Utah Legislature: Jordan teachers rally for ed funds at Capitol

SALT LAKE CITY — Bingham High teacher James Barton says he loves his classroom kids as much as his own children — but he also has a family of six to feed.

"My wife is tired of me supporting the children of the district and wants me to support our kids," Barton said, adding that he generally puts in 20 hours per week of his free time for his job.

Barton, who teaches history, was one of 50 teachers and parents from the Jordan School District who lobbied lawmakers and rallied at the Capitol on Wednesday.

The group is concerned with potential budget cuts that could include eliminating 250 teacher positions as Jordan District faces a $30 million deficit.

Many teachers and parents Wednesday spoke to legislators in support of HB295, which would allow school districts the flexibility to use building funds for classroom needs, including funding teachers.

"Something needs to be done to help the children of Utah," said parent Liz Claflin, of Riverton.

The district's plan could call for eliminating 500 jobs, reducing salaries, increasing class sizes, cutting back on administration and reducing or killing programs. Educators are pushing for property-tax increases, implementing furloughs and slashing administrator salaries and positions.

"There are many options, and the fact they are going after jobs first really irritates me," said Katie Jones, who teaches English at Bingham High School.

"Morale is very, very low," said Virginia Raiser, a literacy facilitator at Mountain Shadows Elementary School. "In my 29 years, I've never seen it like this."

Education leaders say a walkout or strike is a last resort if the school board doesn't listen. But teachers are ready.

"I would definitely walk," Jones said.

The Jordan teachers who were at the Capitol on Wednesday took a "personal day," which is a paid leave day. Other teachers who had used up all their personal days were able to take an "alternative leave day," in which they had to pay for a substitute teacher, subtracting $92 from their paycheck, according to district officials.

After lobbying lawmakers, the teachers rallied in the Capitol basement, holding signs that read: "Speak for Tomorrow Today."

Robin Frodge, president of Jordan Education Association teachers union, told the crowd that passing HB295 "will help students, teachers and the economy of the state of Utah."

Utah Education Association president Kim Campbell spoke of the erosion of public-education funding sources over the past decade, saying, "Like the snow melting in the spring, the recession has uncovered some very ugly things."

As union leaders spoke, lawmakers upstairs continued to discuss the budget for fiscal year 2011, which begins July 1. Republican senators said Wednesday they decided in their closed caucus a day ago to trim public education by $21 million to pay for other state needs — a 1 percent budget cut.

Jordan officials are waiting for state budget figures to be finalized, and the legislative session to end, before deciding on district budget cuts.

Contributing: Lisa Riley Roche

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