Amy Barth, (Liz Macias, Central Nebraska Today)
KEARNEY — Amy Barth is seeking to maintain the seat she was appointed to on the Kearney Public School’s Board of Education this election season.
Barth filled the vacancy left by Dave Brandt, who resigned in January to take on a new role as a science teacher at Kearney High School.
She will serve the remainder of Brandt’s term, which runs until December 2024 and announced she intended to pursue election for the 2025-2029 term.
In a statement made after her appointment, Barth said, “It is an honor to join the Kearney Public Schools Board of Education. I am deeply invested in ensuring our policies reflect the values of our families and community. My vision includes expanding our educational offerings to incorporate niche disciplines such as social media, graphic design, engineering, and artificial intelligence, addressing the need for additional schools to accommodate growth, and prioritizing the safety and well-being of our students.”
Speaking of her personal background, Barth said she grew up in Amherst, attended and graduated from Amherst Public School and then pursued her secondary education at Doane College and got her degrees in accounting and business management.
She and her husband, Matt, have two children who attend Meadowlark Elementary.
Barth is the proprietor of Just for Ladies Fitness and a part-time audit manager with Contryman Associates.
She has had roles on the Collage Board of Directors and Yanney Heritage Foundation, along with her volunteer work with organizations such as Junior Achievement and United Way. She was also a member of the Leadership Kearney Class 28.
Barth said her experiences have taught her integrity, respect and accountability.
When asked why she is running to continue her time on the board, Barth said acting as a voting member on policies that directly have an impact on the direction of the district, is one of the most important spots she could be.
Barth said she was concerned regarding progressive ideas that she saw to be entering education and wanted to support traditional values.
“I don’t want Kearney to be the frog in the pot as these destructive ideas creep into the school system,” Barth said, “I think we can be the trend setter for the right reasons.”
Barth said she was once told that as a small business owner, no one will work harder for your business than you and wants to carry that idea over to the school board and the students in the district.
She also added as a mother, she helps bring a unique perspective to the board.
Barth said she feels like whoever is elected needs to be representative of the body that does the electing.
Prior to her appointment to the board, Barth said she had been involved in the district through her children’s activities and has spoken at board meetings on topics that were important to her, including the proposed health standards, which she felt was inappropriate due to the content and timing.
She also spoke at the meeting regarding trans-gender participation in sports and stated that she felt things should remain separate and based on the gender assigned at birth.
Barth said the board cannot read the minds of the public, so the public comment period during the board meetings is where they can make their voices heard.
When asked what she has learned during her time on the board, Barth said she found she had misconceptions about the classrooms and building space.
Kearney is growing at a notable rate and while there have been concerns about how the district will be able to accommodate all the students who are coming into the community, she noted the district does have the space for growth for the next 10 years.
Barth also learned that around 86 percent of the budget is taken up by the salary and payroll of the staff. “Our people are our most important asset and that is reflected in our budget,” Barth said.
Barth said she has enjoyed working with the other board members and meeting with the staff and faculty across the district, she is still making her visits to the different schools.
Asked about her decision-making process, Barth said she would operate out of, “common sense,” and need to make sure the students are the top priority and focus on the items that schools have been charged with teaching.
A few topics Barth wanted to highlight was the shortage of teachers and cites the number of resignations she sees come across the board’s desk. She added that when new staff positions are proposed she wants to be diligent, with the budget in mind, when deciding on adding it.
Barth also noted technology in classrooms is changing at an ever-increasing pace, and said the board needs to be setting policies for the implementation of technology and ensuring it is effective in the classroom and not creating more work for teachers.
In conclusion, Barth said, “I will work hard for you and your kids and the staff. I take this role very seriously.”
Editor’s Note: Amy Barth appeared on 1340 KGFW and this article was written using information provided during that interview. The full interview can be found here.
