From Deseret News archives:
Education leaders want spending leeway
Resolution addresses WPU, funding program
To show the Legislature the importance of local control, the State Board of Education issued a resolution during a regular meeting Friday on education funding. It addresses the weighted pupil unit and Minimum School Program.
WPU is a method used to dole out state funding to school districts based on enrollment a process the board deems to be extremely equitable.
The Minimum School Program is the major funding source for school districts to accomplish basic education of students.
School districts have more freedom in spending WPU whereas the Legislature controls how other areas in the Minimum School Program are spent.
"There are pet projects that have come on. And that money is restricted on how it's used," said board vice chairman Mark Cluff.
"The goal is to allow the school districts the flexibility to use the money where they need to use it," Cluff said.
The resolution passed 13 to 1.
Board member Tom Gregory, who voted "no," said he felt the action was too strong. "The Legislature is granted budgeting authority," Gregory told the Deseret News.
Board members point out that during the past few years, the WPU pot has grown somewhat while the Minimum School Program has increased substantially.
WPU increased from $2,280 per pupil in fiscal year 2006 to $2,577 in fiscal year 2008 an increase of 13 percent.
Meanwhile, the Minimum School Program increased by 35.3 percent over the past four years, from $2.3 billion to $3.1 billion.
Further, board members take issue with some of the categories in the Minimum School Program. That is because the items may give money to just one district or a region or to a special-interest program.
The board's resolution states "programs that are not funded through the WPU may tend to distribute money in ways that may not fulfill the historical goal of equity of public education resources for all Utah students, regardless of where individual students live within the state."
The resolution further states "the funding of new programs has left the basic program underfunded, resulting in the highest student-teacher ratio and class size of any state in the nation, along with other systematic deficiencies that result from the inadequate value of the WPU."
The resolution requests that new revenues available for appropriation to public education during the 2009 Legislature be used according to the following priorities: full funding of student enrollment growth; increasing the value of the WPU; other state board and legislative priorities.
Further, the resolution requests that any appropriations for new public education programs, or added appropriations to non-WPU funded public education programs, be made only after an increase in the WPU.
E-mail: astewart@desnews.com
Recent comments
A reasonable request from the State Board of Education. In other...
Finally | Nov. 10, 2008 at 9:26 a.m.
I feel bad for teachers who are caught up in the politicization of...
Back to Basics | Nov. 8, 2008 at 6:23 p.m.
I agree with the State Board resolution except that more mandates on...
Chuck | Nov. 8, 2008 at 2:15 p.m.
- Fox CEO wants US to join France 12:30 p.m.
- 10 excuses to flee 'New Moon' 12:30 p.m.
- Lehi woman hurt in ATV rollover 12:30 p.m.
- Charlie Chaplin home to be museum 12:28 p.m.
- 10 years in prison for enticing teen 12:23 p.m.
- Official: China mine overcrowded 12:16 p.m.
- Brazil: World should engage Iran 12:00 p.m.
- Atom smasher sends beams 2 ways 11:56 a.m.
- U.K. begins inquiry on Iraq war 11:48 a.m.
- Apostle and Seventy's Africa visit 11:46 a.m.
- Buttars wants to limit gay rights laws
212 - Glenn Beck to enter politics?
205 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
178 - RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
173 - BYU records with win
130 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
129 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
103 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
102 - Jazz finally win in San Antonio
99 - Utes knock off rival Aggies
93
A survey by Accountemps says that this year, fewer people plan to shop...
A little after midnight Wednesday morning, about 21 hours ago as I write...
RE: @ Brother Chuck Schroeder | 9:42 a.m. Nov. 23, 2009 Brother Churck,...
To "Dems not in trouble | 10:23 a.m." what do you think is going to happen to...
He was aquitted of kidnapping. IE there was no proof that he kidnapped...
That is the question--How did Facebook get on her site to view her photos? A...
The LDS Church did not contribute to the so called in correct ads. I guess...
I'll be there with my kids! Way to go RSL!
I hear that Utah's cheerleaders have been working out for this game . . ....
Didn't BYU have those same advantages over FSU? Didn't seem to help much as...
Wimmer is the least effective member of the legislature. I guess some people...
Seer stones are an integral part of Mormonism for the seem reason that skin...

