Posted 11:07 AM by Susan Darst Williams

‘THE KISS OF DEATH’ FOR SCHOOL OVERSPENDING

Go Big Ed’s friend Paul Dorr was featured in a big Sunday story in the Des Moines Register on how he has managed to help defeat 21 out of 24 school spending bond issues and tax-lid overrides in recent years. In fact, they call him “the kiss of death” for school bond issues:

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050116/NEWS02/501160339/1001

Oh, it’s juicy reading. Dorr, who is 48 and the homeschooling father of 11, has parlayed a banking background into a consulting business that is giving hope to citizens’ committees facing The Blob – the rich, powerful and determined education establishment. He bears some of the credit for defeating one in the Omaha Public Schools a few years ago, and just won another one in southwest Iowa.

How I wish a white knight would step forward and underwrite Dorr’s help for the citizens fighting the $78 million bond issue that’s coming up fast, Feb. 15, in Millard. Opponents say they can make a solid case for why it’s premature and excessive, but have very little money and time to get the word out. But Dorr has done it before. And his rates are actually very reasonable.

Who will donate $3,000 to stop $78 million? Hint, hint! The Millard citizens’ group is headed by Paul Meyer, (402) 895-9162.

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WATCHING THE ED BILLS PILE UP

Not THAT kind of ed bills. No, it’s time to pay attention to the legislative bills introduced in the Unicameral. They wind up costing money, too – bigtime.

Those on the table so far are painting a picture of what’s going to go on this session. You can browse the lay of the land at:

http://www.unicam.state.ne.us/bill_intros/bill_intros_2005.htm

Today marks the start of public hearings on these bills, and at 1:30 p.m. in Room 1525, they'll take up LB 124, the attempted consolidation of Class I schools.