The numbers tell the story. State and local funding for Utah's public education budget for fiscal 1996 increased by more than $94 million over the previous year to a record $1.8 billion.
Even the Utah Education Association found little to grouse about, as lawmakers increased the value of the weighted pupil unit by 4 percent, provided $9.5 million for textbooks, supplies and media centers and established a $2 million appropriation to reimburse teachers about $100 each for classroom supplies they pay for out of their own pocketbooks."We really have more good news than bad news this year. The downside is, the good news could have been great news," said UEA President Lily Eskelsen of the $90 million tax cut package approved by the Legislature.
"If they had cut taxes $70 million, instead of $90 million, they could have doubled the money in class-size reduction. They could have doubled the textbook money."
State Superintendent for Public Instruction Scott Bean said Gov. Mike Leavitt's $1.7 billion financial plan for the minimum school fund stirred big expectations in the education community, hopes that diminished after the Executive Appropriations Committee ordered a 5.5 percent cap on agency growth.
"It was really deflating," Bean said.
The education budget was ultimately decided in a marathon negotiation session between the governor and key legislators. The hard-fought result was an overall 9.57 percent increase in public education agency budgets.
"When you look at the total amount, it really is a positive increase for schools in our state."
Leavitt's spokeswoman, Vicki Varela, said the governor felt good about the final outcome of the budget. "He was especially pleased about priorities legislators agreed upon, highly impacted schools in particular. That $9.5 million in textbook money was a major accomplishment."
The $4 million highly impacted schools program is intended to place more professionals in schools where a high percentage of the student population is poor, demonstrates limited proficiency in English, comes from single-parent households and has a high mobility rate. The goal is to provide more individual attention for at-risk children.
Leavitt had proposed $5.2 million for the program but settled for $4 million in budget negotiations. "When we settled at $4 million, I was pleased," said bill sponsor Shirley Jensen, R-Sandy. "There was a time that leadership was talking about $3 million for this bill. This gives us the tools to be successful in reaching those students. The nice thing about HB172, it's a healthy, proactive approach."
Education interests lauded legislation that struck down sales tax on school construction projects. The exemption goes into effect Jan. 1, 1996.
The exemption was especially good news to the Jordan School District, hit hard by the tax imposed during the 1994 session. The district currently has five schools under construction. Administrators estimate the tax will add some $1.8 million to district construction costs this year alone.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Action on education
Major legislative action for public education:
- Increased the value of the weighted pupil unit from $1,608 to $1,672, a 4 percent increase.
- Provided $100 each to certified teachers to defray costs of classroom supplies.
- Exempted sales tax on school construction projects.