Bellevue School Board

Three winners will be chosen in November.

The latest coverage

Candidates

Kelly Bell Wallace

children’s minister at LifeSpring Church, Bellevue

Website

Age52
PartyRepublican
HomeBellevue
Public offices heldNone
Educationsome college in business administration and elementary education
Familymarried, four grown children
FaithChristian
Key issueI am ready to use my passion for excellence on the BPS Board. That passion is for children, families, teachers, schools and the City of Bellevue. As a leader I will bring unity through involvement of the parents and community; together we are better! I will work for equitable improvements made through financial stewardship and planning. I will join the administration to attract and retain quality educators, make common sense decisions with a conservative approach, raise expectations and standards, and provide a safe, secure environment. I desire to keep our kids and families at the center of all we do.

John L. Carozza

Incumbent

Chief of Operations Assessments, United States Strategic Command

Website

Age49
PartyRepublican
HomeBellevue
Public offices heldappointed member of Bellevue Public Schools Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee, 2016 to present.
EducationMaster of arts, National Security and Strategic Studies, Naval War College; master of business administration, University of Colorado; bachelor of science, biological sciences, University of Notre Dame
MilitaryU.S. Navy, Surface Warfare Commander, 1987-2011
FamilySingle parent of three daughters: 16, 14 and 10
FaithCatholic
Key issueMy focus will be on actively engaging with parents, students, teachers and administrators to make well informed decisions that provide every child with a top quality education and opportunity to succeed. Active collaboration with stakeholders is the cornerstone of successful organizations. Balancing education needs and wants with valuable taxpayer enabled financial resources will require ongoing collaboration with stakeholders. I will listen to perspectives, impartially and professionally collaborate with stakeholders, and draw upon my experience to attract and retain the best teachers, proactively maintain aging facilities, implement advanced technology and prepare our schools for the future.

John Cook

Plumbing mechanical inspector, City of Bellevue permits and inspection department

Age51
PartyRepublican
HomeBellevue

Frank J. Kumor

Incumbent

Owner, Erwin’s Jewelers

Age68
PartyRepublican
HomeBellevue
Public offices heldMember Bellevue School Board, 2003-present
EducationKansas City School of Watchmaking
MilitaryU.S. Air Force, sergeant
FamilyMarried, nine grown children
FaithChristian, Heritage Hill Church of the Nazarene
Key issueWe must provide a safe, and well maintained learning environment for our children and teachers. Finances are always a problem, we must keep an eye on it. We must give our teachers the tools they need to do their jobs and make smart students so they can be productive citizens. We must make our schools be where students, parents and teachers are proud to be a part of all of us working together, we can do this

Maureen McNamara

director of program services for Bellevue Public Schools; former principal and teacher

Age56
PartyRepublican
HomeBellevue
Public offices heldNone
Educationbachelor's degree, elementary education, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; master's degree, education administration, University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Familymarried, grown daughter
Faithmember of LifeSpring Church in Bellevue
Key issueTo support the mission, vision and strategic plan of the Bellevue Public Schools with an eye toward fiscal responsibility and financial sustainability; ensure that policies align with the function of the school district, and be responsive to staff and families in the community. • Ensure BPS maintains competitive status in student success and achievement. • Ensure student safety and well-being. • Support innovative and alternative programs. • Hire and retain quality staff. • Support the maintenance and upgrade of facilities and growth of the school district.

Nina Wolford

Incumbent

retired Bellevue Public Schools teacher

Age73
PartyDemocratic
HomeBellevue
Public offices heldmember Bellevue School Board, 2006-present
Educationbachelor of education, English, University of Nebraska at Omaha
FamilyMarried, two grown children
FaithImmanuel Lutheran Church
Key issueMy top priority is to increase opportunities for our students to participate in rigorous coursework and innovative programs. I will work with the district administration to identify and secure additional resources to expand our college, career and STEM-related programs. My second priority will be the students facing social and emotional challenges. These students often struggle in the traditional school setting. Part of that is looking at the current structure of our schools. To meet the needs of all students, an alternative school may need to be considered. My final priority will be to maintain small class sizes across the district

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Voter info

Three ways to register

» Online at nebraska.gov/apps-sos-voter-registration.

» Print out an application (Here's the form) and take it to your local election commission (Here’s a list)

» Register in person at an election commission office, the DMV, or in Douglas County, any of Omaha’s 12 library branches.

Registration questions

Visit www.votercheck.necvr.ne.gov to check whether you’re registered to vote and find your polling place. If you think you should be able to vote at a polling place but there’s a problem with the registration, request to fill out a provisional ballot. The election commission will collect them and then has a week to verify whether you are eligible to vote.

To see a sample ballot

See a sample ballot from the Nebraska Secretary of State website here.

To find your district

Visit votercheck.necvr.ne.gov and look up your registration info or polling place to find a list of the political districts you live in.

Important dates

Oct. 1: First day for early voting ballots to be mailed.
Oct. 9: First day to vote early in person at election commission office.
Oct. 19: Deadline to register to vote online, by mail, at agencies, at the DMV office, by deputy registrar or by registration form that’s delivered to the election office by someone other than the person registering
Oct. 26: Deadline for in-person voter registration at election commission office, 6 p.m. Deadline for early voting ballots to be requested to be mailed to a specific address, 6 p.m. Deadline for write-in candidates to file notarized affidavit and filing fee with filing officer.
Nov. 5: Deadline for in-person early voting at election commission office, 5 p.m. (Sarpy County office closes at 4:45 p.m.)
Nov. 6: Election Day! Polls open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. 7 p.m.: Deadline for agent to pick up early voting ballot. 8 p.m.: Deadline to return early voting ballot to election commission office or drop box location
Nov. 13: Deadline for verification of provisional ballots

Here are the Douglas County drop box locations, opening in early October:

City/County Building (1819 Farnam St.)
South Omaha Branch Library (2808 Q St.)
Washington Branch Library (2868 Ames Ave.)
Ralston Police Department (7400 Main St., Ralston)
Abrahams Branch Library (5111 N. 90th St.)
Douglas County Election Commission (225 N. 115th St.)
Drive-up location (115th and Davenport Streets, on median)
Douglas County Engineer's Office (15505 West Maple Road)
Millard Public Schools Foundation (5225 S. 159th Ave.)
Bess Johnson Elkhorn Branch Library (2100 Reading Plaza)

To contact your election commission

Douglas County Election Commission: www.votedouglascounty.com; 402-444-8683; 225 N. 115th St., Omaha, NE 68154

Sarpy County Election Commission: www.sarpy.com/election; 402-593-2167; 501 Olson Drive, Suite 4, Papillion, NE 68046