Neighborhood Caucus Meetings Tuesday, March 23, 7:00 PM

Just a reminder to attend your neighborhood political caucus meetings next Tuesday night at 7pm, March 23. Check the Standard-Examiner for the locations. You can access the Weber Republican locations online at www.wcrgop.org and the Weber Democratic locations at www.weberdemocrats.org

It is important to take your family and neighbors to these meetings and elect education friendly delegates to the state and county conventions.

Thanks Rick

Education was not held "harmless" by the Legislature

I am fatigued at the never-ending self-congratulation our legislators continue to give themselves ( redundancy noted) by saying that public ed was only cut .6% and the classrooms will be unaffected. Memo to the legislators: You forgot to come up with tax dollars for 11,000 new students that will be registering this fall. What are we supposed to tell the parents? Keep them home, we can't find space or supplies for them? I think not...they will be there in your classrooms...and there will be more of them than last year. Will we have money to give teachers a raise or even hire enough teachers to keep our class sizes somewhat manageable? We can't sink any further down the list of states in class size...we are dead last...we are 51st and there are only 50 states...yes D.C. counts. So next time you read that education was held harmless and you have to look for more desks for those two or three more students checking in...thank your legislator.

Rick

Legislative Summary Continued....

Go to www.utea.org/politics to read UEA's summary of the legislative session.

Thanks Rick

Utah Legislature Ends...it is safe to let your kids go out and play again

At the witching hour of midnight the legislative session closed up shop... Here is a brief summary:

• About $200 Million of the Rainy Day fund was used to help close the budget gap
• The tobacco tax was raised by $1.
• Public Schools will see a $10 Million decrease in spending.
• 11,000 new public ed students were not funded
• In reality, public schools will see about a 5% cut
• Current employees' retirement was not changed
• Changes to future employees (after July 1, 2011) were made
• Anyone retiring and looking to be rehired must wait a full year if they want to receive their pension and salary.

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