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Deanie Wimmer Reporting Utahns have strong opinions and varied ideas about how lawmakers should improve education.
We asked for your response to a special education report Turning Point 2007.
We had a few hundred people respond through our online poll or KSL chatboards about their thoughts on education funding in a year of a 1.6 billion dollar surplus.
Many were teachers or have one in their families. Spending in general, school vouchers and teacher salaries were the most common topics.
Utahteacher321 says, "I am a first year teacher. I just want to say thanks to Jon Huntsman for taking action and finally realizing the educational crisis we have in our state."
Nancy G. says, "I am a librarian in Box Elder County. We have the most beautiful library in the state. The only thing we lack are books. We have been here 11 years and we only have 1/4 of a collection. I appreciate the one time funding that came through last year but we need funding for our libraries."
Walt L. says, "Stop complaining. Why do we always hear the complaint that we "trail the nation in funding." Do we really want to overpay? When was the last time you went out and bragged how you got ripped off on that new car you just purchased? You don't always get what you pay for!"
Lou zur writes, "I don't have kids in the school system, but I pay for it, what's up with that? If I had 10 kids I wouldn't pay any taxes, what's up with that? Plain and simple, if you use it you should pay. Stop placing the burden on those who don't use it. Make the parents pay for their own kids education, perhaps the education system would improve once we pull the government out."
Charles H. says, "Certainly we all benefit from good doctors and such. But I believe the individual who receives the education benefits the most, followed by his family. Currently, those who benefit the most pay the least while those who benefit the least, pay the most."
In our special, the Governor and Lawmakers believed this year schools would see large, if not unprecedented, increases in funding.
