Ogden Weber UniServ leaders to meet with Legislators

Tonight our O/W UniServ leaders and PAC members will meet with our local legislators to discuss the agenda of the upcoming legislative session. Our message will be to "Make Quality Public Schools a Priority - Now!"

Our message includes the following points:

• A Quality Public School for Every Child Must be Our Top Priority.
• We Must Renew our Commitment to Adequately Fund Quality Public Schools.
• Investing in Public Schools Grows the Utah Economy.

We will discuss tax changes and funding priorities that have affected our districts.

Rick

Leaders Ok guv's plan for income

Wendy Leonard writes in the the Deseret News this morning: "Utah legislative leaders approved new revenue estimates Tuesday as they began dissecting the governor's budget before voting on it during the upcoming legislative session. Already, some Republican members of the House have said they oppose certain provisions of the proposed $11.9 billion budget Gov. Gary Herbert laid out Friday."

You can read the entire article at www.deseretnews.com

Rick

OEA Negotiations Update

OEA's Negotiation Team, mediator Lynn Trenbeath, and the Ogden District Negotiations Team will meet at 3:30 pm, December 20 to continue discussions. We will discuss non-financial items that have been proposed, but not agreed to, and also financial ideas for how to spend the "Federal Edujobs" money. Ogden is the only district in the state that has not settled negotiations.

Rick

Governor's Budget Proposal to add $63 Million to School Funding

The UEA is encouraged by the $63 million in additonal funding for public education proposed by Utah Governor Gary Herbert in his 2011-12 budget proposal. It includes $50 million for new growth (over 14,000 new students next fall), $7.5 million for extended day kindergarten, $2million to work on instituting the "Common Core Curriculum" and $2.5 million for increased math and literacy instruction. UEA President Gallagher-Fishbaugh said," We appreciate Govenor Herbert's commitment to our public schools...We know that the governor has to strike a balance between the needs of public education and other ongoing funding requirements. He has done just that in his budget proposal."

Rick

Ogden/Weber UniServ Leaders to meet with legislators

Our OEA and WEA leaders and PAC members will be meeting with our legislators next Thursday, Dec. 16 to discuss our goals for the new legislative session.

Rick

Ed Leaders Ok Statement: "We need more money"

Lisa Schencker wrote Saturday,Dec. 4 in the SL Tribune: "State education leaders want lawmakers to find more cash for schools. State Board of Education members voted Friday to approve a statement that says 'future funding for education must increase if we are to meet the demands of a growing number of students...We must find a new revenue without eliminating existing sources.'

Kim Burningham was quoted as saying, "We just need desperately more funding. The funds have been deeply restricted over recent years so that money is not available."

Some ideas for increased funding sources include: freezing the property tax levy (so it does not decrease when property assessed evaluaton increases), reviewing and eliminating sales tax exemptions, fair compensation for public lands and examination of severance taxes on natural resources.

Rick

WEA Building Reps Ratify Agreement

Representatives from a majority of the schools in Weber District voted to ratify the agreement with Weber District. A joint press release will be sent out Tuesday. Contact your building reps for details of the agreement.

OEA Reps met to discuss strategies in negotiations with the district. The district has refused to meet until January. This is not acceptable and is not bargaining in good faith. Jay Blain, UEA's bargaining director was in attendance and spoke to the AR's. There is no good reason for the district to be dragging their feet in finishing up negotiations.

Rick