Robin Stevens is wrong for education; vote Tegtmeier

Dear Editor

I support public education and our great teachers.  

I do not support the Nebraska Department of Education and State Board of Education and their attempt to teach our kids, going from K up to seventh grades, about names of genitalia, gender identity, sexual orientation, hormone blockers, and more. 

Those topics were outlined in Draft 1 of the Health Standards. Our local schools are excellent, but I am highly concerned about the upper echelons of education in Nebraska and their attempt to inject this nonsense in schools across the state.    

I emailed my SBOE representative, Robin Stevens, asking where he stood on the Health Standards. He replied, “I’ve been asked that question about ‘where I stand.’ I’ll tell you what I’ve told all others. When the State Board receives a final copy of the proposed Health Education Standard that is ready to be debated and voted on, you will know ‘where I stand.’”  

While I understand and appreciate his willingness to listen to his constituents, I need a SBOE representative who is willing and able to speak up against this completely inappropriate material being pushed upon our kids.   

At no point during the SBOE meetings have I witnessed Mr. Stevens oppose the health standards. He voted against halting their development. He attacked concerned citizens in a letter to the editor.  

I strongly support Elizabeth Tegtmeier for the SBOE. She has taken a firm stand to protect our kids from unhealthy material, advocates for local control and has a vision for addressing teacher shortages and increasing student proficiency in core subjects. I hope you will join me in voting for Elizabeth Tegtmeier this November.  

Jennifer Thomas  

North Platte, NE 69101