State Board of Education Meeting Costs $11,457
The state Board of Education's two-day
meeting in St. George is costing taxpayers nearly $11,500. September 7th, 2007 @ 8:28am
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If you are going to report this as "news" and imply that it is a poor use of funds or "expensive" (which by default is the only reason that this could be seen as "news"), then you need to list all the info for fairness and evaluation sake.
What is the schedule?
How long does it last?
Where do the attendees come from?
What decisions are made at these meetings?
How many are accomdated?
Why are the SLC meetings so cheep?
Where are the SLC meetings held?
What is the attendence difference between the two meetings?
When is the meeting held?
All of this and more could make this a non story if someone went and took the time to report and not just stir up contraversy.
Nevermind that the $1400 cost of a SLC meeting does not take into account existing overhead and staff.
No one would be reporting if the was a satelite office built in St George...it might cost 300 x this ammount, yet it would be seen as business as usual, yet a one time expense that truly might save money is looked at as a "extravagance".
I hope that someone reading this can think critically about the reporting...but that may be too much to ask.
What is the schedule?
How long does it last?
Where do the attendees come from?
What decisions are made at these meetings?
How many are accomdated?
Why are the SLC meetings so cheep?
Where are the SLC meetings held?
What is the attendence difference between the two meetings?
When is the meeting held?
All of this and more could make this a non story if someone went and took the time to report and not just stir up contraversy.
Nevermind that the $1400 cost of a SLC meeting does not take into account existing overhead and staff.
No one would be reporting if the was a satelite office built in St George...it might cost 300 x this ammount, yet it would be seen as business as usual, yet a one time expense that truly might save money is looked at as a "extravagance".
I hope that someone reading this can think critically about the reporting...but that may be too much to ask.
@Jay G. - ou are right we should build a satlite offices around the state. This would allow tax payers around the state to attend the meetings more easly. Yes it would cost more but it would be money well spent.
@Jay G. - you are right we should build a satellite offices around the state. This would allow tax payers around the state to attend the meetings more easily. Yes it would cost more but it would be money well spent.
I bet more members of the board go to the one in St. George than go to the meeting in SLC. I bet that is why the cost was so much more. Plus how many of them don't stay in a hotel when the meeting is in SLC? It is close enough to stay home and still attend.
@Deliriousmom - This is supposed to be a board meeting, not a vacation. What's wrong with keeping it held in the heart of the state?
@Sue W. - and they have meetings all over the country - St. George, SLC, San Diego, Chicago, Miami, and more. The difference is that they pay their own way. It is a write-off, but they have to pay. There are two groups they belong to, ACDA (American choral directors Association) and UMEA (Utah Choral Directors Assoc.). UMEA is alway sin UT, but sometimes in St. George. ACDA travels all over the country. But the point is that they pay their own way. (By the way SLC ranked at the top of the list with most they have asked about places the conventions have been held.)
@Deliriousmom - Do they pay their own way? I don't remember reading that in your post:)
I am the smartest man alive!-Billy Madison
If you figure $200-$300 a day salary for each employee, that only pays for a 2-day meeting for 20 or so people. That's not all that much money. Stirring up controversy over nothing.
What were they going to do with the money anyway...give the teachers a raise...now why would they do a thing like that?
That's the way we became the Brady Bunch!
I don't really like the idea that they're taking a 'vacation' of sorts with tax money that could be used else where. If they want to have a meeting in St. George, fine, but make the board members pay for their part, not just us paying for their 'vacation' No wonder we don't have any money for education. They're taking all our money from "free" public education. Yeah it might not be a lot of money to some, but when you compare the 1,400 for a meeting in SLC and the meeting in St. George costs 8 times as much? Seems like a waste to me, and if people want to go to the meetings, they can travel!
@sgirl - I was one of the PTA presiedents when we attended a conference in Provo for PTA boards. We paid for the classes and lunch ourselves. We did it because we volunteered for the position and it was best for the school. The funds never came out of the school budget. Why can't this be the same?
You can learn many things from children. How much patience you have, for instance. ~Franklin P. Jones
@crazymomof4 - I also forgot to say that many of the PTAs that came from further away did stay in a hotel. They had fun doing it but it all came from their own pockets. If PTAs will do it why can't the school board?
You can learn many things from children. How much patience you have, for instance. ~Franklin P. Jones
They hold meetings in St. George because its a nice place to visit and vacation....please don't treat us like we're stupid...we know why they're going there....most of us would like to go along too if we had the opportunity...
What I can't stand is when some bovines try to whitewash their true intentions with crapola excuses like "meetings are held outside Salt Lake City once or twice a year for the benefit of those attending".....if thats really true I'm sure other cities like Richfield, Price, Randolph and many others locations throughout the state will be considered in the future! But don't bet on it....next year it will be Wendover!
What I can't stand is when some bovines try to whitewash their true intentions with crapola excuses like "meetings are held outside Salt Lake City once or twice a year for the benefit of those attending".....if thats really true I'm sure other cities like Richfield, Price, Randolph and many others locations throughout the state will be considered in the future! But don't bet on it....next year it will be Wendover!
That money ought to be used for swingsets for the children! Even some of the older ones..although some contain lead...they could buy 2 or 3..so kids could enjoy them!
I wonder why people want vouchers?
@Givem Heaven - Parents should have a choice on how this money is spent...vote yes for vouchers
@R B. - I would like to have a say in how my tax money is spent for education, which is why I will vote 'no' for vouchers!
If you want your children to have a private education, then you may pay for it. Please don't ask me to help you with it. I don't think we can fix what is wrong with public schools by trying to divide the money even farther when some of it goes to private entities.
If you want your children to have a private education, then you may pay for it. Please don't ask me to help you with it. I don't think we can fix what is wrong with public schools by trying to divide the money even farther when some of it goes to private entities.
i dont know what hurts more:
(1) knowing that this was posted as news for the public to know. our tax money being spent on state of board meetings, big deal or
(2) knowing that ksl employees are possibly employed by the state (correct me if im wrong) and that my tax dollars are going to pay these peoples' salaries as they post worthless stories like this one.
i dont know about the rest of you but this is not news, maybe they should update other IMPORTANT stories, like an update on that salon shooting/murder that a high school classmate of mine was killed in, or an update on the worthless piece of human that murdered destiny norton, come on fellow ksl readers, post your requested updates on stories that YOU ACTUALLY want to hear about.
(1) knowing that this was posted as news for the public to know. our tax money being spent on state of board meetings, big deal or
(2) knowing that ksl employees are possibly employed by the state (correct me if im wrong) and that my tax dollars are going to pay these peoples' salaries as they post worthless stories like this one.
i dont know about the rest of you but this is not news, maybe they should update other IMPORTANT stories, like an update on that salon shooting/murder that a high school classmate of mine was killed in, or an update on the worthless piece of human that murdered destiny norton, come on fellow ksl readers, post your requested updates on stories that YOU ACTUALLY want to hear about.
The Govenor of UTAH really needs a hot line connected in his office so the PUBLIC can call in and report Government FRAUD WASTE AND ABUSE of State Government Agencies..........The School Board would be in the HOT SEAT right now..........if it was a PERFECT POLITICAL WORLD and the LEADERS (OUR GOVENOR) ran the state budget like a business..........the school board has plenty of excellent buidlings throught SALT LAKE more than adequate to hold their MEETING.......you dont have to stay in the MOST EXPENSIVE HOTEL IN TOWN EITHER...........if the business sector operated like our state government they would be in bank ruptcy right now.......I sincerely hope the Governor ......investigates this and takes appropriate measures.......and also puts the word out to all agencies........be frugal with tax payers money ............it is not a bottomless pit.............it can run on EMPTY if ABUSED enough.....
The state Board of Education's two-day
Meeting in St. George is costing taxpayers nearly $11,500.
And just how munch do you think,
The imported Mexican teachers are running us?
The illegal Mexicans are rapping our tax money now!
So now we spend more tax money on Mexican teachers
To educate the illegal and there legal bambinos.
So I do not think that $ 11,500 is that bad
Meeting in St. George is costing taxpayers nearly $11,500.
And just how munch do you think,
The imported Mexican teachers are running us?
The illegal Mexicans are rapping our tax money now!
So now we spend more tax money on Mexican teachers
To educate the illegal and there legal bambinos.
So I do not think that $ 11,500 is that bad
@Grim-reaper - There really was a shortage of teachers. There were last year too and I didn't see more teachers stepping forward. My son started school last year with a substitute teacher. There are children that speak other languages in the schools, a lot of them are spanish speaking. I don't think it is wrong to bring teachers from other places to help with the problem. The majority of spanish-speaking people here are legal. These are children we are talking about not "legal bambinos". The article is about the school board making unwise decisions.
Be careful not to spend so much time hating the illegals that you forget to be compassionate to the people who have done what they are supposed to do and are here are legally. These poor children don't understand politics, They also don't understand why you show your disgust towards them, why would any child be able to understand that.
Be careful not to spend so much time hating the illegals that you forget to be compassionate to the people who have done what they are supposed to do and are here are legally. These poor children don't understand politics, They also don't understand why you show your disgust towards them, why would any child be able to understand that.
You can learn many things from children. How much patience you have, for instance. ~Franklin P. Jones
@crazymomof4 - GOOD MORNING, WELCOME TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
>Press "1" for English.
>Press "2" to disconnect until you learn to speak English
>And remember only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you
>Jesus Christ
>and the American Soldier.
>One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.
>
>If you agree......keep it ! going
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My viewpoint
>Press "1" for English.
>Press "2" to disconnect until you learn to speak English
>And remember only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you
>Jesus Christ
>and the American Soldier.
>One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.
>
>If you agree......keep it ! going
>
My viewpoint
We Shall Never Forget Our Veterans
@crazymomof4 - Utah Asks Feds to Pay For Educating Undocumented Children
First, Utah lawmakers conducted an audit of how much it costs the state to educate undocumented children in K-12 public schools. Now they're using that audit to ask the federal government to cover the cost, which was between $54.9 million and $85.4 million in 2006, as reported by an Associated Press reporter and published in the Salt Lake Tribune and other newspapers last week.
First, Utah lawmakers conducted an audit of how much it costs the state to educate undocumented children in K-12 public schools. Now they're using that audit to ask the federal government to cover the cost, which was between $54.9 million and $85.4 million in 2006, as reported by an Associated Press reporter and published in the Salt Lake Tribune and other newspapers last week.
We Shall Never Forget Our Veterans
@The Lone Ranger - Utah spends as much as 85-million dollars a year to educate undocumented children in public schools. A new legislative audit draws on Pew Hispanic Institute date to estimate that between 75-thousand and 100-thousand undocumented immigrants live in Utah, and approximately one in seven of them are school-age.
State Senator Margaret Dayton requested the study and hopes it will urge Congress to reform immigration laws or begin reimbursing states for the cost of educating undocumented children.
However, House Minority Leader Ralph Becker says the audit provides only one piece of the larger picture, since it does not consider the money undocumented immigrants put into the system through income and sales taxes.
State Senator Margaret Dayton requested the study and hopes it will urge Congress to reform immigration laws or begin reimbursing states for the cost of educating undocumented children.
However, House Minority Leader Ralph Becker says the audit provides only one piece of the larger picture, since it does not consider the money undocumented immigrants put into the system through income and sales taxes.
We Shall Never Forget Our Veterans
Is SHAME on each and everyone of those people for spending our HARD earned money like it was nothing. There are so many parents out there that can hardly pay for all the crap they have to buy to keep there cildren in school. Not only that what about the teachers they make nothing as to what there worth or our police officers. I hope they sleep real good in there nice motel rooms.
Has anyone here ever tried to do a luncheon for a group of people. Anyone ever had to rent a conference room for say (I am guessing here) 200 people. It is not cheap
Now, As for going to St George. Teaching is a JOB people. These teachers are great people for the most part but it is still how they pay their bills.
How many of you would pay your own way to St George if your boss said you need to go for the weekend. Not many I would suppose.
I send 3 man crews out of the area. It costs me 500.00 a DAY to support 3 men in the field. They need Fuel, Chow, Place to sleep, and so on. This is only for 3 people and they dont even need a conference room!
Lets get real and give them a break!
Now, As for going to St George. Teaching is a JOB people. These teachers are great people for the most part but it is still how they pay their bills.
How many of you would pay your own way to St George if your boss said you need to go for the weekend. Not many I would suppose.
I send 3 man crews out of the area. It costs me 500.00 a DAY to support 3 men in the field. They need Fuel, Chow, Place to sleep, and so on. This is only for 3 people and they dont even need a conference room!
Lets get real and give them a break!
@Cdog - Granted, taxpayers did not foot the bill, but I bet it was in the 10s of millions. Eleven thousand...give me a break--this is rounding on many Utah individuals' state income tax bill.
The whole is often greater than the sum of its parts
@Cdog - I think the issue at hand is not that it cost money but why it costs 10,000 more dollars to hold it in St. George. The board members are spread across the state. So accommodations are going to be needed be it SLC or SG. I am not sure who all attends these meetings but there are less than twenty board members listed on their site.
It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it - Aristotle
And what exactly is this 11K being spent for? The story doesn't really provide a line item breakdown, but given that the average budget motel costs at least $50 bucks a night these days, it doesn't seem like it would take all that much to spend 11K for a conference, especially if there are more than a dozen or so people involved.
I don't know... I'm must asking. Since there is no line item breakdown to tell us what the money is being spent on, it's a little ridiculous to frame the story in such a way as to "suggest" that there is some sort of waste going on. How much does it cost KSL to send a reporter, camera man and a remote broadcast van to St. George for a weekend? I know KSL wouldn't be spending spending taxpayer dollars to cover the story, but really, is 11K really an unreasonable amount for a conference - it sounds like a bargain to me!
I don't know... I'm must asking. Since there is no line item breakdown to tell us what the money is being spent on, it's a little ridiculous to frame the story in such a way as to "suggest" that there is some sort of waste going on. How much does it cost KSL to send a reporter, camera man and a remote broadcast van to St. George for a weekend? I know KSL wouldn't be spending spending taxpayer dollars to cover the story, but really, is 11K really an unreasonable amount for a conference - it sounds like a bargain to me!
Just my opinion...
Why didn't they report on what kind of food was consumed at these meetings??? We need and have a right to know!
Actually, I think these expenses just all fall under the cost of doing business. School Boards, City Councils, County officials, Legislators, boards for special districts- each of these groups goes to conferences every year either in-state or nationally, where costs are much higher. And it's all funded by taxpayer dollars (think Legislator field trip to China). Let's audit all of them! Make them stay in their offices all day and never go anywhere!
Also, almost every organization mentioned above has a conference in St. George every year. Every year.
I think we're being a little ridiculous here.
Actually, I think these expenses just all fall under the cost of doing business. School Boards, City Councils, County officials, Legislators, boards for special districts- each of these groups goes to conferences every year either in-state or nationally, where costs are much higher. And it's all funded by taxpayer dollars (think Legislator field trip to China). Let's audit all of them! Make them stay in their offices all day and never go anywhere!
Also, almost every organization mentioned above has a conference in St. George every year. Every year.
I think we're being a little ridiculous here.
I think our teachers deserve a free vacation once a year. If we don't pay for it they don't go at all. And if it only costs $11,000 distributed among 2 million residents in the state that is 1/2 of a penny that each of us gave our teachers, who deserve thousands more in salary (which would raise our taxes even more than the 1/2 penny previously talked about), to go on vacation.
Brilliant idea school board, keep it up!!! Thanks for saving us money in taxes.
Brilliant idea school board, keep it up!!! Thanks for saving us money in taxes.
@arl - It's called June, July, and August. They don't teach during those months (unless your kids are in year-round school, I guess). If I only worked 9 months out of the year, I wouldn't make as much as someone who works 12 months a year, either.
@arl - Since when do teachers go to State board of education meetings?
It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it - Aristotle
My understanding is that this meeting is for the State Board of Education, not teachers. This is the upper level bureaucracy, not the people who are in the classrooms with our children.
For those that think it was a vacation of sorts, have you been there in August and early September. It is a vacation to the SUN! This is not news. If you took the same amount of business people for a two day conference it would cost double. There damned if they do and damned if they don't. It would also be news if they refused to have meetings anywhere but SLC. Come on. These people do what they do because they care. It is a crap job where they take heat from EVERYBODY.
@Keith K. - But why does the meeting cost 10,000 dollars more to do down in saint George. The whole state board of education does not live in SL valley so they are going to have to get people rooms when they have it here so you can't use hotel rooms as an excuse.
It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it - Aristotle
I’m not sure what the fuss is. Overnight stays at a hotel and renting a conference hall twice yearly in order to have a change of venue and give members in various locations a break from the mundane long travel to a centralized location seems acceptable to me. Considering the number of members involved and the limited number of these type of meetings, I personally do not consider the expenditures excessive. I must be missing something because it appears to me that this is being blown WAY out of proportion.
@Rick W. - like many other posters, I think there is a lot of missing information in this story (like THAT is a surprise!)
The meeting was held in St. George to allow residents the chance to attend. How many did?
Is the meeting ever held in other places in the state to accommodate input from residents? How many citizens attend in other places?
How many people attend board meetings in Salt Lake City? Is attendance by the public a justifiable reason for meeting somewhere else?
Were these expenses for the meeting place only, or DID we pay for transportation of board members, and did spouses get to go on our money?
I think more information would be helpful.
The meeting was held in St. George to allow residents the chance to attend. How many did?
Is the meeting ever held in other places in the state to accommodate input from residents? How many citizens attend in other places?
How many people attend board meetings in Salt Lake City? Is attendance by the public a justifiable reason for meeting somewhere else?
Were these expenses for the meeting place only, or DID we pay for transportation of board members, and did spouses get to go on our money?
I think more information would be helpful.
This story reaks of choice for parents pock shots at public education and the money spent for a weekend meeting. I am so sick of the cry baby tactics these people are using. Waahh I dident get what I wanted Waahhhh! Just Wait till November and see where your vouchers stand, no legs probably....
they are NOT members of the school board. I'm not sure we can assume that because teachers pay their own way to meetings and conventions, school board members do the same.
By the way, it is not at all uncommon for employees to pay their own way to attend enrichment meetings...teachers aren't the only ones that do that.
By the way, it is not at all uncommon for employees to pay their own way to attend enrichment meetings...teachers aren't the only ones that do that.
We spend 400 million dollars a day in Iraq. One less month there, 8 billion dollars saved, put this into our schools, problem solved. The school board can have their meeting in hawaii for all I care. We have totally lost touch with reality in this country with completely screwy priorities.
I only vent like this as my sons first grade teacher is begging us all to order 200 bucks worth of Scholastic books so they can get some extra credits to buy more classroom supplies.
400 MILLION DOLLARS A DAY! We get what we vote for!!
I only vent like this as my sons first grade teacher is begging us all to order 200 bucks worth of Scholastic books so they can get some extra credits to buy more classroom supplies.
400 MILLION DOLLARS A DAY! We get what we vote for!!
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8:37am - Fri Sep 07th, 2007
12:15pm - Fri Sep 07th, 2007
Btw, VOUCHERS ARE DEAD COME NOVEMBER!!!
1:40pm - Fri Sep 07th, 2007
1:55pm - Fri Sep 07th, 2007
I challenge you to watch this 20/20 report on Stupid in America.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfRUMmTs0ZA
Then you should think about how the school systems in America really are!
An example: my nephew (2nd grade) got in trouble, because he was being distractive in class.. Why? His teacher had given him an assignment, that he has done while he was in 1st grade... In Wyoming.
He isn't being challenged enough in Utah.
My wife's sisters three kids, can't read. They are in 8th, 9th, and 11th grade. IMO public schools should build there system around the Sylvan Learning Center (use the Sylvan L.C. as a template).
Watch the video.
2:12pm - Fri Sep 07th, 2007
The biggest part of the problem with the education system as I see it today, is that far too many parents are not involved in the education process with their own children. They sit on the sidelines and allow the institution to dictate what is acceptable. They see their children failing and they blame, and they point fingers, and they complain, but how many of them actually sit down with their kids and help them do their home work, teach them the math they're not learning in school, sit down and read a book with them and make sure their 8th grader can actually read?
The problem is not only with the broken system, which has become an over managed, under funded, bureaucratic institutions of inefficiency and mediocrity, but also with our growing "socialized" attitudes, the blame everyone else for our problems generation, which has become ever more dependent on the system to do FOR them, rather than taking responsibility for themselves to make sure the job gets done when the system fails!
If you are the parent of an 11th grader who can't read, the school system is not the only one who failed!
2:06pm - Fri Sep 07th, 2007