LINCOLN- According to the OpenSky Policy Institute, Jim Pillen's proposal to change Nebraska's school funding formula to a per-student basis could cost some districts in Nebraska up to $270 million.

The report doesn't mention the gubernatorial candidate by name, but the per-student funding system studied in the report is the same that Pillen has been pushing for the past few months.

In a campaign ad, Pillen states, "We should never, ever give up on a kid. As governor, I'll reform education funding and stop the state from picking winners and losers so that every single Nebraska kid has the opportunity they deserve."

Under Nebraska's current formula, most of the funding, around $880 million, comes in the form of equalization aid, which often goes to high-need districts in the state. Lincoln, Omaha, Grand Island, and Millard Public Schools receive most of the equalization aid given to the state.

Pillen argues that this system is unfair for the remaining 158 districts that don't receive any equalization aid.

Despite this, the OpenSky report suggests that most districts receiving equalization aid are already near their property tax levy limits, so a drop in funding through a per-student system would force many districts to begin increasing taxes to avoid major service cuts.

State Sen. Lynne Walz, of Fremont, believes the current school funding system utilized in the state is the most effective tool the state has for discerning the true funding needs of all districts. "It's easy to just throw out an idea and then step away," said Sen. Walz, "However, those ideas affect every single Nebraskan."

In an email responding to the OpenSky report, Pillen attacked the company, saying that it was back by "entrenched interests" intent on maintaining the status quo.

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