You should have received an email legislative update yesterday. The budget will be finalized by next Thursday. Please continue to contact your legislators. Some of them believe the cuts made have not impacted classrooms. Share your personal stories about how the budget cuts are impacting your classroom and your students. Be specific and detailed. Let them know budget reductions have impacted you and your students and how further reductions would hurt.
We are also interested in HB 295 which would allow some flexibility for districts to move capitol money into operations. This bill would help Jordan School Distict and might help Davis as well.
SB 77 continues to haunt us. This bill would impact how Davis School District does business. It would make it more difficult for teachers to sit on the insurance committee and for negotiations to occur during the school day.
Click here to contact your legislators.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
It's Raining - Bring an Umbrella
This late notice came from Kim Campbell this morning, but some may want to stop on the way home today.
There is an impromptu, hostless gathering today in the Rotunda of the Capitol for those people and organizations concerned about cuts to education, higher education and human needs programs encouraging the legislature to use the rainy day funds.
WHEN: Thursday, March 4 at 4:30 p.m.
WHERE: Capitol Rotunda.
Umbrellas of all shapes and sizes are welcome.
There is an impromptu, hostless gathering today in the Rotunda of the Capitol for those people and organizations concerned about cuts to education, higher education and human needs programs encouraging the legislature to use the rainy day funds.
WHEN: Thursday, March 4 at 4:30 p.m.
WHERE: Capitol Rotunda.
Umbrellas of all shapes and sizes are welcome.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
UEA President Kim Campbell - Guest Commentary
This link will take you to a guest commentary Kim Campbell had published in the Standard Examiner last week. I have watched Kim working on her computer while observing legislative committees and floor debate. As a lobbyist, multi-tasking is a vital tool.
http://www.standard.net/topics/opinion/2010/02/25/jordan-school-districts-plight-symptom-bigger-problem
You can get additional information regarding school funding declines at http://www.utahsfuture.org/ and http://www.utahnsforpublicschools.org/.
http://www.standard.net/topics/opinion/2010/02/25/jordan-school-districts-plight-symptom-bigger-problem
You can get additional information regarding school funding declines at http://www.utahsfuture.org/ and http://www.utahnsforpublicschools.org/.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Under the Dome Reaction
The following is a reaction from Denise Fountain Willmore of Bountiful Elementary to her day spent at the legislature last Wednesday.
"I really enjoyed my experience at the State Capital on Wednesday. I now realize the importance of being involved and to express my opinion to the decision makers in the state.
"I had the opportunity to speak with Representative Roger Barrus about the latest retirement bill. He expressed to me that he supports the retirement bill because he feels that the current retirement system is costing the state an enormous amount of money. He believes that the new system would allow new teachers to have more of a choice in regard to how long they stay and would be able to transfer their money when they leave their job. He also expressed wanting to offer teachers a higher salary but retirement would have to be cut in order to do this.
"I expressed to Representative Barrus that I recently moved to Utah from Colorado and was faced with taking a $25,000 reduction in pay. The retirement benefit that Utah offers made the pay cut a little less painful. In addition, if they are going to cut the retirement, when will they be increasing wages for teachers? (There is nothing in legislation at this time that is addressing increasing pay. )
"Overall, I felt like Representative Barrus heard what I had to say. I do not think that it will change his vote but perhaps it will make him aware that teachers do care about their profession. I walked away from my experience realizing the importance of owning my voice and expressing my passion for a profession that I love. The bottom line is the kids that we teach. If we are not able to attract exceptional candidates into the profession of teaching or lose teachers to nearby states that have higher compensation plans, the children in the state of Utah are ultimately the ones who will suffer."
Five more Davis educators are scheduled to attend the next Under the Dome which will be Friday, March 5.
"I really enjoyed my experience at the State Capital on Wednesday. I now realize the importance of being involved and to express my opinion to the decision makers in the state.
"I had the opportunity to speak with Representative Roger Barrus about the latest retirement bill. He expressed to me that he supports the retirement bill because he feels that the current retirement system is costing the state an enormous amount of money. He believes that the new system would allow new teachers to have more of a choice in regard to how long they stay and would be able to transfer their money when they leave their job. He also expressed wanting to offer teachers a higher salary but retirement would have to be cut in order to do this.
"I expressed to Representative Barrus that I recently moved to Utah from Colorado and was faced with taking a $25,000 reduction in pay. The retirement benefit that Utah offers made the pay cut a little less painful. In addition, if they are going to cut the retirement, when will they be increasing wages for teachers? (There is nothing in legislation at this time that is addressing increasing pay. )
"Overall, I felt like Representative Barrus heard what I had to say. I do not think that it will change his vote but perhaps it will make him aware that teachers do care about their profession. I walked away from my experience realizing the importance of owning my voice and expressing my passion for a profession that I love. The bottom line is the kids that we teach. If we are not able to attract exceptional candidates into the profession of teaching or lose teachers to nearby states that have higher compensation plans, the children in the state of Utah are ultimately the ones who will suffer."
Five more Davis educators are scheduled to attend the next Under the Dome which will be Friday, March 5.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Gambling with Schoolchildren's Future
Follow this link to read an opinion piece in The Salt Lake Tribune written by Viewmont High teacher Hollie Barenz.
http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/ci_14477967
http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/ci_14477967
Friday, February 26, 2010
Retirement Information
There is a good summary on UEA Under the Dome. Follow this link:
http://www.utea.org/politicsLegislation/legislativeInformation/index.htm
Members should have also received two emails from Joel with more information.
http://www.utea.org/politicsLegislation/legislativeInformation/index.htm
Members should have also received two emails from Joel with more information.
House Acts on Retirement
Susan, Joel and Pat are sitting in the House chamber watching them vote on the Tier II system as amended six times. It will pass the House and go back to the Senate. Details will be posted here later today.
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