Superintendents representing school districts bordering OPS issued a statement in favor of the legislation approved in Lincoln Thursday.

The following statement was given at a news conference held Thursday, April 13, following the passage of LB 1024.

"We want to thank Education Chairman Raikes and the Education Committee, and those senators who voted to pass LB 1024 and send it to the Governor for his signature. We also want to thank Governor Heineman for his continued support since last June.

Under LB 1024, the school districts of Douglas and Sarpy County are charged with working together under the Learning Community, with a shared goal of providing the children of our area the best possible education. The Coalition (Elkhorn, Millard, Ralston and Westside school districts) pledges our support of this effort. The Legislature has spoken, and we are ready to put our legal differences aside and work together to achieve the goals stated under LB 1024.

On behalf of our school boards, we also want to thank the parents, residents and teachers of our school districts. Without their continued support, this legislation would not have been possible."

Speaking at the Capitol, Millard Superintendent Keith Lutz said, "This process belonged in the legislature. It's here. The legislature has spoken. We're going to deal with it."

With OPS objecting to 1024 on constitutional grounds, District 66 Superintendent Ken Bird was quick to counter saying, "We have looked at the constitutional issues and talked about it. We don't see that as an issue. It looks like a shallow argument. But it's something that likely will be tested."

That test would come in a courtroom.