By RUSS HILL
russ@newsroom.byu.edu
Utah's children could earn more allowance next year. Gov. Mike Leavitt is proposing a $114 per-student increase in state education funding.
The governor unveiled details of his much-anticipated education budget Wednesday afternoon at Rose Park Elementary School. The governor proposed a 7.4 percent increase in school funding over last year. Leavitt said it's time the state took care of its children.
'This budget would mean more supplies, more teachers, more books,' Leavitt said.
He is proposing decreasing the amount of money spent on the transportation debt to allocate more to education. Utah's total education budget is $1.64 billion.
As soon as the governor concluded his comments at Rose Park Elementary, teachers immediately began pouring out praise.
'We couldn't be happier. But, it's now up to the legislature, and they need to do their part,' Diane Crim, a teacher, said.
Phyllis Sorenson, president of the Utah Education Association, said educators are finally getting the money that they need, in order to do a good job.
'What Utah teachers can not take is a 10-year booster shot,' Sorenson said. 'We can't wait for a shot every 10 years where we get this big infusion of money, and then it just disappears.'
Utah teachers have lobbied state lawmakers for years to increase the amount of cash that is spent on students. The state typically comes in last place in national per-pupil spending ratings.
The governor's recommendations are just that, recommendations. Whether state lawmakers will agree with the large numbers Leavitt is suggesting is yet to be seen.
'I believe it will be tough. I am hoping that my legislators are listening and that they will hear the words of their constituents,' said state Sen. Karen Hale. Hale said she is concerned that if the legislative session in January turns into a contest between republican lawmakers who want to run against Leavitt for governor, Utah's students may be forgotten.
In addition to providing more money for schools, Leavitt said his education proposal will also demand more accountability from teachers, and parents.
'Accountability is responsibility,' Leavitt said. 'There is a chain of responsibility that links students, parents, teachers, principals, elected school boards and voters,' he said.
The governor was not specific on what those accountability requirements will be. Lawmakers will likely heavily debate that in January. For now, educators are just glad to see the governor join their call for more money.
'We might finally be able to allow all students to take home their textbooks at night, instead of leaving them for the next class to use,' Sorenson said.