This bill amends various sections of the Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska to enhance the enrollment option program and streamline processes related to student fees, transportation, and diversity plans within learning communities. Key changes include the elimination of definitions for open enrollment option students and certain provisions regarding the enrollment process, allowing applications to be submitted at any time prior to graduation. The bill mandates that option students be treated as resident students of the option school district for all legal purposes, including special education, and introduces new funding provisions for students denied option enrollment. Additionally, it establishes new enrollment priorities based on relationships to current students and contributions to socioeconomic diversity, while clarifying that districts are not obligated to accept students if they are at capacity.

The bill also updates transportation allowances for students, particularly those qualifying for free transportation, and outlines the responsibilities of school districts in providing written notifications to parents regarding rejected applications. It introduces a new structure for transportation allowances and emphasizes the role of learning community coordinating councils in developing diversity plans aimed at increasing socioeconomic diversity in schools. Furthermore, the bill requires the State Department of Education to certify the percentage of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunches annually and repeals several outdated sections of the statutes to improve clarity and efficiency in reporting and assessing diversity and academic achievement within the learning community.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 79-233, 79-234, 79-235, 79-237, 79-238, 79-239, 79-240, 79-241, 79-611, 79-769, 79-1009, 79-2104, 79-2118, 79-2120