Nineteen teachers volunteered to become 2020 UEA Policy Ambassadors. These teachers received training from the UEA Legislative Team and have agreed to participate in UEA Educator Day on the Hill, engage with their legislators and share their experiences with UEA members. Here is a new submission…
Show Up and Speak Out
Submitted by UEA Policy Ambassador Alexis Redford, outreach teacher for the blind working in Canyons School District
Educator Day on the Hill is a whirlwind of suspense and excitement. Teachers from all across the state gather to meet their senators and representatives to advocate for teacher and student needs. What better person to explain such needs than teachers? While it can be uncomfortable to lobby for your needs and share your story, it is important to bridge the gap between teachers and legislators.
We can’t expect change to happen in our classrooms if we don’t show up and speak out. We know what we need and what would help make a difference better than anyone. Our presence on the hill, sharing our stories and advocating for what we need has a greater impact than we think…
Appropriations subcommittee proposes 4% WPU increase – February 11, 2020
Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee (reported by Jay Blain): Subcommittee co-chair Sen. Lyle Hillyard told the committee that they are currently recommending a 4% increase in the Weighted Pupil Unit (WPU). That may change depending on how much money is available after all the requests, he said. The subcommittee continued to hear reports and budget requests, among them:
- Budget review of the Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind (USDB) and their funding priorities;
- A presentation on Financial Management and Oversight;
- A presentation on the Charter School Operations Amendments bill (HB 242) with a fiscal note of $425,000;
- A presentation on HB67: Local Education Agency Financial Systems with a fiscal note of $4 million;
- A budget review from the State Charter Board and a State Charter Board presentation;
- A presentation on HB160: Refugee Continuing Education Program with a fiscal note is $500,000;
- A presentation on Innovative School Improvement Programs with a fiscal note of $200,000; and
- A presentation on HB58: Electronic Cigarettes in Schools with a fiscal note of just over $5 million.