New school law under fire

By BRIANNA HERNANDEZ
Special Section Editor

Omaha burst onto the national news last spring but not for a good reason.

Reports on CNN and major newspapers covered a new school law that some say is state-sponsored segregation. The law combines the school districts in Douglas and Sarpy counties into a learning community, but it also splits the Omaha Public School District into three separate districts: one primarily white, one primarily Hispanic and one primarily African-American.

Immediately, many questioned the constitutionality of the new law. Two lawsuits have already been filed against the new law, including one by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

The bill in the Nebraska Legislature was created in response to the Omaha School District’s “One City, One School District” plan. The plan sought to create one school district for the entire city by annexing schools from the Ralston and Millard districts that were in the Omaha city limits.

Teri Dameron, coordinator of multicultural student services at Creighton, said she was skeptical of the “One City, One School District” plan.

“When the plan came out, I had a hard time buying it because of the [large] size of the [OPS] district,” she said.

Dameron, who has taught and worked for Omaha Public Schools, said she did not see a benefit to having one large school district.

“People lose their voice [in a large district],” Dameron said. “Unless you become a squeaking wheel, you aren’t noticed.”

OPS said it made the move for “One City, One School District” because of the concentration of lower-income and minority students in Omaha.

State Sen. Ron Raikes introduced a bill in the Legislature to help solve boundary disputes. Eventually Raikes and State Sen. Ernie Chambers, the only African-American member of the Legislature, developed the learning community plan that creates a learning community of all 11 districts in Douglas and Sarpy counties and splits OPS into three new districts.

Under this plan, students can choose which district to attend, as long as there is room. Gov. Dave Heineman signed the bill into law after Nebraska legislators passed it with a 31-16 vote on April 13.

The new law increases state aid to districts in the learning community with more low-income students as well as students in English as a second language programs. It would also increase local control.

While the legislative debate was going on, critics warned that the law would create districts segregated by race. Opponents believe the bill will not only segregate Omaha, but also heighten racial tension throughout the city.

Many are concerned the bill violates the provisions included in the U.S. Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education. Opponents also claim that funding will not be equal, as two of the districts have a low property-tax base.

Dr. Ramona Bartee, from Creighton’s education Department, said her main concern is that the new law would stifle diversity in Omaha.

“I think it would be sad to see different areas segregated,” she said. “I would be concerned about that because of the lack of diversity. I think we should be able to live together in a diverse society.”

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights held a field hearing last week in Omaha to gather information about the law and its impact.

State Sen. Patrick Bourne, a strong opponent of the plan, debated with Chambers about whether splitting the district would help minority students achieve academic success. Though opponents and supporters have different opinions regarding the bill, they all agree that OPS needs to make changes to ensure the success of minority students.

Chambers said that housing in Omaha is already segregated. Many suburban districts are facing rapidly growing enrollments and may have to declare certain schools unable to accept transfer students. The learning community law requires all districts to reserve a spot for each student in a neighborhood school.

The U.S. Commission will issue a review of the law by the end of the year. The new law will be instituted in stages, ultimately going into full effect by 2008-2009.