More secrecy

Dear Editor,

Another try for more secrecy in government is about to be made.

University of Nebraska Regent Kent Schroeder of Kearney believes the state's sunshine law restricts the number of applicants for public positions. Schroeder feels having taxpayers in the loop scares away some applicants who don't want their present employers to know they are looking for another job.

Schroeder is interested because NU is seeking a replacement for L. Dennis Smith when Smith retires as president in June.

Let's look at the history of the sunshine law in Nebraska:

1979 -- Nebraska adopted a sunshine law.

1994 -- The state's attorney general issues an opinion that applications and resumés received by public schools for people seeking administrative positions are public records and should be made available to the public.

Some five years later, those on both sides of the issue compromised. Now, the names of candidates for public jobs are confidential until they are interviewed.

At that point, they become finalists and all documents related to their candidacy are public records.

Schroeder's assertion that the present law keeps applicants away is disputed by some in the recruiting business. According to the World-Herald article on Wednesday, Dec. 10., Jan Greenwood of A.T. Kearney Inc., an international recruiting service, said Florida received a "phenomenal pool of candidates" in a search for a university president.

This is despite the fact Florida has a more open sunshine law than Nebraska, according to the World-Herald.

Having served on a search committee for a president of Mid-Plains Community College Area, I know we did not lack for candidates. Furthermore, none of the finalists withdrew because they knew their names were going to be revealed.

In case you think this is one of those issues that is just going to go away, consider that State Sen. Joel Johnson of Kearney has said he will introduce a proposal in the 2004 Legislature to weaken the law that gives the public the right to watch the process.

However, that is not enough for Schroeder -- he wants the entire process closed until a candidate is offered the job.

Although we are talking higher education, remember, a change in the law also would affect how we select superintendents of public schools, city managers, etc.

There is so much more than the sunshine law that goes into a decision to apply for a new position -- location, salary, benefits, governing board, reputation of the institution and generally whether it is the right fit.

In the meantime, if Schroeder is successful, that will mean another cloud covers the sunshine and the public is in the dark.

Jack Rogers

McCook