Education equalizes social disparities, expands options and stabilizes communities. The Nebraska Constitution reinforces the value our state places on education, stating in Article VII, “the Legislature shall provide for the free instruction in the common schools of the state all persons between the ages of five and twenty-one years.” Proficiency in basic skills, including reading and math, is the primary function of public education.

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By Schmidt

It appears that the Nebraska Legislature has begun the dangerous slide down the slippery slope of becoming like Kansas, thanks to the efforts of Governor Deep Pockets and his Gang of 29 cheered on by the Americans for Prosperity.

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On April 2, 2017, 4-H and FFA youth participated in a livestock judging contest; they judged three classes of beef, sheep and swine animals. Concluding the educational event, Extension staff taught livestock quality assurance program, in which youth learned good production practices to follow when raising livestock.

Participants in the Senior Division were: (Purple ribbons) Jason Brockman, Josh Shaw and receiving a blue was Caileigh Tripe.

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A long agenda greeted Fairfield council members Monday evening, including replacing janitorial and burn pit supervisor positions.

As the former custodian for the library, ball park and auditorium resigned, the council will look for a replacement to work at least four hours per month.

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BVH Architects Dennis Coudriet and Ryan Hier presented final images to the South Central Unified board of education for the new 41,000 square foot addition that is set to change the landscape at Sandy Creek Public Schools that is estimated to begin this May.

The two story education center, to be called the Nebraska Center for Advanced Professional Studies (NCAPS), is estimated to begin demolition work in May, following the end of the 2016-17 school year, with hopes of full completion of the project estimated for October of 2018.

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Mitchell Adam Carlson of Sutton is among 49 University of Nebraska-Lincoln seniors who will be recognized as Chancellor's Scholars during the All-University Honors Convocation at 2 p.m., April 23, at the Lied Center for Performing Arts, 301 N. 12th St. in Lincoln.

Carlson, a criminology and criminal justice major in the UNO College of Public Affairs and Community Service, is the son of Tom and Joan Alberts and Mark and Brenda Carlson.

Chancellor's Scholars are students who graduated in December or who will receive their degrees in May or August and have maintained 4.0 grade-point averages on all collegiate work at Nebraska and elsewhere.

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As the track season continues on, the value of two strong players for the Harvard boys is apparent with junior Ray Nierman and senior exchange student Adrian Pajaron leading the charge throughout the season.

This past week was no different for the Cardinals, as out of the 57-team points scored by Harvard in the meet, Nierman and Pajaron had a hand in every scoring event for the Cardinals.

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Bailey Stapleman, a 2014 Sandy Creek graduate, has sailed to new heights during his career as a pole vaulter on the University of Nebraska at Kearney Track and Field team.

Stapleman, who earned “Loper of the Week” honors in late March with a 16’ 1.75” vault, improved his previous personal best vault by six and a half inches this past weekend in action at UNK’s home invitational, held Saturday, April 15.

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Each year, Tax Day is an unpleasant reality check on how complicated and outdated our tax code has become. Tax reform is next on our legislative agenda, and we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to lessen the burden on American families and businesses.

When Washington last undertook comprehensive tax reform, Ronald Reagan was president, the average price of a new home in the U.S. was $111,900, and a gallon of gas cost 89 cents. Much has changed in our country since 1986, but our tax code has only become more complicated.

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“I did not take this job to perpetuate myself in politics but to make the hard and firm decisions that need to be made to make Nebraska progress.” -- Nebraska Governor Norbert Tiemann, 3-13-67.

I will admit that Norbert Tiemann is my hero. I wasn’t old enough to vote for him (missed it by a year and 6 weeks back when you had to be 21 to vote), but I sure would have. I liked what he had to say.

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