Chad Gillespie, (Liz Macias, Central Nebraska Today)
KEARNEY — Chad Gillespie is one of the nine candidates who are running for a position of the Kearney Public Schools Board of Education.
Gillespie said he wears several titles, and they go a long way to tell people who he is, “Christian, Husband, Dad, Son, Brother, Friend, Employee, Coach, Official, Volunteer and several others.”
He said he listed those intentionally and feels one is best served when they have those prioritized for themselves.
Gillespie said he grew up on a ranch west of Amherst and attended school in the community. He is thankful for the work ethic and fiscal responsibility that was instilled in him while growing up on the ranch.
“You learn to appreciate the value of hard work,” Gillespie said.
After graduating from high school, he earned a degree from Doane College and competed in football and track and field.
He said his career path has taken him from Lincoln, San Diego, Omaha and eventually back to Kearney in 2015.
“Kearney has always had a strong reputation of being a dynamic, live able and family friendly city,” Gillespie said, “It was really good for us to get back here at that point.”
Gillespie said he decided in December 2023 to enter his name in the race for the school board.
Gillespie noted that he is the father of five boys, whose ages range from sixth grade to kindergarten.
When asked about his qualifications, Gillespie said he has been on several smaller boards in the past but feels like his best experience comes from, “Being a dad who has kept a vigilante eye on the many issues facing our educational system today.”
Gillespie said he has been a vocal advocate for conservative Nebraska values in front of the local school board or State Board of Education when issues arise that he feels deserve public comment.
Speaking to issues he feels school districts are facing, Gillespie said “radical trends seem to be creeping into the educational system…which I think is true across the nation.”
“I really prioritize traditional education and would really like to eliminate those radical trends that distract from learning,” Gillespie said, “Our kids and the teachers time is already a valuable commodity.”
He said he wants the curriculum to focus on math, science, reading, English and the other basics that he feels students are slipping behind in.
Another issue, which is a positive one in essence, is the growing population of Kearney, Gillespie said.
There is going to come a time when the district will have to build new, add on or renovate to keep up with the growth, Gillespie said and wants the board to be proactive on this issue.
In turn, Gillespie said that educational programs will have to be grown to keep up with the student population, which includes offering different paths for students, such as trade specific training.
When asked about how he has been involved with the Kearney district, Gillespie said to this point he has helped volunteer at events his children have been involved with.
He noted that most of his volunteer time comes from coaching youth sports and officiating football and basketball around the area.
Asked about what he would do differently if elected, Gillespie said he feels the board has done a good job, but noted there is always room for improvement and for fresh ideas.
“I would avoid distractions,” Gillespie said.
Gillespie noted that he has been approached already by several residents who have asked him how he would help cut down on costs. He said he does not have any specific plans in mind now but is all for the idea.
He noted that he would prefer cutting costs from a budget, rather than trying to raise more money.
Gillespie said one thing he would differently is to say, “no,” more often in different situations.
Speaking to how he would make his decisions, is through his values, beliefs, facts, prayer, seeking out wise counsel when he doesn’t have the answers and public input.
“If we aren’t listening to the folks in our district, we are not doing our job,” Gillespie said, “The job of the board is to determine who the key stakeholders are for each decision that comes before that board.”
In closing, Gillespie said his theme for his campaign is based on “KPS” and if elected he would like to, “Keep, Prepare and Steward.”
He wants to keep a culture of common-sense values, standard of empowerment for educational excellence, keep “radical progressive policies and ideas out of our schools.”
Gillespie said he wants to prepare for all post graduate paths and become productive citizens, prepare facilities for the growth of the population and prepare students and teachers for the technological advancements that are already here.
He also wants to see the board as steward of the assets and resources of the district, to steward the teacher and staff positions effectively to attract and retain the top talent and steward input and information from the constituents.
Concluding, Gillespie said he feels that running for the board position is comparable to a being a youth sports coach.
He said he received some words of wisdom that a parent whose child is out for youth sports does not have much room to complain if they have not volunteered their time to coach or be a part of the team.
Gillespie said he views being on school board similarly.
Editor’s Note: Chad Gillespie appeared on 1340 KGFW and this article was written using information provided during that interview. The full interview can be found here.
