Published: September 1, 2023
After fulfilling statutory education funding requirements (fully fund student enrollment growth and the WPU inflation adjustment in the base budget and fully fund the education working rainy day fund to support long-term education economic stabilization), the Utah Education Association urges the 2024 Utah legislature to address the following funding priorities:
- Provide at least an 8% increase on the WPU above the inflation adjustment and enrollment growth (est. $344 million). Prioritizing the WPU allows maximum local flexibility to address ever-increasing demands, such as attracting and retaining quality educators and support staff.
- Fund and increase Paid Professional Hours (2022 HB396) for all licensed educators to enhance collaboration and preparation time ($100 million one-time).
- Create a program for education preparation program students to provide financial support during their student teaching experience ($12 million one-time).
- Fund a program to assist educators in paying for advanced degrees to enhance professional skills and support educator retention ($3 million one-time).
- Support a Healthy School Meals initiative that allows more families to qualify for access to no-cost school meals ($3 million ongoing).
- Ensure no additional funding for any voucher program since they lack full taxpayer accountability, demonstrated student effectiveness and comparable oversight to public schools.
- Establish a tax system that delivers sustainable and growing long-term revenue and continues the momentum in K-12 public education funding progress.
- Funding for safe schools, including earthquake safety, physical health and safety, and student and educator mental health.
- Use the Flexible Allocation line item for more significant funding flexibility.
