Future Educators Meet at WSU

Over 150 students from as far away as Provo, are meeting today at Weber State University for breakout sessions and competitions with the Future Education Association as the sponsor. Students from Weber Ed 1010 FEA Chapter (Joan Iverson, advisor), OHS FEA Chapter (Suzy Davis, advisor) , and BLHS FEA Chapter (Mindy Knowles and Tammy Johansen-Brown, advisors) are attending. The students will gain some insight into the teaching career, while their advisors receive training also. I helped judge "Impromptu Speeches" in the competitions that were held.

Stephanie Heath, WSU College of Ed, organized the day. WSU also has a FEA chapter on campus.

Rick

Future Educators Meet at

Jordan School District Looks at more Budget Cuts

Jordan District is looking at a possible $29 million shortfall and is announcing possible budget cuts for the 2010-11 budget.

The following ideas are on the table:

• a permanent 2% pay cut for all employees
• a three day furlough
• bumping up class sizes by four students
• the elimination of programs and services

None of the districts will know their funding until after the Legislative sesssion. Lawmakers have told districts to expect anywhere from a 3 to 7 % cut next year.

Rick

Legislature Committee Looks at extending Provisional Years

A legislative committee passed a bill that would extend provisional years from three to five. We oppose this extension because it will cost more in mentoring and administrators will have to extend the evaluations out two more years. Administrators can determine whether a teacher can make it after a couple of years of evaluations.

Blog Contest

For November and December I would like you to email me (rick@ogdenweber.org) and let me know if you like the Link Newsletter sent to you by email and posted on the website (www.ogdenweber.org) or would you rather receive a paper copy. Your email entry will go into our drawing for gift cards at the January AR meetings.

Thanks Rick

Lawmaker warns of budget shortfall-Deseret News

"Things look pretty bleak," says Sen. Lyle Hillyard in today's Bob Bernick article.(http://www.deseretnews.com/)

New tax-revenue numbers will be released, along with Gov. Herbert's budget, in December.
Legislators had planned on a $850 million deficit, but it could be worse.

Districts and State Increase Teacher Codes of Conduct

Read Amy Stewart's front page story, "Are Students Safe from Predators?" at www.deseretnews.com

Both Weber and Ogden Districts are looking at beefing up the "Code of Conduct", while implementing the state's new "self-reporting" rules and background checks and fingerprinting for relicensure.

Don't be surprised if the the legislature also tackles this issue.

One instance of inappropriate behavior with students is too many, but the percentage of cases compared to the thousands of teachers and student relationships that are not inappropriate is small. Teachers are held to a high standard of trust. Any breach of that trust will reach the headlines of the newspapers and lead on the nightly news.

One new story gives the newspapers the opportunity to revisit all other past stories and gives the impression of some sort of trend. It is our hope that all teachers will continue to maintain professional relationships with their students.

Rick