Congrats to Karl Powell and Debbie Green

Winners of $25 Chili's gift cards are Karl Powell (Rocky Mountain) and Debbie Green (Sand Ridge).

I have a great opportunity to help teach a class (ED 1010) at the WSU-Davis Campus this afternoon with my colleague from Davis Education Association, Joel Briscoe. I show a version of the professionalism power point I have presented at faculty meetings plus I have taken a few court cases for discussion. It is a great class to talk about the career of teaching. It is the first class for these possible candidates for teacher education at WSU. I appreciate Mike Cena giving us the opportunity to talk to them about school law and the association.

Sara Israelsen-Hartley wrote today in the Deseret News about porn being downloaded by 11 year olds in American Fork. The boys evidently bypassed the district filters "using trial and error". Go to www.deseretnews.com to read the article.

Thanks again for reading. Rick (stop the snow)

Criminals in the Classroom

After reading several articles last week I was pretty much afraid to go into any of our schools. The articles made it sound like our halls are crawling with predator felons teaching the little chillins. Oh, then I looked at the stats and realized that out of the 1200 education employees audited in four districts, they found...wait for the drumroll... three licensed teachers who had convictions dating back to 1979, 1980, and 1988. Seems like overkill to paint the profession with such broad strokes. Headlines, sensational ones, like the Bountiful Jr. High sex with student case, only go to strengthen our already numerous detractors. Our profession is fighting for its life as we struggle with budget cuts, an unappreciative legislators and critics from all sides.

Oh, hope you had a good spring break...nice downer article Rick. Sorry.

US Today Article Forecasts "Retirement Tusnami"

"More than half the nation's teachers are Baby Boomers ages 50 and older and eligible for retirment over the next decade", Jeanette Der Bedrosian wrote in USA Today (April 7). Some numbers that show the upcoming crisis include: West Virginia has 68% of their teachers over 50 years of age. They are followed by Maine (56%), Vermont (55%), Montana (55%), and New Mexico (54%). Utah is in the mix also with a large number (possibly a third) to retire in the next 5-6 years. Will our teacher education programs be able to supply the number of teachers needed, or will more alternative routes to teaching be initiated. Just another thing to worry about.

Enjoy Spring Break. See you Tuesday. Rick

Hot of the Press

Congrats to Christine Heslop at Ogden High and Clay Kirkham at Gramercy for winning the $25 Subway gift cards this month. Look for April's contest coming your way. Rick

Good Luck on your Final Four Pairings

When Pitt lost, so did I. I have a friendly wager with a golfing buddy in St. George for a round of golf. I told him that if I win I want a round of golf at Pebble Beach (circa $500), but if he wins I will pay for 9 holes at Southgate ($30). Good luck with your picks.
Rick

Update on School Day Cuts

Amy Stewart writes in today's Deseret News (www.deseretnews.com) that the State School Board voted 10-5 to allow school districts the discretion of cutting up to 5 days from the 180 state required, only after cutting at least 3 Quality Teaching days. The vote came after heated debate. "This motion horrifies me," said board member Carol Murphy of Midvale, pointing out it gives districts a potential of total eight days of closed doors. Go to the website above and finish reading the article.

Thanks for reading the blog. We will drawing for March's gift card winners in Ogden at OEA AR meeting. Good luck. Rick

State Board of Education Allows for Calendar Flexibility

The Utah State Board of Education voted Friday to allow school districts more discretion on how budget cuts are made. They will allow school districts to cut regular school days from the required 180 only after cutting at least 3 Quality Teaching Days first. Vik Arnold, Government Relations Director for UEA, asked the board to make any cuts equitable to all employees. Cutting just Quality Teaching Days will hurt teachers more than other employees. Weber District's Supt. Jacobsen has told WEA that they will try and maintain 6 of the current days while working to preserve steps and lanes. Negotiations have just begun and our challenge is to maintain salary and find ways to pay for the insurance increases. OEA's negotiation team meets with the district Tuesday. Stay Tuned. Thanks for reading the blog. It is good to be back home. Rick