Statewide Online Education Program

SB 65 (Howard Stephenson's bill...surprised?) would create a statewide online education program to allow students to earn high school graduation credit through the completion of online courses. The estimated $2.5 million cost for this program will be borne by the individual school districts.

We oppose because:

• It would divert public education funds away from school districts to private providers with little accountability just as school vouchers would have done.

Nuff said.

Today's "Congrats Fremont High and go Ogden High" Blog Question is: What issue did I discuss yesterday on the blog?

Email me at rick@ogdenweber.org

Thanks Rick

UEA Legislative Issues:State School Board Elections

As the legislative session winds down (thank heaven for small miracles) we need to contact our legislators about some important issues. Today's issue: State Board of Education elections.

• The current process takes away the voice of the people.
• No other elected state official is vetted through a nominating committee appointed by the Governor.
• A direct, no-partisan election would increase accountability to voters and better involve the community in the electoral process.
• A non-partisan election would allow for implementation of good policy, free from party platforms.
• Simplifying nomination and election procedures would increase transparency.
• A recent poll shows Utahns reject the idea of partisan school board elections.

Contact your legislator and inform them of our positions.

Today's "only 9 days left of the session" Blog Contest question is: whose pictures are on the blog?

Email me at rick@ogdenweber.org

Thanks Rick

Educators on the Hill Today

Today we had several Weber Educators on the Hill to lobby their local legistlators. WEA Vice-President Terie Maxfield (Farr West), WEA Board members Glen Larsen (South Jr.), Paul Fawson (Roy High), Building reps Kristin Teller (Green Acres) and Trish Hill (Washington Terrace) and Marianne Allen (Weber High) attended House and Senate Ed committee meetings and Marianne even testified to the committee on a couple of their bills. One bill that changes how teachers teach that the United States is a "republic" not a "democracy" passed with some amendments. Marianne tesitified that we are already doing it and the bill is unecessary. Another bill sponsored by Howard Stephenson would stop the practice of using seniority to dictate reduction in forces in schools.

Today's "when will it quit snowing" Blog Contest question is: What good news did we hear Tuesday that might help funding education?

Email me at rick@ogdenweber.org

Thanks Rick

HB 183 Passes House

Go to www.myuea.org and click on the Under the Dome to read the lobby team's report of yesterdays legislative news. HB 183 passed the house. It takes away the district's ability to pay for released time association leaders. Thanks to Rep. Greenwood who voted against it.

Today's "Wisconsin Badgers" Blog question: Who sponsored HB 183?
Email me at rick@ogdenweber.org

Thanks Rick

Increased Revenues Help

Tuesday's news that tax revenues will come in higher by $47 million for ongoing programs and another $26 for one-time programs was good news, but doesn't completely cover the cuts that the legislature made in their base budget. They are still a ways from the Governor's budget proposal that added $50 million and paid for growth of 14,000 students. We still have three weeks left for the budget decisions to be made. Several teachers will visit the hill Friday for "Educator on the Hill". If you have postcards for your legislators let your Building Reps know so we can get them delivered.

Today's "Wear red for Ed" (Wisconsin solidarity) Blog Question is: What is the Wisconsin governor trying to do to teachers?

Email me at rick@ogdenweber.org

Thanks rick

Food Tax to fund schools?

Lisa Riley Roche writes in today's Salt Lake Tribune (www.sltrib.com): "restoring the sales tax on food is being quietly pushed as an option to ensure there's enough money to fund growth in public education this legislative session."

Today lawmakers will get new revenue numbers that could help reduce the cuts in public education.

Today's "Wear RED in support of Wisconsin teachers" Blog question: What tax is the main revenue source for education in Utah?

Email me at rick@ogdenweber.org

Thanks Rick

Senator to rework bill on bad teachers

You can read in Saturday's Salt Lake Tribune (www.sltrib.com) Lisa Schencker's article about a Republican lawmaker's plan to rework a bill (SB 73) intended to make it easier to fire ineffective teachers after hearing from educators Friday who feared it would unfairly penalize whose who teach in poor areas.

The hearing room was packed with educators (most of whom attended Educator on the Hill) including our own Weber teachers, Jo Egelund (Fremont High), Cynthia Auble (South Ogden Jr.) and Mary Oregon (Washington Terrace Elementary). Several testified along with UEA President Sharon Gallagher-Fishbaugh and UniServ Director Starr Orrullian from Granite Education Association.

The committee decided to hold the bill to allow the sponsor to rework it.

It is an unnecessary bill with severe consequences to teachers in Title One schools or any underperforming schools.

Today's "Long Weekend" Blog Contest Question: Who is the sponsor of SB 73? (Hint: He is also the chair of the Senate Education Committee and Executive Director of the Utah Taxpayer's Association. email me at rick@ogdenweber.org enjoy your President's Day.