State Board of Education elects president, vice president

The State Board of Education elected a president and vice president for the 2026 year after one vote for each, a much quicker process compared to the more than 50 rounds of votes last year.

Elizabeth Tegtmeier was reelected in her role as president. In an interview after the meeting, Tegtmeier said seeing how voting played out was reflective of the board’s work toward unity.

“I was at a national conference and heard a parliamentarian speak, and he said, ‘You shouldn't elect the board president based on political party. You should elect the board president based on who can best lead that board at that time,'” Tegtmeier said. “I feel honored that my fellow board members believe that I continue to be the person to lead this particular group this year.”

Deborah Neary, who served with Tegtmeier as vice president in 2025, nominated Tegtmeier for reelection. Neary said a lot has changed since last year’s election, when Tegtmeier and Neary had made a deal in which Tegtmeier agreed to not run again for president.

“There was some uncertainty, and there might have been some distrust, but over the past year, much has changed,” Neary said. “Throughout that time, Elizabeth has consistently led with professionalism, mutual respect and steady resolve. She is the right person for this board at the right time for this moment in our board's work.”

The board voted Liz Renner in as vice president, who will replace Neary in the role. Tegtmeier said Neary was willing to step down so Renner could take over and grow in a new role.

“I know she's enjoyed her role as the vice president the last two years,” Tegtmeier said. “She was very pivotal in continuing our board focus on unity, and she had a big role in that, and I just want to acknowledge and appreciate that she played a role in that.”

Renner started her term on the board in 2025. Sherry Jones nominated Renner for the position. In an interview with Nebraska Public Media News, Renner said she is looking forward to learning the vice president role and continuing to improve education in Nebraska.

“Everything seems contentious right now, and it's nice to be part of something … where everyone's really trying to work together for the best outcomes for our students,” Renner said.

She said she was honored and humbled to be elected.

“It was a unanimous vote, which is heartening that our board can be united in these kinds of decisions,” Renner said.

Tegtmeier said she enjoyed working with Renner on two committees last year and is looking forward to leading together.

“What I have really enjoyed about Liz is I can see her heart in her work,” Tegtmeier said. “She truly cares. Sometimes we come about things from different perspectives, and we may not always even agree, but it's always cordial and respectful, and so I know that she and I have a great foundation to work together.”

The board approved a strategic plan last year that Tegtemeier said will be the “guiding North star” in 2026. It included continued work on literacy, improving math, reducing chronic absenteeism and helping the teacher shortage. Tegtmeier added the board will also focus on preparing vocational rehab clients to enter the workforce, which she said is often a missed component of the education department's work.

The board will meet for its regular business meeting on Friday at 9 a.m. at the Nebraska Department of Education building in Lincoln.