BROKEN BOW – The public had the opportunity to meet candidates for the Broken Bow school board through a media forum held Monday evening at the Broken Bow Public Library. Four of the five candidates in the race attended the event, hosted by KCNI/KBBN Radio, the Custer County Chief, and KBEAR Radio.
Shelly Kelly, JD White, Colby Fisher, and Amy Tharp spoke throughout the evening to a crowd of about 30 residents. The lone incumbent in the race, Amy Staples, did not participate.
In opening statements, each candidate introduced themselves and explained both their family and professional backgrounds. Shelly Kelly, who lives near Westerville, explained her experience serving on the school board in Sutherland, that she is the Executive Director of the Sandhills Task Force, and her desire to grow the school’s FFA program.
Shelly Kelly full introduction:
JD White graduated from Broken Bow in 1998 and has been back in the community for 17 years working at BD and now Melham Medical Center. He described himself as service oriented.
JD White full introduction:
Colby Fisher and her husband, who is a Broken Bow native, moved back to the community in 2020 after Fisher’s moves that included Culbertson, McCook, and Seattle, WA. She stated her experience in global strategy, budgeting, and child safety would be a great fit on the board.
Colby Fisher full introduction:
Amy Tharp was born and raised in Broken Bow and currently works for Nebraska DHHS. She said her experience in being self employed and company employed over the years has given her a lot of unique perspectives that can contribute to the board.
Amy Tharp full introduction:
Throughout the evening, the four each had an opportunity to answer six questions asking them to describe an effective school board member, what their top priorities are, how to retain teachers and attract new ones, student support and mental health, fine arts participation, and who should make decisions regarding controversial teaching topics.
As voters prepare for election day on November 5, each candidate gave their top two priorities if guaranteed success.
Amy Tharp: School safety improvement, grow fine arts in elementary and beyond
Shelly Kelly: Increase FFA participation, fine arts participation starting in elementary
JD White: Sustaining the district’s infrastructure, grow fine arts and technology participation
Colby Fisher: School safety expansion, expand fine arts/tech/trades programs
The forum can be viewed in its entirety in the video below
