Larger schools could improve outcomes through innovations that incorporate some of the beneficial attributes of small schools. Smaller classes would offer more individualized attention to students in larger districts. Neighborhood elementary and secondary schools would provide a more community-based education opportunity in larger school districts. Smaller schools would encourage more students to participate in extra-curricular activities and develop their leadership skills. Nebraska's school finance system should adequately fund community-based schools according to local needs and resources.
Children have a right to attend school in their local community.
State aid to education should provide an adequate, predictable and stable source of funding that is distributed according to local needs and resources. The state aid distribution formula should incorporate the actual cost of providing a minimally adequate education for each district rather than average expenditures based primarily on the largest districts. The state aid distribution formula should include factors that can be shown to impact the cost of providing an adequate education to all students , including number of students, distance, construction costs, school readiness, learning ability and other special education needs. School districts that have relatively poor outcomes in terms of student achievement and completion rates should be provided assistance in implementing changes to improve outcomes , including necessary financial aid. The state aid distribution formula should incorporate the local capacity of school district property owners to pay the levied property taxes and not just on the taxable property wealth of the district.