FRED has come into possession of some of the documentation of the proposed Charter School law in Nebraska and much of it appears devastating to public education and students in the state. Following are excerpts from LB1303 as introduced by Senator Bohlke, dated January 22 1998.

It seems to be a stunning and sorry piece of work that appears to lead to nothing less than the probable complete deprofessionalization and cheapening of education in Nebraska, with the schoolchildren of the state to be handed over to about anyone who agrees to work cheap, regardless of preparation, seemingly without accountable direct supervision or oversight.)

Pertinent quotes from the draft provided FRED of LB1303: (you can click to LB 1303 from the Legislature's server at the bottom of this document to see it for yourself......)

SEC 14 Charter schools or programs are exempt from the requirement in sections 79-801 to 79-805 to employ certified teachers and administrators.... ("So long" to certified teachers, hello unqualified minimum wage McTeachers?)

Please read the following in regard to how Mrs. Bohlke apparently plans to fund these new toys: The chartering district (an existing public school district) will distribute funds to the charter school or program. The agreement shall not allow the chartering district (existing district) to distribute less than the cost grouping cost per adjusted formula student for the standard cost grouping, multiplied by the adjusted formula students generated by the charter school in the certification of state aid under the Tax Equity and Educational Opportunities Support Act for that school fiscal year.

Translation: It appears that your district will provide both the state aid, and the property tax dollars. (Mrs. Bohlke's law seems glad to be generous with local district money it appears; this will bleed resources from present schoolchildren and operations) The new charter "McSchool" gets full public funding bled from present schoolchildren, but can hire minimum wage 'instructors'.

Read on: Mrs. Bohlke's bill appears to go on to propose that: Charter schools or programs are exempt from the requirements of sections 79-101,79,204, 79-211, 79-212, 79-508 and 79-729 regarding attendance hours, school term, clock hours, instructional hours, year round operation, and credit hours.

How could any normal accredited public school possibly compete cost-wise with "McSchools" that get full resources from both the state, and from the local taxpayers (draining away dollars from the local 'real' school that has 'real' teachers and a 'real' schedule or curriculum) while the new charter 'school' hires minimum wage 'McTeachers', doesn't have to educate students any particular number of hours, doesn't have to even have them attend? Is the "McTeacher" busy today? No McScool today...but..full funding... ?

No kidding...that's how Mrs. Bohlke's proposal appears to read.

Is Mrs. Bohlke's new law giving a message to Nebraska Schools & Teachers that have done a great job for generations? You must give all your money & resources to McSchools and McTeachers?.

In essence, Drop Dead Nebraska Public Schools?

If you have any questions about this, please don't hesitate to contact the Ed. Committee and get a copy of LB1303 as introduced. Ask them to explain...if they have an explanation.