Personal Review of August 2026 SBOE Meeting: Rule 14 Schools and Identity Preparatory Academy

My Views Are My Own

By Lisa Schonhoff, Ed.S.

8/17/2026

August brings a fresh wave of excitement for families and educators alike. As a 25-year veteran teacher and a mom balancing four kids in four different schools, I know firsthand the reality of this season—the flooded inboxes, the endless driving on an empty tank, and the constant parent worry.  Here’s wishing all the students, families and teachers an incredible and productive 2026–27 school year!

While my own family and small business keep me plenty busy, I find my other passion in dedicating my time to the Nebraska State Board of Education. One of our primary focuses has been working toward raising literacy rates in our great state.  Serving on the board brings both deep fulfillment and distinct challenges. Above all, my primary goal is to honor the trust of the constituents who elected me to this vital position. I am here to represent the people, and I deeply appreciate everyone who engages in productive dialogue to improve education in Nebraska.

I planned to discuss a few other topics this month, but I owe it to my voters to address the news directly. This summer has brought its share of distractions from our main goal: driving academic growth and proficiency. One issue that is currently prevalent in the news cycle is the State Board of Education’s vote on Rule 14 (Regulations and Procedures for the Legal Operation of Approved Nonpublic Schools) applications. Precedent shows this vote has almost always been treated as a formality—schools were lumped together and routinely approved without question.

The State Board of Education follows a three-month approval timeline—a process I have come to strongly value in my role as Chair of the Planning and Evaluation Committee. Under standard procedure, the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) staff presents an item as informational in the first month. In the second month, it becomes a formal discussion item, giving board members dedicated time to question NDE staff. By the third month, after thorough review, the committee asks final questions and decides whether to recommend the item for a full board vote.

Unfortunately, that process broke down with Identity Preparatory Academy. The school was omitted from May’s informational agenda (per public record via Sparq). As a result, the board first learned about the school seeking Rule 14 approval in June and was expected to vote in August—despite July being one of three months where the board typically does not hold public meetings.

One of the questions that came up during this process was Identity Preparatory Academy’s adherence to Nebraska State Statute 79-724;

Committee on American Civics; created; duties; school board, State Board of Education, and superintendent; duties.

It is the responsibility of society to ensure that youth are given the opportunity to become competent, responsible, patriotic, and civil citizens to ensure a strong, stable, just, and prosperous America. Such a citizenry necessitates that every member thereof be knowledgeable of our nation's history, government, geography, and economic system. The youth in our state should be committed to the ideals and values of our country's democracy and the constitutional republic established by the people. Schools should help prepare our youth to make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good. Civic competence is necessary to sustain and improve our democratic way of life and must be taught in all public, private, denominational, and parochial schools. A central role of schools is to impart civic knowledge and skills that help our youth to see the relevance of a civic dimension for their lives. Students should be made fully aware of the liberties, opportunities, and advantages we possess and the sacrifices and struggles of those through whose efforts these benefits were gained. Since young people are most susceptible to the acceptance of principles and doctrines that will influence them throughout their lives, it is one of the first duties of our educational system to conduct its activities, choose its textbooks, and arrange its curriculum in such a way that the youth of our state have the opportunity to become competent, responsible, patriotic, and civil American citizens…

Identity Preparatory Academy explicitly stated on its website that the school would "serve 4th–8th grade girls in the North Omaha community in small classes, utilizing liberatory practices and an Abolitionist Education Framework." To fully understand this approach I was unfamiliar with, I read Bettina Love’s book on Abolitionist Teaching, as Love is the founder of this framework. This framework explicitly aligns with Critical Race Theory and advocates for dismantling core American institutions—ranging from scrapping the traditional grading and standardized assessments to focusing on political advocacy as a core instruction—arguing that traditional school models perpetuate systemic racism.

While in theory, this framework appears to be compassionate and inclusive, concerns were raised that it may violate not only state statute, but federal law which “prohibits K–12 (kindergarten to twelfth grade) schools from teaching any material considered anti-American or subversive, as well as anything promoting "gender ideology" or critical race theory.^[1”

During the August 7th meeting, SBOE members were scheduled to vote on Rule 14 school approval. The Nebraska Examiner reported that founder, "Dr. DérNecia Phillips, who was present at both the Friday and Tuesday meetings, said Tuesday that the term "abolitionist framework" was referring to the school's goal of abolishing the school-to-prison pipeline that she said is a prevalent concern in the North Omaha community. Though the school still holds that goal, she said, the words were removed and replaced with an "appreciative framework" that was developed by the community.”  She stated that it was “exploratory language.”

After listening to Dr. Phillips discuss the proficiency rates in North Omaha, it is clear that students need another choice when it comes to education. I believe this school has potential to be exactly what inner-city students need.  At the same time, I’m reluctant to believe that the terminology regarding worldviews is exploratory. 

The four-day postponement allowed three State Board of Education members to tour the facility and ensure full compliance with state and federal laws. Through that review, it was confirmed that Identity Preparatory Academy is willing and able to meet all legal requirements. As a board member, I look forward to following the progress of these young women, who deserve every opportunity to succeed outside of some of the public schools that more parents are deeming to be inadequate in providing a quality education.

For the first time in recent memory, we have a State Board of Education that refuses to rubber-stamp decisions and answers directly to constituents. Your voice matters—please continue showing up and sharing your input.