Reinforcing Commitment to Early Learning Across 11 Omaha Metro Districts
OMAHA, Neb.—On June 26, the Coordinating Council of the Learning Community of Douglas and Sarpy Counties unanimously approved a four-year contract renewal for the Superintendents’ Early Childhood Plan. The vote reaffirms their support for the Buffett Early Childhood Institute’s implementation of the program and their commitment to ensuring all children get a strong start through access to quality early learning experiences, while recognizing the plan's impact across the region since its start in 2015.
The Buffett Institute at the University of Nebraska partners with the Learning Community to provide leadership and support for the plan—a collaborative initiative of the 11 metro-area school districts to develop programming for young children and families facing persistent economic and social challenges.
“The continuation of this plan will allow thousands more students to be impacted across our region,” Walter Gilliam, executive director of the Buffett Institute, said. “This plan shows what’s possible when districts prioritize early childhood education and care and work together in service of young children. This type of sustained collaboration is unique across the country, and the Institute is proud to be spearheading this innovative work in service to Nebraska families.”
With the renewed contract, the Superintendents’ Plan will continue through the 2028-29 school year in the following school districts: Bellevue Public Schools, Bennington Public Schools, Douglas County West Community Schools, Gretna Public Schools, Elkhorn Public Schools, Millard Public Schools, Omaha Public Schools, Ralston Public Schools, Papillion La Vista Community Schools, Springfield Platteview Community Schools, and Westside Community Schools.
Prior to the contract renewal, all 11 current district superintendents had voiced support for the plan and the Institute’s leadership and implementation, praising the innovative program that helps children learn long before they enter school and emphasizing their shared dedication to early childhood education.
Today, more than 4,440 students are enrolled at the Plan’s 10 School as Hub sites with the impact reaching far more educators and students through professional development workshops and specialized district consulting.
“The Learning Community is proud to maintain its investment in the Superintendents’ Plan. This program represents the kind of partnership and long-term thinking our region needs as we work to ensure all children have a strong educational foundation, starting at birth,” Gerald Kuhn, Learning Community CEO, said. “I’m proud of the Plan’s impact over the last 10 years, and look forward to working with the Council, the Institute, and our 11 superintendents to grow the work to reach even more children and families in the Omaha metro.”
Over the next four years, the Institute will deepen and broaden the collaborative work of the Plan by engaging even more partners throughout the Learning Community. At the same time, the Institute will continue its focus on established priorities, including promoting quality early childhood education instruction and teacher support, increasing family and community engagement approaches, supporting academic achievement and growth, and prioritizing student attendance and engagement.
“As a parent and chair of the Learning Community Coordinating Council, I have seen the difference the Superintendents’ Plan is making for thousands of children in our community,” Sharnelle Shelton, Learning Community Council chairwoman, said. “The Buffett Institute’s leadership and expertise remains critical to ensuring that teachers, administrators, and child care providers are aligned in bringing quality early childhood education to our youngest learners utilizing best practices from across the field. This work is making a difference and I’m proud to see it carried forward for the next four years.”
The Superintendents’ Plan is built on research-based principles that position schools as "hubs" connecting young children, birth-age 8, and families to resources and services both within and beyond school walls. The comprehensive approach is grounded in early childhood research and facilitated by experts from the Institute’s team of professionals who facilitate district-level planning, provide individualized consultation and coaching, and design and deliver professional learning experiences to staff and educators across Douglas and Sarpy Counties.
“The Institute team is thrilled to have the opportunity to continue this work in partnership with the 11 school districts that make up the Learning Community of Douglas and Sarpy Counties,” Amy Schmidtke, director of educational practice at the Buffett Institute and leader of the project, said. “The support of the Plan reflects the shared belief that strong school-community partnerships can transform early learning experiences and long-term outcomes for children. Over the past 10 years in this work, I have seen what’s possible when districts come together in support of our youngest learners, and we are excited to build on this momentum in the years ahead.”
The Superintendents’ Plan comprehensively reaches more than 15,000 students across the region. It was mandated in 2013 by LB 585 of the Nebraska Legislature, which directed the Learning Community of Douglas and Sarpy Counties to enact a program created by the Omaha-area superintendents “to establish early childhood programs for children in poverty.”
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