Kearney Public School voters will pick three to board

KEARNEY — Patrons of the Kearney Public School District in the Nov. 5 general election will narrow a field of six candidates to three who will be elected to four-year terms.

Steve Gaasch is the lone incumbent among the six candidates who survived the May primary election. Challengers include Chad Gillespie, Amy Barth, Niki Deeds, Casey Schilke and Amanda Smallcomb.

Candidates shared information about themselves and answered three questions on a Kearney Hub questionnaire. Candidate Casey Schilke did not respond to the questionnaire.

Here are the responses from the other candidates:

Niki Deeds

Town where you live: Kearney

Office you seek: Kearney Public Schools Board of Education

Current and Prior Elective Office: None

List of Community Service: Youth soccer coach, youth basketball coach, running club volunteer, volunteer for various activities with Meadowlark Elementary, where my kids go to school.

Occupation: Hospitalist at Kearney Regional Medical Center

Question 1: What makes you unique as a candidate?

Answer: I will bring a fresh perspective and a fresh set of eyes to the Kearney Public School Board. I will work to ensure we have accountability and transparency throughout the KPS system, and I will openly seek input from parents, teachers and our community when making important decisions.

Question 2: Does Buffalo County have fair and secure elections? Why or why not?

Answer: As a candidate for the KPS Board, I would not have the ability to change our election laws or policies. I do believe those who are responsible for our elections must do everything they can to make sure Buffalo County residents have confidence in our elections.

Question 3: What is your first priority if elected?

Answer: My top priorities are to ensure accountability and transparency throughout the KPS system, supporting our teachers and staff by improving student-to-teacher ratios and preparing for a large number of incoming kindergarten students over the next few years. High quality education and fiscal responsibility will also be top priorities.

Amanda Smallcomb

Town Where You Live: Kearney

Office you seek: Kearney Public Schools Board of Education

Current and Prior Elective Office: I have not held any prior elective offices.

List of Community Service: Skills for Success team leader, Human Rights Committee member, Hands of Heartland, Human Rights Committee member Mosaic, Meadowlark Elementary PAC member and president, Sunrise Middle School PAC member and president, Kearney Public Schools Foundation board member Class Act of KPS Foundation board member

Occupation: Currently local business owner/property manager and at-home parent; previously Unit Nurse/Behavior Support Coordinator/caregiver for 20 years.

Question 1: What makes you unique as a candidate?

Answer: I worked for 20 years as a nurse and behavior support coordinator for a residential facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities. I understand the importance of advocating for others, patience, compassion, problem solving, finding solutions and communication skills. I have also spent the past six years volunteering for KPS organizations.

Question 2: Does Buffalo County have fair and secure elections? Why or why not?

Answer: I trust that Buffalo County is following proper election laws. I spoke with the poll volunteers during the primary election when I was there to vote, and they said the procedure with providing ID was going smoothly. If issues arise, I feel they will be dealt with swiftly.

Question 3: What is your first priority if elected?

Answer: My priority is to work on being a trusted board member. I believe in transparency and accountability, and I expect the same of others. I want our students, staff and community to know that I'm working for their best interests in making KPS a premier district to be proud of.

Chad Gillespie

Town Where You Live: Kearney

Office you seek: Kearney Public Schools Board of Education

Current and Prior Elective Office: None

List of Community Service: Volunteer youth coach for baseball, football, basketball; Kearney Junior Football League Board member, active volunteer at Meadowlark Elementary School, active volunteer at Grace Kearney, district representative for area football and basketball officials

Occupation: Sales

Question 1: What makes you unique as a candidate?

Answer: I have five boys attending KPS schools and a wife who subs as a para at Meadowlark Elementary. Between all of these touchpoints at the schools and my community involvement, I'm able to maintain a broad perspective of the opportunities and challenges that are in front of KPS in the coming years.

Question 2: Does Buffalo County have fair and secure elections? Why or why not?

Answer: Yes, Buffalo County has fair and secure elections. Staying with paper ballots, showing proof of ID, and double checking that with a registered voter list at the polling location has ensured our votes count. It's great that we had a dedicated group of poll workers to make that happen.

Question 3: What is your first priority if elected?

Answer: If elected to the KPS Board, my first priority will be to Keep, Prepare, and Steward our schools with a conservative approach. Keep a culture of common sense values. Prepare our students for all post-graduate paths. Steward the finances, assets and teacher/staff positions of the district responsibly.

Steve Gaasch

Town Where you Live: Kearney

Office you seek: Kearney Public Schools Board of Education

List of Community Service: Member of KPS Board (2020-2024) current president (2024), past volunteer youth sports coach for Kearney YMCA (basketball and soccer), past volunteer coach for Kearney Soccer Club girls soccer

Occupation: Buffalo County facilities director

Question 1: What makes you unique as a candidate?

Answer: I bring experience and the opportunity for continuity on the school board. As member, I have had the opportunity to help guide the district through difficult times: Covid, new superintendent, budget issues, staffing challenges, book questions, etc. The experience I have gained provides invaluable strength to help our schools continue to be strong.

Question 2: Does Buffalo County have fair and secure elections? Why or why not?

Answer: Yes, we have secure and fair elections in Kearney, Nebraska. We have great people in Kearney who care about doing things the right way. We have a strong Election Commissioner, along with many great volunteer assistants, who make sure that the elections are handled correctly, fairly and securely.

Question 3: What is your first priority if elected?

Answer: My first priority is making sure that we are doing a great job educating our kids. That work involves getting, keeping, training and developing great staff, wisely using our resources (budget), maintaining great facilities, and partnering with our parents and families to teach and train great kids both now and assisting them with good directions for the future.

Amy Barth

Town where you live: Kearney

Office you seek: Kearney Public Schools Board of Education

Current and prior elective office: KPS Board of Education

List of community service: Current – KPS board, Collage Center Board member/treasurer, Yanney Heritage Park Foundation board member/treasurer, Volunteer for Grace Fellowship Church. Previous - United Way of the Kearney Area board member/treasurer, Junior Achievement Classroom volunteer, Big Brothers Big Sisters volunteer, Graduate of Leadership Kearney Class 28.

Occupation: See answer No. 1

Question 1: What makes you unique as a candidate?

Answer: I am a mother of three KPS students, wife, certified public accountant, small business owner, public school graduate and community volunteer. What sets me apart is my understanding of governmental entities and the budgeting process through my work as a CPA as well as many years of nonprofit board experience.

Question 2: Does Buffalo County have fair and secure elections? Why or why not?

Answer: Yes, Kearney has a fair and secure elections process. The county provides a wide variety of voting locations and times, allows for early voting, online registration and other accommodations for citizens with special needs or circumstances. I am also in favor of the newly implemented voter ID requirements.

Question 3: What is your first priority if elected?

Answer: My first priority will be taking a deeper dive into the budget to ensure KPS is prioritizing the keys to successful education. These keys include quality teacher and staff hires and high levels of work satisfaction, superior curriculum focused on the basics of education, and the safety of our school facilities.

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