Beatrice board flags state bills, warns of potential $2–3 million revenue hit

Beatrice Public Schools administrator Mr. Alexander told the school board on March 11 that two bills pending in the Nebraska Legislature could materially reduce the district’s future budget flexibility.

Alexander identified LB1402 as a proposal to appropriate $25 million to scholarship‑granting organizations and described a separate proposal currently referenced as LB1316 that would impose a 3% hard cap on school budget growth. He warned the board the hard‑cap proposal could reduce Beatrice Public Schools’ revenue by roughly $2 million to $3 million in the 2025–26 biennium if enacted.

“With our bussing contract and utilities rising more than 3% in a year, being capped at a 3% revenue stream just is not going to work,” Alexander said, urging trustees to follow committee action and the governor’s position.

Why it matters: Alexander said the 3% cap differs from prior years’ mechanisms and could force program and staffing choices if enacted. He noted that the district used about 2.79% of an allowable increase last year to preserve operations; a hard cap would eliminate that buffer.

Board context and next steps: Alexander said he will continue to monitor the bills, that written testimony is already prepared, and that the board’s legislative stance will be a topic in an upcoming meeting with the governor’s office. The board did not take a formal vote on policy related to the bills during the session.