State Board of Education member Jacquelyn Morrison, elected to the board in 2020, submitted her resignation to the board on September 6. Her colleagues will take up her resignation on Friday, October 4 for a positive or negative vote. Morrison had already announced that she would not stand for re-election for her seat in the 2024 elections. (Morrison’s photo courtesy of the Nebraska Department of Education; school bus photo by Rebecca Gratz for the Nebraska Examiner)
LINCOLN – An Omaha member of the Nebraska State Board of Education has submitted her resignation. The full board will vote Friday on whether to accept that decision.
Board member Jacquelyn Morrison of Omaha submitted hers dismissal September 6, after the most recent board meeting. She was elected to the board in 2020. The eight-member board oversees the Nebraska Department of Education and education policy in the state, primarily public K-12 schools and school districts.
Morrison, an attorney and deputy chief of staff in the Omaha mayor’s office, represents District 4, made up of western Douglas County. In her resignation letterMorrison did not explain her decision. She did not respond to multiple requests for comment from the Nebraska Examiner.
“It is my understanding that this resignation will not become effective until it is accepted by the board,” Morrison wrote. “Please let me know when the board has officially acted to accept this resignation.”
Should the board accept Morrison’s resignation, as is expected, Governor Jim Pillen would do so appoint a successor. That has to happen indoors 45 daysor mid-November, “unless there are good reasons showing that the requirement imposes an undue burden.”
Laura Strimple, a spokesperson for Pillen, said that until the State Board of Education accepts Morrison’s resignation, there is not yet a “vacancy” to fill.
“Once received, we will accept applications and complete them as quickly as possible,” Strimple said in an email.
A spokesperson for the Nebraska Department of Education said the department notified Pillen’s office after Morrison submitted her resignation.
Pillen’s appointee would serve the remainder of Morrison’s term until early January. The board will meet only once this year, on December 6 in Lincoln.
None of the four board members whose seats are up for election this fallincluding Morrison, filed for re-election.
The two candidates vying for Morrison’s seat on November 5 are Liz Rennera documentary filmmaker and communications professional, and LeDonna White Griffina former teacher and principal of Omaha Public Schools, who founded and serves as CEO of Leaders to Legends Academy, which supports families in private and homeschool settings.
Renner thanked Morrison for her years of dedication in a ‘challenging job’.
“I am running for the seat to continue supporting the students and families of District 4,” Renner said in a text message. “It is more important than ever that we have elected 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 on Grand Island in the Raising Nebraska Building, Pivot Room, 501 East Fonner Park Road, Suite 100.
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