Nebraska Board of Education member submits resignation
LINCOLN — An Omaha member of the Nebraska State Board of Education has submitted his resignation, and the full board will vote Friday whether to accept the decision.
Board member Jacqueline Morrison of Omaha submitted her report Resign on Sept. 6, after the board’s most recent meeting. She was elected to the board of directors in 2020.
Morrison, an attorney and deputy chief of staff for the Omaha mayor’s office, represents District 4, including eastern Douglas County. on her resignation letterMorrison later gave no explanation for her decision. She did not respond to multiple requests for comment from the Nebraska Examiner.
“It is my understanding that this resignation will not be effective until accepted by the Board,” Morrison wrote. “Please notify me once the Board has formally accepted the resignation.”
Four members of the State Board of Education, whose Districts 1 through 4 seats are up for election in 2024, declined to seek re-election. They are (from left) Patsy Koch Johns of Lincoln, Lisa Frick of Omaha, Patty Guber of Norfolk and Jacqueline Morrison of Omaha. (Board members photo provided by the Nebraska Department of Education; school bus photo by Rebecca Gratz for the Nebraska Examiner)
If the board accepts Morrison’s resignation, as expected, Premier Jim Pillen will appoint successor. This must be in 45 daysor by mid-November, “unless there is good cause to show that the requirement would impose an undue burden.”
Pillen spokesperson Laura Strimple said there is no “vacancy” that can be filled until the State Board of Education accepts Morrison’s resignation.
“We will accept applications and fill them out as quickly as possible upon receipt,” Staple said in an email.
A spokesman for the Nebraska Department of Education said the department notified Pillen’s office after Morrison submitted his resignation.
Pillen’s appointees will serve out the remainder of Morrison’s term, until early January. The board will meet only once this year, on Dec. 6 in Lincoln.
None of the four board members up for election this fall, including Morrison, has filed to seek re-election.
Two candidates are vying for the Eastern State Board of Education District 4 seat in Douglas County in the November general election: Liz Renner (left) and LeDonna White Griffin. (Candidate photos provided by their campaigns; school bus photo by Rebecca Gratz for the Nebraska Examiner)
The two candidates vying for Morrison’s seat on November 5 are Liz Rennera documentary filmmaker and communications professional, and LeDonna White White GriffinA former Omaha Public Schools teacher and principal, he founded and served as CEO of Leaders to Legends Academy, which supports families in private and home school settings.
Rayner thanked Morrison for his years of “challenging work”.
“I am running for this seat to continue supporting the students and families of District 4,” Renner said in the text message. “It is more important than ever that we elect officials who value our public schools and educators.”
Griffin did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
The State Board of Education will meet at 9 a.m. Friday at the Raising Nebraska Building, Pivot Room, 501 East Fonner Park Road, Suite 100, Grand Island.
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