March 17th Message from FRED President, Errol Wells:

The news coming out of Lincoln continues to carry the same disheartening theme: that a senator and/or a very small group of senators continues to block, for reasons unknown, a few beneficial bills, such as LBs 1247, 1331 and 1219. These bills were championed by rural interests, and essentially cost the state nothing but peanuts. All of us that were at the Feb. 23 hearings know that there was overwhelming support for LB 1247 and LB 1331. They are well written and easy for anyone to understand. There was no opposition to either bill.

However, no matter how plain, simple and easy to understand these bills are, and no matter how much support there is, there are those that want to want to add more bells and whistles than a choo-choo train at Christmas! Their very intent is to dilute and destroy bills that will help rural Nebraska. Why, oh why, oh why? Is this real democracy, where one or two people can block positive, meaningful bills that benefit a great number of people at so little cost? Is this the democracy that people like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson sought to establish? A government of the people and by the people? Not hardly. Not in Nebraska, anyway. This type of high-handedness coming from above will only result in more skepticism and ultimately a great deal of contempt of our elected officials. It has all the trappings of upcoming initiatives and possibly lawsuits, unless those in power relent to the will of the people. As Sen. Beutler stated on Feb. 23, "the legislature listens to the people." OK, which people, Sen. Beutler? We are waiting for an answer.

Governor Nelson has to agreed to meet with leaders of rural education and ag groups on Monday, March 23. The outcome of this meeting could determine the direction that we will be forced to take.Will we be able to continue work with state government to ensure a fair and equitable state aid bill for all? Or do we need to plan for initiatives and lawsuits? We all need to be talking to our friends, neighbors, school boards, ag groups about the possible necessity of initiatives and lawsuits. We will need to raise money to fight a fight that we shouldn't have to fight. Please try to determine if your school and community want to fight to survive, and if so, how much money can be raised.

The call may becoming within the very near future. In the meantime, call and/or write your senator and the governor and politely tell them what you think of the situation. Remember, we are only asking for peanuts, and being told that we can't even have the shells!

January 22nd Message from FRED President, Errol Wells:

Our Legislature is now in session. Within the next few weeks, hearings will be held that will be both beneficial and harmful (do we need more of these?) to rural Nebraska. Our lobbyists are keeping us informed as the hearing dates of these bills. Those of us that are dedicated to the rural cause must be ready to testify at hearings, organize groups to write letters, make phone calls to our lawmakers, organize trips to Lincoln and whatever else we need to do to plead our case.

We would appreciate if if those individuals that are interested in testifying and doing other volunteer work would contact us. It is time that we stand up and be counted!

We also need to be lobbying our individual senators and our governor.They have all been sent informational packets explaining exactly what has happened and have been given suggestions as to how to "fix" the problem. Those are always available to our volunteers by request.

Please keep in mind that no less than 15 senators voted to cut total funding to their legislative districts and your individual senator may be one of them. They need to be politely reminded of just exactly who they are working for. With the facts they have in their hands, the decision to represent our interests should be easy for them to make. Elections are down the road. To those of us that have a supportive senator, please congratulate them on their good judgment and continue to support them.

Don't forget that our governor needs correspondence concerning the unfairness of this devastating bill. He did sign it after calling it a "back door"consolidation bill. If all else fails, maybe we could apply for foreign aid from Russia, or in the case of the southern counties, freehold to Kansas, ala legislature style!

December 8th Message from Fred President, Errol Wells:

Regarding the current catastrophe, isn't it ironic that a minuscule portion of our population, 36 state senators and one governor can be allowed to squander the work of previous generations in building our fine schools? Think about it, 36 senators and a governor, who after declaring it to be a "back door consolidation bill", signed it anyway. No wonder Nebraskans harbor a healthy dose of skepticism when it comes to matters concerning actions and the mechanisms of arriving at decisions of our elected (or is it bought and paid for) officials.

It is time that our elected officials display fairness and foresight regarding this bill. Our state government needs to represent all of us, not just those in a few chosen areas. Quite obviously, if our esteemed officials refuse to listen, then we have no choice but to pursue fair treatment in the courts.

You know the old saying, "Mount your horses, draw your swords!"

(Updated figures based upon the December 1st Certification of State Aid to schools show that the situation for small schools is even worse than was predicted. In Class D1 schools 80% of children attend schools that are seen to be 'losers', and in Class D2, a full 88% of children appear to be shorted on funds by the new state aid formula, while at the same time, most larger schools appear to be literally wallowing in excess funds.) If you are interested in the possibilities of legal action, or would like to offer support for litigation on behalf of children against the LB 806 concept, please drop us an e-mail at fred@bloomnet.com. Several schools have indicated a desire to test LB 806 in court and have pledged financial support.

The other big rural school group says they will work to represent the various size districts that make up their membership, but go on to say: "...there has been and will continue to be winners and losers".

FRED President Errol Wells says: "None of our children, no child in the State of Nebraska, should be a loser. We will fight forever to attain a just and equitable education formula for all children!"

FRED stands tall for the children of the state. FRED asks why anyone should support an attitude that allows some children to be victimized? With a state economy that is said to be sparkling, low unemployment, education costs that are already below the national average, and an overflowing state treasury, is there any reason at all to tolerate a losing posture for any schoolchildren of the state?