Writer Addresses 'Misinformation'

I am writing to refute the misinformation and mischaracterization Marge Spencer made about Dist. 7 candidate, Elizabeth Tegtmeier.

Tegtmeier is a former teacher who only left the classroom to homeschool her 5 children through 8th grade at which time the 3 oldest have, and the two youngest will, enter public high school.

The reason she “has no board experience” is because her husband is a 25 year employee of their school district. They have always felt it would be a conflict of interest for her to be on a local school board. It is illogical to criticize her for this.

Elizabeth has a master’s degree in Education & Instruction from UNK and her BA was attained at UNL. She holds a current State of Nebraska teaching certificate. When did “no board experience” disqualify a candidate?

To imply that Elizabeth Tegtmeier is anti-public school is a lie. It is a lie to suggest that PNC endorsed candidates and members do not value or support public school teachers.

Just because Spencer has not personally witnessed CSE & CRT in Dist. 7 does not negate the fact it is being taught in the eastern part of our state. With the current state board’s continued encouragement, it is only a matter of time before it infiltrates the rest of the state.

Therefore, we need new members on the board.

For Mrs. Spencer to say the Nebraska State Board of Education voted “not to proceed with the proposed health standards” that include Comprehensive Sexual Education and Critical Race Theory is a negligent misrepresentation of the facts.

After public opposition the current board voted in September 2021 to “pause the process” not “scrap the standards” as most voters asked them to do. At the February 2022 SBOE meeting members voted on Kirk Penner’s motion to “permanently reject any development of health standards”. Robin Stevens voted “No”. Four months later his June 15th, 2022, Facebook post he stated: Health Standards have never been voted on ....it is a fact. It is the truth”. He either has a deteriorating memory or he lied.

It’s foolish to believe what others have told you if you haven’t watched or listened to the monthly SBOE meetings live streamed and later available on their website.

I don’t understand why with an annual million-dollar SBOE budget these meetings cannot be transcribed. In less than half an hour we could read the actual dialogue that transpires over the 5 plus hours these meetings seem to take.

Marge Spencer said, “Mind Polluters attacks our school system”. The documentary is a warning to parents and educators about what our government wants taught under the guise of health curriculum. The critics have obviously not watched it. The people opposing it must condone graphic sexualized images and instruction on normalizing homosexuality and transgenderism as part of a public-school education. To not watch Mind Polluters but repeat criticism of it is irresponsible.

Spencer says that Tegtmeier and the other 3 PNC endorsed candidates are “spreading lies about how Nebraska schools are failing”. The most recent proficiency test scores show Nebraska students are below 50% in reading, English and math. That is failing. Just because it is higher than the national average does not make it acceptable.

I met Elizabeth for the first-time last spring. However, I grew up with Robin’s family, attending the same school and church. Why did he only receive 30% of the primary votes in his hometown and county?

Stevens first ran for SBOE in 2014. The current concerns were not an issue during that campaign. I spoke to him on that election day and wished him good luck. He lost, receiving only 38% of the votes. The only reason he’s on the board now is because he ran unopposed in 2018. Much to the chagrin of liberal democrats, we have our Governor to thank for informing us in March 2021 what the current board is trying to implement in the health standards. This is when Elizabeth began to consider running for State School Board.

Since the May primary Robin has shared many mini memoirs. He has told us about his postcard parties, his parade appearances, his Eustis Gothenburg family heritages, and his 40 years in public education. Not once has he shared with us any proposals or initiatives; he’s spearheaded during his four years on the board. Besides showing up for roll call, what has he done? Other than shaking hands what has he done for the students in his District?

Because I heard it mentioned again today by their daughter, I would like to state, I do not believe Robin, or his wife are pedophiles. That is ludicrous. However, if the proposed health standards he wants approved are taught, he will inadvertently be creating a perfect environment for groomers and pedophiles.

Both candidates have supporters, friends and family who will describe them as nice people. But this important election is not about personalities. It’s about ideologies.

We are fortunate to live in a country where we’re still allowed to vote.

Vote for Robin if you’re a proud liberal who supports teaching students how to masturbate and encourages homosexual and transgender lifestyles as the proposed health standards do. His justification for condoning these health standards is, we (the board) must “represent all students”.

If you support conservative values and do not want CSE & CRT taught in Nebraska public schools and you want less federal and more local involvement, vote for Elizabeth Tegtmeier on November 8th.