House GOP vows to fund education...SL Tribune

Read Robert Gehrke's entire article at:
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/53156558-90/tax-education-debt-fund.html.csp

Happy Holidays
Rick

FEA Conference at WSU

FEA students from Granite, Davis, Ogden and Weber districts attended an FEA conference headed by Stephanie Heath at WSU today.  They attended breakout sessions and a keynote address.  Shawna Blamires (T.O. Smith) and Tami Youngman were honored by former students.

Rick

New PAC supports education

New political action committee formed to support education. Read the article in the Sunday sl tribune.rick

OEA/WEA Leadership meets with Weber Legislators

Five of our ten Weber County legislators: Brad Dee, Brad Galvez, Ryan Wilcox, Gage Froerer, and Allen Christensen met with our leadership Thursday night to listen to UEA Government Relations Director Kory Holdaway discuss some of the upcoming issues concerning education.  Also attending was Jay Blain, UEA Bargaining Director.

Issues discussed included the budget, collective bargaining, payroll dues deduction, and orderly termination policy.

Go to www.myuea.org and click on the Under the Dome icon to learn more.  Also watch the video that explains the "Educator on the Hill" program that will begin when the session starts in January.

Rick

Demos, GOP spar over education $$ Deseret News

Read about the squable over public ed funding:

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705395806/Utah-Democrats-Republicans-spar-over-public-education-funding.html

Happy Holidays

Rick

Utah legislators skirmish over education money SL Trib

Read Robert Gehrke's article>

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/53110207-90/budget-chance-education-funding.html.csp

Happy Holidays
Rick

"Educators pleased with guv's education recommendations" SL Trib

Congrats to our WEA Blog Contest winners of Subway cards: Krista Stettler (Wahlquist), Mary Margaret Lyon (Bonneville), Debra Green (Sand Ridge), and Melanie Malan (WHS).

Governor Herbert's budget has the following recommendations:

• Additional $111 million on public schools
• Total of $3.6 billion (28% of the budget)
• $41 million for the 12,500 new students
• $21.5 million or an Increase of 1% in Weighted Pupil Unit (funding for a possible pay increase)
• $10 million to continue extended day kindergarten
• $12 million for computer-adaptive testing
• $2 million for Charter School start up costs
• $2.2 million for college readiness tests (ACT)

Read the articles at:http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/53100691-78/million-recommendations-utah-education.html.csp

:http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/53099197-90/budget-debt-education-governor.html.csp

Read in the SL Trib about funding for education in the Governor's budget

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/53099197-90/million-budget-herbert-state.html.csp

Read about Governor Herbert's budget and how it affects public ed funding.

Rick

Dr. Ann Miller Retires from Weber District after 39 years of service

Dr. Jeff Stephens paid tribute to Dr. Ann Miller (Director of SPED) at the Weber School Board meeting last night for her 39 years of service (24 as SPED Director).  She is an amazing lady.  Marilyn Runolfson was appointed as her replacement and then Lisa Dalstrup was also appointed as the new Green Acres principal.

Thanks Rick

Utah School Growth

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/53059528-78/schools-students-utah-district.html.csp

Read this article in SL Trib about student growth in Utah this year.

We will draw for the WEA blog contest winners Monday at AR meeting.

Rick

Congrats to Mary Shaffner and Bradi Holder

Winners of December's OEA Blog Contest for $15 Subway cards were Mary Schaffner (OHS) and Bradi Holder (Heritage) the luckiest teacher in the world (Bradi also won a Kindle at UEA Convention.  She should go to Wendover this weekend..

Rick

WEA Leaders attend NCUEA in Orlando

Association leaders from around the country attended the National Council of Urban Education Associations last week in Orlando, FL.  Representing WEA and the UEA were President Jo Egelund and UEA Board Member, Terie Maxfield.  The meeting has speakers on important educational issues and also great leadership training.

We will be drawing for the OEA Blog Contest today.

Rick

Great editorial from Sheryl Allen in Des News

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700202938/Public-educations-biggest-problem-is-funding.html

Read this opinion piece on education funding.

Rick  Stay on the ground in this wind.