NOTE:  The State Colleges located in Peru, Chadron, and Wayne have governor-appointed, not elected, leadership. 

Community College Board of Governors 

As we look at the elected officials for higher education, we turn to the community college boards of governors in Nebraska. These are set up by the State Legislature as a group of 11 individuals who provide leadership to the 5 community college areas in the state. The five areas are served by Metropolitan Community College, Southeast Community College, Central Community College, Mid-Plains Community College, and Western Nebraska Community College. VIP’s counties fall in the jurisdictions of Metropolitan Community College and Southeast Community College. 

The boards determine how each college in its jurisdiction is run, and which programs will be offered (keeping in mind the specific needs of the community and the area). They are responsible to administer and audit the budget (including spending, financial aid, and the receipts of gifts and grants, selling bonds if approved by the electorate, dispersing funding streams as appropriate for various programs; establishing fees and tuition rates; and investing), hire administration and faculty, and negotiate contracts for the needs of the school. Bonds must be approved by voters and are to be used for such goals as building or maintenance, handicap accessibility and safety, and energy efficiency. 

While the Board of Governors previously had authority (if public hearings were held) to increase property tax levies, the Nebraska Legislature, attempting to relieve property taxes, passed LB 34, which revoked much of this authority. The State now plans to provide funding for the community colleges to replace funding that they had raised for themselves through levies, and limit their levies to 2%. In 2023, as the Legislature was considering this change, Jacy Schafer, representing the Nebraska Cattlemen and Nebraska Corn Growers Association pointed out that the levies have “increased by approximately 80% over the past decade.” However, even after the passage of LB 34, the Boards retain their ability to raise the levy if the State does not fulfill its obligation to pay. 

So, voters concerned about property tax might examine their candidate’s beliefs, or prior voting record, on raising levies. Since boards also determine academic programs, community members could identify needs that are not being met, and request that the board consider establishing or strengthening educational programs in those areas. Board meetings provide times for public comment in addition to their own agendas, and the boards post the dates of the meetings along with their agendas ahead of time. Extensive meeting minutes are also published online, giving details of educational programs and their progress, ways in which the board members are considering funding programs, gifts or grants being offered to the community college, responses to changes in funding (such as the effect of the federal Big Beautiful Bill passed in 2025), and more. 

Information about Metropolitan Community College’s board, including the members, contact information, audio of their meetings, full agendas and meeting minutes, and a calendar of past and upcoming meetings, can be found here. Metro covers VIP’s counties of Douglas, Sarpy, Dodge, and Washington. Southeast Community College, which covers 15 counties, including the VIP counties of Cass, Lancaster, and Seward, posts similar information from its board here. 

Perhaps these examples could give you some ideas for what you would like to ask or inform your representative. 

Example Idea #1: What kinds of classes/curriculum can be eliminated for better use of finances? Personally I would like to see….. 

Example Idea #2: If a member of your board were to commit a crime, would you consider censuring, or even demanding resignation? 

Example Idea #3: What plans does the College have for safely using AI? 

Example Idea #4: What “trades” emphasis do you think the College should have?  

Example Idea #5: What process do you use in “vetting” the people being considered for college leadership positions? For example, how much do you consider their …..? 

Example Idea #6: What challenges do you see in funding now that the College will be relying more on state funding than levies, and what ideas do you have for addressing those challenges? 

This contact information is provided with the disclaimer that things change.  Please inform us of any errors. 

Research and writing by Vickie Hecker. Vickie is a state employee, but her postings on this site do not speak for the views of the state, its customers, clients, suppliers, or employees. Any links to state sites are provided for informational purposes only.