Your feedback ensures we stay focused on the facts that matter to you most—take our survey.
Nebraska Commissioner of Education
| Nebraska Commissioner of Education | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Nonpartisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| Compensation: | $242,019 |
| 2025 FY Budget: | $2,014,762,424 |
| Term limits: | None |
| Structure | |
| Length of term: | Serves at the pleasure of the State Board of Education |
| Authority: | Nebraska Constitution, Article VII, Section 2 |
| Selection Method: | Appointed by State Board of Education |
| Current Officeholder(s) | |
Nebraska Commissioner of Education
Brian Maher | |
| Other Nebraska Executive Offices | |
| Governor • Lieutenant Governor • Secretary of State • Attorney General • Treasurer • Auditor • Commissioner of Education • Agriculture Director • Insurance Director • Natural Resources Director • Labor Commissioner • Public Service Commission • Board of Regents | |
The Nebraska Commissioner of Education is a state executive position in the Nebraska state government. The State Board of Education appoints the commissioner, who serves as executive officer of the board and the administrative head of the State Department of Education.[1]
Current officeholder
The current Nebraska Commissioner of Education is Brian Maher (nonpartisan). Maher assumed office in 2023.
Authority
The state Constitution addresses the office of commissioner of education in Article VII, Section 2.[2]
|
The State Department of Education shall be comprised of a State Board of Education and a Commissioner of Education. |
Qualifications
The commissioner's qualifications are established by Nebraska Revised Statute 79-304. This statute states:
| “ |
The Commissioner of Education shall (1)(a) be a person of superior educational attainments, (b) have had many years of experience, (c) have demonstrated personal and professional leadership in the administration of public education, and (d) be eligible to qualify for the highest grade of school administrator certificate currently issued in the state or (2) possess a combination of education, skills, administrative experiences in public education, and other such qualifications as determined by the State Board of Education. [3] |
” |
| —Nebraska Legislature (2021)[4] | ||
Appointments
The State Board of Education appoints the commissioner.
Vacancies
As established by Article VII, Section 4 of the Nebraska Constitution, in the event of a vacancy in the office of commissioner, the State Board of Education fills the office by appointment.[2]
Duties
The commissioner serves as executive officer of the State Board of Education and as administrative head of the State Department of Education. In these roles the commissioner oversees education in the state.[5] According to Nebraska Code 79-301, "The commissioner shall have the responsibility for carrying out the requirements of law and of board policies, standards, rules, and regulations and for providing the educational leadership and services deemed necessary by the board for the proper conduct of the state school program."[6]
Divisions
As of January 27, 2021, the commissioner's office contains the following divisions:
- Agency Support and Services
- School Improvement, Support, and Services
- Student and Client Success and Services[7]
State budget
- See also: Nebraska state budget and finances
The budget for the Nebraska Department of Education in fiscal year 2024-2025 was $2,014,762,424.[8]
Compensation
- See also: Compensation of state executive officers
Article VII, Section 4 of the state Constitution designates the State Board of Education to fix the compensation of the Commissioner.
2023
In 2023, the officer's salary was $242,019, according to the Council of State Governments.[9]
2022
In 2022, the officer's salary was $237,273, according to the Council of State Governments.[10]
2021
In 2021, the commissioner received a salary of $232,620, according to the Council of State Governments.[11]
2020
In 2020, the commissioner received a salary of $227,390, according to the Council of State Governments.[12]
2019
In 2019, the commissioner received a salary of $227,390, according to the Council of State Governments.[13]
2018
In 2018, the commissioner received a salary of $222,932, according to the Council of State Governments.[14]
2017
In 2017, the commissioner received a salary of $220,725, according to the Council of State Governments.[15]
2016
In 2016, the superintendent received a salary of $220,725, according to the Council of State Governments.[16]
2015
In 2015, the superintendent received a salary of $210,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[17]
2014
In 2014, the commissioner was paid an estimated $200,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[18]
2013
In 2013, the commissioner was paid an estimated $211,650, according to the Council of State Governments.[19]
Historical officeholders
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for chronological lists of historical officeholders; information for the Nebraska Commissioner of Education has not yet been added because the information was unavailable on the relevant state official websites, or we are currently in the process of formatting the list for this office. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Nebraska Commissioner of Education. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
Contact information
301 Centennial Mall South
P.O. Box 94987
Lincoln,NE 68509-4987
Phone: 402-471-2295
Commissioners Office
Phone: 402-471-5020
Email: roger.breed@nebraska.gov
See also
| Nebraska | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis |
|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
- Superintendent of Schools
- Nebraska school districts
- Nebraska Department of Education
- Public education in Nebraska
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Nebraska Department of Education, "Commissioner of Education," accessed January 27, 2021
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 accessed Aug. 12, 2015
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Nebraska Legislature, "Nebraska Revised Statute 79-304," accessed January 27, 2021
- ↑ Nebraska Department of Education, " Commissioners homepage," accessed December 22, 2012
- ↑ Nebraska Legislature, "Chapter 79," accessed January 27, 2021
- ↑ Nebraska Department of Education, "Commissioner of Education," accessed January 27, 2021
- ↑ Nebraska.gov, "Agency Operations / State Aid / Construction Summary by Fund Type," accessed December 6, 2023
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2023 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 21, 2025
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2022 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," provided to Ballotpedia by CSG personnel
- ↑ Issuu, "The Book of the States 2021," accessed September 22, 2022
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2020," accessed January 26, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2019," accessed January 26, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2018," accessed January 26, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2017," accessed January 26, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed December 3, 2014
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Table 4.11 Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 31, 2014
| ||||||||||||||
