Teacher Voices

Jennifer Baker from Sunset Junior High has written an opinion piece for the Deseret News. Click here to read the article.

By Any Measure, Utah Teachers Underpaid

A new Utah Foundation study finds that the salaries of Utah public school teachers are not at the bottom among neighboring states. That's good news. Because Utah is often alone in the cellar when it comes to the states' investment in education.

However, the researchers would have done well to make broader comparisons in order to paint a complete picture.

Click to read the complete editorial in the Tribune.

DEA PAC Committee Member Speaks Out in the Deseret News

In short, our public education system and our neighborhood public schools are part of the foundation of our republic and society. Anything that will weaken our schools will weaken us as a people.

Read Richard Heath's Letter - Click Here

Who Supports the Middle Class?

For several decades, it has been fashionable and politically correct to bash labor unions. Whereas they comprise such a small part of the population and spend so much less than business on political campaigns, most people have a very unbalanced view.

To read the guest commentary in the Standard Examiner, Click Here.

School Board Support

The Davis School Board voted 6-1 to restore 2 school days and to reduce class sizes in grades K-3. This move supports the agreement negotiated last spring.

Read the Deseret News article -Click Here

Deseret News Posts DEA President's Column

Educators are doing more with less. Some have been asked to empty their trash each day because the custodial staff has been significantly reduced. Many teachers are coming early and staying later to prepare instruction - outside of contract time.

Read the Voices column written by Don Paver.

Who's to Blame?

Rep. Steve Handy, R-Layton, said he received an email from a constituent who said legislators will be blamed for the tax increase.

"I'm here to take my share of the blame," Handy said. "We do not fund adequately public education in this state."

Handy said he "reluctantly supports" the tax increase, but will work during the next legislative session to better fund education.

Read the article in the Ogden Standard Examiner about the hearing last Thursday.