National ed standards coming?

"Governors and education leaders on Wednesday proposed sweeping new school standards that could lead to students across the country using the same math and English textbooks and taking the same tests, replacing a patchwork of state and local systems in an attempt to raise student achievement nationwide." Read the entire article at www.deseretnews.com

Rick

"Schools deal reached" SL Tribune

Go to www.sltrib.com and read the article about the budget cuts for schools. Don't forget the part about no new funding for the 11,000 students coming into our schools next fall. That is a huge amount of money that won't be there. Rick

Congratulations to Lynette Grow-Weber "I Love Teaching Award"

Weber School Board honored one of our very finest teachers last Wednesday night. Lynette Grow, third grade teacher at West Haven Elementary, was presented the "I Love Teaching" award. I really think the award was named for Lynette. I have know Lynette for more years than either of us would say and since moving into my position, I have had the opportunity to be in Lynette's class often. A former student and his mom gave Lynette a wonderful compliment to her caring, compassionate, teaching style. Lynette has served WEA for many years and we enjoy her contributions to our AR meetings. She is an expert in many areas. Congrats, Lynette, you are the best.

Rick

Attend Your Caucus Meetings-March 23

Attending your neighborhood caucus translates into the most important two or three hours you can spend in affecting the political process. Find out where your caucus is located and go, take friends and family and get elected to be a county delegate or a state delegate. The conventions can often be the only real race. The locations for the Democratic meetings is on their web page. Look for the Republicans to finish their list soon. Any one looking to run for an office will have a small window of opportunity to file with the county.

Rick

Only one more week of the legislature...thank heavens

Why is it that I am always relieved when the legislature finally ends? Could it be that we spend so much effort fighting off bad bills that we are just glad to see them go home where they can only bother their families and neighbors. I am always amazed at how much damage 104 people (yes, I am throwing the Democrats in with our good friends the Republicans) can do to public education in only 45 days. Yes, misery loves company, but I would not want to be a teacher in Jordan right now. That volcano is ready to erupt...Bingham High teachers are boiling and the pot could boil over to other schools. Whenever I whine about my job...often lately...I am shocked back to reality when I look how bad it is in other states, districts, and (let's face it) Haiti and Chile. Okay, I got it off my chest...I feel a little better thinking of other people's problems.

Rick

Republican Senators Back School Funding Cut

The Deseret News reported that the Senate Republican Caucus voted to support a $1 increase in cigarette taxes and a 21 Million Dollar cut in public education to pay for other state needs. This would be on top of the lack of funding for the new 11,000 students who will be entering our schools in the fall. A large portion of the 21,000,000 will go to Higher Ed.

SB 77, another anti-UEA bill that would restrict association leave is in the House of Representatives and we need you to email your representative and tell them to vote no. The Supt.'s association and School Boards oppose this bill and see it as a "local control" issue.

Thanks Rick

Legislative Headlines

Go to www.deseretnews.com to read more about these topics:

• Two bills aim to give districts financial relief (Amy Stewart)
• House raises cigarette tax $1 ( Bob Bernick and Lisa Riley Roche)
• Jordan Teachers Mulling a Walkout (Amy Stewart)

Other legislative news: SB 77 passed out of the Senate (would restrict the ability of the association to give paid leave) and Karen Morgan's Reading bill moved out of the senate (retention of students who do not make reading progress)

This next two weeks will determine where we are on budget cuts.

Plan on attending your neighborhood caucus on March 23.

Rick