Utah Education Association President Heidi Matthews said the union typically addresses education funding, instruction equity, and education policy during the legislative session.
"Every year we go to the legislative session with our funding asks because we all recognize that in order to fulfill that promise of public education for all of our kids it does require significant investments right off the top in statute. And now, there is funding for enrollment growth. In addition, the statute now requires in the base budget, for inflationary factor to be put in."
In 2018, voters passed the non-binding $700 million Our Schools Now public schools funding initiative. That was immediately set aside, though, when the UEA reached a compromise with legislators that Matthews said benefitted everyone. As a result of that compromise, school funding is now in state statute instead of being left up to the whims of the legislature each year.
"We've seen significant increases in the weighted pupil unit, in other funding targeted areas over the last few years, despite the pandemic. And that, combined with all the federal funds that we've seen with the American rescue plan, it makes it even more important this year in our legislative session to be dedicating those funds so that we can continue the great progress that has been made in our schools." Matthews said.
The weighted pupil unit, or WPU, is the primary funding mechanism for public education in Utah. Matthews said the UEA is proposing a 7.5% increase in the WPU during the next session. It includes 2.5% for inflation. The UEA wants $54 million in additional pay for teachers who have been working extra time beyond the days they’re contracted, to stay on top of classroom initiatives and implement professional development strategies.
"We also have some targeted investments. I think, most specifically, asking for time. That's what we hear from across the state from our teachers, educators everywhere, the workload is just overwhelming, and we need more educator-directed time."
All-day kindergarten options and smaller class sizes are also part of UEA's draft proposal. Mathews said the union goes to battle every year over bills that would undermine public education funding. The school voucher issue, she said, diverts taxpayer dollars away from adequately funding public education.
"A distinct wave of anti-public education legislation that's out there that we were seeing quite a few model bills coming out of ALEC, the American Legislative Exchange Council, that are copied and pasted throughout the nation. And all that these vouchers do is divert those funds to systems where taxpayer dollars are being used in ways that we don't have that transparency or accountability."
Matthews said the 400 or so education bills introduced each year are a massive distraction while the UEA works with the legislature to develop policies that address Utah's educational needs.
The 2022 legislative session starts January 18 and runs through March 4.
