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A recent KSL Editorial expressed concern about the number of Utah-trained educators that are being lured by higher salaries and better overall teaching conditions to work in surrounding states. We said more must be done to prevent public education in Utah from becoming second-rate.
Utah State Representative Jim Ferrin of Orem wrote to say "tight fisted Utah legislators won't go down (the) path" of merely appropriating more money for education.
Representative Ferrin offered what he described as seven "practical steps to better education."
They include:
- A bonus plan for new teachers.
- Added incentive pay for teachers with needed specialties like science, technology, and math.
- Merit pay for quality teachers.
- Build less elaborate and expensive buildings.
- Replace "dollar one" health insurance coverage with a high deductible major medical policy and a medical savings account.
- Pass a voucher bill.
- Encourage competition . . . in public schools by allowing for more charter schools.
"With reforms like these in place," wrote Rep. Ferrin, "even tightwad Utah legislators could feel good about significant overall funding increases for public ed."
A more complete text of Representative Ferrin's comments and suggestions can be found by following the link on the right.
