LINCOLN- The public’s radar is locked on the four seats up for grabs on the Nebraska State Board of Education in the Nov. 8 election.

The races are among the hottest in the state, fueled by disagreements over what and when kids should be taught about sexuality and race, what books belong in school libraries, equity versus equality and the boundaries of the board’s authority.

Four Republicans hope to make inroads on the board with a “back-to-basics” message. They face two Democrats, an independent and a Republican — all endorsed by the Nebraska state teachers union.

Republican Kirk Penner of Aurora, appointed by Gov. Pete Ricketts, faces independent Helen Raikes of Ashland, a retired professor of education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, in District 5.

Republican Sherry Jones and Democrat Danielle Helzer, both of Grand Island, are running in District 6, where incumbent Maureen Nickels declined to run again.

In District 7, Republican Elizabeth Tegtmeier of North Platte faces incumbent Republican Robin Stevens of Gothenburg. Stevens received the teachers union nod.

In the Omaha metro area, Republican Marni Hodgen is trying to unseat incumbent Democrat Deborah Neary in District 8.

In the last 11 such elections,16 candidates sailed into office with no opponent. This year is a completely different environment.

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