State Aid to K-12 Schools Unchanged
Tax Equity and Educational Opportunities Support Act (TEEOSA) aid to Nebraska’s 244 school districts will equal $1.05 billion in school year 2020-21, $13 million less compared to this school year.
The figures come from the state aid certification by the Nebraska Department of Education released April 23. TEEOSA aid includes equalization aid, allocated income tax rebate, option funding, and other forms of aid, but does not include dollars distributed for special education or under the property tax credit program.
Omaha Public Schools and Lincoln Public Schools are again the largest beneficiaries of state aid receiving $284 million and $115 million respectively, although both districts will receive less aid next year compared to this year. Together, the two schools account for 38 percent of total TEEOSA aid and approximately 30 percent of the state’s students. McPherson County and Loup County Schools will receive the least amount of aid, $5,061 and $7,185, respectively.
Equalization aid comprises the largest portion of TEEOSA aid—84 percent. It is calculated by subtracting a district’s needs from its local resources, primarily property taxes. Of the state’s 244 districts, 84 districts will receive equalization aid and 160 schools will not. “Equalized” schools, those which receive equalization aid, account for 34 percent of the state’s districts, educate 78 percent of formula students, and receive 94 percent of the TEEOSA aid. For more information on the amount of TEEOSA aid individual school districts will receive in 2020-21 compared to 2019-20, click here.
