Review of May 2026 SBOE Meeting: Preschool Grants

My Views Are My Own

By Lisa Schonhoff, Ed.S.

5/14/2026

Statement on Preschool Grants

I would like to point out for the public that an early childhood education continuation grant was approved for over $2 million dollars in today’s consent agenda.  When an item is approved in the consent agenda, the funding is passed without discussion.  This grant’s purpose is to improve access to early childhood education and prekindergarten programs that are currently already receiving grants.  The source of this money is the state general funds. Cutting these funds would put families that are already dependent on these programs in jeopardy.  

We were then asked to expand the program with an additional $1 million to further fund preschool programs across the state.  (Once these funds are approved, they are moved to the consent agenda the following year.) It is irresponsible to continue to grow a program that is already costing up to $17,000 per pupil when including federal, state, and local dollars, according to the National Institute for Early Education Research.  

It is important to note that between 2021 and 2025, our schools were flooded with federal relief money. Now that those funds have dried up, districts are shifting costs—like the federal preschool development grant that is slated to end this year, along with other mental health and reading programs—directly onto the State General Fund. This makes state spending look like it’s drastically increasing, but in reality, it’s just taxpayers picking up the bill for lost federal subsidies.

The Head Start Impact Study confirms that the academic gains of preschool largely disappear by the third grade. We are spending record amounts of taxpayer funds for short-term boosts that level out within a few years or less.  

As many mothers know, children develop at different rates. Many parents choose to hold their children back from kindergarten because a five-year-old’s brain is often not yet ready for the rigors of formal reading and sitting in a classroom all day. Pushing academic burdens earlier isn't always better for the child. Transitioning to a full day of school can be tough, but with adequate classroom management and skillful teaching, these challenges don’t often last beyond the first several months of school.

Finally, we must look at the Nebraska State Constitution (Section VII-1). It mandates that the legislature provide free instruction for those between the ages of five and twenty-one.  By expanding high-cost programs for those under five, are we placing an unconstitutional, burden on the backs of hardworking taxpayers? At a time when Nebraskans are demanding tax relief, we must prioritize our constitutional mandates over optional, high-cost expansions.  We must weigh the reward against the cost.

I voted no for additional funding; the motion to approve funding passed with a 4:3 vote, 1 absent.

Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) Grant

There was a discussion on how the Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) Grant will be awarded to the identified subaward grantees. This money is to help the Nebraska Department of Education reach their 2030 goal to have 75% of students proficient in reading by third grade.  Questions were raised regarding the distribution of grant money to private early childhood organizations when there are multiple districts in the state inquiring about funding for public preschool expansion in their district.  Concerns were mentioned regarding accountability in reaching the goal.  Ensuring $55 million dollars is distributed appropriately is a priority for the state board of education and should not be taken lightly.

I voted no so that money could be redistributed to public schools instead of private organizations. The motion to continue distributing money to private organizations (Buffet Early Childhood, Educare, and Nebraska Children and Families) passed with a 4:3 vote, one absent.

Nebraska Council on Teacher Education (NCTE)

Revisions to the Nebraska Council on Teacher Education (NCTE) organizational policies were approved.  “The NCTE is an advisory body to the Nebraska State Board of Education. Its members are appointed by the State Board. They represent organizations across the state that are directly involved with or interested in teacher and administrative preparation.” Board member Sherry Jones stated that changes were made to provide opportunities for non-public school teachers and non-union school teachers to have representation on this board.  This motion passed unanimously.

2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) Audit Report

The 2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report was approved without further discussion as this was discussed during the 2025 meeting.