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WEST JORDAN -- Two hundred and fifty teachers in the Jordan School District are keeping their jobs.
In a letter sent to employees, the Utah Board of Education says alternatives allowed by the Legislature and a $17 million cut to programs, administrative and non-classroom personnel costs have saved 250 teaching jobs. District officials say they will also balance next year's budget without increasing class sizes or taxes.
Now a Utah lawmaker is sharing his plans that could help solve that district's financial crisis. Sen. Howard Stephenson called a meeting Wednesday night to talk about long-term solutions for challenges facing the Jordan School District.
"I think this is a very healthy, a very positive dialogue," says Jordan District Superintendent Barry Newbold.
In the short term, the district, which faced a $30 million shortfall, has options. New funding alternatives mean the district will not have to increase class sizes or layoff teachers.
"On the other side, we still have the balance of that deficit, which is about 17 and a half million dollars," Newbold says.
Some programs will still have to be cut, and 250 non-classroom jobs will be gone. The district says it will balance next year's budget without increasing class sizes or taxes.
Still, state Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, says the district needs long-term solutions to challenges it will face in the future, like growth.
"What we have right now is a temporary fix," he says.
Stephenson says state-wide equalization is a possible fix. Another solution could be a three-semester, year-round school schedule.
"I don't know of any commercial enterprise that would voluntarily shut down their plant for a third of the year, when it requires you to build more plants that also shut down for a third of the year," Stephenson says.
He says parents would have an option. So would teachers, who he says could get a 50 percent pay raise if they work a third semester.
But some wonder just how realistic the senator's proposals are. One teacher says the idea of a third semester could impact quality education.
"If they do this year-round, and it's good that they would give it as an incentive, but I know teachers that would be like, 'Oh, I want the extra money, so why worry about revamping my lesson plans?'" says high school teacher Kevin Mritz.
Stephenson invited city leaders and legislators to the meeting. He says he wants to see the same community backing the Canyons District has.
The senator also says he would like to have more of these public meetings on a regular basis.
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Story compiled with contributions from Sandra Yi, Sheryl Worsley and Mary Richards.
