Leaders discuss axing one school day to save money
The State Office of Education, along with other public agencies, is looking at a 7.5 percent budget cut which means slicing $194 million from public education, for the rest of fiscal year 2009. Public education also is subject to a 15 percent cut for fiscal year 2010 which means axing $369.5 million.
State Board of Education member Greg Haws, who is chairman of the State Board's finance committee, points out the state would save $12.5 million by simply reducing the school year by one day.
Haws added, however, that each day school is cancelled would mean a day of teachers not working and not getting paid. Whether budget cuts could include slicing teacher pay depends on whether the educator's contract includes a non-appropriation clause.
State Board member Dave Thomas, vice-chairman of the Board's finance committee, said they are still researching the educator contract issue.
Legislators have advised the State Board to target programs, not teachers and class sizes when proposing budget cuts.
Further, Haws points out the school year is half over. "We can't really wind the clock back," he said.
A list of recommendations outlined by the Legislature's budget officials and presented to the Public Education Appropriations Monday targets the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, among other education areas.
One line item calls for eliminating an 18-student residential program at USDB, which is based in Ogden. It would save $761,400 for fiscal year 2010.
USDB superintendent Timothy Smith, who attended the meeting, said, he is concerned about that item, along with several others targeting USDB.
"The major problem we have is we are considered like a public school when it's beneficial to others. We are considered as a state agency if it benefits others," Smith said, but acknowledges these are simply recommendations.
Rep. Tim Cosgrove, D-Murray, said it seemed to him USDB was "overly impacted" in the recommendations. "The percent seems to impact them greater," he said. "Their programs are fixed costs."
E-mail: astewart@desnews.com
Recent comments
The CRT tests are given earlier in the month of May because NCLB...
Tired! | Jan. 15, 2009 at 5:01 p.m.
Science Teacher 7:07 1/13....I agree whole heartedly!
Amen!!! | Jan. 14, 2009 at 2:45 p.m.
You want more useful days during school time?
STOP TAKING YOUR...
Science Teacher | Jan. 13, 2009 at 7:07 p.m.
- Holiday television program listings 1:02 a.m.
- Williams, Rose celebrate by playing 12:46 a.m.
- Utes to get tested by Illinois 12:40 a.m.
- Cougs to host Weber St. 12:39 a.m.
- Efforts to save a life praised 12:29 a.m.
- Settle fights, set tone of marriage 12:28 a.m.
- Clearfield balking at UTA plan 12:26 a.m.
- New administration bldg for Davis 12:26 a.m.
- Gallery: Thanksgiving in Utah 12:14 a.m.
- National news briefs 12:12 a.m.
- Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
- Rivalry has had some 'turkeys'
- Holiday television program listings
- Highland players make special friend
- Temple Square to use LEDs
- Salt Lake City woman shot
- Matt Reynolds vs. Koa Misi
- Provo star leads Bulldogs to win
- Missions teach players perseverance
- Cave rescuers committed to free man
- BYU would like friendlier rivalry
262 - Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
211 - RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
202 - Bronco, Kyle rubber match
139 - Thunder rolls by Jazz
136 - Letters: Rushing to judge Palin
132 - Boys basketball rankings
117 - Editorial: Poor welcome for Palin
112 - Hall, Johnson matchup key
102 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
98
Can someone please tell me which top 10 team Max has won? I hope the Jeff...
The old recipie for good economy is to just cut taxes to spur investment and...
Respect? Why show respect for another human being who's opinions and...
The problem is, Sarah Palin ist not a competent politician. She begs to be...
Please do tell which of his facts were stupid? Your best ever got smocked at...
Honestly. Kyle cannot be moved with the contract. I would rather see CJ<...
So many conclusions, based on false assumptions, so many haters, with...
If Carlos continues to play like this instead of hearing "boo" at ESA, maybe...
With all that tradition they can't seem to compete on the national stage....
Hint: You notice (like I predicted) no mention of any Jazz interest in...


