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Utah still last on ed funds
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Gag--Sarcasm | 6:35 a.m. Sept. 13, 2007
Just another reason our State's elite deserve vouchers... because we have
the most underfunded Public system in the US.
rj | 7:03 a.m. Sept. 13, 2007
A more important question is how are are students performing? how are they
learning compared to national averages? How are they testing out compared to the
national average?
I for one am proud we are a state that does not just throw money at education--so we can be as wasteful as everybody else in the country.
I for one am proud we are a state that does not just throw money at education--so we can be as wasteful as everybody else in the country.
Comments continue below
60 grand? | 8:22 a.m. Sept. 13, 2007
A teacher with a masters degree and 5 years experience pulls in about 40K per
year. Very few teachers ever hit the 50K mark.
John | 8:31 a.m. Sept. 13, 2007
Just throwing money at the system doesn't mean it will improve. I
constantly read about Utah's high graduation rate, the high percentage of
young people who go on to college, and the good scores in the national testing
system, then we get a whiny story about how we don't spend enough money on
the schools.
The fact is, there is plenty of money for education right now. Just get rid of about half the administrators and those who glob onto the system and return nothing.
Given the billions and billions of dollars spent on education in the last 40 years, and the complete lack of any noticeable improvement, I would say spending more money, is no the answer.
P.S. If the schools don't have enough money, why are they always tearing up and replacing the titanic amounts of grass around every building? Spend the money first on education, and if you have any left over, plant grass....
The fact is, there is plenty of money for education right now. Just get rid of about half the administrators and those who glob onto the system and return nothing.
Given the billions and billions of dollars spent on education in the last 40 years, and the complete lack of any noticeable improvement, I would say spending more money, is no the answer.
P.S. If the schools don't have enough money, why are they always tearing up and replacing the titanic amounts of grass around every building? Spend the money first on education, and if you have any left over, plant grass....
Lynn Sanderson | 8:31 a.m. Sept. 13, 2007
I agree with the first comment. We should pay our school teachers well, but
funding must be a balance effort and education deserves to be amoung the top
priorities but the ability of tax payers to afford to support it must be
considered. We have a lot of young individuals so we achieve ecomonomies of
scale. Many costs are fixed and can't change. It would be interesting to
see how variable costs per student stack up against the nation.
Public ed supporter | 8:34 a.m. Sept. 13, 2007
Ken I had to laugh at your numbers. According to Provo School District's
website a teacher with 5 years experience and a masters degree would be making
$37,065. No where near $55,000 - $60,000 that you claim.
Pay them what they are worth! | 8:37 a.m. Sept. 13, 2007
Lowest again. Big surprise.
No wonder all of the teachers are leaving and going to Las Vegas, California, or even Wyoming.
Last year was a good step in the right direction. The legislature stepped up and gave a nice raise. Hopefully it will happen again this year. We have to do something or else we will soon be outsourcing our teaching jobs as well!
No wonder all of the teachers are leaving and going to Las Vegas, California, or even Wyoming.
Last year was a good step in the right direction. The legislature stepped up and gave a nice raise. Hopefully it will happen again this year. We have to do something or else we will soon be outsourcing our teaching jobs as well!
Mike | 8:40 a.m. Sept. 13, 2007
Every time I see we are last on funding but still providing a bang for the buck
I'm happy as a clam. I'm especially happy when I see that those who
spend literally 3-5 times more per student are places like New York City, Kansas
City, and Washington D.C. have abysmal education systems and huge non-teaching
middle tiers of educational professionals.
There is nothing to be ashamed about with our spending. We should continue to focus on the correct spending for our needs and not focus on how our spending compares to others. Isn't the end result a much better goal?
There is nothing to be ashamed about with our spending. We should continue to focus on the correct spending for our needs and not focus on how our spending compares to others. Isn't the end result a much better goal?
Paradox | 8:42 a.m. Sept. 13, 2007
Yes, demographics is an issue. However, since the income tax is the major source
of general funding for education, (property tax mainly pays for buildings) and
large families get a huge tax break, education funding is foisted upon a smaller
segment of the population. Used to be easy to say we do more with less, but the
number of high risk students is increasing dramatically, so we are not looking
as solid in comparisons. Have tyo agree with Gag about the vouhcers.
Flagar | 8:57 a.m. Sept. 13, 2007
RJ:
Why do we conservatives assume that funds devoted to education is throwing away money on education? If our students are doing as well as they are without adequate funding, imagine what they could be doing with adequate funding? I personally know fine teachers who have left our state because they were not paid well enough here. The money is the thing because we need to hold on to good teachers. That's not a liberal sentiment, it's a common-sense sentiment.
Why do we conservatives assume that funds devoted to education is throwing away money on education? If our students are doing as well as they are without adequate funding, imagine what they could be doing with adequate funding? I personally know fine teachers who have left our state because they were not paid well enough here. The money is the thing because we need to hold on to good teachers. That's not a liberal sentiment, it's a common-sense sentiment.
Furthermore | 9:10 a.m. Sept. 13, 2007
Duchesne County School District offers a begining teacher with a BS degree
$29,897. A first year District maintenance worker makes $29,268. A teacher with
25 years experience and a BS degree tops out at $40, 691. A teacher with 20
years and a Masters degree still won't hit 50K
Spanish Fork | 9:16 a.m. Sept. 13, 2007
Utah's next to the lowest cost per student compared to above average test
scores makes it the most efficient in the nation. Remember too that most of the
500 million dollars was eaten up by a huge increase in student population state
wide and this will continue. As for teacher salaries the Governor helped
several districts hire elementary teachers from Mexico(cheap labor), because
Utah's low salaries are unable to compete with other states and
professions.
Our taxes haven't really risen in most areas, because the large increase of students is caused by the even larger increase in the state population which has provided the increased funding. Because of large student population growth funding must increase, even if there is no real improvement in education.
Our taxes haven't really risen in most areas, because the large increase of students is caused by the even larger increase in the state population which has provided the increased funding. Because of large student population growth funding must increase, even if there is no real improvement in education.
Ken | 9:30 a.m. Sept. 13, 2007
Sorry for the $50 - 60K for Utah teachers with a Masters. I meant to say if
they were paid $50 - 60K per year then the per student rate would be 18% less.
Using the $37 - 40K amount, then the amount paid per pupil is even lower, around
58%.
It supports my argument that amount paid per student is not the best number to use. I also agree that teacher salaries are too low especially considering the cost of housing in Utah these days.
What Utah needs to determine what does it need to pay to keep good teachers in order to move and keep the graduation rate and performance on SAT and ACT exams in the upper 1/3 to 1/4 of the US or if you really want excellent schools compare that to other top education countries in the world.
That is the true measurement of quality education.
It supports my argument that amount paid per student is not the best number to use. I also agree that teacher salaries are too low especially considering the cost of housing in Utah these days.
What Utah needs to determine what does it need to pay to keep good teachers in order to move and keep the graduation rate and performance on SAT and ACT exams in the upper 1/3 to 1/4 of the US or if you really want excellent schools compare that to other top education countries in the world.
That is the true measurement of quality education.
swerl | 9:52 a.m. Sept. 13, 2007
How far will $3,000 or less work out for the rancher that has to drive his kids
to a eliet private school. You think the State will continue to match the $3K
to the public school system for a Native American. Not in this white State.
SamW | 10:00 a.m. Sept. 13, 2007
Per pupil spending is a MISLEADING indicator. Utah has the largest family size
in the country and a lower than average per person income level. Put those two
facts together and Utah will have the lowest transporation spending per pupil,
the lowest healthcare spending per pupil, the lowest anything per pupil. UNLESS
a disproportionate share of the money from one area goes to another.
We can't get the spending in education to the National Per Pupil levels unless we absolutely bury some other service underground, stop having children, or increase the income levels of individuals in the state!!
We can't get the spending in education to the National Per Pupil levels unless we absolutely bury some other service underground, stop having children, or increase the income levels of individuals in the state!!
doubtful | 10:07 a.m. Sept. 13, 2007
The legislature didn't "step up" to give the teachers a raise
last year. They wanted to keep them quiet and stop them from telling everyone
what a bad idea vouchers are. It was hush money.
commited to Youth | 12:00 p.m. Sept. 13, 2007
Most who complain about teachers getting to much are obtuse and ill-informed.
All arguments have their flaws. There are those that argue that we should cut
money to schools or not increase funding but as long as you live in a democracy
with freedom of speech you will have those that shout out short or self
interested rhetoric.
The one�s who go out and teach are the only ones that really are trying. And yes we do have poor teachers but we have poor people in every industry that still get paid or move up, (see peter principal), but leaving the salary scale where it is will not encourage even those with altruistic motive to accept the challenge or tolerate the lack of appreciation or ignorance of constituents in large classrooms. And to say we need to see test scores go up before we increase is ludicrous, that�s like beating the horse because he can�t pull the cart you have overloaded.
People stop arguing when you did not do well enough in school and you disliked a particular teacher. Look for the good. I am not asking for more money for me I am asking for you to pay for what you get. You do not get something for nothing unless someone somewhere is getting nothing for something. (basic economics(I think this really applies at the state capital)
The one�s who go out and teach are the only ones that really are trying. And yes we do have poor teachers but we have poor people in every industry that still get paid or move up, (see peter principal), but leaving the salary scale where it is will not encourage even those with altruistic motive to accept the challenge or tolerate the lack of appreciation or ignorance of constituents in large classrooms. And to say we need to see test scores go up before we increase is ludicrous, that�s like beating the horse because he can�t pull the cart you have overloaded.
People stop arguing when you did not do well enough in school and you disliked a particular teacher. Look for the good. I am not asking for more money for me I am asking for you to pay for what you get. You do not get something for nothing unless someone somewhere is getting nothing for something. (basic economics(I think this really applies at the state capital)
Pay up or Quit having Kids. | 12:24 p.m. Sept. 13, 2007
This tax system in the state is so flawed - we get tax deductions for
"dependents" - if you have kids you should pay for their education,
and not get tax relief. The people who have the kids should be the one paying
for their education. I have no kids, yet I am stuck having to pay more taxes
than anyone. I understand that as a society an educated society is best, so I
can see paying a little - but why should I pick up for a society that can't
stop having kids. I am sick of hearing about education spending. I want it cut.
We spend too much as it is.
KH | 12:24 p.m. Sept. 13, 2007
When are we going to get past using $$ spent on eduction as the indication of
success or failure in education?
Isn't the goal to make our schools better? More $$ doesn't neccesarily make our education system "Better".
What are we saying when we say lack of $$ is blocking our success?
- Are we saying the educators we have will suddenly perform better if given more $$?
- Or are we saying if given more $$ we can get rid of the currrent batch of teachers and get the more expensive ones we can't afford now?
- Are we saying our kids will work harder if we give their teachers more $$?
WHAT ARE WE SAYING?
I'm not against paying our teachers more but if that is the agenda just be open about it.
I don't agree just increasing the $$ will make the system better. I also don't agree that the Utah education system is currently in a crisis of either funding or performance (I don't know if it is the UEA or the media that keeps pushing per pupil spending as our goal).
I think our teachers are performing excellently and deserve more $$, but don't use $$ as the single indication of a successful education system.
Isn't the goal to make our schools better? More $$ doesn't neccesarily make our education system "Better".
What are we saying when we say lack of $$ is blocking our success?
- Are we saying the educators we have will suddenly perform better if given more $$?
- Or are we saying if given more $$ we can get rid of the currrent batch of teachers and get the more expensive ones we can't afford now?
- Are we saying our kids will work harder if we give their teachers more $$?
WHAT ARE WE SAYING?
I'm not against paying our teachers more but if that is the agenda just be open about it.
I don't agree just increasing the $$ will make the system better. I also don't agree that the Utah education system is currently in a crisis of either funding or performance (I don't know if it is the UEA or the media that keeps pushing per pupil spending as our goal).
I think our teachers are performing excellently and deserve more $$, but don't use $$ as the single indication of a successful education system.
Bruin Player | 12:28 p.m. Sept. 13, 2007
Money does not equal quality of education. To imply causation, or even
correlation, is laughable.
I agree that you need to keep teachers happy so they don't go somewhere else. However, Utah is a relatively cheap place to live and Utah parents are, on average, more involved in their child's education. Both of these factors are big positives for teachers.
Also, the teachers salary numbers listed by educators on this page are misleading and should be looked at with more perspective. Teachers in Utah can retire after 20 years with health benefits and annual retirement payments based on a large percentage of what they made while working during their last year. Very few other jobs will grant this.
Also, another salary balance idea to consider is the great work schedule enjoyed by teachers: the 9 month work-year with all federal holidays and weekends off. Many diligent teachers put in a busy summer to prepare for the fall, but the majority do the required continuing education classes and use the rest as they see fit.
I agree that you need to keep teachers happy so they don't go somewhere else. However, Utah is a relatively cheap place to live and Utah parents are, on average, more involved in their child's education. Both of these factors are big positives for teachers.
Also, the teachers salary numbers listed by educators on this page are misleading and should be looked at with more perspective. Teachers in Utah can retire after 20 years with health benefits and annual retirement payments based on a large percentage of what they made while working during their last year. Very few other jobs will grant this.
Also, another salary balance idea to consider is the great work schedule enjoyed by teachers: the 9 month work-year with all federal holidays and weekends off. Many diligent teachers put in a busy summer to prepare for the fall, but the majority do the required continuing education classes and use the rest as they see fit.
Instigator | 12:33 p.m. Sept. 13, 2007
I'd love to hear the UEA/PTA tell parents/voters/taxpayers in Utah that
they merit better pay not only because Utah kids consistently do well in
standardized and national exams, but also because the performance of Utah
students will continue to rise.
As a parent/voter/taxpayer, I hate hearing that we should pay teachers more because other states do.
Basing pay on performance and local economy indicators shouldn't be that crazy of an idea.
As a parent/voter/taxpayer, I hate hearing that we should pay teachers more because other states do.
Basing pay on performance and local economy indicators shouldn't be that crazy of an idea.
QOTU | 12:36 p.m. Sept. 13, 2007
I've never been able to understand why conservatives in Utah grudgingly
spend five or six thousand dollars a year educating a student, yet are perfectly
happy to spend tens of thousands to maintain a prisoner at Point of the
Mountain. How about pouring our investment into schools and kids? Give kids
EVERYTHING they need such as small classes, counselors, nurses, mentors, tutors,
skilled teachers, medical care, nice school buildings, etc. It would take about
20 years to start seeing a return on this investment, but the benefits would be
staggering. Fewer prisoners to maintain, less poverty, fewer welfare dollars
needed, and less spent on drug rehab or probation to name a few. I realize this
dream must be tempered with reality, but why not think big and go from there?
Also, why do legislators fall all over themselves to do advance planning for roads, yet can't come up with a long term education funding plan? I think teachers realize that Utah will never be Number 1 in per pupil funding, but how about number 45 or sofor a start?
Also, why do legislators fall all over themselves to do advance planning for roads, yet can't come up with a long term education funding plan? I think teachers realize that Utah will never be Number 1 in per pupil funding, but how about number 45 or sofor a start?
Dave | 1:59 p.m. Sept. 13, 2007
Bruin Player
First, Utah is no longer "a relatively cheap place to live". That arguement might have worked 10 years ago - but not now!
Second, having parent "helpers" doesn't make up for crappy wages. Would you take a lower paying job just because you knew that it had people show up once in a while to assist you in your work? While you would appreciate the help, you would undoubtedly keep an eye open for another job that paid better.
Further, while we're a great community, I'm sure we're not the only ones who have parents involved in their children's education.
First, Utah is no longer "a relatively cheap place to live". That arguement might have worked 10 years ago - but not now!
Second, having parent "helpers" doesn't make up for crappy wages. Would you take a lower paying job just because you knew that it had people show up once in a while to assist you in your work? While you would appreciate the help, you would undoubtedly keep an eye open for another job that paid better.
Further, while we're a great community, I'm sure we're not the only ones who have parents involved in their children's education.
Again another misinformed arguer | 2:02 p.m. Sept. 13, 2007
Bruin
Please fill me in on where I can retire after 20 years? You are probably looking at an exception. If it were such a good gig, wouldn't more be doing it? Are you? Thought so! go blow bubbles else where.
Please fill me in on where I can retire after 20 years? You are probably looking at an exception. If it were such a good gig, wouldn't more be doing it? Are you? Thought so! go blow bubbles else where.
Dan | 3:24 p.m. Sept. 13, 2007
Even though we rank 50th in the country in education spending, I don't
think our student success rates would rank 50th. In fact, I think our student
success rates would be above average compared to all other states as described
above by John at 8:31 AM. This tells me that we are getting a lot of bang for
our buck.
We have larger families in Utah and that's a fact we must accept. I think we've done a pretty good job educating our children all things considered.
We have larger families in Utah and that's a fact we must accept. I think we've done a pretty good job educating our children all things considered.
Chris | 3:24 p.m. Sept. 13, 2007
I am a second year teacher. I teach math and coach basketball in Davis School
District. I love my job so far and I feel that I get paid what I deserve. I get
two and a half months off in the summer and when I am not coaching I am done
with work at 3:15 everyday. I have so much time off to actually live and enjoy
life that I wouldn't trade my job with anybody. I am getting my masters and
by the time I am 35 I will be making 50K a year. With this and my wife's
income(she is a RN) we will be able to live comfortably for the rest of our
lives. I don't like all these people making my profession sound so bad and
underpaid. I love it.
kcatch9 | 4:16 p.m. Sept. 13, 2007
To put things into economic perspective a little:
Average rent for a two bedroom apartment in Utah: $800/mo.
Average monthly payment for a first mortgage in Utah: 900-1000/mo
Average Utility payment in Utah:
$150-200/mo
Average price of Gas in Utah:
$2.90/gal
My wife is a 2nd year teacher in the Nebo School District. She has an undergraduate degree in elementary education. During the school year she consistently puts in 40-50 hours a week. During the summer she probably puts in 10-20 hours a week. She makes approximately $2400 a month before taxes (appx. $29,200 a year). After taxes and other removals (i.e. dental) her paycheck is appx. $1990.
I am an undergraduate student working part time. I have no college degree. I work appx. 20 hours a week at $10 an hour (relatively average for a Utah non college grad) and make about $860 a month before taxes.
If you do the math, you will realize that my yearly salary, as a high school graduate with no extra experience or skills, is nearly equivalent to that of a second year elementary teacher.
All economic arguments aside, let me offer two questions:
What occupation can you think of that is more important to the well-being of society than that of a teacher?
When you leave all rationalization and biases aside and look introspectively at what your intuition tells you, do you really think that teachers, in any state, are adequately compensated for what they do?
Average rent for a two bedroom apartment in Utah: $800/mo.
Average monthly payment for a first mortgage in Utah: 900-1000/mo
Average Utility payment in Utah:
$150-200/mo
Average price of Gas in Utah:
$2.90/gal
My wife is a 2nd year teacher in the Nebo School District. She has an undergraduate degree in elementary education. During the school year she consistently puts in 40-50 hours a week. During the summer she probably puts in 10-20 hours a week. She makes approximately $2400 a month before taxes (appx. $29,200 a year). After taxes and other removals (i.e. dental) her paycheck is appx. $1990.
I am an undergraduate student working part time. I have no college degree. I work appx. 20 hours a week at $10 an hour (relatively average for a Utah non college grad) and make about $860 a month before taxes.
If you do the math, you will realize that my yearly salary, as a high school graduate with no extra experience or skills, is nearly equivalent to that of a second year elementary teacher.
All economic arguments aside, let me offer two questions:
What occupation can you think of that is more important to the well-being of society than that of a teacher?
When you leave all rationalization and biases aside and look introspectively at what your intuition tells you, do you really think that teachers, in any state, are adequately compensated for what they do?
Real Deal | 4:49 p.m. Sept. 13, 2007
Chris you must be an awesome teacher. I've been teaching for 25 years and
can never get all those lessons written and papers graded by 6:15, let alone
3:15. Must be the extra skills you learned in coaching school. I know my
coaches were always the best teachers when I was in public school. As for that
2 and a half months off in the summer, those are best spent working to support
my teaching habit. (A habit I love, by the way.)
I could retire now after 25 years (NOT 20) and get about half of my current pay monthly for a pension. As for the insurance benefits, there would be a few years from the district to see me through to Medicare. Those are nice benefits but not enough to live "comfortably" the rest of my life on.
Oh, and by the way, check with your local school districts to see if they are actually going to be able to pay teachers what the media reported that the legislature gave teachers last year. You're probably going to find that Alpine is the only district that has enough money and that's only because they planned well. The state money for districts didn't actually all show up as advertised due to legislative "miscalculations." Wonder why we haven't heard more about that one.
I could retire now after 25 years (NOT 20) and get about half of my current pay monthly for a pension. As for the insurance benefits, there would be a few years from the district to see me through to Medicare. Those are nice benefits but not enough to live "comfortably" the rest of my life on.
Oh, and by the way, check with your local school districts to see if they are actually going to be able to pay teachers what the media reported that the legislature gave teachers last year. You're probably going to find that Alpine is the only district that has enough money and that's only because they planned well. The state money for districts didn't actually all show up as advertised due to legislative "miscalculations." Wonder why we haven't heard more about that one.
Random | 4:56 p.m. Sept. 13, 2007
KH, I don't hear anyone saying $$ spent on education is an indicator of
anything except that we're spending less than other states. People say we
need to improve public education in Utah. Fine. The two most recognized ways to
improve student achievement are:
1) Lower class size. Every credible study ever conducted says this has a direct correlation to student achievement.
2) Get quality teachers in the classroom. Studies clearly indicate we attract better teachers with higher salaries.
Unfortunately these PROVEN methods for improving education are very expensive. They have not been tried in Utah because our state legislature won't fund them. Instead they're off chasing some magical, experimental Pandora's Box called vouchers.
1) Lower class size. Every credible study ever conducted says this has a direct correlation to student achievement.
2) Get quality teachers in the classroom. Studies clearly indicate we attract better teachers with higher salaries.
Unfortunately these PROVEN methods for improving education are very expensive. They have not been tried in Utah because our state legislature won't fund them. Instead they're off chasing some magical, experimental Pandora's Box called vouchers.
Steve | 5:14 p.m. Sept. 13, 2007
How about getting a lottery in Utah all residents who play thew lottery are
giving our money away to Idaho, Nevada, and Wyoming no wonder we are last
Response to kcatch9 | 6:01 p.m. Sept. 13, 2007
Hey kcatch9, I don't know what type of calculator you're using, but
you are way off on your numbers, man. You make $860/month before taxes and your
wife makes $2400/month before taxes. How is this "nearly
equivalent"?
If you started working a full work week at roughly 40 hrs/week and $10/hr. then your yearly income would be about $19,000/year while your wife makes about $29,000/year, still hardly equivalent. She would make abou 150% of what you do. In addition, she has much better benefits (401K, health, dental & life insurance, summers off) than you do working an hourly job. I don't think there's much of a comparison there and your point is weak.
I think that if we all did a little soul searching, we'd find that deep down we feel teachers are getting a fair salary these days.
If you started working a full work week at roughly 40 hrs/week and $10/hr. then your yearly income would be about $19,000/year while your wife makes about $29,000/year, still hardly equivalent. She would make abou 150% of what you do. In addition, she has much better benefits (401K, health, dental & life insurance, summers off) than you do working an hourly job. I don't think there's much of a comparison there and your point is weak.
I think that if we all did a little soul searching, we'd find that deep down we feel teachers are getting a fair salary these days.
Response to Response to Kcatch9 | 7:20 p.m. Sept. 13, 2007
Your ripping on this poor guy for his figures and your off on yours. His wife
only makes 50%more than he going from his direction and he makes roughly 70% she
does. It is all in the semantics. If we all feel deep down that teachers are
getting treated fairly why are we having to import from other countries to teach
here? Your looking to justify your party time keep it up bright boy. I am sure
that you would like vouchers and lottery their both crap shoots that hurt many
but you.
ricwhite | 8:21 p.m. Sept. 13, 2007
I commend the legislature for their funding of public education last year.
However, the bottom line is that there are not enough qualified teachers to fill
vacancies. The prognosis for supplying teachers the future is fairly bleak.
Unless there is a serious effort to address working conditions, salaries, and
benefits to attract good teachers, it will only get worse.
The pay raise I received this year as a teacher in Davis County is 3.8 percent. It is greatly appreciated; however, I don�t feel a 4% or so raise is going to do much to attract new teachers or keep the ones we already have. That�s pretty much just a cost of living adjustment. Class size for me is about 10% higher this year than last, although that fluctuates from year to year.
The troubling statistic for me is the �effort� Utahns are making to fund public schools as expressed in school taxes paid per $1000 of income. It has steadily dropped over the years. Twenty-five years ago, Utah was ranked in the top ten in this category. Since then, we have plummeted to below average in spite of the growing needs and challenges. Sad.
However, with citizen pressure I anticipate that the legislature will invest a substantial amount of resources toward education this year which will be greatly appreciated.
The pay raise I received this year as a teacher in Davis County is 3.8 percent. It is greatly appreciated; however, I don�t feel a 4% or so raise is going to do much to attract new teachers or keep the ones we already have. That�s pretty much just a cost of living adjustment. Class size for me is about 10% higher this year than last, although that fluctuates from year to year.
The troubling statistic for me is the �effort� Utahns are making to fund public schools as expressed in school taxes paid per $1000 of income. It has steadily dropped over the years. Twenty-five years ago, Utah was ranked in the top ten in this category. Since then, we have plummeted to below average in spite of the growing needs and challenges. Sad.
However, with citizen pressure I anticipate that the legislature will invest a substantial amount of resources toward education this year which will be greatly appreciated.
oldy but goody | 2:59 p.m. Sept. 15, 2007
In response to "Pay them what they are worth"
I'm sure many people think that teachers in Utah made out like bandits last year when the headlines of the paper announced that all the teachers were getting a $2500 raise and $1000 bonus;
Well, that was the big news, however, we never got that raise, and we don't know if it will really ever happen. Due to miscalculations, there wasn't enough money. (So we were told) It is interesting how that part of the story never made the headlines.
In response to Chris, I'm glad you like your teaching job, I like mine too, but after you've taught 20 plus years in the teaching profession, You'll get a real taste of how teachers are really treated in our society....and how they are mandated by the government to do many extra menial tasks which have nothing to do with teaching.
I'm sure many people think that teachers in Utah made out like bandits last year when the headlines of the paper announced that all the teachers were getting a $2500 raise and $1000 bonus;
Well, that was the big news, however, we never got that raise, and we don't know if it will really ever happen. Due to miscalculations, there wasn't enough money. (So we were told) It is interesting how that part of the story never made the headlines.
In response to Chris, I'm glad you like your teaching job, I like mine too, but after you've taught 20 plus years in the teaching profession, You'll get a real taste of how teachers are really treated in our society....and how they are mandated by the government to do many extra menial tasks which have nothing to do with teaching.
Tony | 2:53 p.m. Nov. 26, 2007
We are failing our most valuable resource, our children.
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Thanks for sharing. I loved hearing about it and love your article.
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In addition, most school districts here have one or two high schools, 4-8 middle schools, and 10 - 15 elementary schools. The school district president gets paid nearly $200K a year. They also have a large, well paid staff. Compare that many school districts in Utah with 4 - 10 high schools and corresponding middle schools and elementary schools. This again helps explain a lower cost per student spending.
So don't be mislead by statistics. Use one that is meaningful which would be students per qualified teacher ratio to compare education spending. Then work on improving in that area along with good facilities.