Jordan calls for veto on 4 education bills

The Jordan Board of Education is asking Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. to veto four education bills, including one worth $15 million.

The board wants a veto on HB181, Education Reform, which was sponsored by Rep. Steve Urquhart, R-St. George. It would give the $15 million partially in the form of merit pay for fourth- through sixth-grade teachers whose students improve their math test scores, and it offers a voucher for students struggling to pass the Utah Basic Skills Competency Test for high school graduation.

Public dollars should not be used to pay for private services, the board said, and it also questioned the equity of merit pay.

The other three bills recommended for veto by the board would charge students for concurrent enrollment, would allow cities to create voter-approved school districts and would clarify roles for charter school building inspections.