May 5, 2000
Lawmakers gave Utah schools a big shot in the arm in the form of millions of dollars, but now teachers..especially in the Jordan School District..are a little nervous.
As it turns out they may not see much of that money in the way of a pay increase. News Specialist Jill Atwood reports.
Let's just say teachers in this district aren't holding their breath. It looks like a lot of the money will go towards paying for their rising health insurance, and district programs.
When the legislature granted $87-million additional dollars to Utah schools, teachers rallied claiming victory on Capitol Hill.
Now, this summer the individual districts are charged with allocating where that money will go exactly within their districts.
Laura Black with The Jordan Education Association says unfortunatley the Jordan District is underfunded, and there are a long list of needs taking priority over salaries.
Laura Black/Jordan Education Assoc.: "WE HAVE TO DISCUSS HOW WE ARE GOING TO SPEND MONEY TO SURE-UP OUR INSURANCE PROGRAM, PAY FOR LANE CHANGE INCREMENTS, AND WHAT'S LEFT WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO TO SALARIES."
However, negotiations between the JEA and the district are far from over.
There are many more meetings set between the two sides throughout the summer. A final decision may not come until as late as September.
