Find Answers (FAQs)

• Bonds can be used for capital expenses – construction and renovation of buildings or infrastructure. (click here to see previous CPS bonds)
• General Fund Budget is used for District operations
  • 90% of all district expenditures was for district and contracted personnel.  The remaining 10% includes building operations and maintenance, community services, state categorical programs, federal programs and facilities/sites and land. (click here for the most recent CPS Annual report).
  • CPS spent $14,178 per pupil for the 2023-2024 school year. This is $1,721 less than the state average of $15,899. (Click here to visit the NDE District Profile)

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• CPS can show its fiscal responsibility over the past 20 years. Click here to view CPS bonded and nonbonded projects.
  • In 2022 CPS retired the bond passed in 1999 two years early and saved the taxpayers $2 million in interest.
  • In 2020 CPS refinanced the bond passed in 2013 and will retire part of that bond in 2024, saving the local taxpayers between $9-11 million. The remaining part of this bond is on pace to be retired in 2029.
    • This is reflective of a strong understanding of the fiscal situation among our stakeholders.

CPS funds the maintenance of facilities through its general fund and building fund if necessary.

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In 2021 two laws went into effect giving property tax relief to Nebraskans.  You may claim 25% of your property tax paid to schools on your state income tax (LB1107).  You receive a tax credit decreasing your payment obligations or triggering a refund.  Also, LB2 went into effect that values Agriculture Land at 50% of its full values for any bond issue passed after July 1 of 2021.

As an equalized school district the state aid formula would adjust.  When valuation goes up we receive less state aid and when valuation goes down we receive more state aid.  It balances.  State aid will also increase as our needs increase (growth).  The continued growth and expectation for more increased growth through 2030 is our #1 need within the 2025 Bond.

All individuals registered to vote in the Columbus Public School district.

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Agricultural and horticultural land is valued at 75 percent of its actual value for purposes of property taxation under law.  That remains the same for the general fund and building fund tax levy set by public school districts in Nebraska.

Under LB2, passed in 2021, such agricultural and horticultural land is valued at 50 percent of its actual value for purposes of school district taxes levied to pay the principal and interest on bonds approved by a vote of the people.  This does not apply to bonds passed prior to 2021.

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All of those wishing to vote in the November 4th special election must be registered with the Platte County Election Commissioner by October 17, 2025.

• Voter Registration Form - English
• Voter Registration Form - Spanish

There are two parts to this answer, first Nebraska State Statute permits open enrollment to all public school districts unless certain criteria are met allowing a public school district to close off option in enrollment for “all” grades and programs.  Last May, CPS met that criteria.

The second part of this answer is that 5,128 students live in the CPS District, of those about 900 enroll in private schools, home schools, or option out (316) to neighboring public schools through the open enrollment program.  Only 242 of the 4,200 students at Columbus Public Schools are considered option-in under the open enrollment program.  Over 50% of those students have been enrolled since Kindergarten.