Ricketts, NSEA at odds over proclamation

McCOOK, Neb. — The state teachers’ union is receiving push back from the governor’s office for attempts to assert its influence on what has been described as Nebraska’s largest freshman class of senators in recent memory.

The governor’s office resisted demands from the union for a proclamation recognizing the association’s 150th anniversary, a decision which has drawn criticism and praise.

“The teachers’ union has been pretty aggressive with its stance on several issues and got a little push back from the governor, as a political force,” said District 44 State Sen. Dan Hughes this morning. Gov. Ricketts has been taking heat from some for the decision, as well as receiving kudos from others for standing up to a group that has been throwing its weight around in the political arena, he added.

Governor Ricketts’ office issued a statement Wednesday commenting on the teachers’ union “public demand for an official gubernatorial proclamation promoting their organization.”

The statement indicated future proclamations relating to education would be issued with a focus on teacher innovation and/or student achievement and questioned recent opposition from the teacher’s union to a bill requiring third graders have the ability to read before advancing to 4th grade.

“Governor Ricketts deeply values the work Nebraska teachers do each day and we will look for ways to honor the work of teachers who achieve improved student outcomes. With regard to the union, the Governor questions how they can actively oppose policies aimed at improving outcomes for students like ensuring all Nebraska students can read by the end of the 3rd grade.”

The referenced bill, LB 65, would require “Nebraska public school student’s progression from one grade to another be determined, in part, upon proficiency in reading,” according to its statement of intent. The introduced language specifies each public school student should be able to read at or above grade level by third grade.

Sen. Hughes said this morning the bill’s introducer, Sen. Lou Ann Linehan, indicated she had enough votes to get it out of committee but he didn’t know if it had enough support to advance further. “There is a lot of opposition concerned with a loss of local control and seeing it as another unfunded mandate,” he added.

Sen. Hughes said he committed his vote to help get the bill out of committee, and to the floor for debate, but he was ultimately undecided on whether he would support or oppose the measure and would refrain from deciding until after the floor debate. “I’m going to listen to the discussion before I decide on that one,” he said.