NEBRASKA TAXPAYERS FOR FREEDOM
OMAHA PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD REPORT CARD: 2005

On Sept. 7, 2005, the Omaha Public School Board voted on 4 budget items which raised our property taxes for Fiscal Year 2005-2006.

             1. To exceed the basic allowable budget growth rate of 2.5%, up to 4.4424%, including access to an additional 1%              budget growth.
           Voting YES:  Bartek, Drickey, Huston, Jensen, Kratky, Martinez, McGregor, Shepard, Sophir, Stanek, Tyree.     ABSENT: Dutiel

2.  To approve the FY 2006 General Fund property tax levy rate to replace reduced state aid.
Voting YES:  Bartek, Drickey, Huston, Jensen, Kratky, Martinez, McGregor, Shepard, Sophir, Stanek, Tyree.  ABSENT: Dutiel

3.  To approve the FY 2006 General Fund budget of $383,632,754, a 17% hike from FY 2005.
Voting YES:  Bartek, Drickey, Huston, Jensen, Kratky, Martinez, McGregor, Shepard, Sophir, Stanek, Tyree.  ABSENT: Dutiel

4. To approve the FY 2006 Educational Service Unit #19 budget.  
Voting YES:  Bartek, Drickey, Huston, Jensen, Kratky, Martinez, McGregor, Shepard, Sophir, Stanek, Tyree.  ABSENT: Dutiel

The Omaha Public $chool Board flunked the taxpayer test again. As usual, they ignored dozens of budget cut and efficiency suggestions from NTF members. Board members hold themselves unaccountable to the taxpayers, because they do not care about property taxpayers. The following are their report card grades:

REPORT   CARD

BOARD MEMBER

GRADE

Bambi Bartek

F

Mary Ellen Drickey

F

Nancy Huston

F

Sandy Jensen

F

Nancy Kratky

F

Mark Martinez

F

Mona McGregor

F

Karen L. Shepard

F

Penny Sophir

F

Fritz Stanek

F

Shirley Tyree

F

 

 

Board member Barb Dutiel did not bother to vote on these crucial issues.