Niki Deeds, (Central Nebraska Today, KGFW)
KEARNEY — Niki Deeds is one of the nine candidates who are running for a position of the Kearney Public Schools Board of Education.
Deeds said she has resided in Kearney for around eight years and lives with her husband and two children, a nine-year-old boy and seven-year-old girl.
She said she grew up in Elkhorn, where she attended high school and later pursued her secondary education at Texas Christian University (TCU) and then on to UNMC where she obtained her Master of Physician Assistant degree.
Deeds said she worked in Lincoln for a time before moving to Falls City, in southeast Nebraska, but later realized they wanted to live in a larger community and given that her husband is a Scottsbluff native and she is from Elkhorn, Kearney provided a middle ground.
Speaking to her candidacy for the Kearney school board, Deed said she has never felt more involved and welcomed in a community and she wants to give back. Her children are also in the Kearney Public School district, and she is passionate about it being a strong system.
When asked about her qualifications and experience, Deeds said she works as a hospitalist at Kearney Regional Medical Center and said she works well in a team atmosphere for the betterment of others, not unlike what a school board does, she noted.
Deeds said she also likes diving in and understanding things at the core level, she said she wants to understand the school district from the bottom up, the top down and everywhere in-between.
To that end, Deeds said she recently took a ride on a KPS school bus to understand what goes on and what the needs of the transportation department are. She also met with the Bearcat Diner to see the lunch process at different schools. She has also met with teachers and administrators.
Deeds also noted both her children go to Meadowlark Elementary and has volunteered for the Running Club at the school multiple times in the past.
She also noted Meadowlark recently got new playground equipment and there was a need for volunteers to help spread the mulch and she took part with other parents to help out.
Deeds said she has also coached several youth sports programs, including soccer and basketball.
Speaking to key issues she sees the district facing, Deeds listed teacher retention first and said there are teachers the district could have held on to in the last few years but have left the system. There are also teachers who might be considering leaving the system.
Deeds also cited the growth of Kearney and of the student population as a result. She said she wants to find the right student to teacher ratios, especially in the earliest years for students to get them started on the right foot.
She noted there are some building constraints on the middle school level and said the district is always keeping an eye on the future when it comes to building needs for a growing student population.
KPS recently announced $10.3 million, 28,704-square-foot flex space addition that is set to be constructed on the south side of Kearney High School.
“This cutting-edge facility will house dedicated spaces for the new girls’ wrestling team, a JROTC air rifle range, and an indoor drill area for JROTC cadets, providing essential room for these growing programs,” a press release from Kearney Public School stated.
Speaking to the proposed addition, Deeds said she has heard second hand that space at KHS is tight for extracurricular activities.
Deeds said the girls wrestling has had a great start to their program, and she wants to see them succeed. She also said the recently added JROTC program will provide yet another opportunity for students.
Speaking of the price tag, Deeds said board members always have to be conscious of spending but also must support the students. If elected, Deeds said she wants to see the budget adhere to the strategic plan of the district.
As for the new addition, “I think its wonderful and I am happy for the students to have that space.”
When asked how she would make her decisions, Deeds said she wants to approach every decision, considering how it will impact the students and teachers.
In conclusion, Deeds said she is excited about this opportunity because she loves the Kearney community and wants to be a quality representative of the people, as well as their wants and wishes for the public school system.
Editor’s Note: Niki Deeds appeared on 1340 KGFW and this article was written using information provided during that interview. The full interview can be found here.