical.

Deputy Commissioner Brian Halstead said adding “nonsectarian” clarifies these funds cannot be used to buy books for religion classes. But it doesn’t limit the books available for state-required subjects.

“If it's a textbook on science, it does not matter who publishes the textbook. It does have to be for science and whatever is the required instruction in science,” he said.

Board members Patsy Koch Johns, Lisa Fricke and Patti Gubbels voted for the changes, and Elizabeth Tegtmeier and Kirk Penner voted against. The other three members were absent.

The Textbook Loan Program appropriates state funds for both public and nonpublic schools to use for textbooks in state-required core subjects. Although the changes make it so private and religious schools can choose which textbooks they use the money for, they have to maintain the state standards for education.

Among the items approved by the board was a 5% pay raise for NDE Commissioner Brian Maher starting July 1.

The board also approved a new training program for educators statewide. The program provides annual behavioral awareness training and continuous support for school staff on how to address behavioral problems. School staff includes administrators, teachers, paraprofessionals, school nurses and counselors. Board member Patsy Koch Johns said the change was long needed.

“I would just like to say that I'm thankful that this is finally happening. And that I hope it serves teachers and students across the state equally,” she added.

This is in response to language in LB705, which mandates such training and support. The law requires all districts to have this programming by the 2026-2027 school year. The program is starting with an estimated cost of $1.8 million statewide.

One special appearance at the meeting came from Nebraska 2024 Teacher of the Year Scott Phillips of Aurora Middle School, who spoke about his trip to the White House. It was the first time teachers of the year from across the country were invited for a formal state dinner.

The board also recognized three teachers who received Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching: Miranda Orellana at Riley Elementary in Lincoln Public Schools, Thomas McChristian at Bennet Elementary at Bennet Palmyra District OR-1 and Megan Mullan at Paxton Consolidated Schools.