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Richard Piatt ReportingUtah's largest teachers union is making a list of demands at its annual convention. The UEA says there are 'no excuses' to not invest in education. That's the U-E-A's new campaign: 'No excuses: Invest in Education'.
It's mostly directed at the Legislature out of frustration over funding. Utah Teachers are frustrated. They want a bigger commitment from business leaders, parents, and of course the Legislature toward public education.
Mary Caurney, Teacher, Ogden High School: "There's a lot of frustration in education. When we have all these surpluses, we're always hopeful we'll get a raise and some money for the classroom."
This rally is the beginning of the latest effort to get more money for public education. It's part of the kickoff of the UEA's annual convention: A mix of unity, inspiration, and politics.
Pat Rusk, President, Utah Education Association: "Public schools are political and decisions that are made are made by people who are elected, and if we want any kind of change we've got to get involved."
Last year the Legislature funded a four percent increase in the WPU---weighted pupil unit--that translates into cash in the classroom. But teachers wanted a bigger chunk of the surplus cash that was available then.
Now, they're looking for a bigger chunk of this year's surplus, approximately 650-million dollars.
Steve Seamons, Cache School District Teacher: "Textbooks cost more, buildings cost more. Sure there's more dollars being directed toward education, but that's dollars-wise, not percentage wise."
This year lawmakers seem open to committing more to education--honing math and reading skills in particular. But they want something too, including 'no excuses' when it comes to the ability to reward good teachers and getting rid of bad ones, and on opening the door for tuition tax credits.
Last year teachers got an average two and a half percent raise in Utah, but they say they're still way behind the curve, salary wise, compared with teachers in other states.
