Looking Back: School Buildings Of Dorchester's Past

This year marks the 154th school year in Dorchester. Dorchester's school system dates back to 1872, when the village's first schoolhouse was built.

Did you know that Dorchester is currently on its fifth school building in the past 150-plus years?

More than 18 years since the construction of the current Dorchester Public School building, we're taking a look at the history of the structures that have housed our community's educational system.

 

1872 School Building

The first term of school taught in Dorchester took place in 1872 at a select school held in the McIntyre family home, which happened to be Dorchester's first house and was located near the present Methodist Church. 

Also in 1872, District No. 44 -- the present school district -- was organized, even though there were only 21 children of school age residing in the district.  

Later that year -- nine years prior to Dorchester's official founding -- nearly $3,000 in bonding authority was approved to build Dorchester's first schoolhouse, which was a two-story building. The first floor of the 1872 school was used for school instruction, while the upper level was used for public meetings and worship services. In fact, it was here that the Dorchester Methodist Church first organized around 1874.

By 1879, more than 100 pupils were enrolled in Dorchester Public School.

 

1890 School Building

By 1883, the town's longest running newspaper, The Dorchester Star, was advocating for the construction of a larger school. 

Six years later, in 1889, district patrons approved $12,000 in bonding authority to build a new school that was built in 1890 (pictured above). What a grand structure it was, sitting where today's gym is located.

During the 1911 school year, Dorchester was formally organized as a K-12 district. The class of 1914 was the first DHS class to graduate from an accredited twelve-grade high school. 

 

1927 School Building

As more area families placed greater importance on education, the 1926 Dorchester school board voted to build a new school -- just 35 years after the completion of the 1890 school building. 

 

The bond election was successful by a two-to-one margin and a new three-story school building was completed in December 1927. It sat where the current DPS Library is. 

 

The DHS Class of 2020 was the first class not to have attended school in the 1927 building.

A large addition to the 1927 school was approved in May 1963 for approximately $300,000. It included the present-day basketball/volleyball gymnasium, cafeteria, hallway classrooms, and music room. The gym, cafeteria and other additions approved in 1963 are still standing and in use today following the 2008 tear-down of the 1927 building. 

 

The gym and cafeteria have been renovated in recent years and look as fresh as the rest of the new school building, which was built during the summer of 2008 following overwhelming voter approval for a $4.5 million bond issue.

NEWS ROUND-UP: Bruhas Celebrate 65th Anniversary

Bruhas Celebrate 65th Anniversary: 1961 was quite a year. Roger Maris broke Babe Ruth's single-season home run record. JFK asked Congress to land a man on the moon before the decade ended. And Shelley and Rose Bruha tied the knot. Now, 65 years later, the happy couple is celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary. To celebrate, the Bruhas are hosting an open house Saturday, Aug. 29, from 5 to 9 p.m. at Tabor Hall. There will be goodies and music by the Dan Bruha Band. For those who can't attend, cards may be sent to: P.O. Box 206, Dorchester, NE 68343.

Two Dorchester Residents Convicted in Dangerous-Dog Cases: According to Saline County Court records, two Dorchester residents were found to be in possession of dangerous dogs that were not confined. Orisel Pavon Bauza, 44, and Erlandy Oranzo Osorio, 38, were both fined. The court also imposed additional requirements. 

Living History Day Set for Sept. 13: The fifth annual Living History Day at the Saline County Historical Museum is set for Sunday, Sept. 13, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There's no charge to attend this family-friendly event, which will feature interactive demonstrations of historical skills throughout the day on the museum grounds. Food will be available for purchase. The event has become one of the museum’s largest annual programs, and a good turnout is expected this year, especially with the new improvements at the museum. See more on Facebook.

Former Longtime DPS Teacher Mary Ann Reiss Passes:  Mary Ann (Fridrich) Reiss passed away on Aug. 7 at Eventide/Tabitha in Crete at the age of 95. A Crete native and Wilber High School graduate, Reiss taught third grade at Dorchester Public Schools for 20 years. Read her obituary here.

Highest-Paid Positions in Saline County Government: Nebraska law requires local governments to periodically publish employee salaries or compensation information. According to the latest salary information published in The Crete News' general notices, here are the positions with the highest annual compensation in Saline County government, as approved by Saline County commissioners:

- County Sheriff: $121,292

- County Attorney: $121,292

- Courthouse Security: $109,553 to $92,227 (based on hourly wages, which have been annualized based on 40 hours per week for 52 weeks) 

- Patrol Supervisor: $92,227 (based on hourly wages)  

- Highway Superintendent: $90,496

- Patrol Deputies: $86,840 to $67,496 (based on hourly wages)  

- Sheriff's Office/Corrections Clerical Administrator: $81,640 (based on hourly wages)  

- County Treasurer, County Clerk, County Assessor, and Clerk of the District Court: $80,861 

- Jail Administrator: $79,622 (based on hourly wages)  

- Communications Supervisor at 911 Center: $76,710 (based on hourly wages)  

- K-9 Deputy: $75,712 (based on hourly wages)  

- Aging Services Director: $73,606

- Assistant Highway Superintendent: $73,469 

- Zoning Director: $68,036 (based on hourly wages)  

Looking Back: The Establishment Of Dorchester's City Park

The Dorchester City Park has been part of our community for 95 years.

Makes you wonder where town kids played before that.

Dorchester was officially established in 1881, but the village had no village-run public park for its first 50 years. 

Then, in June 1931, Jacob Sack, president of Sack Lumber and Coal Company, donated seven lots to the Village of Dorchester for use as a public park, according to The Centennial History of Dorchester and Pleasant Hill.

The village board acted promptly on the donation. Town leaders laid out and landscaped the property.

Over the generations, Dorchester residents have continued to improve the park. The basketball court was renovated in 2007 with help from members of the Dorchester girls basketball team. 

In 2019, the community celebrated the opening of a splash pad after several years of planning and fundraising.

Dorchester's park also features a modern picnic shelter, public restrooms, swings, and playground equipment for younger children.

Nearly a century after his donation, the village remains grateful to Jacob Sack — and we encourage Dorchester families to use, enjoy and help care for Dorchester's proud park.

UPDATE: Comparing Per-Pupil Spending Of Area Schools

This publication recently reported that Dorchester Public School's annual expenditures increased 44% over 10 years, from $2.80 million in the 2015-16 school year to $4.03 million in 2024-25, the latest year available. For comparison, the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 35.81% from the 2015 annual average to the 2025 annual average.

Increases in K-12 public school spending affect every property owner in the school district — agricultural, residential and commercial. Approximately 60% of the average property tax bill in Nebraska goes to local public schools.

Also, keep in mind that Nebraska state government — funded mostly by income and sales taxes — is currently providing substantial property tax relief through state-funded tax credits and direct school aid. This property tax relief can feel non-existent because the state is largely subsidizing local government rather than holding local decision-makers accountable for approving large tax-and-spending increases. Few taxpayers attend their local school, county or city board meetings, so accountability often isn't happening there, either.

All this said, we don't think Dorchester school board members — or village officials, for that matter — are being reckless in their spending. They are using the tax base they have been authorized to use to cover the costs of Nebraska's "free public education" mandate, which dates back to 1875.

One of the best ways to gauge how efficiently local public schools are operating is to compare per-pupil expenditures. Statewide, the 2024-25 public school cost per pupil was $17,664, while Dorchester Public School's per-pupil cost was $23,356. 

How does that stack up against area schools?

More than a decade ago, in 2015, the Times compiled a comparison of per-pupil spending for several area schools. Today, we updated our comparison. Schools are listed from the highest spenders to lowest based on the updated figures. DPS moved down several spots over the years as other schools' per-pupil spending has outpaced Dorchester's.

Perhaps the bigger question presented by this data is: Are Nebraska's smallest schools, when they graduate only 10 or 12 students per senior class for consecutive years, still justifiable?

If so, could steps be taken to significantly lower costs?

Could special education services be consolidated at the county or regional level?

Could schools lower administrative costs by sharing some of their highest-compensated personnel?

For example, our research shows that Iowa, despite having nearly 190,000 more K-12 students than Nebraska, has fewer superintendents, in part because many Iowa school districts share superintendents.

After 150 years of mandated public school education, Nebraska should be willing to consider improvements and innovative reforms to a system designed for a different era. That discussion should start at the local level.

Dorchester’s Third Annual Rib Cook-Off, Fun Run Set For Aug. 15

(UPDATE: Organizer Dale Hayek reports that Max Country 104.9 will broadcast from the street from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. There are currently 17 competitors register for the Cook-Off, with room for more. Hardwood Dash will start at 6:30 on the street. "Bring a lawn chair and enjoy the evening," he said.)

The smell of barbecue smoke will fill downtown Dorchester on Saturday, Aug. 15, as the Dorchester Community Foundation Fund and Dorchester American Legion host the community’s third annual Rib Cook-Off Competition. 

Everyone from near and far is encouraged to join in for a full day of food, music and activities.

The rib competition will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. near the Dorchester American Legion. Teams will be competing for cash prizes and -- perhaps more importantly -- local bragging rights. First place will receive $200, second place $100, and third place $50.

Organizers are limiting the competition to 25 entries, with an entry deadline of Sunday, Aug. 9. The cost is $40 per team, with one cooker allowed per team or individual. (To register, email dhayek@farmersco-operative.com or call 402-641-4075.) Completed entry forms may be emailed or dropped off to Dale Hayek at Farmers Cooperative in Dorchester.

Competitors will receive at least four racks of ribs supplied by organizers, as cook-off teams can begin setting up at 7:45 a.m. with approximately 12-by-12-foot cooking spaces assigned. Ribs will be delivered to the cooking area at 10 a.m. Judging will be blind, with entries scored on appearance, tenderness, and taste. Each team must submit four individual ribs for judging, with turn-in scheduled for 4 p.m.

All-Day Event With Music

Keep in mind that you won’t have to wait until supper to find something to eat.

The Legion will kick off the day with a breakfast buffet from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. for a free-will donation. The free-will donation supper will begin at 5 p.m., featuring pork sandwiches, ribs, pork and beans, coleslaw, chips and a drink.

After the grills cool down, the evening will continue with a Legion beer garden and street dance featuring Hardwood Dash.

Burn Off Calories With a Fun Run

Those looking to work up an appetite before breakfast can also take part in a Fun Run beginning at Dorchester Park. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m. Questions about the run can be directed to Kelli Kohout at kelli.kohout@dorchesterschool.org.

From an early-morning run and breakfast to sizzling ribs and an evening street dance, Aug. 15 is shaping up to be a full summer Saturday in Dorchester.

Is It Time For DHS Football To Have Its Own Tunnel Walk?

 

Dorchester football busted back onto the scene in a big way in 2018. Is 2026 the year DHS football gets its own version of the Tunnel Walk?

It was way back in 2008 that we first inquired about a Dorchester football Tunnel Walk when we wrote the following:

Recently, one of our readers sent us an e-mail suggesting that Dorchester High School should feature a "tunnel walk" for the Longhorns' football team. 

Reader "CJ" wrote: "The Longhorns need to start a new pre-game tradition similar to that of the Huskers at Memorial Stadium." 

CJ's idea would have music playing over the loud speakers to "fire up" the DHS faithful at home games as the Longhorns make their way from the locker rooms to Nerud Field -- similar to the Huskers' tunnel walk to the old Alan Parsons Project tune "Sirius."

CJ said that Longhorn fans could "form a pathway" from the school's north parking lot to the field.

Nearly 40 readers weighed in on that question 18 years ago, including offering songs they thought deserved consideration. 

See all their comments here.

What else are fans supposed to talk about less than three weeks before the first kickoff?

Dorchester School Begins 154th Year This Wednesday

The hallways will soon be bustling again at Dorchester Public School as students and teachers prepare to begin the 2026-27 school year.

This year marks the 154th school year in Dorchester, dating back to 1872, when the village’s first schoolhouse was built.

Preparations for the new year officially begin Monday, Aug. 10, with teacher in-service activities. Practices for the Dorchester Longhorn football and volleyball teams also get underway Monday as student-athletes begin preparing for their fall seasons.

The first day of school is Wednesday, Aug. 12, with classes dismissing early at 2 p.m. Students will also be dismissed at 2 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Aug. 13-14.

As the first day of classes approaches, families still have time to pick up their back-to-school supplies. Separate school-supply lists for Dorchester elementary and high school students are available online through the school.

Fall Sports Action Begins Aug. 25

The week of Aug. 24-28 will bring the first major activities of the new school year.

But first, at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18, Dorchester High School will host its Fall Sports Preview and Parents Sportsmanship Seminar, giving Longhorn fans their first opportunity to see this year's teams.

Volleyball action follows Tuesday, Aug. 25, when Dorchester hosts Wilber-Clatonia for a preseason scrimmage. The Lady Longhorns have defeated the Class C-2 Wolverines in the scrimmage each of the past two years.

The matches will begin to count two days later. That's when Dorchester officially opens its volleyball season at home Thursday, Aug. 27, against East Butler. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. in the Dorchester gymnasium.

Longhorn football begins its season the following night, Friday, Aug. 28, when Dorchester hosts Sterling at Nerud Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Online DPS Resources 

The complete August school calendar, including activities and athletic events, can be viewed here.

Families can also keep up with school announcements, schedules and other information throughout the year by visiting DorchesterSchool.org.

Home For Sale: 600 W 9th Street

Dorchester's real estate market remains strong, despite that cheap lending money -- following years of federal money printing and massive government spending -- is long gone. You can count on interest rates remaining high due to the uncontrollable debt unleashed during the COVID-19 years. Both political parties can own that.

While homes in large cities and rural properties have become unaffordable for the average buyer, Dorchester looks even more appealing now to many. Consider what our community has to offer:

• STREET IMPROVEMENTS: Village leaders have paved many more blocks in recent months and more street improvements are planned.
  
  
• POTENTIAL FOR MORE BUSINESSES: Due to its strategic location and available commercial buildings, Dorchester could see an increase in more small businesses over the next few years with the right leadership.
  
  
• TOP-NOTCH SCHOOL: A newer K-12 school with smaller class sizes and some of the state's best educators. This means individualized attention for your child.

• A SAFE COMMUNITY: With an upgraded water and sewer system.

• LOWER COSTS: Affordable living costs with lower property taxes compared to surrounding school districts.

• KEY BUSINESSES AND PRIME LOCATION: Headquarters for one of the nation's largest agri-businesses (Farmers Cooperative) and situated on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe rail line and along two major highways.

• GEOGRAPHIC ADVANTAGE: A quick drive to employers in Crete, Milford, Friend, and Seward. Just 30 minutes to Lincoln and 12 minutes to I-80. Yet all the advantages of a small, close-knit community.

Here's a great Dorchester home that just hit the market:

600 W 9th Street: Take a look at this tastefully updated home with plenty of space on more than an acre of land in Dorchester. According to the real estate listing, the home features five bedrooms, two large updated bathrooms, an updated kitchen, updated flooring, newer windows and fresh interior and exterior paint.

The newer poured-concrete foundation provides a large basement with room for additional finished living space. The HVAC system was installed in 2022. The property also features a large corner lot and a newer, oversized two-stall garage. It is conveniently located near Dorchester Public School. See online listing.

Can You Sue for Dangers Posed By a Negligent Property Owner?

(Correction: 203 Washington Ave. is the address of the property referenced by the email sent to the Times. The story now lists the correct address.) 

“It just is not right,” one resident emailed the Times.

“For eight months, there’s been this blight in the neighborhood, an empty basement that poses a hazard to children or toddlers who might accidentally wander onto the property. Almost a year now!”

The resident is referring to an empty lot at 203 Washington Ave. in the south part of town. A small home that once stood on the property was moved last November.

The home and well-kept property were featured by the Dorchester Times in 2023. Since the house was moved, however, little appears to have been done to the property other than occasional mowing.

The resident added: “It stinks because (the owners) obviously had the financial means to move the home, but now they have left a huge hole in the ground and other hazards in a neighborhood with several children and visiting grandchildren, even pets. Surely someone can do something.”

What Legal Options May Be Available?

The Times asked a local attorney whether a neighboring property owner — or the village government — might have legal recourse in a situation such as this, particularly if an open basement poses a danger to children.

“A property owner could potentially face civil liability if a dangerous condition on the property causes an injury to a child,” the attorney wrote. “The legal analysis could include a doctrine commonly known as the attractive nuisance doctrine.”

Under ordinary premises-liability law, the attorney explained, a property owner’s responsibility to someone who enters the property without permission may be limited. Nebraska law, however, recognizes a potential exception for children who may lack the maturity or experience to understand a dangerous condition.

Factors That Could Support Legal Action

“To hold a Nebraska property owner liable under the attractive nuisance doctrine, a civil lawsuit generally must establish all five elements recognized under Nebraska law,” the attorney said.

Those elements include:

• Owner knowledge: The owner knows or has reason to know that children are likely to trespass where the dangerous condition exists.
  
  
• Unreasonable risk: The owner knows or should know that the condition presents an unreasonable risk of death or serious bodily harm to children.
  
  
• Child’s inability to recognize the danger: Because of their youth, the children do not discover the condition or understand the risk involved.
  
  
• Burden of correcting the danger: The usefulness of maintaining the condition and the burden of eliminating the danger are slight compared with the risk to children.
  
  
• Failure to exercise reasonable care: The owner fails to take reasonable steps to eliminate the danger or otherwise protect children from it.

Whether those requirements are met depends on the specific circumstances. 

Meanwhile, conditions that could raise attractive nuisance concerns include open basements, deep construction pits, abandoned structures with unsafe floors, unfenced swimming pools, discarded appliances, scrap-metal piles and unsecured vehicles, the attorney said.

Nebraska law also gives villages and cities of the second class authority to define, regulate, prevent and remove nuisances. 

"Whether the Washington Avenue property violates a local ordinance or warrants village action depends on the applicable village code," the attorney concluded.