LINCOLN- Four historically quiet races for the Nebraska State Board of Education have been spiced up this year by fears about sex education and social studies.
Currently, Conservatives believe that the current Board is stacked against them 7-1 or 6-2. Several candidates have stated that their goal is to get that ratio closer to 4-4. "I don't see it as pushing to the right," said Matt Innis, a conservative activist, "I see it as bringing common sense."
Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb described Republican attempts to gain more control of the Board as "extreme," and said the races this year are unlike anything the state has ever seen.
In all four Board races, educational issues have been a large topic of debate. From critical race theory to the threat of fascism and health standards, almost every nationwide talking point from both sides of the aisle have come up in Nebraska's Education races.
Marni Hodgen, a State Board candidate from Omaha, thinks the state has adopted a "very complacent role in our society" when it comes to education.
Deb Neary, another candidate from Omaha and current Board member, believes the state has done a great job of encouraging education and improving test scores. "Nebraska's public schools are in the top 10 in the country, no matter what," said Neary, "You look at them in the ACT's, and you do the comparables, or in the national report card."
Helen Raikes, a Board candidate from Ashland, is trying to spread a message of nonpartisanship. "I want Nebraskans to remember who they are area," said Raikes, "Nebraskans are no these angry, hate their schools, tear them down people. We are nonpartisan, respectful, and independent. We do things our own way."
The four Republican candidates for the Board have been criticized for their comments about teachers, critical race theory, and sex education standards.
Hodgen, who began homeschooling her children to avoid mandatory masking at the beginning of the pandemic, stated that she "didn't understand why there was this need to have kids not only talk about puberty in third grade, but to have to be able to define what sexual orientation means."
Former Nebraska Education Commissioner Roger Breed fired back at the candidates for "demonizing" teachers during a nationwide teacher shortage.
Breed stated that he hopes Nebraska voters can see the organized Republican efforts "for what it is, a narrow, high-money-backed agenda that is not necessarily for the best in public education in Nebraska."
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