In the past few years, Joel said Norris has tried to lower its tax levies, especially as property valuations have gone up. Additionally, the school hasn’t put as much into its special building fund with the idea that it would help taxpayers save more.

“That’s what led to that decision to not save as much to take care of the work, but to pass that savings on to taxpayers, with the hopes that we could get a bond issue approved to take care of that work all at once,” Joel said.

Although the election didn’t go in the school’s favor, Joel said he appreciated the feedback and conversations with the community throughout the process.

“If anything, it allowed us to share additional information regarding safety, security, infrastructure, all of that with the community, to create an awareness of the state of the district,” Joel said. “Now we can plan forward based on what the outcome of May 12 was.”

Plainview Public School offered voters two bond proposals on Tuesday, both of which failed. The district boundaries go into Pierce, Antelope and Knox counties.

The larger of the two proposals was for $26 million, which focused on the district’s academic spaces. It included improvements for safety and security, updating career and technical education spaces and equipment, and updating spaces for students with disabilities.

It overwhelmingly failed with 636 voters against and 239 in support.

The second proposal could only pass if the first one had. It was for nearly $6 million to add a new gymnasium. There were 650 voters against it and 220 in support.

Centura Public Schools in central Nebraska also saw its $18.95 million bond attempt fail, with 613 voting against it and 463 voting for it, according to unofficial results in Hall, Howard, Sherman and Buffalo counties. The district hoped to improve safety and security, modernize building systems and update classrooms. According to the bond website, the school hasn’t had major improvements since 1981.

Two school districts seemingly succeeded in passing their bonds: Pierce Public Schools and Stanton Community Schools.

The Pierce Public Schools bond amounts to nearly $10 million to expand and renovate the elementary school. According to the bond website, staff shared safety concerns about pickup and drop-off lanes, door and window security, insufficient security cameras, an inadequate intercom system and the need for an electronic lock system.

The bond includes renovating special education classrooms, enhancing security and building additional classrooms and spaces for students. It passed with 668 votes in support in Pierce County and 625 against, and in Wayne county eight for and 28 against — a 23-vote total difference, according to unofficial results from both counties.

Voters rejected a previous bond proposal for $29.5 million in August.

Stanton Community Schools passed a nearly $25 million bond for the construction of a new elementary school, which will include a multipurpose gym, an early childhood center and access to a storm shelter inside the building. Currently, students have to go outside to reach the storm shelter.

There were 607 votes for the bond in Stanton County and 522 against.

A former Nebraska running back has signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Ameer Abdullah signed a one-year contract with the club after spending the 2025 season with the Indianapolis Colts.

Abdullah played in 13 games with the Colts last year, mostly serving as a kick returner. He had 563 kick return yards for an average of 29.6 yards per return. An 81-yard return was his longest of the season.

The veteran is expected to add a key presence to the Jaguars’ backfield, following the departure of Travis Etienne. Abdullah was a legendary Husker running back, playing for the program from 2011 to 2014.

Abdullah ran for 4,588 yards and 62 touchdowns in his Nebraska career. He also recorded 73 receptions for 690 yards. For his career, he had 7,086 all-purpose yards and 48 total touchdowns.

If you are registered as a nonpartisan voter, you can still vote in today’s primary election. You will receive a nonpartisan ballot, but there is an extra step if you want to vote in eligible partisan primary races.

Nonpartisan voters can request a nonpartisan-partisan ballot when they check in with election workers at their polling place. This ballot is in addition to the nonpartisan ballot, and voters are only given one opportunity to vote in each race.

If you do not request a nonpartisan-partisan ballot, you may only receive the nonpartisan ballot. In some areas, that ballot may have few races or no races, depending on what is up for election in your district.