Two groups of employees have attorneys who are preparing to take the district to court over a post-retirement benefit that was canceled. Unions agreed to let the benefit lapse in last year's negotiations, but many employees want a judge to declare that they are entitled to the Medicare supplementary insurance because they accepted lower pay increases in exchange for the benefit.

"I just hope, as negotiations progress, we can get to a very serious discussion (over) programs and priorities," board member Carolyn Wright.

Wright echoed concerns of parents at Tuesday's budget meeting who said that specialized programs are being promoted at the expense of teachers.

Parent Celeste Kennard said that the literacy programs that are part of Provo teachers' professional development — CELL, ExLL and Second Chance — are unpopular.

"I know there are good things that come out of that. However, I (heard) many teachers complain having to be re-taught" the same strategies year after year, she said.

Superintendent Randy Merrill said some money the district receives has to be used for professional development. The Foundation for Comprehensive Early Literacy Learning programs give teachers an edge that's recognized statewide. And students are more successful at literacy because of the programs, he said.

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E-mail: lhancock@desnews.com