Republican Legislators Threaten to Cut Federal Funds in half

House Republicans did not get the opinion from the Attorney General's office that they were hoping. They had hoped to sue to stop the "jobs bill" money from coming to Utah schools. Carl Wimmer, head of the conservative "Patrick Henry Caucus", said "I don't think enough information has been given to citizens how dangerous and unprecedented this is is. It takes away locally elected representatives' authority, it commandeers the state's legislature, and it nullifies their power and bypasses them by Congress' authority."

Read the entire article at www.deseretnews.com


Now, Republican leaders, Speaker Clark and President Waddoups are threatening to take half of the $101 million back to pay for the budget deficit. The money is earmarked for salary and benefits for classified, licensed and school administrators. Governor Herbert met with Utah Republicans to explain his reasons for applying (Sept. 9 is the deadline) for the Federal jobs money.

It shouldn't amaze me (after 25 years in Utah) to see the hypocricy of legislators. They continually usurp local controls and negotiations while crying about Federal intrusion.

Rick Palmer

Five Utah Schools to Give Pay Boosts

Five public schools will give educators the chance to earn up to $2,000 more this year as part of a pilot program to tie teacher pay to student results.

State lawmakers granted the schools $300,000 to develop the perfomance pay model. The plans reward 40% of the pay based on student achievement, 40% on teacher instruction and 20% on parent satisfaction.

Rep. Greg Hughes, a Draper Republican, says the program is a way for the state to reward teachers who strive for excellence.

The schools chosen for the pilot program are Ashman Elementary in Richfield, Manila Elementary in Pleasant Grove, Midway Elementary in Midway, Canyon Rim Academy in Salt Lake City and Wasatch Peak Academy in North Salt Lake (the last two are charters).

Rick

Utah Education Association Endorses Both Herbert and Corroon

In the race for Utah governor, the Utah Education Association's political action committee (U-PAC) has endorsed both Governor Gary Herbert and Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon. The U-PAC Executive Council which is comprised of educators from every geographic region of the state, made the decision at their August meeting.

Both Corroon and Herbert met with U-PAC representatives in July to outline their education plans. Both asked for and actively sought the Association's endorsement.

"A quality public school for every child is the Association's top priority," said UEA President Sharon Gallagher-Fishbaugh. "Both Governor Herbert and Mayor Corroon have identified public education as a priority in this campaign. In addition, they recognize the important connection between investing in public schools and growing the Utah economy."

Rick Palmer

Some Charters hire for-profit management

In an Elizabeth Stuart, Deseret News article, we read "When Mountainville Academy found a $300,000 hole in its budget last year, administrators called Lincoln Fillmore. When C.S. Lewis Academy had questions about complicated state reports, administrators called Lincoln Fillmore. And when Gateway Preparatory Academy needed a short term loan, administrators called Lincoln Fillmore."

Lincoln Fillmore, a huge part of the Parents for Choice pro-voucher crowd, has a businsess, Charter Solutions, that helps charter schools with accounting, human resources, and other business concerns.

Weber has two new charter schools opening this year. Our district looks to lose over 400 students to these "public" schools. The lines between the public charter schools and these "private management companies" seems blurred at best.

Rick Palmer

Corroon assails "Band-Aid" ed approach

Lisa Riley Roche wrote last week in the Deseret News, "Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon, the Democratic candidate for governor, said Monday the state needs to replace its 'Band-Aid' approach to public education with a long-term plan. In a kindergarten classroom at Dilworth Elementary School, Corroon released his proposal for 'bringing our schools into the 21st century,' the latest in a series of policy papers intended to showcase how he would be a better leader for the state than GOP Gov. Gary Herbert."

Rick

OEA and WEA New Teacher Membership

Both OEA and WEA held successfull starts to their 2010-11 membership campaigns last week with Weber signing over 30 new members at their breakfast at New Teacher orientation at Orion Jr. High and Ogden signing up 20 at the OEA's luncheon at NTO at the District office. We also held Association Rep training to give our reps their membership materials. We are looking forward to a strong membership year as we work hard to our members salary and benefits in negotiations.

Rick

Ogden Standard-Examiner Supports Federal Money coming to teachers

I was happy to see the Standard-Examiner supporting the infusion of Federal money coming to teachers in their editorial this morning. The legislative leaders have made noise that they might try and block or reassign the money to other budget areas. The federal legislation is quite clear in its objective to be used for rehiring teachers who were laid off, supporting salaries and benefits of classified, licensed and school building administrators. We know that Gov. Herbert is completing the application for the money and we hope that the legislature does not mess with the process as they meet in special session to discuss the funding. Please contact your state legislators and tell them to allow the money to flow to the districts to be used as the congress designated. That is the definition of local control.

Rick