Superintendent Press Release February 6, 2026
Dear Cedar Bluffs Families,
As a rural superintendent in Nebraska, I pay close attention to state and federal policy decisions because they directly affect our students, staff, and communities. Nebraska was awarded $218 million in the first year of the federal Rural Health Transformation Program, and the state’s plan includes improving healthy food access, expanding rural health care access, accelerating the rural workforce, strengthening telehealth services, increasing rural behavioral health supports, enhancing assisted living services, and investing in technology. In a rural community like Cedar Bluffs, these investments matter because the well-being of our families is closely tied to student success. When families have access to health care, mental health services, and stable community supports, students are more prepared to learn and thrive in school. At the federal level, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services established an Office of Rural Health Transformation to oversee the program, and there is discussion in Nebraska about creating similar oversight at the state level. From my perspective, strong oversight and transparency are important to ensure funds are used appropriately, to avoid compliance issues that could result in federal clawbacks, and to protect these dollars from being redirected away from their intended rural health purposes.
At the same time, Congress recently approved $79 billion in funding for the U.S. Department of Education, largely maintaining K-12 funding levels from the prior year. For rural districts, the continuation of programs such as Title IV student support services, before- and after-school programming, McKinney-Vento funding for students experiencing homelessness, school safety investments, and the Rural Education Achievement Program is significant. These federal funds often help us sustain services that our local tax base alone cannot fully support. In higher education, maintaining Pell Grant funding at its current maximum level of $7,395 annually provides stability for our graduates who rely on financial assistance to pursue college or technical training. Predictable federal funding allows rural districts like Cedar Bluffs to plan responsibly and continue serving students without major disruptions.
Closer to home, the Nebraska Legislature considered a proposal to establish a statewide minimum base salary of $50,000 for all certificated teachers, regardless of experience or educational attainment, with future increases tied to state General Fund revenue growth. The proposal would replace Nebraska’s current TEEOSA funding formula, which accounts for differences in local needs and resources when determining state aid. As a rural superintendent, I strongly support competitive teacher pay because recruiting and retaining high-quality educators is one of our greatest challenges. However, any change to the funding structure must recognize the financial realities facing rural districts. With projected state revenue growth averaging under five percent in the coming years, districts must balance rising costs in areas such as health insurance, utilities, transportation, and special education. A sustainable approach to school finance must ensure fairness and adequacy while also maintaining flexibility to account for the differences between districts across Nebraska. Ultimately, thoughtful, transparent, and fiscally responsible policies in both health care and education are essential to strengthening rural communities and ensuring our students have the opportunities they deserve.
Have a great weekend! -
Wildcat Pride