"I don't favor a strike. I don't think it is the most effective means of communicating and it puts up barriers and hampers work toward solutions. I have been a substitute teacher in North Summit and work in schools as a volunteer. I think teachers are absolutely right in saying they need more money, but a strike is no means to get what they need."
- Margaret AokiCoalville
"I am in favor if a strike will get teachers what they need. I am very concerned about education in Utah. My family lived for eight years in Israel and when we came back to Utah, my children tested far above students here. Education levels in other countries are much better. I believe commitment to education has to begin in the home."
- John Tvedtnes
West Valley City
"I don't feel teachers have any right to strike. They don't need more money, they need to work better. I think they will make many people angry if they strike. I have no children in school, but I have worked in the Head Start program."
- Carmen Gomez
Salt Lake City
"I don't agree with a strike. Teachers pick their profession knowing they'll be underpaid. I do believe their situation should be rectified, but I know I'd be happy with a 6 percent raise. I'm very concerned with the quality of education my child might receive if teachers strike."
- Clay Newton
Bountiful
"I think education is seriously underfunded, especially school libraries. The failure in Utah and other places to keep up to date is deplorable. I don't think a strike will resolve the problems, but it may reinforce the reaction that occurred when teachers walked off the job last September. It could become negative and I'm not sure this is the time for teachers to take a chance. My advice would be to wait until the end of the year."
- Eleanor Nicholes
Salt Lake City
"I'm a Salt Lake sheriff, in the juvenile division and I've had no pay raise for five years. I think the teachers are copping out. The state can't afford (what they are demanding). They're acting a little childish and need to put their feelings aside and go on with it. I don't think anyone is behind them. I know exactly what they are feeling, but they've been yelling at the Legislature for years and the fact is, there isn't any money."
- Martin King
Salt Lake City
"No, I don't favor a strike. Teachers have signed contracts and by striking they would show they have no regard for those contracts. It would be a bad example for our children. Teachers should be well compensated. They need more money, more books and supplies. But the UEA is going about it in the wrong way."
- Richard Bodily
Centerville
"I think teachers are due something. They've had little response from the Legislature. Striking is a way to get some response. The public doesn't realize that the (proposed) 6 percent won't show up in teachers' paychecks. My daughter is a teacher and went to California because of the conditions in Utah. She gets great benefits and makes much more. She'd love to be here, but . . . A strike will be a hard row for teachers to hoe, but they need help desperately."
- Judy Hammond
Woods Cross