Education muscled its way to the top of the legislative agen-da Tuesday.

During a morning press conference, Republican leaders outlined a spate of bills that will begin the legislative process over the next few days, on the floors and in committee.The bills continue to flesh out Utah's 3-year-old strategic plan. Among them:

- An $11 million continuation of the technology initiative. Although the state has delivered only two-thirds of its $60 million four-year commitment, the initiative has had significant impact on schools, said Sen. Haven Barlow, R-Layton.

- Another $4 million for class-size reduction in grades K-3. The new legislation also gives schools more flexibility for using the money in the grades where needs are greatest. A total $12 million has been appropriated so far to address class sizes.

- Coordinated services for children at risk. The bill raises $4 million to help social services, health, education and court agencies to concentrate on the problems of such children.

- School choice. Although not advocating a voucher process, a choice bill will continue to try to remove barriers to open access for students.

- A number of bills to streamline management of Utah's trust lands. Over time, the effect will be more income to schools from the lands, said Rep. Melvin Brown, R-Midvale.

- The governor's Centennial Schools program. Central to the restructuring effort this year, the bill will provide $2.6 million for up to 200 schools to initiate site-based decisionmaking.

When Utah turns 100 years old (Jan. 4, 1996), if Gov. Mike Leavitt has his way , the state will be dotted with schools that are molded in the distinct image of their own neigh-borhoods.

The Centennial Schools concept is Leavitt's keystone for moving forward the objectives of the state's Strategic Plan for Edu-ca-tion.

"There is a fertile atmosphere for change," Leavitt said. "Dozens of schools already have contacted us to express their interest. The concept fosters a change in phi-lo-sophy."

In Centennial schools, educators, parents, community leaders - even students - will come together to decide how their schools should function. Each will create its own "board of directors" to make decisions.

To facilitate the process, Leavitt promised to untie some of the funding strings that limit a school's ability to make its own decisions. Funds now specifically allocated to career ladder, class-size reduction, educational technology, services for children at risk and experimental programs will be pooled and spent how the school's board chooses.

Teachers have expressed some concerns with potential problems that site-based decisionmaking could have for them as professionals.

View Comments

During a House Education Committee meeting Monday, Utah Education Association representatives asked that the Centennial bill be amended to protect negotiated items.

"We are concerned that teachers could be asked to give up their contractual rights," said UEA President Lily Eskelsen.

The teachers also asked for confirmed representation on the school councils. A third of each council should represent the teaching staff that has the most direct contact with children, said UEA spokeswoman Pat Arakaki.

Leavitt admitted that measuring the success of the reform effort will not be simple. While test scores are one indication, the more subtle proof of the reform pudding will be "kids who can compete in a global marketplace," the governor said.

Join the Conversation
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.