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VOTE411 Voter Guide

Bellevue Public School Board District 1 {_getChooseLabel(this.selections.length)}

The school board is responsible for guiding the school or district s budget, approving bills, and establishing spending priorities. The board is responsible for deciding when to ask voters to pass levies that benefit the school and work with their communities to improve student achievement.

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  • Candidate picture

    Pat Beckham
    (NON)

  • Candidate picture

    Christine Clerc
    (NON)

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    Scott E Eby
    (NON)

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    Matt Goetz
    (NON)

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    Dickee Jost
    (NON)

  • Candidate picture

    Kristy Kiviniemi
    (NON)

Biographical Information

Why are you running for the school board? If elected, what will be your priorities?

What is a school board member’s role and responsibility? How does that role differ from the role of the superintendent or administration?

How can parents and schools work together for the benefit of all students?

Education BS Mathematics, University of Nebraska Lincoln
Current Public Office, dates held None
Past Public Office, dates held None
Military experience None
Volunteer experience Coaching my kids' sports teams, church council, endowment committee, Partner in Education project through church
I am running for the Board of Education because I am deeply passionate about education and its transformative power. Growing up in a working-class family, I learned firsthand how support and dedication to learning can open doors. Thanks to the guidance of my teachers and the value my parents placed on education, I was able to graduate from college and pursue a successful career as an actuary – an opportunity that has been both intellectually stimulating and fulfilling. As a long-time resident of Bellevue, I am committed to seeing our community grow and prosper. I believe that a strong public school system is fundamental to our community’s future. I am eager to contribute to creating an environment where every student can succeed.
In my opinion, the role and responsibility of a school board member is to oversee the governance of the local school district and ensure that educational policies and practices align with the needs and best interests of students and the community. The school board selects, evaluates, and supports the superintendent, who is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the district and implementation of the board's policies.
Collaboration between parents and schools is essential for the success of all students. To enhance this partnership, we need open lines of communication through regular newsletters, parent-teacher conferences, and online platforms that keep parents informed and engaged in their child’s education. Creating diverse opportunities for parental involvement, such as volunteering in classrooms, joining school committees, and participating in school events, can foster a strong sense of community and investment in students' success. It’s also crucial to implement feedback mechanisms that allow parents to share their insights on school policies, programs, and curricula, ensuring their voices are heard.
Education Masters of Physician Assistant Studies
Current Public Office, dates held N/A
Past Public Office, dates held N/A
Military experience N/A
Volunteer experience Wake Robin PTA fundraising and family programing; Nebraska PTA legislative advocacy; Sarpy County Democrats voter outreach
Campaign Twitter Handle @ClercForBPS
I am deeply invested in the success of Bellevue Public Schools because my children's future and the health and prosperity of our community depend on it. If elected, I plan take a very active role in listening and collaborating with the administration, educators, families, students, and the community at large to determine and fulfill the needs of the district. I will champion Bellevue's "culture of belonging" and grow our spirit of engagement and volunteerism. Since we are also losing a great advocate in government with Ms. Centineo leaving, I hope to carry the torch forward by keeping us active with the Nebraska Association of School Boards, and advocating for our district and public education at the state and federal levels.
The primary role and responsibilities of the school board and its members are to 1) employ/evaluate the superintendent and oversee operations; 2) set policy and procedures to provide for the instructional program and support services of the district; and 3) to act as judge/jury for appeals made to the board from staff, parents/guardians, or concern citizens. I also view the school board as an integral bridge and support system for the district administration, staff, students/families, and the greater Bellevue community. As a governing body, we have the capacity to create policy and procedures that promote the success of our district locally. Additionally, we can serve as important advocates for public education in our state and country.
It is well known that when parents/guardians are engaged, they can increase the chances of success for their child. However, there are many barriers that could impact a parent/guardian's ability to take an active role in their child's education including economic instability; language barriers; history of trauma, substance abuse, or mental health disorders; or lack of knowledge and support in how to effectively collaborate with the schools. As a district we can pay special attention to keeping our families engaged by meeting them where they are at in their lives. This could be as simple as surveying families to determine their preferred method of communication, to greater investment in social outreach and tailored support for our families.
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Education Master's in Justice Administration and Crime Management from Bellevue University and a Master's in Organizational Business Management
Current Public Office, dates held N/A
Past Public Office, dates held N/A
Military experience Twenty-five year Air Force and Nebraska Air National Guard veteran with command and flight instruction experience
Volunteer experience Served on the Finance Committee for my church, "adopted" grandparents from a local Assisted Living Facility. I volunteered as the boys’ basketball coach for four years, coaching grades five through eight.
I believe we can fundamentally do a better job preparing our children for success. In our community and across the State, test scores have been stagnant or worse, declining. The answer is in our schools already. I would like to empower our teachers to challenge what is not working for us now and reach back to what worked for us before to make our Nation great. Throwing more money and programs at the problem is not the answer. I will work towards a more fundamental education focused on success after graduation taking into account a student’s needs whether it’s college, military service, agriculture or technical trades.
Board members look at contracts, budgets, new hires, resignations, performance reports, grades, and much more. I filled these roles in my military and professional career and performed similar tasks. These included program management, certified flight instruction, performance reviews, and equipment and building budgets. I served as a Chief Operating Officer with a budget similar to Bellevue schools. I have experience working with the government, managing multi-million dollar contracts, and working on the human resources team, hiring new talent. Whereas the board helps to set policies and approve financial transactions, it is the superintendent’s and the admin’s role to execute these policies and work the countless day-to-day activities.
It's well past the time for parents to inform the schools what they'd like to see their children taught. Bellevue schools have the resources to keep a child’s locale or potential career path, i.e., technical, versus college prep, in mind. Experienced teachers and parents need to have a much larger say in education, not some government sponsored study. Our administration needs to embrace our experienced teachers’ inputs and make the changes required to stop the decline of our test scores. In the event of behavior issues, it would be great if parents would give their child’s teacher the benefit of a doubt. Teachers see how a child reacts and behaves with 20 other students for 8 hours a day, a perspective a parent doesn’t have.
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