Niki Deeds, (Liz Macias, Central Nebraska Today)
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 eight-year-old boy and six-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.
“We have lived here for eight years, and I truly feel like this is an amazing community to raise a family in, to work in and be a part of,” Deeds said.
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.
“A strong school system is key to a strong community,” she said, “I want to support it, I want to make it as good as it can be.”
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.
“I will work hard, that is likely my biggest attribute,” Deeds said, “I am not afraid to dig in, meet with everyone and anybody here…and bring it all to the table for the betterment of Kearney Public Schools.”
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.
“I want to get to the bottom of the ‘why’ and keep those teachers who are leaving,” Deeds said, adding that they are the glue that holds a school system together. “They are the heart of it all,” she said.
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.
Another thing Deeds wants to do, if elected, is a fully policy review, “from A to Z,” she said. After the review she wants to see updates made to those policies that require them.
Deeds said she wants to be open to discussion and communication with those who reside in the school district.
“I want to be an approachable board member and hear everyone’s concerns and thoughts,” Deeds said, “This is a community effort and I want to keep it that way.”
“I value people’s opinions and I love good discussion, Deeds said later.
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.
“If I keep those two groups at the forefront with every decision, I can make the best choice for the school system,” Deeds said.
Deeds also said that the running of a school system is a community process.
“I appreciate the community’s support so far and look forward to continuing this journey,” Deeds said in conclusion.
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.
