Nov. 30, 2000-- Utah teachers are asked to stage a one-day walkout next Tuesday, December 5th, to send a message to the Utah Legislature. It's still unclear exactly how many of the state's 41 school districts will participate in the job action.
The Utah Education Association scheduled the so-called "job action" to protest what the UEA says is the lack of a state plan for long-term school funding.
UEA President Phyllis Sorensen says one day is enough to send the message teachers want to send.
And on Capitol Hill, the message has been received loud and clear, although the response may not be what teachers wanted.
Rep. Kevin Garn/Majority Leader: "IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S NEVER ENOUGH FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION. AND THAT'S DISCOURAGING TO A LOT OF LAWMAKERS."
The lawmaker leading the quest for long term education funding admits he's frustrated over the teacher walkout.
Sorensen is not fased, however. She says this gesture is crucial.
Phyllis Sorensen/UEA President: "THIS IS NOT JUST ABOUT TEACHERS. THIS IS ABOUT STUDENTS. THIS IS ABOUT LONG TERM PLANS OF EXCELLENCE INTO THE FUTURE."
Sorensen says most UEA members--about 20,000 teachers--will take part in the walkout next Tuesday.
She's careful to call the walkout a "job action," not a "strike."
But there is a question about how many teachers will actually take part. Granite School District will not participate in the walkout.
Among some educators, there is a feeling lawmakers are doing all they can to help public education.
Five bills designed to boost education funding were unveiled today and will be considered in the upcoming legislative session.
Those include two bills that could make it easier for local districts to raise taxes.
One that's a direct funding proposal for textbooks.
Another that could increase money for new schools.
And another that would increase fees for accepting out of state hazardous waste.
Lawmakers could also use a projected surplus--about $500-million to boost public education if they wish.
But the sticking point is a long-term solution. And that could ultimatly mean a tax increase.
Rep. Lloyd Frandsen/(R) Salt Lake County: "SOME KIND OF A TAX ENHANCEMENT IS THE ANSWER. IT'S NOT A PLEASANT THING TO DEAL WITH. BUT ON THE OTHER HAND, IT'S A WISE INVESTMENT."
A KSL-Deseret News, Dan Jones poll from September indicated at that time that 68 percent of those responding supported some kind of tax increase to improve education.
Legislative leaders say they will not support a tax increase this year. And they say if that's what the UEA is asking for, it can forget it.
Teacher Response
Teachers may be unified in their message of more education funding, but not about the walkout.
In Granite District, the state's second largest, teachers will stay in the classroom next Tuesday.
They say they already held a walkout at the end of last year's legislative session.
Their colleagues across the state didn't follow suit.
So now, Granite Teachers say they'll support the UEA's message, but not their methods.
Pat Arakaki/Granite Education Assocation: "AND SO WE'VE MADE OUR STATEMENT AND WE FEEL IT'S OUR TIME TO STAY IN SCHOOL."
Steven Rossi/Granite Teacher: "I FEEL LIKE THE U.E.A. IS KIND OF WORKING AGAINST US IN THIS MATTER."
In other districts teachers are firmly behind the walkout.
Wendy Bromley/Jordan Education Assoc.: "THE SENTIMENT IS OVERWHELMINGLY IN THE MAJORITY THAT THIS IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO."
But for now there's talk of dissent not only in Granite, but in Alpine, Sevier and in Duchesne.
We'll keep parents posted on what to expect next Tuesday.
Utah Education Information
- Utah has the highest average class sizes and spends
less per pupil than any other state in the nation.
- Utah
taxpayers pay more of their taxes toward
education than all but two states.
-
Last year, teachers threatened to strike unless
education funding was increased dramatically.
Legislators responded with a 7.4 percent increase in
overall education funding.
