A Certified Win

Educators and Administrators Collaborate in Successful Certification Election

In Nebraska, public schools and local education associations share a common goal: ensuring students have what they need to succeed. Collective bargaining is key to achieving that goal—and educators know the future of collective bargaining hinges on unity among educators and between local education associations and school administrators.

The fact is that collective bargaining isn’t just a tool for negotiating contracts—it’s the foundation for fair, transparent and collaborative decision-making in public schools.

The Right Time
After successfully negotiating a two-year contract in 2024, North Platte Education Association (NPEA) President Kenzie Mollring and Chief Negotiator Jacqueline Mraz turned their energy toward attaining permanent certification status with the Nebraska Commission of Industrial Relations (CIR).

It started with a discussion at the 2024 Delegate Assembly last spring with NSEA Organizational Specialist Kim Story and Collective Bargaining Specialist Jen Dubas.

“Kim and Jen discussed the process with our team last April, and we really felt that this might be the best time to have this election,” Mollring said. “They told us they'd help us through the process but the decision on whether to proceed was ours to make.”

Under provisions of a 2011 rewrite of the state’s collective bargaining law, local associations are required each year to formally request that the local school board recognize the local association as the bargaining agent for members. That recognition requires a vote of the school board.

With permanent certification, however, a local association can forego the yearly formal request, and instead simply work with the school board to set dates to commence bargaining. Statutorily, negotiations must begin by Nov. 1 each year.

Certification elections are conducted by the CIR. NSEA staff and attorneys work with local leaders at each site to ensure the CIR’s rigid guidelines are met, that elections are conducted fairly and properly and that all members of the bargaining unit—including non-members—have their voice heard through the balloting.

Mraz and Mollring agreed the benefits of attaining permanent bargaining status would be an investment in the future.

“This isn’t just about today’s negotiations,” Mraz said. “It’s about securing a strong, unified voice for educators in the years to come.”

While the process was detailed and often complex, Mraz emphasized that it was driven by strategy, timing and a shared sense of purpose between the local leadership and district leadership.

“We’re in such a good place right now with our district administrative team,” Mollring said. “When we broached the topic in a monthly meeting with our Superintendent Dr. Rhodes, he was not only supportive of our efforts but offered to help where possible.”

The Collaboration
The campaign kicked off in August 2024, after local leaders were able to explain the importance of certification to members and staff. Story and Dubas were available to help answer questions along the way.

NPEA credits the support of Superintendent Dr. Todd Rhodes; Executive Director of Finance, Facilities, and Operations Stuart Simpson; and Director of Human Resources Kevin Mills with the high engagement during the certification election.

“Their support was critical,” Mraz said. “They didn’t just give us permission—they respected our role enough to truly collaborate.”

The process was a coordinated team effort. Building representatives helped collect authorization forms, and NPEA leaders communicated timelines, explained procedures and reminded staff not to overlook the ballots.

The Results
Their efforts culminated in a resounding vote of confidence this past March. Of the 121 certified staff who returned ballots, 116 voted in favor of the certification—a move that solidifies the NPEA’s role as the official voice for educators at the bargaining table.

“NPEA did a phenomenal job communicating with their membership. To be successful, you need 50% plus 1% of the vote and NPEA went far beyond that with nearly 96% voting for approval,” Dubas said. “NPEA's smooth certification process stands in contrast to efforts by anti-union organizations to undermine collective bargaining in public schools. By working in partnership, this Nebraska district demonstrated the strength of respectful, professional collaboration that benefits students, teachers, school administration, the school board and the public.”

With a certified voice and strong relationships intact, the North Platte Education Association has set a model for local associations and school districts across the state: collaboration, not conflict, is the foundation for lasting progress and success in public education.

“We’re not always going to get everything we ask for,” Mraz said. “But we have the ability to sit at the table, be heard and work through challenges together—and that’s what makes the process so valuable.”

The Future
As of now, 100 out of 263 PreK-12 and Educational Service Unit (ESU) local associations in Nebraska have successfully achieved permanent certification status—a milestone that strengthens their collective voice at the bargaining table and secures long-term protections for their members.

Local association leaders who are interested in exploring or pursuing permanent certification are encouraged to reach out to their NSEA organizational specialist by calling 1-800-742-0047. Specialists can provide guidance, answer questions and help navigate the certification process step-by-step.

It’s important to remember that while local associations may not always agree on every issue or strategy, there is one principle that unites us all: when we stand together, we uphold a process that ensures every voice has the opportunity to be heard.

Defending the right to collective bargaining is about more than negotiating contracts—it’s about preserving the stability of our schools, affirming the dignity and rights of educators and ensuring that every Nebraska student benefits from a strong, supported education system. Together, we build lasting change.