All-day classes improve scores

Read Sara Lenz's article on the benefits of full-day kindergarten at www.deseretnews.com

Of course, you will also read Gayle Ruzinka's (Eagle Forum) criticism: "It seems more and more they try push little children out of the home sooner. I believe a child does better if they can stay at home with their mother or father and prepare for all-day in first grade". Duh, yes Gayle in a perfect world that would be great...but we have lots of our little kiddies coming unprepared for school because they don't come from the greatest homes that some of us were blessed with...get real Gayle.
Rick

Ogden Fact-Finding Begins

OEA's negotiation team met with our Hearing Officer, Michael Zimmerman last evening to answer questions and give him more information on our position. Michael Zimmerman is the past Chief Justice of the Utah Supreme Court and was appointed by State School Supt. Larry Shumway to serve as hearing officer for our fact-finding. We delivered our information to him last week and had a conference call to answer questions Monday afternoon in preparation for our first face-to-face meeting. We will continue to update you as new information comes to us.

Thanks for your patience in this long process.

Oh and it is time for negotiations to start for this year. WEA will begin their negotiations process next week.

Thanks Rick

Congrats to Blog Contest Winners

Congrats to Lynette Grow (West Haven), Glen Larsen (South Ogden), Marty Chen (Uintah) and Christy Olsen (Roy Elem) for winning gift cards in this year's final blog contest...thanks again for the tens and tens of people who enjoy my blogging.

Go to www.myuea.org to "Under the Dome" for a good summary of this year's legislative sesssion.
Rick

WEA Blog Contest Ends Today

We will be drawing for gift cards today in WEA AR meeting. Good luck to all my loyal readers.
Today's final WEA Blog Contest Question is: Who does BYU play in the first round of March Madness? (hint: the college is in Spartanburg, South Carolina)
Email me at rick@ogdenweber.org

Thanks Rick

Good news...bad news...

Would you like the good news or bad news first??? Let's start with good news...there is less to talk about. You can go to www.deseretnews.com for a summary.

Good news (with scepticism)

• The legislative session is over...no more damage to teachers (maybe)
• The budget funded growth in education. (that is if costs of everything don't continue to rise)
• The budget funded 2.2% more in education. (why don't I believe it)
• Sen. Chris Buttars retired...(yes, I did see the zombie movie where they come back to life)

Bad news (do I have room on this blog for everything?...no)

• Seniority taken away as a way to reduce staff...older doesn't mean better eh?
• Teacher Association leaders denied time for association business...anyone want to volunteer to spend countless hours representing teachers?
• Guns near schools...makes us all safer...huh?
• Private online schools receiving public money...does not compute!!!
• Legislative transparency diminished...Gayle Ruzinka texting me sweet nothings.
• Grading schools based on test scores...oh yeah only 80% are A and B schools.
• More charters, more charters, more charters...yeah
• Teaching that we are a "compound republic"...huh?

Today's WEA Blog Question: Who did BYU beat yesterday? (Hint: Horned Frogs)

Email me at rick@ogdenweber.org

Thanks Rick

WEA Blog Contest Question

WEA Blog Contest Question: What ends today??? Thank heavens...

Email me at rick@ogdenweber.org

Thanks Rick

Education funding projections positive

I am always reluctant to celebrate too early when discussing appropriations. Until the dust settles Thursday evening we won't know for sure, but it looks brighter than previous years. There are some things that bother me still...putting money in the WPU is good, but taking it from line items that help pay for lanes and steps is not good. Especially after the two years Ogden has fought for steps and Weber's fight for steps this year. Why give the districts any reason to cry poverty when it comes to the salary schedule. Yes, they are saying growth will be funded for the first time in three years. Again, cautious optimism may be the best we can hope for this year.

WEA Blog contest ends Monday, March 14...today's "snow melt question" is: What is my favorite pastime...besides helping teachers in need.. email me at rick@ogdenweber.org

Thanks Rick