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Davis Teachers Join Protest in Support of OEA

Wearing red T-shirts and waving black-and-white signs, an estimated 800 people rallied in Ogden's Liberty Park on Thursday to protest the city school district's decision to not negotiate a contract with its teachers union.

Those joining the crowd were not just members of the Ogden Education Association (OEA). Standing alongside Ogden teachers were educators from Washington County to Logan and a range of union members, including teamsters, machinists, federal government employees, plumbers and the AFL-CIO. They rallied around a common cry: Preserve collective-bargaining rights.

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Davis Educators Encouraged to Support Ogden Teachers

UEA is encouraging teachers from throughout the state to attend a rally to show support for Ogden Teachers on July 14 at 10:00 a.m. at Ogden's Liberty Park. Please watch this page and the UEA page along with your email for further information.

Click Here to Read Salt Lake Tribune Coverage

Ogden Teachers Told Take-It-Or-Leave-It

Jay Blain, spokesman for the Utah Education Association, said his office is disappointed by the Ogden School Board's decision.

"It's unfortunate they are not collaborating with the association to work together for the best outcome for students and teachers in the district," he said. "Across the state, we see the vast majority of districts working collaboratively with teachers' associations.

"We are saddened by the turn of events in Ogden. In any employment environment where workers don't feel respected, there's going to be difficulty. They always say they want to attract and retain more teachers, and Ogden will find doing that more difficult with this kind of action."

Read the Article from the Ogden Standard Examiner

Utah's Education Funding Decline Called Unprecedented - Updated

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Read SL Tribune Opinion from July 3

Read the Utah Foundation Report

Utah School Districts Pinching Pennies

For the second year in a row, Davis is asking taxpayers to pitch in more for schools. Davis faced $18.7 million in additional expenses this year, including $3 million to restore two school days that were cut last year on a one-time basis to save money. But it is one of the school districts that is receiving more - not less - in state funds. It will get a $3 million boost from the state.

Still, to cover those rising costs, including scheduled raises for employees and 900 new students, Davis is asking taxpayers for an additional $8.5 million - that's $64 a year for a $200,000 home. The tax increase also includes $2.5 million to reduce average class sizes in kindergarten through third grade by one student.

Read More in The Salt Lake Tribune

Board Honors Susan Firmage

At the Davis School Board Meeting on June 21, Board President Marion Story speaks for the board in recognizing Susan Firmage for her years of service to the Davis Education Association and the Davis School District while Assistant Superintendents Craig Poll and Pam Park, who worked closely with Susan, stood by to show their support.