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Utah can ill-afford to lose teachers, some of whom are undoubtedly among the best and brightest, to neighboring states. Unfortunately, that's exactly what's happening.
As reported on the Eyewitness News recently, 1,060 Utah-educated teachers and administrators are working in Nevada's public schools. There they make more money, claim to have smaller class sizes, and say they are given adequate tools to do the job. They often receive a bonus for signing with Nevada schools.
Other states, too, make a habit of recruiting educators from the Beehive State.
All the while, Utah school districts, according to the Eyewitness News report, struggle to fill positions. As of a few weeks ago, Utah schools still had 63 teaching positions open.
And where Utah once led the nation in access to technology - we're talking computers - the state now ranks 51st.
What a sorry commentary on the apparent stagnation of public education in Utah!
Of course, there'll never be enough money to reduce all class sizes to manageable levels, provide an abundance of tools and supplies, and pay every teacher what he or she is worth, especially with the state's student population ballooning as it is.
Still, more can and must be done to prevent public education in Utah from becoming second-rate.
