Legislation of Note in the 2011 Legislative Session

HB 75: Dangerous Weapons Amendments eliminates the 1,000-foot restricted perimeter around a school zone for carrying a weapon. Passed. Opposed by the UEA
HB 92: Public Education Regional Service Centers gives school district regional service centers legal standing. Passed. Supported by the UEA
HB 98: Capital Outlay Funding Modifications allows a local school board of a school district with an enrollment of fewer than 2,500 students to use the proceeds of a capital outlay levy for certain maintenance and operations functions. Passed. Supported by the UEA
HB 110: Teacher Salary Supplement Program Amendments allows teachers who have the qualifications, but not the degree to apply for math and science incentive pay. Passed. Supported by the UEA
HB 111: Full-day Kindergarten would have allowed funding for two half-day kindergartens, but prohibit funding for full-time kindergarten. Did not pass. Opposed by the UEA
HB 123: K-12 Education Amendments would have dramatically modified how education money is distributed to school districts and charter schools. To study during interim. Opposed by the UEA.

More tomorrow.
Rick

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