I belong to a university-public school partnership that has been favored twice this year by visits from Gov. Olene Walker. On both occasions I was impressed by the governor's understanding of the challenges facing public education and her commitment to solving them.
Unfortunately, few Republicans in Utah appear to share the governor's commitment to Utah's schools. Republican legislators have devoted more attention to the interests of gun owners, anti-U.N. protesters and toxic waste businesses than to funding public eduction. Year after year Republican leaders make the same excuses for Utah's abysmal 51st-place national ranking while failing to do anything about it.
It has been wonderful to have a Republican governor who is well-informed and supportive of public education. I wish Gov. Walker the best in her future endeavors.
Blair Bateman
Provo