Omaha Public Schools officials said they will be able to make up an expected $50.6 million shortfall in state aid by raising their tax levy.
“It’s unfortunate that we have to go to our property taxpayers to help fill this hole,” Shane Rhian, OPS chief financial officer said. “We appreciate their patronage of the district and the support they show our students and our families.”
OPS will likely raise the general fund levy to the maximum $1.05 per $100 valuation or near the maximum, Rhian said.
The Omaha district was one of three that received an overpayment in state aid for this school year. OPS had the largest overpayment at $30.5 million.
OPS Board President Jane Erdenberger said the district has been able to bring the tax levy down the past few years, partly because of the overpayment. Now, the district has to repay it.
“Nobody on the board is happy about it. Nobody working for OPS is happy about it,” Erdenberger said. “All of us are paying property taxes, but we know what our job is, going to keep doing it, going to make it stretch.”
Rhian said the only student impact they are anticipating is the end of a program where the district paid for cellular connection on iPads. That decision was based on research showing that students who used their device at home already had an internet connection.
The district isn’t expecting any impact to student programs or school staffing. Rhian said as positions open up due to retirement or people getting other jobs, the district may take a closer look at whether that position is needed.
The Board of Education will hear a full report on the budget forecast at its meeting Feb. 23.