Nebraska State Board of Education member submits resignation

LINCOLN — An Omaha member of the Nebraska State Board of Education has submitted her resignation, with the full board set to vote Friday on whether to accept that decision.

Board member Jacquelyn Morrison of Omaha submitted her resignation Sept. 6, after the board’s most recent meeting. She was elected to the board in 2020. The eight-member board oversees the Nebraska Department of Education and educational policy in the state, primarily over public K-12 schools and school districts.

Morrison, an attorney and deputy chief of staff in the Omaha Mayor’s Office, represents District 4, consisting of eastern Douglas County. In her resignation letter, Morrison 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 take effect 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 it is expected to do, Gov. Jim Pillen would appoint a successor. That must be done within 45 days, or by mid-November, “unless good cause is shown 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.

“Upon receiving that we will accept applications and fill it as promptly as possible,” Strimple said in an email.

A spokesperson for the Nebraska Department of Education said the department had notified Pillen’s office after Morrison submitted her resignation.

Pillen’s appointee would serve the remainder of Morrison’s term, through early January. The board meets just once more this year, on Dec. 6 in Lincoln.

None of the four board members whose seats are up for election this fall, including Morrison, filed to seek reelection.

The two candidates vying for Morrison’s seat Nov. 5 are Liz Renner, a documentary filmmaker and communications professional, and LeDonna White Griffin, a former teacher and principal in  Omaha Public Schools who founded and is the CEO of Leaders to Legends Academy, which supports families in private and homeschool settings.

Renner thanked Morrison for her years of service in a “challenging job.”

“I’m running for the seat to continue supporting the students and families of District 4,” Renner said in a text. “It’s 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 9 a.m. Friday in Grand Island at the Raising Nebraska Building, Pivot Room, 501 East Fonner Park Road, Suite 100.