Up on the Hill Today

I am sitting in the Senate gallery (audience) listening to debate. I attended our regular
Chamber of Commerce caucus with our Weber legislators this morning at 7am. It is a good opportunity to visit with our local representatives. Both Supt. Jacobsen and Zabriskie attend. I also attend a Tuesday Legislative Committee ( Chamber of Commerce) each week. Yesterday the Senate did vote 2nd reading (it has one more vote) to approve SB 48 Buttars Competency Test Bill. That gives us one more chance to visit with our Senators (they all three voted for it) and ask them to vote no on third reading. I also attended House Ed Committee this morning where HB 150 was approved to go the floor. It would change the method of nominating and electing State School Board members. Remember, we lost Dr. Richard Sadler and got Dave Thomas. Hope you have a great Valentines Day and a nice long weekend. We all need the break.

Thanks for reading. Rick

USOE Presents Budget Scenarios to Appropriations Committee

Wednesday afternoon Dr. Patti Harrington, USOE Supt. of Public Instruction, presented budget balancing scenarios to the Public Education Appropriations Subcommitee. This committee will make recommendations to the legislature on how the public ed budget will be funded. Of course our preferred scenario includes using rainy day funds (possible $520 million) and Federal stimulus funds (the bill has passed through the Conference and will head for a vote in the U.S. Senate and House, hopefully reaching the President's desk Monday) possibly as high as $307 million for Higher and Public Ed. Also this scenario could allow districts to use reserves and lift restrictions on capital and maintenance money. All other scenarios would affect personnel and programs.

Go to www.le/state.ut.us to check on legislation and listen to debate in committees.

Thanks Rick

H.B. 315 Local School Governance Amendments

Rep. Sumsion, from Utah County, has a bill HB 315 that would "allow a school to modify the composition, powers, and duties of a school community council." You need to read the bill to really get the magnitude of the proposed changes to your school's community council. Again go to www.le/state.ut.us and search for the bill by number or by Rep. Sumsion's name. Briefly the bill would allow for a council of eight parent members and one teacher member if the parents voted (a majority) for the change. If this vote took place the council could hire the principal and teachers and/or request the transfer of the principal or a teacher. Just a reminder to not use your SCHOOL COMPUTER to send emails to legislators. You can look at bills and call using your cell phone. The bill has not gone to committe yet. We will monitor this bill and give you updates. Don't forget to go "Under the Dome" at the www.utea.org website or click on the Dome in this blog and sign up for updates from UEA.

Thanks for staying tuned. Rick

SB 48 Teacher Competency Test

Be aware that Sen. Chris Buttar's bill SB 48 could be debated on the floor of the senate today. We oppose this bill, because it is unecessary and redundant. It would allow for someone with a degree to teach by just taking a test. Please contact your Senators from your home or cellphone. You can go to the http://www.utea.org/ website or the legisative website www.le/state.ut.us to access emails and phone numbers for your senators. You can also find talking points on the UEA website.

Congrats to the following WEA Blog Contest Winners, Jennie Pollock (Roy Elem), Michael Smith (Rocky Mtn), and Tamara Shaw (Canyon View). They won $25 Chili's gift cards.

We will have a new contest for February. To enter please email rick@ogdenweber.org with the following term in the message "SB 48".

Educators on the Hill

Lee Claycomb (West Haven) and Christine Tea (Mt. Ogden) visited the legislature Friday, Feb. 6. They met with UEA staff and leadership for a quick tutorial in lobbying. They then met with Rep. Neil Hansen (Ogden) who took them into the House chamber and gave them a short experience on the legislative floor. Lee met with Rep. Buttars concerning his bill on licensure (SB 48). Both educators were able to sit in the gallery and listen to debate. During lunch we met with UEA and National Board Certified teachers and discussed our day and important legislation.
It was a good experience and we hope others will take advantage of the opportunity.

Thanks for reading. Rick

UEA Great Celebrations Award Winners

We would like to congratulate Carolyn Hogge, Suzanne Evans and Rebecca Warnes (Valley Elementary) for winning Jazz tickets, dinner and a visit from the Jazz Bear Mascot to their school. UEA Great Celebrations of Education winners were chosen because of their sixth grade Economy which gives their students a personal experience with financial planning, budgeting, banking, gaining employment and creating a mini-society at school. Carolyn , Suzanne and Rebecca are examples of the fine teachers in our districts.

Thanks Rick

2009 Budget Cuts Finalized

Congrats to Sherrie Dame (Polk) and David Joy (Highland), big winners of $25 Subway cards in the January Blog contest. Weber winners will be drawn at WEA's AR meeting Feb. 9.

The legislature quickly passed a package of bills Monday cutting public education by 1.5% for this year. Now they will concentrate on the really tough job of making a budget balance for the 2010 fiscal year. We hope that through more bonding and use of the rainy day fund the cuts will be closer to the Governor's budget (7.5%) than the Republican leadership's projected 15% cuts.

Be on the watch for a Sen. Buttars bill SB 48 which makes it easier for someone to become a teacher. According to his bill, to teach, a person would have to apply to the USOE, pass a criminal background check, have certain education or certification and demonstrate competency in their subject area by passing a test, completing coursework or demonstrating skills, talent and ability.

Thank your school counselor this week for all they do to help.
Thanks Rick