NEBRASKA'S TEACHER OF THE YEAR SAYS SHE'S BEEN BULLIED BY STATE BOARD MEMBER FOR MONTHS

LINCOLN- Renee Jones, a Lincoln High School teacher and Nebraska's 2023 Teacher of the Year, stated on Monday that she's been consistently bullied on social media by Kirk Penner, a member of the State Board of Education. According to Jones, the bullying has been going on since October of last year. Jones believes she's been targeted by Penner for her support of issues like drag queens, which was recently debated in the Nebraska Legislature. 

"Kirk Penner is teaching Nebraskans that it is okay to bully, harass, and spread lies about people who do not share the same opinion as you," said Jones in a Twitter post. After winning Teacher of the Year last October, Jones was allegedly targeted by Penner for taking part in a draw queen story hour in March. During that event, Jones made a Facebook post, saying, "You better believe I'll be buying a few new inclusive children's books."

A screenshot of the post was circulated online by several conservative social media users, including Penner, who said he believed that Jones would be bringing those "inclusive" books into her classroom. After receiving criticism, Penner attempted to defend his action, saying, "Where does it say she was buying them for her children? I don't know what to tell you if you read the Facebook quote and think that it says 'I am buying for my own children.' That is now how that reads." 

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NEBRASKA AG LAND VALUES GREW 14% LAST YEAR, UNL SURVEY FINDS

LINCOLN- According to a recent study from the University of Nebraska Lincoln, Ag land values rose to record levels in the past year as high commodity and livestock prices and initially low interest rates drove buyers to the real estate market. From Feb. 1, 2022, to Feb. 1, 2023, the average price per acre for ag land rose to $3,835 per acre, a 14% increase compared to the previous year. 

When not adjusted for inflation, this year’s figure is the highest statewide land value in the 45-year history of the Nebraska Farm Real Estate Market Survey. The findings could serve as fodder for state lawmakers looking to provide property tax relief and reduce the tax burden on ag land owners. Percentage increases on ag land valuation ranged between 13% and 17% depending on the region.

The most valuable ag land is located in the eastern third of the state with percentage increases ranging from 15% to 17%. East central Nebraska — an area that includes Douglas, Sarpy, Lancaster and other area counties — has the most valuable farmland at $9,320 per acre — a 15% increase over the year prior. But growth was the highest in southeast Nebraska with the average price per acre now valued at $7,090 — a 17% increase. 

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NEBRASKA HEALTH SYSTEMS TO SOON MAKE MASKS OPTIONAL

LINCOLN- Beginning on April 3rd, several of the state's largest hospital systems will allow masks to be optional within most areas of their hospitals and clinics. The announcement came from Boys Town National Research Hospital, Bryan Health, CHI Health, Children’s Hospital & Medical Center, Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals, Methodist Health System and Nebraska Medicine. CHI had already lifted mask restrictions on March 20th. 

The hospitals stressed that the virus is still circulating and that they are still treating patients on a daily basis. But they noted that health care providers know more about the illness and that vaccines are available that are “extremely safe and effective in preventing serious disease and death.” Oral medications also are available to help prevent the disease from progressing. 

“We are better suited to treat patients with COVID-19 and they are consuming less intensive care resources,” they wrote. “We are also experiencing less employee absenteeism due to COVID-19 infection.” Staff at the hospitals will still mask if it is requested by the patient. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is expected to end the public health emergency for COVID-19 on May 11. 

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DESPITE STOTHERT'S PLEDGE, CITY OF OMAHA'S BOARDS SEE LITTLE CHANGE IN DIVERSITY

OMAHA- In 2020, Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert pledged to expand diverse representation on city boards and commissions. Nearly three years later, however, it appears little change has been made in the racial and ethnic makeup of Stothert’s appointees to the city’s more than 40 boards and commissions. In fact, the Mayor’s Office isn’t even keeping track of appointee demographics. 

“If you ask me right now, the diversity, the percentages of all the boards and commissions, I will honestly tell you, I don’t know, because I don’t pick them according to the color of their skin,” said Stothert. The situation has led to clashes between top city officials and city councilwoman Juanita Johnson who has been seeking information on the diversity of the city’s various boards and commissions, and is unhappy that she isn’t getting answers. 

Of the 179 appointees that Stothert made over nearly three years before her 2020 pledge, 151 had demographic information. White appointees accounted for 79% of the 151, Black appointees accounted for 15% and Hispanics had 5%. About 70% of appointees were men. Data still needs to be conducted for recent years, but the Mayor and city officials have not signaled any change in the makeup of these roles.

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NEBRASKA UNEMPLOYMENT RATE AT LOWEST LEVEL SINCE JUNE

LINCOLN- According to the Nebraska Department of Labor, last month's unemployment rate was 2.3%, the lowest rate seen in the state since June. Despite this new low, March's unemployment rate is still up from February's 2%. Nebraska's unemployment rate in February was the third-lowest in the country, trailing only North and South Dakota. 

However, the number of people employed in Nebraska is virtually the same as it was a year ago, up only 72, while the number of unemployed individuals grew by more than 3,500. The Department of Labor reported nearly 22,700 more jobs in February than there were a year ago. 

Economists have stated that an increased number of unemployed people without a corresponding drop in employed people is an indicator of people who hadn't been seeking work returning to the labor force rather than people losing jobs. Last month, there were around 2,600 more people employed compared to February of last year, as well as about 60 fewer unemployed people. 

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'KIDS CAN' MAKES $11 MILLION MOVE, BUT CONCERN LOOMS FOR BROADER STATEWIDE CHILD CARE NEEDS

OMAHA- On Monday, The Kids Can Community Center, a childcare operation with a very storied past, opened its new $11 million headquarters on a four-acre campus where Ashland Park School used to stand. However, despite the expected success of this new institution, many Nebraska families are still unable to find reliable, affordable child care in Nebraska. 

"Families across Nebraska are at a crisis point in finding quality, affordable child care, and that is hurting everyone," said Kathleen Lodl, associate dean of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln who recently held a survey that indicated that child care is one of the biggest concern for Nebraska families. According to Lodl and her team, 11 of Nebraska's 93 counties don't have a licensed childcare facility.

Robert Patterson, the CEO of Kids Can, said he was extremely thankful to receive the philanthropic stimulus that allowed him to build the new headquarters. Patterson recently spoke in support of LB35, which would hold, for another three years, the eligibility level for a state childcare subsidy. "These kids deserve more. It's an investment in our future," said Patterson. 

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NEBRASKA AG EXPORTS SHATTERED RECORDS IN 2021

LINCOLN- According to several reports issued earlier this month by the Nebraska Farm Bureau, the state exported $9.2 billion worth of agricultural commodities in 2021, more than $2 billion more than in 2020. Austin Harthoorn, a Nebraska Farm Bureau economist, said that 2021 was the first time that Nebraska's ag exports have topped $9 billion, and only the fourth time in state history that they topped $7 billion. 

Corn was the top export according to the reports, and accounted for $2.34 billion of the total amount, a 98% increase over 2020 and by far the highest amount ever recorded. Kelly Brunkhorst, director of the Nebraska Corn Board, said there were two factors that worked in Nebraska's favor.

"First, the price of corn moved higher, and secondly, there was great demand from both China and Mexico," said Brunkhorst, "Together those factor into the higher value of Nebraska corn exports." Soybeans have been the top export from the state for the past two years, but came in at second in 202, with $1.91 billion, essentially the same amount as in 2020. 

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SEN. RICKETTS CALLS FOR ACTIVE US WORLD LEADERSHIP IN MAIDEN SENATE SPEECH

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Freshman U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts delivered his maiden speech on the Senate floor Wednesday, calling on his colleagues to take a more active role globally by maintaining peace through strength. Sen. Ricketts' comments come as concerns grow over China's military modernization and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. "Our allies are seriously questioning America's commitments to our friends," Ricketts told his colleagues, "Even worse, the bad guys...are questioning our resolve."

Sen. Ricketts went on to touch on the situation at the U.S. southern border, accusing the Biden administration of "turning a blind eye to the devastating humanitarian and security crisis on our southern border," a common talking point among Senate Republicans. Ricketts then criticized Biden's handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal, highlighting that 13 U.S. service members were killed in a suicide bombing. "American service members lost their lives, including Nebraskan Corporal Daegan Page," said Ricketts.

The Senator did not, as expected, touch on the Ukraine invasion in-depth, but has previously supported providing aid to the country with oversight. The maiden speech of U.S. Senators is a Senate tradition, allowing freshman Senators to set the tone for their term by giving their first major address on the floor. 

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NEBRASKA LAWMAKERS UNAMNIMOUSLY ADVANCE EXPANDING BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES

LINCOLN- On Tuesday, the Nebraska Legislature took a short break in its Democrat-led logjam to advance a bill that would create a new payment framework for behavioral health and substance abuse service providers. The bill, LB276 introduced by Sen. Anna Wishart, would also allow qualifying providers to seek daily or monthly reimbursements for certain treatments, a move expected to increase the hiring of staff and allow for more timely care.

Wishart and other senators said that the bill would help fill gaps in communities where access to these types of care is lacking, and will provide more holistic treatment opportunities for those who need them. While a majority of Nebraska senators supported the bill, however, it was held up during the weeks-long filibuster of Sen. Kauth's LB574, which would ban transgender youths in Nebraska from receiving gender-affirming care.

Following Tuesday's passage of Sen. Erdman's rule change, State Sens. Machaela Cavanaugh and Megan Hunt removed a handful of motions and amendments from Sen. WIshart's bill, clearing the path for its passage and eventually advancing it on a 46-0 vote. If passed through two more rounds of debate, the bill will expand outpatient mental health and substance abuse services, outpatient clinic primary care screening, and psychiatric rehabilitation services. 

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NEBRASKA LAWMAKERS ADVANCE SCHOOL SAFETY PACKAGE TO FULL LEGISLATURE

LINCOLN- On Wednesday, and in the wake of the recent school shooting in Nashville, Tennessee, the Nebraska Legislature's Education Committee voted 7-0 to advance LB516, a bill introduced by Sen. Lynne Walz that contains four recommendations from Nebraska's School Safety Task Force. The Task Force was created following the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas last year, and was led by then-Education Chair Walz and then-Education Commissioner Matt Blomstedt. 

The recommendations from the task force include hiring regional support specialists to increase safety training, an appropriation of $870,000 annually to continue the Safe2HelpNE reporting hotline, the creation of a $15 million grant program for safety infrastructure, and another $5 million program to hire mental health specialists and school psychologists. Walz recently introduced an amendment to the bill, which sought to clarify that the regional specialists and grants would be available to approved or accredited public and nonpublic schools.

"I think that it will show that Nebraska is putting its best foot forward when it comes to protecting kids and trying to secure our schools," said Walz in defense of her bill. Sen. Dave Murman, who currently chairs the Education Committee, said that, although Nebraska's schools have been doing the best they can to improve safety, Walz's bill will provide additional state support to go even further. 

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ADVOCATES FOR INCOME TAX CUTS DISPUTE CRITICS WHO SAY REDUCTIONS ARE ONLY FOR THE WEALTHY; TAX CUT BILL PASSES DESPITE CONCERNS

LINCOLN- On Wednesday, the Nebraska Legislature debated Sen. Linehan's LB754, a bill that would allow for around $3 billion in state income tax cuts. However, some critics of the bill argued that it would only help the wealthiest of Nebraskans. Sen. Lou Ann Linehan defended her bill, citing that 32% of the state's top income earners pay 80% of the state's income taxes, so it only makes sense to return the bulk of the state's budget surplus to them.

"I think we should give the money back to the people who actually paid the taxes," Linehan told her colleagues during the debate, "We have a lot of money because we didn't spend it. As long as we keep our spending below our revenue, we will be fine." If passed, LB754 would allow for a gradual reduction in the state's top individual income tax brackets and corporate taxes, with an end goal of 3.99% by 2027. 

Sen. John Cavanaugh, in an attempt to make a compromise with Sen. Linehan, proposed that Nebraska should take the safer route, and instead aim for lowering the tax rate to 4.99%. "There is a downturn coming," Cavanaugh told his colleagues, "and we need to be careful about huge expenditures like this."

On Thursday, the Legislature continued to debate LB754, but passed the bill through its first round of debate on a 41-0 vote shortly before adjourning over the lunch hour. If passed and signed by the Governor, OpenSky Policy Institute, a Lincoln-based fiscal research organization, estimate that the tax cuts will benefit Nebraskans with household incomes above $138,000.

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RULES CHANGE WON'T STOP FILIBUSTER FIGHT IN NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE; ERNIE CHAMBERS SHARES OPPOSITION TO CHANGE

LINCOLN- After a small minority of Nebraska senators reaffirmed their support for derailing the legislative session on Tuesday, a frustrated majority group motioned to change the Legislature's rules to set new limits on motions that might slow the passage of bills. Sen. Erdman, who introduced the motion, secured a 31-13 vote to pass the new rules, restricting how often senators can seek to pause debate, send a bill back to committee, or indefinitely postpone a bill. 

"I think this rule change is a fair rule change so we can have full and fair debate on the bills as presented," Erdman told his colleagues, "Listen to who is in opposition, and you can quickly conclude why we've wasted 50 days." Despite the rule change, State Sens. Megan Hunt, Machaela Cavanaugh, and Danielle Conrad, promised to still attempt to bring the Legislature to a halt. By the end of the day on Wednesday, they had filed 742 motions on bills that had come out of committee. 

"We are blowing up this session," said Hunt during the debate, "The session is over, and it's on your terms. The terms were made clear to you for the last four to six weeks. Hating trans kids is more important to you than the rest of the session...Human rights are hanging by a thread." Several senators in the Republican majority expressed frustration over the continued filibuster, including Sen. Lou Ann Linehan, who said that she was unhappy to see Democrats keep 30 of her colleagues from speaking on the microphone.

Former state Sen. Ernie Chambers criticized the rule change on Tuesday night, saying, "What this does is to undermine the integrity of the legislature as the body that represents the people." Senators in support of the change believe it will speed up debate, but Chambers insisted that it would have the opposite effect. "It will create a logjam and the subject matter of a particular bill will not be important, it now becomes a battle of power," he said. Former Sen. Chambers also stated that the change, if he were still a member of the Legislature, would not have stopped him from filibustering. 

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'PERMITLESS' CONCEALED CARRY OF HANDGUNS IN NEBRASKA ADVANCES TO FINAL-ROUND DEBATE

LINCOLN- LB77, Sen. Brewer's "constitutional carry" bill, advanced to its final round of debate on Tuesday on a 31-10 vote during the first evening debate of the 2023 session. If passed, the bill will Nebraskans to carry concealed handguns without training or a state permit. Only one round of debate on the bill remains, as well as a signature from Gov. Jim Pillen, who is a supporter. 

The advancement of the bill came just one day after the latest school shooting in Nashville, Tennessee, and opponents were quick to cite this incident as a reason to not advance it. "When is enough, enough? To dismiss and dismantle local safeguards that keep our communities safer is what we're doing. It is completely illogical," Sen. Jane Raybould told her colleagues, citing the recent Nashville shooting. 

Despite this, Sen. Brewer stated that he believes his bill will actually help Nebraska avoid a situation like the one in Nashville, and expressed the idea of introducing a bill next year that would provide resource officers in every school in the state and allow trained teachers or school staff to carry guns. "Evil will do evil," said Brewer during the debate.

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MORE THAN $3 BILLION IN PROPERTY TAX RELIEF MEASURES ADVANCE IN NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE

LINCOLN- Property owners could get an estimated $3 billion worth of property tax relief over the next six years after the Nebraska Legislature's Revenue Committee passed a substantial package of bills. Members of the Committee voted 7-0 to send an amended version of LB243 to the floor of the Legislature, a bill introduced by Sen. Tom Briese that combines several measures to increase Nebraska's two property tax credit programs. 

If fully passed, the bill would also cap school property taxes and eliminate all community college property taxes. The package represents the second major piece of Gov. Pillen's tax cut and school aid plan. The Revenue Committee advanced the first package of income tax cuts last week. The last of Pillen's plan, a bill to make changes in state aid to K-12 schools, is currently pending before the Legislature's Education Committee. 

Briese, who has long targeted property taxes with legislation, said this year's property tax package would offer "tax relief for everyday Nebraskans." During a committee hearing, Briese cited estimates showing that LB243 would cut the amount Nebraskans pay in property taxes by the same amount the income tax package is expected to.

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TWO-PERSON TRAIN CREW BILL ON HOLD FOR THIS YEAR IN NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE

LINCOLN- Last Friday, State Sen. Suzanne Geist, who chairs the Legislature's Transportation and Telecommunications Committee, stated that she does not plan to seek action on LB31 this year, a bill that would require two-person train crews in Nebraska. Geist went on to promise that she would take up the issue again next year, but only if the Federal Railroad Administration does no rule on the issue in the meantime.

Sen. Mike Jacobson, who introduced the bill, was backed by numerous railroad workers, local officials, and varied supporters. All proponents of the bill called it a public safety and worker safety issue. Jacobson cited the recent derailment of a Norfolk Southern train near East Palestine, Ohio as a reason for the bill. 

Representatives from Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe, the two major railroads in Nebraska, opposed LB31, saying the issue should be handled through collective bargaining between the companies and their employee unions. They also said that railroads require the flexibility to go with a one-person crew as technology improves. 

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NEBRASKA DRAG QUEENS, ADVOCATES FIGHT PROPOSAL TO PROHIBIT CHILDREN FROM ATTENDING DRAG SHOWS

LINCOLN- A myriad of drag queens and local LGBTQ advocates crowded into the Nebraska Capitol last Friday before a legislative hearing on Sen. Murman's LB371 was set to occur. The bill, which would prohibit minors under the age of 19 from attending drag shows, drew intense scrutiny from drag supporters who argue that the performances are joyful forms of entertainment. 

Under the bill, drag is defined as when a performer entertains while displaying a gender identity different from their sex assigned at birth. An amendment that was recently added to the bill would also classify drag shows as adult entertainment. If passed, anyone who is found to have brought a child to a drag show, including parents, would be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor. 

"I have nothing against anyone dressing in drag or participating in drag shows, and I love everyone," Murman told his colleagues during a Judiciary Committee hearing, "But this is about making sure kids are not at drag shows and are not introduced to overly sexual and inappropriate behavior far too early." Sen. Carol Blood, a Judiciary Committee member, expressed concern over the bill, saying that it would also apply to performances of Shakespeare. 

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LEGISLATURE DEBATES WHO SHOULD OVERSEE UP TO $400 MILLION IN NEBRASKA BROADBAND FUNDS

LINCOLN- On Thursday, the Nebraska Legislature began debate on LB683, introduced by the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee, which would remove the Public Service Commission's authority to award $400 million for broadband expansion in underserved areas and instead give that power to a new gubernatorial appointee leading the state broadband office. 

The new state office was created following an executive order in January, and Gov. Jim Pillen said that "affordable, accessible, dependable and high-speed broadband is essential" for the education of Nebraska youth. Several senators from both sides of the aisle, including Sens. Steve Erdman, Steve Halloran, Megan Hunt, and Machaela Cavanaugh, questioned the intent of the bill, and asked why the state would create a new state office rather than add staff to the public service commission.

"This might be a better alternative," Halloran told his colleagues, "The goal would be the same. The results would be the same. But it would be under the Public Service Commission." If passed, the bill would leave the public service commission in control of several smaller grant programs aimed at broadband expansion. Other lawmakers, including Sens. George Dungan and John Cavanaugh, who are both attorneys, worried that a provision in the State Constitution giving authority over "common carriers" to the commission might make LB683 unconstitutional. 

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NEBRASKA LAWMAKERS CRITICIZE 'ZERO-SUM GAMES' IN LEGISLATURE, LACK OF SUPPORT FOR NORTH OMAHA

LINCOLN- State Sens. Terrell McKinney and Justin Wayne, who represent North Omaha, criticized their colleagues for playing what they call "zero-sum games," disallowing important legislation from passing that might help North Omaha. "These zero-sum games from either side have never benefited my community," McKinney told his colleagues, "Because if it did, my community wouldn't be the poorest economically, wouldn't have the poorest educational outcomes, wouldn't have the lowest life expectancy."

Weeks upon weeks of filibusters, largely in opposition to Sen. Kauth's LB574, have slowed the Legislature down to a crawl, causing Wayne and McKinney to express frustration. While both North Omaha senators have gone on record saying they know LB574 will cause harm, they know there are critical issues to address in the state and in North Omaha. 

"You keep telling Black people to wait, we're going to help you," McKinney said, "And when it's time to help, the political will isn't there." LB630, introduced by Sen. McKinney, was prioritized by Speaker of the Legislature John Arch, but was pulled from the agenda after the passage of LB574. Sen. McKinney expressed frustration at this, and stated that he doesn't expect the bill to come up again so long as the filibuster continues. 

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AUDITOR SAY STATE AGENCIES HAD MILLIONS IN 'QUESTIONED' SPENDING OF FEDERAL FUNDS

LINCOLN- A new state audit examined how state agencies used the millions of dollars in pandemic-related funds and if the money was properly used. At least two state agencies disagreed with the audit’s findings and maintained that their spending was justified. “They’re big dollar items, and they should not happen,” said State Auditor Mike Foley on Friday.

$12 million of personnel costs shifted from the state to the feds to cover COVID-19 personnel costs incurred by the Nebraska Department of Corrections. Auditors said the long-standing staffing problem was not caused by Covid. Additionally, About $3.6 million in excessive administration costs were charged to a federal rent- and utility-assistance grant administered by the Nebraska Military Department.

The audit said the state received $158 million in pandemic aid to assist low-income families, of which most was funneled to local governments to spend. The firm, Deloitte & Touche, was hired to administrate the program, and was given up to $14.6 million to do that. The report noted that the state was allowed 10% for administrative costs, or about $6.2 million for the remaining state funds, but that about $9.7 million was spent.

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NEBRASKA EDUCATION DEPARTMENT PICKS A NEW COMMISSIONER WITH A FAMILIAR NAME: MAHER

OMAHA- The Nebraska Board of Education chose Brian Maher, former executive director of the South Dakota Board of Regents and a former superintendent in Kearney, Neb.; Utica, Neb.; and Sioux Falls, S.D as the next education commissioner of Nebraska. Maher was confirmed on 5-3 vote which is different from the last two commissioners who were unanimously approved.

Maher’s supporters — Patsy Koch Johns, Lisa Fricke, Patti Gubbels, Jacquelyn Morrison and Deb Neary — applauded his experience leading schools and education bureaucracies. “You could see that he was very, very experienced,” Koch Johns said. “Very careful and very calm … that’s something in Nebraska we need right now.”

Board members voting no — Elizabeth Tegtmeier, Kirk Penner and Sherry Jones — said they preferred a different candidate and questioned the fairness of the hiring process. “I find it interesting that this candidate is a longtime colleague of one of our consultants,” Tegtmeier said. Maher knows Joel from his time as a Nebraska superintendent.

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