— A Statement By UEA President Phyllis Sorensen —

"Robert F. Kennedy once said: "Each time a man stands up for an ideal or acts to improve the lot of others or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope . . ." Today, we are asking members of the Utah Education Association to once again stand up for their students and for the future of public education.

The UEA Board of Directors is calling on educators throughout Utah to participate in a one-day statewide job action on Tuesday, December 5, 2000. The Board has called for this action to emphasize the need for a visionary plan for long-term educational funding in the State of Utah.

Members will use this day to inform the public about the critical needs of Utah's students. We will use the day to do what we do best — educate. We will educate the public about the importance of long-term funding. We will activate our members to go into neighborhoods and share stories about their classroom needs. It is our hope that the message we send results in greater public awareness of the need for a long-term funding plan. The UEA Board encourages parents and community members to support teachers in this action. In addition, parents and community members are encouraged to contact their legislators and ask them to support a long-term plan for the state's school children.

As always, our greatest concern is for the safety of our students. Last spring, we told parents and school officials that we would give proper notification when and if a job action was called. We are giving five days advance notice. We have also asked our local education association presidents to call their superintendents and inform them that a job action is being taken.

UEA Responds to Final Report from Funding of Public Education Task Force On Tuesday, November 28, the Funding of Public Education Task Force made five proposals to deal with education funding. Although the Task Force made some progress, the concept of a long-term vision for education was never fully developed. For example: The Task Force increased the Capital Outlay Foundation Program by $10 million. While the intent is to provide additional funds to help school districts with building needs, not all districts would benefit. We are tinkering around the edges. $10 million doesn't begin to address the needs.

We appreciate the Task Force's recommendation to provide $30.6 million for new textbooks for students. Still, this is a one-time infusion of money and there is no plan for the future.

UEA Talks About the Need for A Long-Term Plan

Let me talk about why we need a long-term plan. First, we can expect 100,000 new students in our schools by the year 2010. Second, the cost of textbooks is rising at an incredible rate. The average cost of a textbook for a junior high student is $112. If we have $30.6 million in current textbook needs now, just think what we will need to deal with 100,000 new students. Third, All of our new students will need classroom space — that's 4,000 new classrooms, or 172 new schools. Finally, 4,000 new teachers will be needed to teach these 100,000 new students. One-third of our current teachers will retire within 10 years, meaning even more teachers will be needed. Professionally competitive salaries are needed to recruit and retain quality teachers.

We have no long-term plan to deal with these issues.

We recognize that some progress was made by the Task Force, but our members asked for a long-term plan. We expected great strides, not just initial, small steps.

Teachers Are Frustrated

The bottom line is that teachers are frustrated. They don't feel they have been heard or taken seriously. They want a job action because they want people to listen and pay attention to a message that impacts all of our children — Utah students deserve a long-term plan.

We know a long-term plan is possible. The governor and Legislature made a plan for roads and to support the Olympics. All it takes is a commitment. With few exceptions, this year every legislative candidate in the state made public education their number one priority. Now is the time for them to make their election day promises a reality. Utah students deserve their support.

I appreciate the courage and commitment of our members. This message is for all of them: No matter where you are in the state, we ask you to join us for this job action and stand united in sending a message that long-term funding for schools must be a priority — now. Like Robert F. Kennedy said, we will be standing up for an ideal we all believe in and working to improve the lot of our students."