The Nebraska State Board of Education has identified four finalists for Nebraska’s next Commissioner of Education. The finalists are Dr. Lisa Coons Chief Academic Officer for the Tennessee Department of Education in Nashville; Dr. Brian Maher, CEO and Executive Director of the South Dakota Board of Regents; Dr. Melissa Poloncic, Superintendent, DC West Community Schools in Valley, Nebraska and Dr. Summer Stephens, Superintendent of Schools and CTE Administrator for Churchill County School District, Fallon, Nevada.
The Board plans to interview the finalists in public meetings on March 30. Each candidate will also meet with various small groups throughout the day that will include NDE staff members and educational partners.
The State Board plans to hold a public meeting on March 31 to select the next Commissioner of Education.