The second report said property taxes are up 8 percent in Nebraska this year. Property taxes are higher in 87 of the state's 93 counties. Of the property taxes levied, schools account for about 60 percent. But there is, as Paul Harvey would say, the rest of the story. To begin, just because numbers are lower doesn't necessarily mean it will be cheaper to educate students.
Students come with varying needs that school districts are obligated to meet.
Students may have a low understanding of English or may have a physical disability. Others may come carrying baggage from a poor home life and need extra help adjusting to school and learning. In addition, part of the increase came from voter-approved bonds for schools. Those alone were 22 percent more in 2000 than in 1999. But most of those bond issues were needed to replace aging school buildings or to adapt them to meet changing needs.