Large field admires district’s current success

The Kearney R-I school board is a crowded race, with eight in the race. Candidate Christy Rena Anderson did not respond.

Mark Kelly (Incumbent)

Why are you running? I grew up in Kearney. I went to Kearney schools. My children go there. I want to give back to the community, and I think that my experience helps me do that for the school district.

What’s going well? I like that we are very successful academically. We are one of the highest-performing school districts in the metropolitan area. We have a lot of opportunities academically and activity-wise. We are well-positioned to take advantage from a facility standpoint. We provide very good value for our community with our schools.

What would you like to see change? I think we’ve done a good job. I would like to see us with a 2-to-1 ratio of devices to students. I think we need to take the opportunity we have to improve our facilities while we have slow growth, in addition to always improving our academics.

Andrette Prather

Why are you running? I decided to run for school board because this school district is great. We have great students, parents and teachers, and I want to be a part of the growth and success of the Kearney school district. We have three children in the system, so I am vested in the success of Kearney schools.

What’s going well? Our district is in a good place. There are so many exciting things happening in the district.

What would you like to see change? I just want to add to the success we already have in Kearney.

Megan Kimberlin (Incumbent)

Why are you running? I have spent the last several years working with youth, anywhere from juvenile offenders in the local court, to incoming and outbound foreign-exchange students, to local youth anti-bullying campaigns. I want to continue to be a proud and strong advocate for the many different challenges that arise.

What’s going well? Our test scores are fabulous. Our budget is transparent. Our students are polite, respectful and supportive. Our teachers are eager to make a difference. Our community as a whole is truly one of a kind. If a district could be close to perfect — I’d say this is the one.

What would you like to see change? Lack of diversity in curriculum, and more career-oriented study similar to that of the Northland CAPS program. I would like to see a class on current events focused on news reported on CNN. Regardless of your political views, shouldn’t you need to watch Fox, BBC, NBC, etc., to gather the “facts” from all sources? A biased agenda teaches not the facts, but instead creates a world of nonthinkers and followers.

Scott Darling

Why are you running? To support continued progress for excellence, good solid educational foundation, keep technology up to date, maximize best education for each child and responsible management of school tax dollars.

What’s going well? The district currently is doing well. We need to have ongoing surveillance for continued progress for excellence at all levels, to ensure that children have every opportunity to improve and reach their full potential. Our current success should not be taken for granted. The district should be in continuous improvement mode. We should constantly be improving the way children learn and the way they are taught.

What would you like to see change? When I get into the position and see all the inner workings of the district, then I will be able to say what needs to be improved. Excellence is a byproduct of teamwork.

John Kern

Why are you running? I’m running for school board because it is a great opportunity to give back to a great community and a wonderful school district. As a Kearney High School graduate with many family members who are also graduates, it would be a privilege to work with the Kearney school district leadership to further support the quality education provided to our children and families.

What’s going well? Our Kearney community has a long history and a strong focus on its children and families. I think our school district supports that focus with a strong faculty and leadership. The district is doing well right now, thanks to a focus on providing a good education.

What would you like to see change? I would like to have the opportunity to serve on the board to listen, learn and serve. I am not aware of any significant changes that need to be made in our district. As part of the district long-range planning committee, I do think we need to keep an eye on the growth of our community to be sure we continue to offer the best education to all our students. I also hope we work toward early-childhood education offerings, since that impacts the future success of the student.

Brian Lucas Hamm

Why are you running? With three small children soon to enter the Kearney school system, I want to be part of the process that guarantees a quality, fair and all-inclusive educational opportunity for generations to come. What is decided now will impact my children in the future.

What’s going well? The school system is a big part of why we moved to Kearney. It has an excellent educational and athletic track record that makes the district very attractive to young families. I feel that everyone, from the school board members on down to the teachers, truly has the students’ best interest in mind.

What would you like to see change? When something is working, change isn’t always necessary. However, what I would do is assure that we are progressive. Obtaining success is one challenge, and maintaining it is another. I want to make sure that we keep current in the classroom.

Dan Holloway

Why are you running? The Kearney/Holt community consists of so many incredible people. It’s not just families, parents, grandparents, local business or even the entire team at the Kearney school district. It’s the intricate role each of us has in our communities that develop and support the children and students each day. As a school board member, I hope to work together for this continued improvement of an already-established foundation.

What’s going well? We are scoring higher than other local schools, despite the fact that we aren’t up with 1-to-1 technology. I believe our community and the culture as well as many variables in the equation play a tremendous role in who we are, where we are going, and what we need to do ...to keep this momentum going.

What would you like to see change? I am technology person. I like my smart watch, but all these things bring me back to the basics: the foundation of my youth and who played a role in building that foundation.

This story was originally published March 30, 2016 at 1:10 PM with the headline "Large field admires district’s current success."