USA Today: Free Speech for students

Tuesday, July 20th edition of USA Today has an interesting editorial (Ken Paulson) on free speech in public schools. I suggest you go to www.usatoday.com and read the entire article in the "Forum" section. He argues that students have some rights to criticize public administrators and teachers on social networks.

Have a nice Pioneer holiday.

Rick

OEA Negotiations Update

We are waiting on the district to respond to our last meeting (three weeks ago) and the latest news is that the district team has met with the board leadership and Supt. Zabriskie and does not have anything for us at this time. Our next meeting has not been scheduled, but it is looking like August before we can meet.

Rick

Districts Give Steps in Negotiations

Out of the 21 districts that have settled or are close to settling negotiations, 20 have received their contractual increment steps. Only Provo District did not receive steps and took a one time bonus. Some districts like Davis and Canyons are taking furlough days (days without pay) to pay for steps.

In Weber District, over 60 percent of our teachers are eligible for a step increment. They range from a low of $408 to a high of $1871. These increments are important to long term earnings and must be preserved to keep the integrity of the salary schedule. The three days of Quality Teaching pay is also a large salary issue. Three days of salary range from a low of $555 on Lane One, Step One to a high of $1002 at the top of the salary schedule.

As we start mediation next Monday, July 26, our goal is to work to preserve the step increments.

Rick

Education Spending in Utah

The Census Bureau reported that Utah ranked dead last in spending per student. Utah spends $5,765 per student while Idaho, second to last, spends $6,931 per student. Nationally, schools spent, on average, $10,259 per student. That is almost twice what Utah spends.

Sen. Curtis Bramble (no friend to public education) chose to highlight the fact that the Census Bureau also reported that Utah is 10th in the nation in the percent of how much state and local governments spend on education. (33.6%). He stated (with a straight face I am sure) that "It demonstrates that Utah has a high level of commitment to education." He also smirked (I wasn't there, but he smirks a lot) "All in all, I know that my colleagues in the state Legislature place a very high priority on educating our children." I guess he meant, educating them in charter, home schools and private schools. He failed to add that.

I apologize for my scepticism, but please...The legislature continues to pat themselves on their collective backs about "holding public education harmless"... a lie...last year, while our two districts are refusing to pay contractual step increments to their employees because the cuts in the legislative funding...huh???

See my problem?

Rick

Project Launch-Weber State University-Future Educators

For five days incoming WSU students, interested in teaching, will attend Project Launch on campus at Weber State University. Stephanie Heath, College of Ed recruiter and Future Education Association-WSU advisor, has organized activities, trainings and opportunities for several new WSU students to learn more about the career of teaching. Students who have participated in the Teachers for Tomorrow program in Davis, Weber and Ogden school districts will staying on campus and rubbing shoulders with professors and other college personnel. Many of these students received scholarships to attend WSU after attending concurrent enrollment ED 1010 classes last year.

Our association has contributed greatly to the activities of the local FEA chapters. Our advisors, Suzy Davis (OHS), Tammy Brown-Johansen and Mindy Knowles (BLHS) and Joan Iverson (Bonneville High) do a great job with our students.

Rick

WEA negotiations team to meet with mediator

The WEA Negotiations team is scheduled to meet with the mediator, Lynn Trenbeath, July 26th to start the mediation process. Lynn has already met with the district team. We will come together again in August.

Rick

Weber Negotiations Update-July 13

The WEA Negotiations team will be meeting with the mediator, Lynn Trenbreath, next week to start the mediation process. Lynn met with the Weber School District Team yesterday and we will schedule a time to meet with her next week. WEA declared impasse in negotiations and according to the state law we must go to mediation. We will keep you updated as we get more information.

Rick