Omaha Public Schools 2026-27 Budget Presentation 7-21-2026

The Omaha Public Schools held a budget presentation on July 21, 2026, to discuss the 2026-27 fiscal year budget. The district highlighted its strategic focus on improving student literacy by 2030 and shared progress in student achievement and attendance. A significant issue addressed was a $50.6 million reduction in state aid due to a calculation error by the Nebraska Department of Education, which the district plans to offset by proposing an 8.22 cent increase in the property tax levy, maintaining it near historical levels. The proposed $860 million budget includes a $16.5 million increase in staff salaries and benefits, reflecting negotiated contracts, and modest increases in special education services, transportation, utilities, and school resource officer costs. The district emphasized maintaining funding for classrooms and staffing levels without requesting a levy override vote, instead working within the statutory levy limits. Discussions also covered ongoing collaboration with state legislators and commissions on school funding formulas and the challenges of balancing state aid with local property tax revenues.