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| ==Schools== | ==Schools== | ||
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Revision as of 00:12, 21 April 2006
Westside Community Schools, also known locally as District 66, is Omaha's 3rd largest school district. The district has one high school, one middle school, ten elementary schools, and one alternative high school. The district is in the center-west part of Omaha, between the Omaha Public Schools district and the Millard Public Schools district. Westside also has over 1,000 "opt-in" students, with most coming from OPS.
The high school, Westside High School, recently purchased about 2,000 iBook computers in the "1:1 Initiative". Each high school student is issued one at the beginning of the year. They are used by the student throughout the school year, and then returned at the end of this time.
Westside Community Schools current superintendent is Ken Bird.
Schools
- Westside High School (Omaha)
- Westside Middle School
- Hillside Elementary
- Loveland Elementary
- Oakdale Elementary
- Paddock Road Elementary
- Prairie Lane Elementary
- Rockbrook Elementary
- Sunset Hills Elementary
- Swanson Elementary
- Westbrook Elementary
- Westgate Elementary
Controversy
In the 1970's the separate Omaha Public School District was subjected to federal court-imposed busing sanctions. District 66, as a separate district in the center of Omaha, was therefore not subject to busing. As a result, a real estate premium was placed on houses for sale in District 66.
One City, One District
On June 6, 2005, the OPS board and Superindendent John Mackiel announced their intention to annex 25 schools within Omaha city limits (currently part of the Elkhorn Public Schools, Millard Public Schools and Ralston Public Schools districts) to OPS. This announcement, based on three Nebraska statutes enacted in 1891 and 1947 is known as One City, One School District.
District 66, although not directly involved in the dispute, joined with the three targed districts to form a coalition to fend off the highly controversial move. Supporters of the OPS initiative claim that a single school district is necessary to promote a cohesive Omaha community, ensure academic equity in all Omaha schools, and to prevent OPS from becoming locked into a declining property tax base. Opponents contend that Omaha-area residents should be able to choose from a number of school districts, that the schools would become less efficient in one large school district, and that the initiative is no more than a power and money grab by OPS. Discussions among the school districts have been unproductive; the issue will figure prominently in the 2006 session of the Nebraska State Legislature.
District 66's stance is explained in more detail at the "One City ... Many Choices" website, the link for which is provided at the bottom of the page.