Utah Education Association Endorses Both Herbert and Corroon

In the race for Utah governor, the Utah Education Association's political action committee (U-PAC) has endorsed both Governor Gary Herbert and Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon. The U-PAC Executive Council which is comprised of educators from every geographic region of the state, made the decision at their August meeting.

Both Corroon and Herbert met with U-PAC representatives in July to outline their education plans. Both asked for and actively sought the Association's endorsement.

"A quality public school for every child is the Association's top priority," said UEA President Sharon Gallagher-Fishbaugh. "Both Governor Herbert and Mayor Corroon have identified public education as a priority in this campaign. In addition, they recognize the important connection between investing in public schools and growing the Utah economy."

Rick Palmer

Some Charters hire for-profit management

In an Elizabeth Stuart, Deseret News article, we read "When Mountainville Academy found a $300,000 hole in its budget last year, administrators called Lincoln Fillmore. When C.S. Lewis Academy had questions about complicated state reports, administrators called Lincoln Fillmore. And when Gateway Preparatory Academy needed a short term loan, administrators called Lincoln Fillmore."

Lincoln Fillmore, a huge part of the Parents for Choice pro-voucher crowd, has a businsess, Charter Solutions, that helps charter schools with accounting, human resources, and other business concerns.

Weber has two new charter schools opening this year. Our district looks to lose over 400 students to these "public" schools. The lines between the public charter schools and these "private management companies" seems blurred at best.

Rick Palmer

Corroon assails "Band-Aid" ed approach

Lisa Riley Roche wrote last week in the Deseret News, "Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon, the Democratic candidate for governor, said Monday the state needs to replace its 'Band-Aid' approach to public education with a long-term plan. In a kindergarten classroom at Dilworth Elementary School, Corroon released his proposal for 'bringing our schools into the 21st century,' the latest in a series of policy papers intended to showcase how he would be a better leader for the state than GOP Gov. Gary Herbert."

Rick

OEA and WEA New Teacher Membership

Both OEA and WEA held successfull starts to their 2010-11 membership campaigns last week with Weber signing over 30 new members at their breakfast at New Teacher orientation at Orion Jr. High and Ogden signing up 20 at the OEA's luncheon at NTO at the District office. We also held Association Rep training to give our reps their membership materials. We are looking forward to a strong membership year as we work hard to our members salary and benefits in negotiations.

Rick

Ogden Standard-Examiner Supports Federal Money coming to teachers

I was happy to see the Standard-Examiner supporting the infusion of Federal money coming to teachers in their editorial this morning. The legislative leaders have made noise that they might try and block or reassign the money to other budget areas. The federal legislation is quite clear in its objective to be used for rehiring teachers who were laid off, supporting salaries and benefits of classified, licensed and school building administrators. We know that Gov. Herbert is completing the application for the money and we hope that the legislature does not mess with the process as they meet in special session to discuss the funding. Please contact your state legislators and tell them to allow the money to flow to the districts to be used as the congress designated. That is the definition of local control.

Rick

OEA Negotiation Team meets with District Team and Mediator Tuesday

OEA's team met with the district team and our mediator, Lynn Trenbeath, Tuesday for a couple of hours to look at defining the issues, listing our interests and brainstorming options for settlement. We did not schedule another meeting with the idea that the new "jobs bill" money coming from the Feds will help. We have to wait until the legislature meets in special session to allocate the money. We hope they don't screw it up too much.

WEA's team postponed their mediation meetings for the same reasons as above. We are waiting for more info on the fed money.

Stay tuned.

Rick

Federal Aid Perturbs Lawmakers

Last week the legisature met in interim meetings and discussed the "jobs bill" money coming to state public schools. They complained that this is "encroaching on the state's rights". It shouldn't surprise anyone that some of those leading the outcry against accepting the money are Senator Jenkins and Speaker Clark. Of course, the Patrick Henry Caucus (how many times can they deface a true patriot) is crying foul. Hell0oooo....our budgets are bleeding red ink and we need a band aid or a tourniquet even. Please call or email your legislators and say leave our money alone. For Weber and Ogden Districts it could mean $5.6 and $2 million dollars for employee salaries and benefits. We are at impasse in negotiations and anything would help reach agreement. Tell the legislators to "butt out" and allow the Governor (who has said he will apply for the money) to do his job and get some much-needed money into our schools.

rick