$150M more for education approved in House

$150M more for education approved in House


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SALT LAKE CITY — Utah's public schools will see the largest funding increase in years under the terms of a revised budget that unanimously passed the House of Representatives on Wednesday.

HB2 adds nearly $140 million of ongoing funding to the roughly $3.7 billion base education budget for the 2013-14 academic year, which was passed early in the session and signed by Gov. Gary Herbert last month.

The supplemental bill debated Wednesday includes an additional $68.5 million for growth in enrollment and a $47.7 million increase, or 2 percent, to the weighted pupil unit, the basic funding unit for public education. The bill also appropriates $17 million in one-time funding toward arts programs, computer adaptive testing and professional development.

"I think we can all be proud of what we've done for education this year," said bill sponsor Rep. Mel Brown, R-Coalville. "We can always do more, but in light of the circumstances, I think we've done well."

The proposed budget amendments, which will require approval by the Senate prior to final passage, include the top two legislative priorities given to lawmakers by the Utah Board of Education — the funding of enrollment growth and the increase in the weighted pupil unit value, or WPU.

Roughly half of the WPU increase will be absorbed by growing Social Security and retirement costs for Utah's educational workforce. The remaining funds are distributed to school districts on a per-pupil basis.

On Monday, members of the education community, including the Utah Education Association and Utah Parent Teacher Association, held a rally at the Capitol to thank lawmakers for their commitment to and investment in public education.

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"This is what funding the WPU can do," said Jennifer Graviet, a teacher at Sand Ridge Junior High School in Roy. "It can give us more time to plan, lower class sizes, and it can help us retain and attract the very best teachers."

During floor debate Wednesday, several lawmakers stood to commend the Executive Appropriations Committee for its work in drafting the budget and to express their support for increased funding to Utah's schools.

"In my five years, this is the most we've given public education," said Rep. Francis Gibson, R-Mapleton, chairman of the House Education Committee. "I think you can go back to your constituents and let them know this is the biggest amount we've given them in a long time."

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Benjamin Wood

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