UEA requests OK on stimulus plan

"We strongly support the proposed American Recovery and Reinvestment bill recently unveiled by the U.S. House of Representatives," said Kim Campbell, UEA President. Among provisions for schools are:

• $41 billion for local school districts. That includes $13 billion that would come through Title 1 programs for disadvantaged schools; $13 billion through extra funds for the IDEA (special ed); $14 billion for a new School Modernization and Repair Program; and $1 billion for the Education Technology program.
• $79 billion in state fiscal relief to help prevent cutbacks to key services, including $39 billion to local school districts and colleges and universities distributed through existing state and federal formulas.

Contact your congressman and ask them to support this bill to help balance our budgets here in Utah.

Thanks Rick

More Survey Info on Budget Cuts

The Deseret News/KSL survey also asked the following question to 413 Utah residents:

Please rate how much of a priority you feel each of the following programs should have. 5 meaning high 1 meaning low. (others included Higher Ed, Health and Human Services, Public Safety, Corrections, Transportation, State parks and recreation, and Environmental Quality)

• Public Education received these resultys: High Priority 55% (5) - 25% (4) -14% (3) - 3% (2) 3% (1)

That is good news for public ed. The survey shows that our citizens value public schools and teachers. The closest one to public ed was Health and Human Services, like aid to the disabled and medicaid.

80% of those surveyed held us at a very high level. Hopefully the legislature will listen to their consituents.

Deseret News/KSL - TV Opinion Poll

Dan Jones and Associates conducted this poll of 413 Utah residents between Jan. 15-17 and this was the result:

Question: How would you prefer the budget shortfalls handled?

• Make the cuts by laying off state employees and cutting programs - 11%
• Raise taxes to make up lost revenue and keep programs whole to avoid layoffs - 7%
• A combination of tax increases, program reductions and employee layoffs - 40%
• Using existing state savings, bonding, or other short-term fixes - 33%
• other - 7%
• Don't know - 2%

More survey info tomorrow: "What does the survey say should be prioritized?"

More on Budget Cuts: Part II

Today the Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee discusses the many possible areas of cuts to public education funding. The Utah State Office of Education is looking at 7.5% cut for the rest of this fiscal year and a 15% cut for next year. Some districts have already put in place travel and hiring freezes. Ogden and Weber districts are both looking at ways to lower expenses for next year. One idea that is being discussed by state leaders is cutting days of school. State Board member Janet Cannon said in the Deseret News today, "Days of school and instructional time are the most important thing we do. Time on task makes a huge difference in the academic success of children." Jim Johnson, Iron County Supt. countered that, "It's fair and consistent across the board. I would prefer that to a reduction in force." Educators salaries make up about 85% of the budget so naturally is a place where cuts may come. The UEA will be fighting for funding and holding teacher's salaries harmless. Be involved and contact your legislators. Thanks for reading. Our January contest has begun and to enter email rick@ogdenweber.org with appropriations in the message to enter. You can enter more than once.

Inauguration Day

Hope everyone had a great MLK weekend and is enjoying your Inauguaration Day at school. It is an exciting day as we look, with hope, to solutions to the many economic and world problems we face. With the Utah Legislature meeting in committees tomorrow to set some goals for budget cuts we all hope that they can make the cuts with as little damage to classrooms and teachers as possible. Both of our Superintendants will involve all stakeholders in making those tough decisions. Any cuts will be difficult, but we will ask to be a part of any decisions that affect you. So as we look at a time of anticipation and anxiety, we hope for the best for our district, state and country. Rick

Negotiations Season is Here

Hi everyone,
Tis the season for coming up with ideas for our negotiations team to look at. With the legislative session just days away...hold your breath...and the prospect of very little money, it is important that we look at contract language and policy changes that don't cost money. Please give those ideas to Marlene Irons and Mary Courney, WEA and OEA presidents. We will survey you and see what priorities appear. Our negotiation teams will meet and write proposals that will then be given to the district. After the legislature finishes their funding and the district gets a good idea of how much money they will receive, we can set dates and meet. Again, this year looks bleak as far as pay raises go. We will have to work hard to preserve lane changes and steps and fund increases in insurance premiums. Give us your ideas. Thanks Rick

More on Budget Cuts

Congrats to to the winners of 25.00 Chili's Gift cards in WEA. Portia Ericksen (Early Intervention at Two Rivers), Debbie Green (AR at Sand Ridge) and Marlene (there will be an investigation) Irons, WEA President for the December Blog Contest.

Important budget cut info>

• Districts are being advised to look at least 4.5% cuts in the current year.
• The legislature has the official job of making cuts of state money.
• 4.5% is 2,737,818.00 in Ogden District and 6,435,232.00 in Weber.
• The Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee meets Jan. 21.

To enter January's blog contest email rick@ogdenweber.org with the words "budget cuts" in the message. Thanks for reading. Rick