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."

"Guv's Budget Oozes Optimism"-Deseret News

Read the article online at www.deseretnews.com.

• Governor's budget paints a rosier picture.
• The shortfall is not going to be as bad.
• No tax or fee increases.
• Budget is announced today.

Rick

Legislators Meet with Chamber of Commerce

Last year our UniServ joined the Weber Chamber of Commerce with the goal of representing our teachers in the discussion of public ed funding. We had our Legislative Breakfast last Tuesday and heard from Rep. Brad Dee (Majority Whip of the House). I was gratified to hear him say that businesses' number one request when thinking of moving to Utah is "Where are the good schools?". He also reported that the budget deficit will come to about $700 million ( a little bit less than the $850 Million we have been hearing). He is in a position of leadership and it is important that he represents our interests here in Weber County. Several other legislators were in attendance: Ryan Wilcox, Dist. 7 representative, Sen. Jenkins, Sen. Christensen, and Sen. Jon Greiner.

Our meetings will continue in January when the session begins. We will also be meeting at the legislature.

Rick

Who is my legislator???

UEA's website, www.utea.org, provides an easy way to identify your State legislators (House and Senate) . Click on the the "Under the Dome" logo at the UEA website, Click on the "Get involved-Take Action! Contact your elected official" logo. Enter your zip code, click and then fill in your address. Your elected officials will appear. It is important to know your legislator, because they will respond (or at least read) your email if you identify yourself as one of their "constituents" (members of their voting district). As the legislative session begins, it will be important to contact our legislators.

Thanks Rick

Utah School Law Update

I sent our building reps the link for the Utah School Law Update (comes from Jean Hill, attorney for the Utah Professional Practices Commission) this week. I think it is interesting and useful for our teachers to read. With all of the bad press some "bad apples" have received in the news this year, it was nice to see Jean write about the reality of the low percentage of teachers who actually have transgressed compared to all of the fine teachers who do not cross the boundaries of acceptable behavior. Read the entire article at www.schools.utah.gov/uppac/

Rick

"Let's Get Down and Physical" Activity

Suzy Davis, Future Educator advisor at Ogden High, and Stephanie Heath, WSU FEA advisor, along with FEA students from OHS, Ben Lomond High, Northridge High, and WSU put together a night of physical activities at the Swenson Gym for children with Downs Syndrome and their families. Brandi Christopher, WSU physical ed student, said, "It's just great to see these kids having so much fun." It also gave the students a chance to work with special needs kids in preparation to starting an education career.

Rick

Link Newsletter Survey

The contest for this month is emailing me with your opinion on the Link Newsletter.... Email or written copy? Our entries are coming in about 2 to 1 for an electronic newsletter. Our survey on survey monkey also came in about 66% to 33%. If you have not entered the contest, send me an email (rick@ogdenweber.org) letting me know your opinion. We will draw for gift cards in the January AR meeting.

Thanks for all you do for kids.

Rick

New UEA Head of Government Relations Hired

Larry Shumway, state supt. of schools, said (in an article in Deseret News a couple of weeks ago) "Comparing poor school funding with children who get a terrible sunburn at a summer pool, the bad effects are often seen later. Down the road, the cumulative effect harms our work force, it's felt in our communities, 10 years and 20 years later."

It will be the goal of UEA's newest lobbyist, Kory Holdaway, to lead the legislative battle when the session starts in January. Kory, a former UEA member from Taylorsville High, is eager to get started. He also has the experience of being a former Republican Legislator in the House. He brings this experience to the job of lobbying the legislator and working to elect educator-friendly candidates.

Please help by being aware of the issues and contacting your legislators.

Thanks Rick

Teachers should be treated with respect and trust

John Florez, in a SL Trib comment from Nov. 23, wrote "People don't mind paying taxes on education but not if it's just to keep it on life support." He goes on to say, "Public education will change when its leaders create a culture where teachers are treated with respect and trust in their professional ablilities." I don't always agree with Mr. Florez on all of his opinions, but I do agree that the culture needs to change in Utah. We, as educators, need to continue to be professionals in all aspects of our jobs.

Rick

Legislators Meet with Association Leadership

All ten of our Weber County legislators met with OEA/WEA leadership last evening to talk about public education funding and retirement changes. Glen Larsen, PAC chair, organized the evening. OEA President Doug Stephens and WEA President Marlene Irons presented information to the legislators and a discussion followed. Brad Dee, House Speaker, said that he has been working with Sen. Liljenquist, Bountiful, on any changes to the retirement program. Actuarials have told the legislators that without changes in contribution rates or benefits, the program will not be able to pay out the defined benefits of those retiring in the next few years. He feels that all of the employees at this time should be "held harmless" and that any changes would affect new employees. It will be a hot topic at the session this year.

Rick

Don't Cut Education

The Salt Lake Tribune editorialized a week ago about not cutting education funding. We are waiting now for Governor Herbert's budget request that is due Dec. 11. The shortfall is predicted at somewhere between $850 Million and $1 Billion. Much of that is from the stimulus money that backfilled the budget last year but is not there this year. Student numbers are predicted to increase by about 12,000 students. Our association leaders will be meeting with local legislators tonight and presenting the concerns that we have with the upcoming legislative session. It will take a combination of tax increases, rainy day fund, and creative budgeting to keep services at their current status.

Go to www.utea.org and click on the "Under the Dome" icon to read more about what is happening at the legislature.

Rick