The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current, February 01, 2000, Page 7, Image 7
More than 1,000 teachers rally Legislature for higher salaries TEACHER from page 1 'they receive. - Audra Kobs, a first year English and Spanish teacher at Tekamah Herman High School, said she made more working as a part-time reception ist than she does now teaching. "I’d always wanted to teach,” she said. "But I considered not doing it for many years because of the pay.” According to a report released in December by the National Education Association, Nebraska ranks 43rd in the nation in teacher salaries. The state comes in second to last in its region, Obermier said, higher only than South Dakota. But teacher salary hasn’t seemed to affect student achievement. According to an American Legislative Exchange Council study that uses ACT, SAT and National Assessment of Educational Progress test scores, Nebraska ranks fifth in the nation in academic success. Teachers at the rally acknowledged U Our state must address the problem now before the shortage becomes a crisis.” Duane Obermier NSEA president this by waving yellow signs with black letters that said: “Top 10 Academics. Bottom 10 Teacher Salaries.” Obermier also talked about the teacher shortage that the country, as well as Nebraska, is facing. Sunday’s edition of the Omaha World Herald saw ads for 118 education-related positions, Obermier said. And in 10 years, the United States will need an extra 2.2 million teachers. In that same time period, Nebraska will need an additional 10,000. “We’re headed in the wrong direc tion,” Obermier said. “Our state must address the problem now before the shortage becomes a crisis.” Bohlke has two other bills that were also discussed at die hearing. LB 1399 would create a Teacher Salary Task Force that would study the need to increase teacher salaries in Nebraska. This would not be a quick solution. The bill states that the task force would report its findings by Oct 1. LB 1400 would create the Tax Equity and Educational Opportunities Support Act. It would provide for minimum teacher salary levels and teacher salary supplements, as well as change the way need for state aid is calculated. ■' s MikeWarren/DN ABOVE: PEG TRUMBLE (front), Laurie Fraser and Mary Herrington, who all work at Lincoln East, listen to the opening remarks made by OuaneObemtier, president of NSEA, at a rally, wjtich began in McPhee Elementary School, 820 S. 15th St. After Obermler gave directions to the teachers, they began their march to the Capitol building. LEFT: MORE THAN 1,000teachers marched from McPhee Elementary to the Capitol building carrying signs that read “Top 10 Academics, Bottom 10 Teacher Salaries” and chanting the phrase “Invest in Kids, Pay Teachers.” Speaker Doug Kristensen of Minden introduced a final bill, LB 1323. If it passes, the bill would create a task force that would investigate how teachers could become state employ ees. Omaha Board of Education President John Langan said he was encouraged with the legislation that was introduced “Teacher quality is the biggest vari able for the success of our children,” he said. “I believe salary makes a differ ence in quality.” Hit and run leads - ••• police to car theft By Michelle Starr v Staff writer An early Saturday morning joyride led to more than just a hit-and run accident, police said. The accident, reported near 30th and Holdrege streets at 1:45 a.m., led Lincoln police to a stolen vehicle, Lincoln Police Ofc. Katherine Finnell said. The car, a 1968 black and gray Volkswagen convertible bug, belonged to Frank Brennfoerder, owner of Brennfoerder Auto Repair, 223 N. 23rd St. The Volkswagen was stolen from the business, Finnell said. The driver of the car was involved in the hit-and-run accident; witnesses said they saw a man running from the scene, Finnell said. After officers contacted Brennfoerder, they determined some one had broken into the business from a side window, rummaged through the office and a desk, then went for the car. The Volkswagen was the only car in die garage. It was unlocked with the keys inside, Brennfoerder said The suspect then drove the Volkswagen through the 10-foot garage door of the business for an easy getaway, Brennfoerder said. The driver then ran into a white 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier parked on 30th street between Starr and Holdrege streets, Lincoln Police Capt. David Beggs said. The Cavalier had $400 in dam ages according to the report, Beggs said. Finnell said the business reported $325 in damages, and the Volkswagen was valued at $15,000. The Volkswagen had not been recovered as of Monday evening, Beggs said. Other than the car, nothing was missing from the business, he said. Brennfoerder said he had had the car for about 15 to 18 years and had finished restoring it about six years ago. Witnesses described the man run ning from the scene as a 5-foot-6 inch^ 150-pound male with long, curly hair. He was reportedly wearing a brown coat, black pants and Nike shoes. r UNL freshman found with tequila * Projectiles coming from an eighth-floor window of Schramm Residence rtall led University Police officers to a bottle of Chi-Chi’s Margarita Tequila, University Police Sgt. Mylo Bushing said. A call came into university offi cials at 11:26 p.m. Thursday, accus ing Michael Kult, a freshman, of not letting a resident assistant enter his room after the items were thrown. A university officer entered the room and saw a red-colored liquid in a clear glass. Kult told the officer it was Kool Aid. When the officer smelled the liq uid, he determined it was alcoholic. Kult then produced 1.75 liters of tequila, which contained a trace of the alcohol, Bushing said. Kult was cited for minor in pos session. , Man enters Lincoln home, shows gun, officer says A Lincoln couple woke to an unusual situation Saturday morn ing. A 24-year-old male and a 20 year-old female were awakened by a loud noise at 5:45 a.m., Lincoln Police Ofc. Katherine Finnell said. A man entered the couple’s bed room, turned on the light and pulled out a silver handgun. Once the man saw the occu pants, he left the apartment, Finnell said. The man fled in a two-door, late 1980s car and headed south on 25th Street The man was described as a 5 foot-10-inch white male, about 24 years old. He was wearing a black and sil ver coat and black jeans. Woman says she was attacked, raped by intruder A woman was attacked while staying at a friend’s apartment, Lincoln Police Ofc. Katherine Finnell said. She was the only person at the residence at the time of the incident. A call came in at 11:45 p.m. Saturday from a woman who report ed she had been raped. The 20-year-old female was asleep at the apartment, when she was awakened by a noise from the frontdoor. When she, got up to investigate, she found a white male in the living room, Finnell said. The man reportedly pushed her into a chair and asked where Paul was. The woman said she didn’t know what the man was talking about, and she then tried to make a run for the door. Another white male was stand ing in the hallway, Finnell said. The first man then cut her on her arm and forced her back into the apartment and forced her to have sex with him, Finnell said. the first man demanded money from the victim, but she said she did n’t have any, so the two men left. The victim described the first man as 6 feet tall, of medium build and about 25 to 30 years old with short, brown hair. He was wearing a black leather jacket, a white T-shirt and jeans. The second man was described as a 20- to 25-year-old man with short, blond hair. '-V Police had no suspecfS as of Monday evening. Men stabbed at Super Bowl party A Super Bowl party led to a fight Sunday when a man refused to leave. Daniel Staley, 20, 5042 Leighton St., refused to leave a party at 2301 S. St. An argument erupted, which moved to the backyard of the residence at 10:30 p.m., Finnell said. Christopher Bessette and Donald Nash, both 21 and residents of the house, sustained superficial wounds after Staley allegedly pulled a 2-inch knife during the argument, Finnell said. Bessette received a small cut to his lower abddmen, and Nash was also cut in the abdomen. Both also received cuts on their hands, Finnell said. Staley was arrested on two counts of second degree assault and two counts of use of a weapon to commit a felony, Finnell said. UNL student taken to Detox after attempted fight A drunken man upset about a breakup with his girlfriend tried to pick a fight Saturday and ended up in Cornhusker Detox, 721 K St.. Bushing said. A member of Theta Xi fraternity at 1535 R St., was called in by anoth er member of the house for being drunk and trying to start fights with members of his house on Saturday, Bushing said. ine can came into university Police at 4:50 a.m. When officers responded, they reportedly found the 19-year-old man in the kitchen of the fraternity house smelling of alcohol with bloodshot eyes. The house mother was contact ed, and she said the man was drunk and trying to start a fight. When questioned, the man said he had just broken up with his girl friend, and he was upset, Bushing said. Th£ mart was taken to Detox where he tested .117 blood-alcohol level, Bushing said. Because the man was not cited for anything, Bushing did not release his name. Compiled by staff writer Michelle Starr.