Ms. Jane Erdenberger 
Subdistrict 7
3215 Cuming Street
Omaha, NE 68131
O: (531) 299-0222
jane.erdenberger@ops.org

Committees:
Policy & Board Governance
Claims
American Civics
Legislative

Biography:
Jane Erdenberger is a life-long resident of Omaha. She graduated from Westside High in 1971, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1975 and from the George Washington National Law Center in Washington, D.C., in 1978. She returned to Omaha to join the Kutak Rock national law firm where she was a public finance lawyer for 22 years. She earned a second bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude, in education, retired from Kutak Rock, and taught African American History, Ethnic Studies and Honors Geography at North High for 16 years, then taught at the Omaha Home for Boys for two and a half additional years. Her husband, Mark Hoeger, is the sole proprietor of a video production company, teaches Film Language and History at the University of Nebraska Omaha and serves on the Learning Community Board. They have two daughters; Christian has a master’s degree in psychological counseling from Columbia University and a private practice in Omaha. Eleanor has a master’s degree in museum studies from George Washington University and is a collections specialist at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. Jane is determined to address issues of educational inequity, identify non-college-based career paths and recruit, reward and retain the excellent teaching and support staff enjoyed by Omaha Public Schools.

Ms. Kimara Snipes
Subdistrict 9
3215 Cuming St.
Omaha, NE 68131
P: (402) 212-6627
kimara.snipes@ops.org 

Biography:

Kimara Snipes is a dedicated community leader and advocate from Omaha, Nebraska. A proud 1993 graduate of Bryan High, she is also the mother of Kemari Snipes, a 2018 Bryan High graduate. Kimara’s commitment to her community runs deep. She has been an active volunteer with the South Omaha Neighborhood Alliance since 2008, where she continues to serve on their leadership team.

Professionally, Kimara serves as the Executive Director of One Omaha, an organization focused on empowering residents with education, training and engagement to build thriving neighborhoods. She is also an influential community organizer, working across both North and South Omaha to improve local lives.

Kimara has a strong passion for education and public service, which led her to run for the Omaha Public Schools Board of Education. Having previously served on the board, she gained invaluable insights into how the school district and the community work together to support students. With an expanded skill set and knowledge base, she is eager to bring fresh perspectives and value to the board.

Kimara believes in the importance of shared values and priorities within the board, and she is committed to ensuring the community and voters remain well-informed. Her leadership, experience, and dedication to service make her a powerful advocate for Omaha’s youth and neighborhoods.

Ms. Bri Full
Subdistrict 2
3215 Cuming Street
Omaha, NE 68131
C: 531-215-7494
brianna.full@ops.org

Committees:


Biography:

Bri graduated from Boys Town High School in 2014 and received a bachelor’s degree in public health at the University of Nebraska Omaha in 2020. She currently works as an Advocacy Coordinator at Spark, a non-profit organization in Omaha. In her free time, she volunteers with several organizations, such as Elevate Omaha, the Gifford Park Neighborhood Association, Healing Roots African Diaspora Garden, Juneteenth Joyfest, Women’s March of Omaha and Seventy Five North. She ran for school board to help fix systemic issues at the school level to ensure each student has access to a high-quality education. She believes the school board’s top priorities should be addressing learning inequities, the staffing shortage and the school-to-prison pipeline. She hopes to make tangible changes to the school system that will help students, teachers, and staff succeed and thrive at school.

Dr. Shavonna Holman
Subdistrict 4
8269 Girard Street
Omaha, NE 68122
O: (531) 299-0222
shavonna.holman@ops.org

Committees:
Accountability
Budget & Audit
Claims
American Civics
Student Assignment Plan
Legislative

Biography: 
Dr. Shavonna Holman is an associate professor of practice at the University of Nebraska Lincoln in the educational administration department of the College of Education and Human Sciences. There, she serves as the coordinator of the MEd program and prepares future district and school leaders. She was both a teacher and an assistant principal for the Omaha Public Schools and has more than 20 years of experience in education. Dr. Holman received her doctoral degree from the University of Nebraska Lincoln in 2011, with a focus on race, class, access, equity, and gender and conducted her research on student success and high-poverty schools. She is currently the chair-elect for the Council of Urban Boards of Education and serves on the board of directors for multiple committees dedicated to student achievement and outcomes.

Mrs. Nancy Kratky
Subdistrict 6
1204 N. 101 Cir.
Omaha NE 68114
H: (402) 390-0956
nancy.kratky@ops.org

Committees:
Accountability
American Civics

Biography:
Nancy Kratky has always resided in Omaha. She graduated from South High and continued her education at the University of Nebraska Omaha, where she earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in education.

Her two children also attended and graduated from the Omaha Public Schools.

Kratky is an active member of the community and serves on the Salvation Army Auxiliary Board. She has also served as president of the Metropolitan Board of Education and as a member of the High Ability Learner Education Committee and the Nebraska Mental Health Planning Evaluation Council.

During her prior tenure on the Board of Education, she received the Nebraska Association of School Boards Level X award and the Nebraska PTA Life Membership award.

She chose to run for the Omaha Public Schools Board of Education because she wishes to see the district, its students and the community be successful. She believes her knowledge of the district and her experience as a former educator will positively impact the Board of Education and help it provide the best education possible for all Omaha Public Schools students.

Kratky believes the foremost goals of the Omaha Public Schools Board should be to improve student performance and graduation rates by acknowledging and addressing differences and providing enhancement where needed. Additionally, she would like to see frequent updates to safety procedures, ensure financial responsibility, raise community awareness of the strengths and challenges Omaha Public Schools faces and implement a “Plan for Every Graduate” program.

During her tenure on the Board, she hopes to achieve improved confidence and trust from the community and other metro area school districts.

Ms. Gini Magnuson
Subdistrict 5
3215 Cuming Street
Omaha, NE 68131
O: (531) 299-0222
gini.magnuson@ops.org 

Biography:

Gini is currently senior manager in financial crimes compliance at a community bank, her latest stop in a career spanning from securities trading to anti-money laundering to risk management. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Investigations from Bellevue University, as well as several securities licenses and financial crimes certifications. Her priorities to bring to the Board of Education include retention of and care for our educators and staff, maintaining fiscal responsibility, making noticeable progress in literacy and graduation rates and examining safety in schools. She is committed to encouraging a culture of empathy so no student experiences school as an environment of exclusion. In her “spare” time, Gini likes long walks with her dog and is an enthusiastic patron of Omaha’s vibrant arts community. She and her husband Eric chase after their three active boys, all Omaha Public Schools students, who help keep their calendars full.

Mr. Ricky Smith
Subdistrict 1
3215 Cuming Street 68131
O: (531) 299-0222 
ricky.smith@ops.org

Committees:
Accountability
American Civics
Student Assignment Plan

Biography:
Ricky Smith is a native of Omaha, and is a proud graduate of South High (1993) and earned a degree in sociology with a concentration in counseling and a coaching endorsement from Midland University. He has worked in youth services and education for 25 years.

Mr. Smith is passionate about educating students and is a strong advocate for youth and the community. Currently, he serves as the Director of Omaha 360. He is also a motivational speaker, collegiate lecturer and coach.

Smith ran for a seat on the Omaha Public Schools Board of Education to have a greater impact on education and provide students in our community with outstanding educational growth and career opportunities upon graduation. As a member of the school board, he hopes to help the district increase the number of students who graduate college and career ready, enroll in four-year institutions, explore trades and law enforcement and improve attendance. He believes raising expectations in education increases students’ potential for long-term success.

Smith has two sons: Darrick, also a graduate of South High, and Damari, a student at Burke High.

Mr. Nick Thielen
Subdistrict 3
3215 Cuming Street
Omaha, NE 68131
H: (402) 732-7400
nick.thielen@ops.org

Committees:
Budget and Audit
Policy & Board Governance

Biography:
Nick Thielen is General Counsel for Lozier Corporation. Previously, Nick clerked for Federal District Court Judge Lyle Strom and worked as a litigation associate at Kutak Rock. Nick is an active member of the Omaha Inns of Court and sits on the Nebraska Bar Association’s House of Delegates and Professional Enhancement Committee.  

Nick received a bachelor's degree in economics from Colgate University and a juris doctor, magna cum laude from the University of Nebraska College of Law.

Nick and his wife, Jennifer, have three young daughters.

Vacant Position

Subdistrict 8