From: owner-granite-digest@lists.xmission.com (granite-digest) To: granite-digest@lists.xmission.com Subject: granite-digest V1 #2 Reply-To: granite-digest Sender: owner-granite-digest@lists.xmission.com Errors-To: owner-granite-digest@lists.xmission.com Precedence: bulk granite-digest Monday, March 6 2000 Volume 01 : Number 002 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2000 18:23:30 -0700 From: Debbie White Subject: (granite) New information Hello, It seems I have confused some people - did not give enough information as to where we would meet for the activity on Presidents' Day..... So, we will be meeting by the White Chapel which is across the street from the Capitol (or) right out front.... Just look for a group of us! Thanks! - -- Debbie White President Granite Education Association ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Experience is not what happens to a man; it is what a man does with what happens to him. ~Aldous Huxley - - To unsubscribe to granite, send an email to "majordomo@xmission.com" with "unsubscribe granite" in the body of the message. For information on digests or retrieving files and old messages send "help" to the same address. Do not use quotes in your message. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 16 Feb 2000 19:39:03 -0700 From: Debbie White Subject: (granite) Update - February 16th Hello, I am back in the office - still working on things for tomorrow... But, I wanted to thank those of you and those in your school - that come up to the Capitol tonight. We had over 100 teachers there. I was so proud to see so many participating. Many stayed in the Education Appropriations meeting... What an eye full there.... Just a reminder - the Presidents' Day activity will be from 7-11. We have Dan Sakota from the NEA Executive Committee coming. For Granite's "honk and wave" beginning at 7:00 a.m. - be there about 6:45 a.m. (we will have donuts and juice) - meet in front of the Capitol and then we will go down the street on both sides. Bring signs (no sticks longer than 5 inches....) Thanks so much for all you are doing. I really appreciate knowing you are there. Later... :D - -- Debbie White President Granite Education Association ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Experience is not what happens to a man; it is what a man does with what happens to him. ~Aldous Huxley - - To unsubscribe to granite, send an email to "majordomo@xmission.com" with "unsubscribe granite" in the body of the message. For information on digests or retrieving files and old messages send "help" to the same address. Do not use quotes in your message. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 17 Feb 2000 06:21:43 -0700 From: Debbie White Subject: (granite) Commitment Cards Hello, We need to make sure that ALL have gotten the cards. We are missing 12 schools. We also have a few schools where the calls have come in - but, no cards in the district mail to confirm the count. If you haven't gotten some of you faculty - please - please - please get these in..... Later... :D - -- Debbie White President Granite Education Association ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Experience is not what happens to a man; it is what a man does with what happens to him. ~Aldous Huxley - - To unsubscribe to granite, send an email to "majordomo@xmission.com" with "unsubscribe granite" in the body of the message. For information on digests or retrieving files and old messages send "help" to the same address. Do not use quotes in your message. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 18 Feb 2000 07:13:05 -0700 From: Debbie White Subject: (granite) GEA Update February 17th Hello, The news is saying that teachers have won - that they have gotten everything that they wanted. That is not true.... And this session is not over until March 1st. Please let your members know this. We got many calls yesterday asking if we needed to meet Monday - YES! Remember we wanted to see 7% on the WPU - the Governor's budget would have put 6%, the majority party is suggesting 5.5%, and the minority party is suggesting 7%. We still have much to do to increase the pie. The Republican's budget does not extend the bonds - the other two do extend the bonds. The Republican's budget cuts into other services plus dividing higher education and public employees because they treat each group differently. I hope to see many of you at the Capitol. We think we will have T-shirts for the first 100 Granite members up there... We have no more pins - we will have signs for everyone. We are lucky to get an NEA Executive Committee member - Dan Sakota. He will go around the various "honk & wave" sites then at 9:00 joins the groups at the Capitol writing letters and walking around the building. I must thank you all - so very much. I appreciate knowing there is this much support out there. I was so proud to see so many Wednesday for the meeting with legislators. We had around 115 in a room made for 60.... Many went to observe the Public Education Appropriations meeting... I know we are all getting tired and stress about the waiting game. Me too... (I have been putting in 12-17 hour days for members and non-members) But, we need to hang in there - together. We have to keep the pressure on a bit longer. It will be worth it. (Then we concentrate on elections and get some of these people out of there.... So, next year will not be like this....) We need to keep the letters coming!!! Presently several bills could really use our help. (So, get teachers together - do individual ones OR write schools ones that you all sign).... Rep. Patrice Arent has a bill - HB117. She has asked me to testify for her bill Monday in the Revenue and Taxation Committee. This bill would have self-employed file quarterly their taxes in the state (they already do this federally). This would get a one time $60 million that would be split between higher ed (15m) and public ed (45m). It could be used for text books and materials. If it gets out of there - it should pass on the floor.... However, the Senate Republicans (in a closed caucus meeting) took a position of opposition to her bill. So, we need you to write to those Senators. Senator Ron Allen has two bills SB197 and SB198. The corporate franchise tax I have explained in earlier messages... Those two bills would generate an ongoing amount of $40 million. We need that. However, it is still in Revenue and Taxation..... Write to Senators - Valentine (chair), Dmitrich, Hull, Montgomery, Stephenson, and Waddoups. We could write more general letters about extending the bonds on the roads. Remember that is was originally a 15-year bond. They decided to pay it off in seven. If we take nine years to pay it off - we could generate $46 million for public education. That would be nearly 3% more for the WPU. - - - Do you see what I mean? It is not over yet..... Please - please - please.... respond to this email - I want to know the feel in your school before I go to local president's meeting Saturday. We had a great group Thursday night for the Crisis Update meeting. Nevertheless, I need more reactions. Thanks - thanks - thanks.... I appreciate you! Later... :D - -- Debbie White President Granite Education Association ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Experience is not what happens to a man; it is what a man does with what happens to him. ~Aldous Huxley - - To unsubscribe to granite, send an email to "majordomo@xmission.com" with "unsubscribe granite" in the body of the message. For information on digests or retrieving files and old messages send "help" to the same address. Do not use quotes in your message. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 18 Feb 2000 15:19:51 -0700 From: Debbie White Subject: (granite) Another update... Hello, After being at the Capitol today - another concern I have (and reason why this is not a done deal) - - - has to do with what qualifies as a classroom teacher..... Their proposal would have us pitting the classroom teacher against the media, counselors, administrators, etc.... They would get less than the rest... It also does not address many issues such as class size, specialists, etc.... Please be sure to email me a response of some kind before Saturday early.... We meet at 8:30. I need to know how you are feeling out there. (Thanks for those that have already responded) Please - please - please - don't give up... I have had some of you concerned and discouraged. I understand - but, I need you! Thanks... Later... :D - -- Debbie White President Granite Education Association ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Experience is not what happens to a man; it is what a man does with what happens to him. ~Aldous Huxley - - To unsubscribe to granite, send an email to "majordomo@xmission.com" with "unsubscribe granite" in the body of the message. For information on digests or retrieving files and old messages send "help" to the same address. Do not use quotes in your message. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 18 Feb 2000 15:57:26 -0700 From: Kaye.Madsen@granite.k12.ut.us (Kaye Madsen) Subject: Re: (granite) Another update... Silver Hills Elementary wants you to know you have all of our support! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for all you are doing for us! Our faculty has been this united in awhile. It is great to see their level of commitment to the cause. We hope all of our strength of conviction reaches you and helps you to keep going. Thanks again!!! Silver Hills Elementary Debbie White wrote: > Hello, > > After being at the Capitol today - another concern I have (and > reason why this is not a done deal) - - - has to do with what qualifies > as a classroom teacher..... Their proposal would have us pitting the > classroom teacher against the media, counselors, administrators, > etc.... They would get less than the rest... > > It also does not address many issues such as class size, > specialists, etc.... > > Please be sure to email me a response of some kind before Saturday > early.... We meet at 8:30. I need to know how you are feeling out > there. (Thanks for those that have already responded) > > Please - please - please - don't give up... I have had some of you > concerned and discouraged. I understand - but, I need you! > > Thanks... > > Later... :D > -- > Debbie White > President > Granite Education Association > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ > Experience is not what happens to a man; > it is what a man does with what happens to him. > ~Aldous Huxley > > - > To unsubscribe to granite, send an email to "majordomo@xmission.com" > with "unsubscribe granite" in the body of the message. > For information on digests or retrieving files and old messages send > "help" to the same address. Do not use quotes in your message. - - To unsubscribe to granite, send an email to "majordomo@xmission.com" with "unsubscribe granite" in the body of the message. For information on digests or retrieving files and old messages send "help" to the same address. Do not use quotes in your message. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 18 Feb 2000 17:21:07 -0700 From: "MICHAEL MCDONOUGH" Subject: Re: (granite) GEA Update February 17th Dear Debbie: I'll be there Monday at 6:45. If you need help coordinating anything, call: Mike McDonough, 474-0918. As for the specific proposals: Let's tell them that by "long term commitment" we mean some attempt to solve the money shortage, whether it's bonding or raising the corporate income tax or what. Let's tell them teachers aren't fighting for a $2000 salary increase; that we'd rather see districts able to spend money on what they need, whether it's reading specialists or counsellors or smaller classes or new math books. As for Senator Arendt's proposal to make filing state tax the same as filing federal tax, I can tell you from first-hand experience that it would not be a burden. When I filed last quarter I had to check whether I was supposed to pre-pay state taxes, also. It only makes sense. Finally, we need to get the word out, to teachers and the public, that this is not over. Everybody needs to understand what we are really fighting for: a sustainable long-term plan to bring education in Utah up to an American standard. Go get 'em. - - To unsubscribe to granite, send an email to "majordomo@xmission.com" with "unsubscribe granite" in the body of the message. For information on digests or retrieving files and old messages send "help" to the same address. Do not use quotes in your message. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 19 Feb 2000 06:59:22 -0700 From: Debbie White Subject: Re: (granite) Another update... Kaye, I can't begin to tell you how much that means to me. Thank you. I need your strength and will use it well. Later... :D-- Debbie White President Granite Education Association ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Experience is not what happens to a man; it is what a man does with what happens to him. ~Aldous Huxley Kaye Madsen wrote: > Silver Hills Elementary wants you to know you have all of our support! > Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for all you are doing for us! Our faculty > has been this united in awhile. It is great to see their level of > commitment to the cause. We hope all of our strength of conviction reaches > you and helps you to keep going. > Thanks again!!! > Silver Hills Elementary > > Debbie White wrote: > > > Hello, > > > > After being at the Capitol today - another concern I have (and > > reason why this is not a done deal) - - - has to do with what qualifies > > as a classroom teacher..... Their proposal would have us pitting the > > classroom teacher against the media, counselors, administrators, > > etc.... They would get less than the rest... > > > > It also does not address many issues such as class size, > > specialists, etc.... > > > > Please be sure to email me a response of some kind before Saturday > > early.... We meet at 8:30. I need to know how you are feeling out > > there. (Thanks for those that have already responded) > > > > Please - please - please - don't give up... I have had some of you > > concerned and discouraged. I understand - but, I need you! > > > > Thanks... > > > > Later... :D > > -- > > Debbie White > > President > > Granite Education Association > > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ > > Experience is not what happens to a man; > > it is what a man does with what happens to him. > > ~Aldous Huxley > > > > - > > To unsubscribe to granite, send an email to "majordomo@xmission.com" > > with "unsubscribe granite" in the body of the message. > > For information on digests or retrieving files and old messages send > > "help" to the same address. Do not use quotes in your message. > > - > To unsubscribe to granite, send an email to "majordomo@xmission.com" > with "unsubscribe granite" in the body of the message. > For information on digests or retrieving files and old messages send > "help" to the same address. Do not use quotes in your message. - - To unsubscribe to granite, send an email to "majordomo@xmission.com" with "unsubscribe granite" in the body of the message. For information on digests or retrieving files and old messages send "help" to the same address. Do not use quotes in your message. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 19 Feb 2000 07:17:17 -0700 From: Debbie White Subject: (granite) Update - Early Saturday... Good Morning... I am so proud of all you.... I had so many emails - it will take me a while to answer them - but I have read them all. I want you to know it gave me goose bumps to know that you are still there. Thank you. I will represent you well in today's meeting. I will let you know what happens from there. I have copied something that is both a funny - yet sad statement that I hope you enjoy. (I don't normally pass things like this along - but it fits...) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I Want to be a Teacher! Once there was a man named Nathan. He wanted very much to be a teacher. So he went to seek the advice of the wisest, most highly respected counselor in the land. "Wise counselor," Nathan began, "it has always been my dream to be a teacher. I want to stimulate the minds of the young people of our land. I want to lead them down the road of knowledge. Please tell me the secret of becoming a teacher." "Your goal is a commendable one, Nathan. However, it is also a very difficult one to achieve. First you must overcome three major obstacles." "I am ready to meet the challenge," answered Nathan bravely. "First you must swim the Sea of Children," directed the knowing counselor. Nathan started off to swim the Sea of Children. First he had to learn their 38 names. He had to send the line cutters to the end of the line. He made the paper throwers stay after school to clean the room. He commanded the name callers, pushers, and punchers to apologize to their victims. He gave M&M's to those who finished assignments and stars to those who were sitting in their seats quietly. Nathan checked passes to see how many children were in the bathroom. And he tracked down students who were gone longer than was necessary. He arranged the desks in alphabetical order, then boy-girl boy-girl, and finally into small groups of four He lined his children up for physical education and music and library and lunch. Then he stifled a cry when the secretary came into the room with number 39. Tired and shaken but still undefeated, Nathan returned to the counselor for his second task. "You are a very determined lad," said the advisor. "However, now you must climb the Mountain of Paperwork." Nathan set out at once. He wrote objectives and drew up lesson plans. He made out report cards and graded papers. He filled out accident reports, attendance reports and withdrawal reports. He completed inventories, evaluations, surveys, and request forms. Finally, he made handouts and more handouts. He ran them off until he was blue in the face. But the courageous boy's resolve never dwindled. He went to the wise counselor for his third task. "You are indeed very strong, Nathan. But this third task will take all the courage you can muster. You must now cross the country of Duties and Committees." At first Nathan was hesitant. But his convictions remained steadfast. He began his long journey across the country of Duties and Committees. Nathan took lunch duty, bus duty, and recess duty. He was on the social committee, patrol committee, and the faculty advisory committee. He was the adult supervisor of the student government and ran the United Fund and Easter Seal drives. He went to PTA meetings, IEP meetings, Manifest meetings, School Site meetings, and in-service workshops. He organized bicentennial programs, talent shows, and book drives. Finally, he was elected the building representative of the union. At last Nathan reached the outskirts of Duties and Committees. Exhausted but happy, he returned to the knowledgeable counselor. "I swam the Sea of Children. I climbed the Mountain of Paperwork. I crossed the country of Duties and Committees," Nathan proclaimed. "Am I not worthy of the title of Teacher? "Why, Nathan," began the counselor, "you have been a teacher all along." Nathan protested, "But I have not stimulated any minds. I have not guided anyone down the road to knowledge, I have not had any time to teach" "Oh, you say you want to TEACH! I thought you said you wanted to be a teacher. That is a completely different story!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Later... :D - -- Debbie White President Granite Education Association ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Experience is not what happens to a man; it is what a man does with what happens to him. ~Aldous Huxley - - To unsubscribe to granite, send an email to "majordomo@xmission.com" with "unsubscribe granite" in the body of the message. For information on digests or retrieving files and old messages send "help" to the same address. Do not use quotes in your message. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 19 Feb 2000 16:35:12 -0700 From: Debbie White Subject: (granite) Update - much later on Saturday... Hello, Thank you for all the responses I have received. The Council of Local President's meeting today (Saturday) went twice as long as most meetings have gone in the past. It was a very productive meeting. After the meeting - there was a press conference. Many of the media stayed till then... Watch for it on the news and in the paper. We need to support the position UEA and the Council took today... UEA has taken the position that... Utah Students Deserve More. While the Republican budget proposal for public education is promising, some lawmakers have not understood the whole message. The budget proposal focuses its attention on teacher salary. It is much more than that.... Our message - class size, text books and supplies, quality teachers, etc. There are questions around the proposal of a $2,000 salary increase for every classroom teacher. UEA is concerned about the Legislature directing how funds will be spent. Local school boards are elected to decide how funds will be used - class size, teacher salaries, and other important school programs. Another concern is the lack of a long term commitment. Although the proposed increase is a step in the right direction, there is not a commitment to the future of public education. Given what has happened in the past, UEA members are not convinced needed increased funding will be continued in future years. Eight more days are remaining in this legislative session. We will continue to work in good faith with legislators to resolve these concerns. UEA is asking not only our teachers, but parents and all Utahns to call their legislators and urge them to support local autonomy and a long-term funding plan for public education. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I look forward to seeing many of you Monday. If not, keep in touch. We need to continue to communicate. Later... :D - -- Debbie White President Granite Education Association ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Experience is not what happens to a man; it is what a man does with what happens to him. ~Aldous Huxley - - To unsubscribe to granite, send an email to "majordomo@xmission.com" with "unsubscribe granite" in the body of the message. For information on digests or retrieving files and old messages send "help" to the same address. Do not use quotes in your message. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 07:05:02 -0700 From: Debbie White Subject: (granite) GEA Update - Hello, I am concerned that the district's server was down yesterday. I hope it is up this morning... However, from those that could get a hold of me through other email addresses or by phone - I hear growing frustration believing we are going to settle for what is before us. I know that Rep Kevin Garn made a very stupid statement about "....teachers being like the disruptive student in the class that needs to go to the principal's office..." (I could say many things here - but I will refrain...) (Though I did want to send him in a blank hall pass that I can go into the principal's office at anytime....) Because I need to better assess how things are in your schools - I am calling an emergency rep meeting this Thursday - February 24 at 4:30 - - - - here at GEA. We were scheduled for a Crisis Update and this will take its place. Please send someone!!! Several things I need you to do...... - for those schools where we do not have your cards or you have some cards still not in... I need to know why? Is it due to no support or that you could not get to those teachers? - is this current legislative proposal acceptable? - what are the concerns the teachers still have? - - - - Have everyone on "red alert" (so to speak) be sure that phone trees are in everyone's hands... I know we are near the end of the term. I am not sure what to tell you. Yet we have to be prepared..... Later... :D - -- Debbie White President Granite Education Association ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Experience is not what happens to a man; it is what a man does with what happens to him. ~Aldous Huxley - - To unsubscribe to granite, send an email to "majordomo@xmission.com" with "unsubscribe granite" in the body of the message. For information on digests or retrieving files and old messages send "help" to the same address. Do not use quotes in your message. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2000 16:14:04 -0700 From: Debbie White Subject: (granite) Monday.... Hello, Hang in there. We are in this together. I appreciate knowing you are there. Here is what will be used for your phone trees.... I thought it would be nice to give you a written copy.... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Statement for Phone Tree.... Where to meet: E Center 3200 South Decker Lake Drive (2200 W) When to meet: 9:00 a.m. What to bring: School ID (or school shirt) Voting Precinct # (Voting Card) Can of Food Cash donation to buy books for children Purpose of meeting: To organize for Monday's activities ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ See you Monday at 9:00. Later... :D - -- Debbie White President Granite Education Association ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Experience is not what happens to a man; it is what a man does with what happens to him. ~Aldous Huxley - - To unsubscribe to granite, send an email to "majordomo@xmission.com" with "unsubscribe granite" in the body of the message. For information on digests or retrieving files and old messages send "help" to the same address. Do not use quotes in your message. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2000 18:22:53 -0700 From: Debbie White Subject: (granite) Monday - again.... Hello, I am seeing that my message was a bit vague.... I wish to clarify. I expect every member and nonmember to be in participation at the Monday activity. I will be very angry if we have done this - gone against the wishes of UEA - and only have a few people participating. We have to be together in this day of protest! The reason for the chosen activities is to educate the public - by both demonstrating some educational things and giving informational flyers and such.... (Details at the meeting) The money and can of food is for the donation part of those activities.... The Executive Board has chosen to put a positive spin for this day of protest. Our goal (besides GEA unity) is to educate the public about the needs, concerns and frustrations with the current shape of public education in this state. (Believe me - this has gotten press.) If I have not answered you questions - you will be getting a call from your e-board member today.... See you there! - -- Debbie White President Granite Education Association ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Experience is not what happens to a man; it is what a man does with what happens to him. ~Aldous Huxley - - To unsubscribe to granite, send an email to "majordomo@xmission.com" with "unsubscribe granite" in the body of the message. For information on digests or retrieving files and old messages send "help" to the same address. Do not use quotes in your message. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 29 Feb 2000 08:24:28 -0700 From: Debbie White Subject: (granite) Update - February 29th Hello, Thanks for all the good efforts yesterday. We made the day a good one. The unity among you all was overwhelming. The community services we accomplished were incredible. Thank you!!! I know the sound yesterday was not good. I am truly sorry. I will get a letter out today that summarizes what I said and where we need to go. I do have the email that Senator Ron Allen said I could pass on to you all.... (see below) You made me proud. We stayed on our message. Channel 2 news was well done. It showed Rep Zolman (the one wanting to punish the district) being very irrate. Then it showed each of you in very positive and calm activities. The contrast was a good one. We have a long way to go - but, we will do it together and with a new sense of purpose and energy. Later... :D - -- Debbie White President Granite Education Association ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Experience is not what happens to a man; it is what a man does with what happens to him. ~Aldous Huxley ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dear friends in education, I have been focused on education this year as you probably know. I even proposed and filed new funding legislation that put me at odds with my business associates and campaign donors. I worked hard, paid attention, and spotted bad ideas early. I even successfully helped to kill several bills in committee that were patently anti-education. Unfortunately, I still feel that I let teachers down because I could not muster the strength in numbers to penetrate the "irony-curtain" built by ultra-conservative lawmakers. You have my commitment that in the remaining few days, I will do everything I can to help. When this session is over I'll start the spring with a new plan and new focus. It is my full intent to pay teachers more, reduce classroom counts, build smaller community based schools, hire reading specialists, enlist school nurses, and bring more counselors in contact with our wonderful children. I believe a major initiative and commitment to education can, and will eventually succeed. Most importantly, I want to listen to the ideas and dreams of educators like you, so that your input is more valuable than the preconceived notions of a handful of part-time lawmakers that have isolated themselves from the grim reality of the situation. Thank you for all that you do for our children and thus our future. You are on the right side of quality, performance and integrity. God bless teachers one and all, Senator Ron Allen District 13 NW Salt Lake and Tooele Counties Ron Allen Utah State Senator, District Thirteen NW Salt Lake County / Tooele County - - To unsubscribe to granite, send an email to "majordomo@xmission.com" with "unsubscribe granite" in the body of the message. For information on digests or retrieving files and old messages send "help" to the same address. Do not use quotes in your message. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 01 Mar 2000 15:06:23 -0700 From: Debbie White Subject: (granite) [Fwd: [ut_activist] Public Education Budget] This is a multi-part message in MIME format. - --------------5B06B02F7C2279946F2B4D85 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I thought you needed to hear the information..... Later... :D - -- Debbie White President Granite Education Association ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Experience is not what happens to a man; it is what a man does with what happens to him. ~Aldous Huxley - --------------5B06B02F7C2279946F2B4D85 Content-Type: message/rfc822 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Content-Disposition: inline Envelope-to: pres@gea-ut.org Received: from [207.226.187.104] (helo=list.nea.org) by mail.xmission.com with smtp (Exim 3.03 #3) id 12QGUN-0003xZ-00 for pres@gea-ut.org; Wed, 01 Mar 2000 14:16:59 -0700 Date: Wed, 1 Mar 2000 16:7:1 Subject: [ut_activist] Public Education Budget To: "UEA Activist ListServ" From: "UEA Activist List" List-Unsubscribe: List-Software: Lyris Server version 3.0 List-Subscribe: List-Owner: X-URL: X-List-Host: National Education Association Reply-To: "UEA Activist ListServ" Sender: bounce-ut_activist-65024@list.nea.org Message-Id: Precedence: bulk X-Mozilla-Status2: 00000000 UEA Activists: There have been several reports regarding the Legislature’s public education budget proposal, including one indicating a 6.9% increase. Here is the summary of the Legislature’s budget: $86.9 million increase on WPU (5.5% increase on the WPU) $26. 5 million increase (1.7% increase in WPU equivalent*) $113.4 million increase (7.2% total WPU equivalent increase*) Initially, the Legislature had reported a 7.4% increase in WPU equivalent. They subtracted one-half of the appropriation for the accountability bill ($3.5 million), leaving 7.2% in WPU equivalent increase. In summary, additional new funding available next year for public schools: Legislature’s Approved Budget $113.4 million This approved budget is higher than the Governor’s proposed budget of $112.6 million. *WPU equivalent is the amount of money needed to raise the WPU 1% ($15.8 million). Thanks to all of our activists in helping us achieve this public education budget--the largest increase on the WPU in a decade! *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* This list is moderated by the Utah Education Association. You can contact us or join the list by sending e-mail to Archived "ut_activist" messages are available under "state associations" at You are currently subscribed to ut_activist as: pres@gea-ut.org To unsubscribe send a blank email to: leave-ut_activist-65024O@list.nea.org - --------------5B06B02F7C2279946F2B4D85-- - - To unsubscribe to granite, send an email to "majordomo@xmission.com" with "unsubscribe granite" in the body of the message. For information on digests or retrieving files and old messages send "help" to the same address. Do not use quotes in your message. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 06 Mar 2000 08:55:35 -0700 From: Debbie White Subject: (granite) [Fwd: Final Report - 2000 Legislature] This is a multi-part message in MIME format. - --------------23689448EF1688687FB889C3 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit FYI - -- Debbie White President Granite Education Association ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Experience is not what happens to a man; it is what a man does with what happens to him. ~Aldous Huxley - --------------23689448EF1688687FB889C3 Content-Type: message/rfc822 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Content-Disposition: inline Envelope-to: pres@gea-ut.org Received: from [207.226.187.104] (helo=list.nea.org) by mail.xmission.com with smtp (Exim 3.03 #3) id 12QgOZ-0006ri-00 for pres@gea-ut.org; Thu, 02 Mar 2000 17:56:43 -0700 Date: Thu, 2 Mar 2000 19:46:52 Subject: Final Report - 2000 Legislature To: "To facilitate communication and fact sharing among all UEA staff, UniServ Directors, and Local Preside" From: "Mark Mickelsen" List-Unsubscribe: Reply-To: "Mark Mickelsen" Message-Id: Precedence: bulk X-Mozilla-Status2: 00000000 Utah Education Association (MESSAGE #13) The following information will be released tomorrow in the final 2000 Capitol Bulletin: A Message For Communications Liaisons March 2, 2000 [Important: The information contained in this e-mail has been edited and may be used in local education association or UniServ publications. The material may not be used for press releases. If you want to respond to this memorandum, please do so by contacting Mark Mickelsen at mmickelsen@nea.org. PLEASE DO NOT REPLY DIRECTLY TO THIS MEMORANDUM. This message is being sent to UEA Communications Liaisons, UniServ directors, local presidents, UEA leaders and members of the UEA Board of Directors.] [For Communications Liaisons: This is the thirteenth in an ongoing series of articles about the Utah Education Association's campaign to increase funding for public education. As your local association or UniServ's designated Communications Liaison, we encourage you to publish the information in an existing newsletter, or create a simple format "quick read" newsletter that can be easily reproduced for your members. Thank You.] PUBLISH ONLY MATERIAL BELOW THIS LINE - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CAPITOL BULLETIN - MARCH 2, 2000 A final report from the Utah Legislature . . . Lawmakers approve largest school funding increase in a decade Utah Students Deserve More. The message not only caught the attention of the Utah Legislature, but lawmakers responded by approving the largest increase in the Weighted Pupil Unit (WPU) in more than a decade. That's a victory for members of the Utah Education Association who have worked since last October to share their message about public schools with the citizens of the state. In the final days of the 2000 legislative session, lawmakers appropriated $113.4 million in new funding for public schools, established a task force to look at a long-term school funding plan, and agreed to allow locally-elected school boards to continue making decisions regarding teacher salaries and other education-related programs. Lawmakers Approve 5.5% Increase In WPU, School Boards Maintain Local Autonomy The Legislature approved a 5.5 percent increase in the WPU — the primary funding mechanism for teacher salaries and student programs — and okayed legislative "intent language" that allows school districts to maintain their local autonomy and decisionmaking power. According to the new language, school boards, in their negotiations with teachers, may use WPU money for class size reduction, textbooks and school supplies, as long as teachers with five or less years in the classroom receive additional, significant compensation. By removing any actual dollar amount related to salaries, school districts may determine where best to spend their resources and still address concerns related to beginning teacher salaries. The UEA lobbied against the previous intent language, which would have provided a $1,500 to $2,000 increase for teachers, but only 4.0 percent for media specialists, counselors and psychologists. "The original language would have created a morale problem," said UEA lobbyist Jim Eldredge. "It didn't cover all educators." The 5.5 percent WPU increase is equal to $86.9 million. An additional $26.5 million for education programs brings the new money total for education to $113.4 million for 2000-2001. The Legislature's approved budget for public education is higher than Governor Mike Leavitt's proposal of $112.6 million. Eldredge called this year's budget negotiations "unusual," noting that in the past, many battles were fought to maintain funding in specific program areas. "This year, we worked to gain as much on the WPU as we could," he said. "It's the best we've done in years." UEA members, who set the legislative priorities, directed the lobby team to concentrate their efforts on increasing the WPU and beginning a decade-long commitment to bring Utah to the national average in per pupil expenditures. In a related matter, teachers working for the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind received additional money from the Legislature to help bring their salaries into parity with their colleagues across the state. Teachers at the Area Technical Centers also received funding and intent language that guarantees them salary equity. Task Force Established To Look At Long-Term Plan Responding to concerns from educators and citizens, the Legislature took the first step toward a long-term funding plan for public education when they approved House Bill 426. The bill establishes a special legislative task force and says members of the task force "shall review and make recommendations on the following issues": "equity and adequacy in funding public education"; "alternative revenue sources for funding public education"; "providing for a long-term plan to increase public education funding . . ." H.B. 426 was amended to include language stating the task force "shall notify and seek input from the . . . Utah Education Association . . . and other members of the state's public education community." A final report from the task force, including any proposed legislation, will be made to the Education Interim Committee before November 30, 2000. Legislature Increases Teacher-Directed Supply Money Allocation All educators will see an increase in the amount of teacher-directed supply money they receive during the 2000-2001 school year thanks to a $4.4 million appropriation by the Legislature. Up from $3.7 million, the amount proposed in the opening days of the session, the money will be used to provide $225 for elementary teachers and $175 for secondary teachers. Money Appropriated To Help Rural Schools Many rural Utah schools don't have the money to provide educational opportunities for students which are equal to the benefits enjoyed by schoolchildren along the Wasatch Front. Legislators who want to alleviate some of these inequities appropriated $3.1 million to provide assistance through the Necessarily Existent Small Schools formula. An Additional $6 Million For Textbooks As part of the "Utah Students Deserve More" campaign, the UEA argued that students need to have up-to-date textbooks. Lawmakers apparently agreed, budgeting $6 million to help take care of the problem. Sadly, the Legislature failed to approve Representative Patrice Arent's House Bill 117, which could have provided $45 million in one-time money to be used for public school textbooks and supplies. Rep. Arent's bill would have required self-employed citizens to pay state income tax on a quarterly basis during the year. "Rep. Arent did an outstanding job in preparing and presenting this bill," said UEA Executive Director Susan Kuziak. "She should be credited by educators for her efforts. Only politics kept the bill from passing." Retirement Bill Helps Long-Time Members The passage of Senate Bill 106 authorizes a new formula for calculating retirement credit for some public employees who have already retired. The decision should be good news for retirees who received less than 2.0 percent credit for each year of service. The revised formula says no one should receive credit less than 1.25 percent per year of service. Eldredge said many of the people who fought for this change helped "pioneer" the benefits enjoyed by many in the Utah State Retirement System, adding, "we (UEA) are happy to be helping our retired friends." Health Bill Loosens Requirement On Specialists Under a new health bill passed by the Legislature, insurers must establish and implement procedures whereby patients can obtain a "standing referral" to a health care specialist. The referral will be provided if the primary care provider determines, in consultation with the specialist, that the patient requires continuing care from the specialist. The intent of the bill is to avoid forcing patients to see two doctors each time they need medical help. UEA tracks hundreds of bills during 2000 legislative session During the 2000 legislative session, the Utah Education Association tracked or monitored more than 225 bills dealing with public education, K-12 education funding, revenue and taxation, employee issues (e.g., risk management, worker's compensation, etc.), health insurance, retirement, and good government (specifically election laws and lobby disclosure). Many of the bills were not of great importance, but could have impacted educators or students. Others could be classified as quite important, but not crucial. Some were a top priority for the UEA. The following is a summary of some of the bills the Association felt were of particular importance or interest: Education Funding: • Senate Bill 3 (H. Stephenson) The Minimum School Finance Act PASSED This bill establishes the funding for Utah public schools. There was much concern over proposed intent language regarding salaries, i.e. (1) The Legislature establishing the amount of the increase ($2,000); and (2) The suggested increase not including counselors, media specialists, psychologists, administrators, and classified employees who were to get a smaller increase. The language finally agreed upon allows local districts and teachers greater flexibility and specifies only teachers paid on the first five steps are to receive "additional significant compensation." What that means will be defined individually in each district. • House Bill 426 (K. Garn) Education Funding Task Force PASSED Establishes a legislative task force specifically directed to "provide a long-term plan to increase public education funding and to report to the Education Interim Committee by November 30, 2000." This will be the basis for enhanced funding proposals in the 2001 session. The UEA will be participating and reporting progress to members. • HB 166 (B. Johnson) Necessarily Existent Small Schools PASSED This bill changes slightly the criteria for defining such small schools and adds $3.18 million in funding to assist these small, rural schools in providing quality education. • HB 189 Classroom Supplies (R. Bigelow) PASSED This bill reimburses teachers for the purchase of classroom supplies. K-6 teachers will receive up to $225. 7-12 teachers will receive up to $175. This is an increase over last year's $150. • HB 117 (P. Arent) Individual Income Tax Payments FAILED The bill proposed a change in tax filing for the self-employed and would have generated $45 million in one-time funds for K-12 textbooks. Sadly, it failed to get a Senate hearing after passing in the House, in our view for political reasons. Public Education Bills: • HB 177 (T. Rowan) Assessing, Reporting, Evaluating Student Performance PASSED (Standards & Accountability) This bill passed with funding of $3.5 million. Implementation dates were delayed until 2002 and 2003. • HB 156 (Eli Anderson) Ethics Act PASSED This bill removes educators from the Ethics Act. It has been this act that prohibited educators from providing services to their students where they receive any compensation, e.g., tutoring, educational travel, etc. The State Board and local boards will not develop guidelines to cover these activities. • HB 411 (Bill Wright) Public Education Curriculum Amendments PASSED This is the "infamous" sex education bill which has taken out all instruction regarding contraception except abstinence, even with parental permission. This is a bill which is unfortunate for educators and students and is a prime example of legislative interference with education issues. • HB 397 (R. Bigelow) Incentive for Elementary Reading PASSED This bill establishes a small scholarship/grant program ($500) to assist K-3 elementary educators working to get a reading endorsement. Health Insurance & Retirement: Health insurance was a "hot" issue. Twenty-five bills were introduced directly affecting how insurance carriers operate (only insurers regulated by the State Insurance Department). Twelve of these bills would have increased premiums. UEA opposes mandates, believing individual districts and employees can choose these benefits if they want them. Two bills passed, both after being significantly amended: Mental Health Parity and Diabetes Treatment & Management. • SB 106 (H. Nielson) Retirement Benefit Enhancement PASSED This bill increases the retirement benefit of some already retired public employees (including educators) who currently receive very minimal benefits. It was among the UEA's top legislative priorities. Summaries of revenue and tax bills, "good government," and additional education bills will be provided in upcoming UEA publications and on the UEA Web site. ### - --- The administrator of this list is Paul Chadwick whose email address is pchadwick@nea.og You are currently subscribed to ueaprostaff as: pres@gea-ut.org To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-ueaprostaff-73920S@list.nea.org This list conforms to the Acceptable Use Policies for email lists sponsored by the National Education Association. To receive a copy of the policy, send an email to list-aup@list.nea.org - --------------23689448EF1688687FB889C3-- - - To unsubscribe to granite, send an email to "majordomo@xmission.com" with "unsubscribe granite" in the body of the message. For information on digests or retrieving files and old messages send "help" to the same address. 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