Weber State University visits

Today I will present to five groups of WSU education students and student teachers. I will be talking to both elementary and secondary level one students in their opening orientation and also both elementary and secondary student teachers. I am showing the new (see it on www.utea.org) 100 year anniversary video of the UEA's long history of supporting public education in Utah.

Good luck on your resolutions.

Rick

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

I hope everyone has a nice holiday break...you deserve it.

For help with Weber District insurance questions...call Denise House (Our GBS consultant) at 801-364-7233 and for UHC specific questions...call Heidi Schmit (account rep) at 801-982-4525.

For help with Ogden District insurance questions...call Amy Thissen (Ogden HR office) at 801-737-7325

Rick

Governor Herbert and Conservative Legislators Speak the Same Language

Bob Bernick, Deseret News (Dec. 18), said that the governor and the legislative leadership will have a "love fest" this year in the session. Gov. Herbert has more in common with the conservative leadership than either Huntsman, Leavitt or Walker. We will have to wait and watch what happens. Will this be a good thing (working together and such) or a bad thing (working together and such)? Remember that Gov. Herbert has remained solidly against any tax increases. All ideas should remain on the table until we have a budget that funds education. Shall we expect large increases this year? Probably not, but at least pay for the new 11,000 to 12,000 new students arriving in August, 2010.

Rick

Courtney White Leaves UEA Staff

Courtney White, Utah Education Association Director of Policy and Research, is leaving Utah to become the lobbyist and Government Relations person for University of Oregon in Eugene. We wish him luck in his new position and thank him for his many hours of service to our UEA members and public ed in Utah.

Rick

Proud Grandfather Bores others with Pictures

HI, Here are a few pictures of my new grand baby, Gracie Lane Palmer, (with her older sister Drew Ann) who reside in Goodyear, AZ.

My blog...my choice of subjects...so there.. Rick

SL Tribune: "Is double-dipping done for""

Go to www.sltrib.com to read the article about the concerns lawmakers have over the practice of teachers (and other public employees) returning to work after retiring and receiving their pension plus a 401K contribution (around 15%). The term "double dipping" is offensive, but the public sees it that way. We know that teachers endure low pay and tough conditions with the hope of a good retirement benefit. When teachers were in high demand (that will return) districts saw value in bringing an experienced teacher back into the classroom. The debate will be intensifying January 25th when the legislative session begins. Again, go to www.utea.org and click on the "Under the Dome" logo to fine your legislator. As a constituent, you can make a difference. Rick

Arizona legislature makes sweeping changes to state teacher contracts

The AZ legislature removed seniority, salary and contract guarantees from teacher contracts.

"School districts will be prohibited from using tenure or seniority as a factor in determining which teachers can be laid off. Additonally, school districts no longer have to honor seniority when they rehire." Arizona Republic

"Gone is an April 15 deadline that required school districts to notify teachers of their contract status for the following school year."