Utah Legislature 2010: Public education facing further cuts

Funding is public education's hot-button issue for the 2010 legislative session, but there are also several controversial bills popping up.

Lawmakers are considering a 4 percent cut to education for fiscal year 2010 and a 5 percent cut for 2011.

Education leaders and some legislators say they want the $100 million Rainy Day Fund set aside for public education. Sen. Pat Jones, D-Holladay, says the time to invest in students is now. "They don't get a second chance at third grade," she said.

Attention-grabbing bills in the works include requiring a seismic inventory of school buildings; revamping the state's sex-education curriculum; squashing Salt Lake County's equalization program; and restructuring how teachers are paid.

A proposal by Rep. Larry Wiley, D-West Valley, would require school districts to do a seismic evaluation of each building. The bill carries a $500,000 fiscal note, but Wiley says he plans to remove it because of the economic climate.

A bill by Sen. Stephen Urquhart, R-St. George, aims to help educators get over their qualms of teaching sex education by offering specific guidelines.

Right now four school districts in Salt Lake County are giving funds to help Jordan School District due to its rapid enrollment increase. A bill by Rep. Ben McAdams, D-Salt Lake, would put a two-year sunset clause on the program. A bill by Rep. Gene Davis, D-Salt Lake, would squash the program altogether.

Proposed legislation by Rep. Marie Poulson, D-Cottonwood Heights, recommends guiding principles for teacher performance pay plans, including promoting student achievement and making sure the plan is adequately funded.

— Amy K. Stewart