District details

Douglas, of Bellevue, is a mental health counselor and former teacher. Growing up, she attended Scottsbluff Public Schools. She now holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, two master’s degrees in education and a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling. She worked for 15 years in both public and parochial schools and she also was an adjunct math instructor at Metro Community College. She told the Flatwater Free Press she wants voters to know that she has invested in Nebraska’s public schools and is running for office because she cares about students and teachers. 

Vermooten, also of Bellevue, has 25 years of experience in the mental health field and has served as a professor and department chair of Grace University’s master’s program in clinical mental health. Additionally, she taught English as a second language in Lincoln, according to her campaign website. She told the Flatwater Free Press she is running to “elevate the level of education” for Nebraska students and wants voters to know she will bring a unique perspective to the board. She believes in transparency, accountability and collaboration and wants to develop solutions that work for all students. 

The new board member will replace Lisa Fricke. Fricke voted against the effort to ban books some say are sexually explicit in schools, saying it’s a local issue, according to the Nebraska Examiner. Fricke also made the motion to postpone the 2021 proposal to teach information regarding sexuality, identity and healthy relationships in the K-12 curriculum and said “now is not the time to continue the process.”

On the issues

The candidates had differing opinions on issues that have become flashpoints on the board. Douglas strongly disagreed that the state board should have a hand in banning books deemed explicit, saying that should be handled at the local level. On the other hand, Vermooten said the board should have a hand in banning books it deems explicit. 

They also disagreed when it came to diversity and inclusion efforts. Douglas said she strongly supports “diversity and inclusivity efforts in our schools” and Vermooten said she opposes what she called  reverse racial discrimination. 
Douglas’ top priorities are to build relationships between the state board and District 2’s schools and to recruit and retain teachers. Vermooten said her top three priorities are addressing proficiency rates, the teacher shortage and increasing vocational opportunities for students. The Nebraska State Education Association endorsed Douglas, and the Nebraska Republican Party endorsed Vermooten.