Governor's Budget Proposal to add $63 Million to School Funding

The UEA is encouraged by the $63 million in additonal funding for public education proposed by Utah Governor Gary Herbert in his 2011-12 budget proposal. It includes $50 million for new growth (over 14,000 new students next fall), $7.5 million for extended day kindergarten, $2million to work on instituting the "Common Core Curriculum" and $2.5 million for increased math and literacy instruction. UEA President Gallagher-Fishbaugh said," We appreciate Govenor Herbert's commitment to our public schools...We know that the governor has to strike a balance between the needs of public education and other ongoing funding requirements. He has done just that in his budget proposal."

Rick

Ogden/Weber UniServ Leaders to meet with legislators

Our OEA and WEA leaders and PAC members will be meeting with our legislators next Thursday, Dec. 16 to discuss our goals for the new legislative session.

Rick

Ed Leaders Ok Statement: "We need more money"

Lisa Schencker wrote Saturday,Dec. 4 in the SL Tribune: "State education leaders want lawmakers to find more cash for schools. State Board of Education members voted Friday to approve a statement that says 'future funding for education must increase if we are to meet the demands of a growing number of students...We must find a new revenue without eliminating existing sources.'

Kim Burningham was quoted as saying, "We just need desperately more funding. The funds have been deeply restricted over recent years so that money is not available."

Some ideas for increased funding sources include: freezing the property tax levy (so it does not decrease when property assessed evaluaton increases), reviewing and eliminating sales tax exemptions, fair compensation for public lands and examination of severance taxes on natural resources.

Rick

WEA Building Reps Ratify Agreement

Representatives from a majority of the schools in Weber District voted to ratify the agreement with Weber District. A joint press release will be sent out Tuesday. Contact your building reps for details of the agreement.

OEA Reps met to discuss strategies in negotiations with the district. The district has refused to meet until January. This is not acceptable and is not bargaining in good faith. Jay Blain, UEA's bargaining director was in attendance and spoke to the AR's. There is no good reason for the district to be dragging their feet in finishing up negotiations.

Rick

Weber Education Association Negotiations Ratification

The WEA negotiations team will present the tentative agreement to members and building representatives, Monday, 4:15 pm at Two Rivers High on 12th street in Ogden. We will present the proposals that were tentatively agreed to last Thursday at our meeting with the district team and our mediator, Lynn Trenbeath. The agreement must also be approved by the school board. We will discuss new contract language and a financial agreement.

Rick

School Board to discuss grading Utah Schools

Read today at www.sltrib.com Lisa Schencker's article about the Utah State Board of Education's consideration of a new rule Friday (today) to grade school based on their performance.

Rick

NEA Student Program Conference

I am attending an NEA Student Program Organizer meeting in Miami this week. Organizers (I am filling in for our Student Organizer, Carol Cremer, who is retiring) from around the country are meeting here to talk about their programs and learn new and innovative ways of strengthening their state chapters. Utah does not have organized chapters (as of yet), but we have members all over the state. At Weber State we have an organized Future Educators Professional chapter with Stephanie Heath as our advisor. She (along with Suzy Davis, OHS) run our FEA chapter conferences and other programs throughout the year. We hope to organize a chapter at WSU for the student program soon. Our relationship continues to grow with WSU