NSEA

Survey

Should the Governor apply for the $59 million available through the federal education jobs bill?
YES NO

We're on Facebook!
Click here to join us!
Speak Up For Education and Kids

News and Information

Prime Location

Delegates Vote to Keep NSEA Building Near State Capitol

In the buying and selling of real estate, the best-known maxim is pointedly simple: location, location and location.

The nearly 300 NSEA members who attended the Association's annual Delegate Assembly April 27-28 concurred with that truism when they bypassed a recommendation by the NSEA Board of Directors and voted to remodel and maintain the NSEA Headquarters across the street from the state capitol.

The board recommended that the 45-year-old headquarters building be sold, and that the Association build or buy elsewhere.

Delegates also added $6 to the Board's $14 dues increase proposal for 2007-08 to finance the estimated $4.5 million-plus remodeling.

In addition, delegates elected Norfolk teacher Leann Widhalm to the NEA Board of Directors; made minor revisions to NSEA Bylaws, and made changes to the Association's Continuing Resolutions dealing with teacher salaries.

NSEA also honored Lincoln State Sen. DiAnna Schimek with its highest honor, the Friend of Education Award, during the annual Horace Mann Awards Luncheon. Numerous other awards were also presented.

Lengthy History
The existing NSEA Headquarters building is across the street west of the state capitol, just a block north of the governor's mansion.

NSEA moved into a two-story house at that location in 1931, and in 1962 opened a then-new, four-story office on the site. Today, the 1962 building needs new mechanical systems, a new roof and structural alterations to meet technology needs. In addition, the building is inefficient in its use of energy, is filled with asbestos, and emits a black powder of unknown origin from heating and cooling ducts.

Facing those issues, the Building Committee of the NSEA Board of Directors studied the building for two years before recommending to delegates that a new building be purchased or built elsewhere.

After lengthy and intense debate, however, delegates made it clear: proximity to the seat of power is important. Omaha delegate Bob Vanden Bosch is in regular contact with his state senator.

"They (senators) look at our location and view it as very important to educational concepts that need to be developed in this state," he said. "I've talked to several other state senators, and they're on equal footing saying 'yes, we know where you guys are located, we know where the door is.' They feel that this location, from their vantage point, its to their advantage as well."

In a Strip Mall
The Board's option to move to another site would have cost an estimated $3 million, $1.5 million less than the remodeling option. Millard delegate Paul Gabel said by remodeling effectively, the difference would be worth it.

"That's an investment in the future. We might look back in 10 years and say 'that cost us just $1.5 million?'" he said.

Omaha delegate John Jensen had another futuristic view.

"Think that the NSEA has moved to a strip mall," he said. "And 18 years from now, Lincoln is a half million people and has moved way beyond that strip mall, and that strip mall is now a little seedy. And the powers of NSEA at the time, at the Delegate Assembly, say, 'who were those idiots back in 2007, who moved us away from the seat of power in this state of Nebraska?'"

Jensen reminded delegates that a few years ago, the National Education Association spent $38 million on a remodeling of NEA Headquarters in the heart of Washington, D.C.

"Today, $38 million in Washington, D.C., won't buy you anything."

Lincoln's Linda Nelson said that as teachers, NSEA members spend a lot of time working to make Nebraskans realize the "incredible link, the connection, that exists between education and the economic and social well-being of the State of Nebraska.

"I think that the NSEA building, sitting where it does, serves as a potent symbol of that connection, and I'd like us to maintain that spot," she said.

Delegates voted 160-94 to replace the Building Committee recommendation to build or buy with a plan to remodel. After more discussion, they voted 171-107 in favor  of remodeling.

NEA Director
Delegates also elected Widhalm to the NEA Board of Directors. She replaces Tekamah Herman's Art Tanderup, who was term limited.

Widhalm has served several terms on the NSEA Board of Directors and is current president of NSEA's Elkhorn District. She is a special education teacher at Norfolk Junior High School.

Friend of Education
Sen. Schimek was honored for her  service, which has been focused on children and families; health care; election law; Native American issues; and consumer protection.

She has consistently supported public education, favoring early childhood education programs and funding; teacher mentoring programs; teacher retirement enhancements; components of the State Board of Education's essential education program; and increased state aid to education.

Resolutions Altered
Delegates approved changes to the NSEA Continuing Resolutions proposed by the Ad Hoc Committee on Teacher Salary Enhancement. Among those changes was this addition:

"NSEA believes that salary compensation for teachers and all education employees should be equitable, regardless of the school district size, geographic location, or economic wealth."
Also approved: a resolution noting that "excellence in public schools and post-secondary education are central to economic development. A high quality staff is one of the primary determinants of student achievement and success. Therefore, the Association believes the Legislature should fund regionally and nationally competitive salaries for education employees."

News Business Items
Delegates also passed several New Business Items calling for action.

Delegates asked NSEA President Jess Wolf to appoint a task force to study unified and continuous NSEA/NSEA-Retired membership, as well as continuing membership for student members.

Also approved: creation of an ad hoc committee to study whether the extra state requirements in assessment and reporting have improved academic achievement in Nebraska.