State Senator wants public school board members to have training on ethics, finances, laws

A state Senator from Omaha wants all public school board members to have professional development training.

Senator Burke Harr says he’ll introduce legislation in January requiring the training. He says 19 states already require training for public school board members, and believes it’s necessary to help board members understand their responsibilities.

Harr's bill would require board members to have training on powers and duties, finance, ethics, and labor laws, among other areas.  His legislation would also require school board members to receive training on their district’s demographics, dropout rates, and test scores.

Harr says the training is important to student achievement and leadership.