The State Board of Education recorded multiple formal actions at its March 7 meeting. Major outcomes:

• Consent agenda: The board adopted the consent agenda with item 6.7b (tobacco prevention grant) removed for separate discussion.

• 7.2.b — Authorize commissioner to amend contract for agriculture, food and natural resources education and FFA support: Motion passed by roll call (recorded unanimous affirmative) and was adopted.

• 7.2.c — Authorize commissioner to accept funds from the U.S. Department of Education to support the Stronger Connections Technical Assistance and Capacity Building program (student and staff mental health): The motion passed by roll call with one recorded 'no' (Penner); motion adopted. Board discussion raised concerns about universal mental‑health screening vs. targeted interventions.

• 7.2.d — Authorize commissioner to accept funds from the Nebraska Department of Agriculture to support expansion of Farm to School and Walk to Unlock: Motion adopted by roll call.

• 7.2.e — Authorize commissioner to contract with QuestionPro survey software: Motion adopted by roll call.

• 7.3 items — Planning & Evaluation Committee recommendations: The board approved a Rule 11 teacher waiver request (Schuyler Community Schools) and multiple pilot processes to allow virtual clinical observations for speech‑language pathology and school psychology (University of Nebraska Kearney) by roll call votes; the board authorized the commissioner to approve a media‑specialist waiver request from NCYF.

• Additional business (6.7b) — Authorize commissioner to accept funds from Nebraska DHHS to support prevention of youth tobacco use (subrecipient for a five‑year grant): Board members asked for program effectiveness data; staff said DHHS is responsible for evaluation and final data are expected when the grant concludes next year. Motion carried 7–1.

Why it matters: These votes authorize multi‑year grant arrangements, contract work, and pilot programs that affect district services, surveys and supports for students and staff. Several members asked for evaluation data and sustainability planning for multi‑year grants.

What’s next: Departments will implement authorized contracts and grants; board members indicated they want mid‑term evaluation data for multi‑year grants when available.