Brandt resigns from Kearney school board, hired as KHS science teacher

KEARNEY, Neb. — A Kearney school board member is resigning from his post to take a teaching position in the district.

Kearney Public Schools announced Wednesday that Dave Brandt will start teaching science at Kearney High in August. According to school board policy, he must resign from his post.

"I've greatly missed the classroom and teaching science,” Brandt said in a statement. “While I've valued my time on the board, I believe I can make a more direct impact on education at Kearney High School."

Voters elected Brandt to the board in 2020. His term was set to expire at the end of the year.

"Dave has been an invaluable asset to the board,” Superintendent Jason Mundorf said. “He has been a strong supporter of students and the improvement of our district in many facets. We are sad to lose his wisdom on the board but are thrilled to welcome his expertise to our KHS science faculty.”

In response, the school board will host a special meeting on Monday. A news release says the board will consider Brandt’s resignation and discuss the process of finding his replacement. State statute says the board has a 45-day window to appoint his successor. The new board member would serve the rest of Brandt’s term.

Brandt was the subject of a recall petition last year. James Clark filed the petition after Brandt left a school board meeting during a controversial public comment period and returned about an hour later. Brandt said he left to attend his son’s orchestra concert. The petition was never turned in to the county election office.

Brandt holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Science Education from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, a Master's in Education Administration from the University of Nebraska, Omaha, and an Education Specialist certificate from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. He previously taught science at Ralston High School and Millard North High School before moving to Kearney.