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Show The Park Record SatSunMonTues, March 2-5, 2002 A-12 Support Survey shows Utahns would support a tax increase 'to improve their local public schools' Submitted by Utah School Boards Association There is plenty of support for public education in Utah, according to a recent survey of 6X) Utah residents resi-dents selected randomly from the Mate's 2V counties according to population. pop-ulation. Ninety lour percent of those surveyed sur-veyed agree that every child has a right to receive a public education. Seventy-five percent agree that democracy is strengthened by the quality of public education provided to all children, and 71 percent agree thai all Utahns should financially support public education. There is also strong support for the work of public schools. Sixty percent agree that their local scluxils reflect their community values. Fifty-four percent agree that public schiK)ls are accountable to their communities com-munities for the quality of education afforded lo students. I lowever, only 48 percent agree that local public U. officials Continued from A-11 done," Esplin said. "We hope the bill passes." "It's both in a sell interest and the state's interest. It's just the right thing to do for the kids in this situation," situa-tion," he added. "All of us had ancestors at one point in time who went through this." In an op-ed piece published in area newspapers, Machen also likened the experiences of the current cur-rent immigrant population to those of past generations. " These children are now of college col-lege age, have been educated in our public schools, and want to further their education not only for themselves, them-selves, but for their future families," Machen wrote. "They should be given the opportunities our ancestors, ances-tors, immigrants as well, were given. I ligher education is the most important impor-tant of these opportunities." Many legislators, though, have not been swayed by the bill's impassioned impas-sioned supporters. Rep. Stephen Urquhart, R-St.George, R-St.George, said the state's current dire financial straits do not lend to higher education spending for "illegal "ille-gal aliens." " This is not the time for people who mostly don't contribute to the universities through state income if J ypvf f )J for schools strong schools are focused on the best interest inter-est of children. Additionally, as in many past surveys, sur-veys, 65 percent of respondents would support a $100 increase in their taxes to improve their local public schools. While the political and economic climate in Utah probably prob-ably does not lend itself to tax increases, the willingness of 65 percent per-cent of residents to support public seh(H)ls with their wallets is notable. The biggest disagreement came when respondents were asked t6 agree or disagree with the statement, "Bad teachers are effectively removed from the public education system." Fifty-seven percent disagree dis-agree or strongly disagree. However, when respondents were asked if too much emphasis is placed on increasing increas-ing teachers' salaries, 50 percent disagreed. dis-agreed. The survey contains several questions ques-tions on the issue of tuition tax credits, cred-its, a hot topic on Utah's Capitol Hill. support legislation taxes to receive subsidies," said Urquhart, who sits on the Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee. He noted that state coffers subsidize 75 percent of instate in-state student tuition costs. "There will always be a segment of our population legally here who are priced out of the higher education educa-tion market. Let's help these people first," Urquhart added. In her own commentary piece, though, Maak argued that "the source of the largest source of funding fund-ing for higher education in the state of Utah is sales tax, which is paid for by all purchasers in the state, documented docu-mented or undocumented." Further, many undocumented students work before and after school to supplement their parents' incomes, and pay both federal and state taxes "in the form of withholdings," withhold-ings," Maak said. Though he described Ure's bill as "very compassionate," Urquhart said undocumented students already have private education options after high school. "There's plenty of educational opportunities in this state. ..like Stevens-Fleneger and University of Phoenix (private, for-profit colleges)," col-leges)," he said. "If they go to University of. Phoenix, they'll pay the same thing as resident stu mmi)) V- ' " ' ' urn AGGEDEDGE jBELfeD PRODUCTS rtt r i V mm' 4:b J 4 -'t mm mm Sixty-two percent of respondents would not support public subsidies for private schools. Major reasons for lack of support include: "Parents should pay for the choice to use private pri-vate schools (36 percent ); Tax dollars should only support the public school system (17 percent); and the tuition tax credit would take funds away from public schools (11 percent)." per-cent)." interestingly, of the Republicans surveyed, only 31 percent per-cent support tuition tax credits, while 26 percent of Democrats said they support the idea. The survey was commissioned by the Utah Public Education Policy Group made up of representatives from the Utah Schools Boards Association, the Utah State Superintendents Association, the Utah State Board of Education, and the Utah State Office of Education. IoData Corporation was the surveying survey-ing company, and the survey was funded by the Utah School Boards Association from one of its enter-, prise accounts. It has a margin of error of four percent and the entire survey can be viewed online at www.usba.ee. dents. Before we use taxpayer dollars dol-lars to start subsidizing people's education, edu-cation, they should be here legally." "Exemption from Nonresident Tuition" did see a bright point Feb. 6, though, when House Education Committee members voted seven-to-two for the legislation to proceed from committee to a reading on the House floor. Maak was called to testify before the legislators, but was out of town. Her daughter, Ashley Maak, went to Capitol Hill instead, along with Park City High School student Javier Leon and teacher Krissy Schaub. Machen also addressed committee members. According to Schaub, at least one legislator said the Park City contingent's contin-gent's testimony "kind of changed his mind." "I just read them a list of accomplishments accom-plishments that all the English-as-a-Second Language students have done during their careers at the high school," said Schaub. Ure's bill could not become law until parts of the 19 federal immigration immi-gration laws are overturned. Legislation currently being pushed by Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah, R-Utah, and Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, R-Utah, would allow states to classify undocumented high school graduates gradu-ates as resident students. MSI , ! r MplMMOilSli Eclectic Lifelong Learning offerings suit all interests Registration deadlines quickly approaching for U. of U. classes By JASON READE Of the Record staff The post-Olympic hangover has apparently spread its effects to Parkites' educational curiosities, as enrollment for spring Lifelong Learning classes with University of Utah Academic Outreach and Continuing Education is lagging behind numbers in past years. As a result, the starting dates for a few courses a being pushed back a week, with Lifelong Learning officials hoping local residents res-idents will sign up for some of the most eclectic classes offered yet. And not all the courses are aca demically-oriented - think "Make the Perfect Cup of Coffee," "Intro to Digital Cameras," "Designing to Fresh Flowers, and Collecting Country Antiques." The goal, according to Lifelong Learning Director Marjorie McCloy, is to stimulate the mind throughout a person's life. "We consider these enrichment classes," she said. "It can be for education, but also social interaction interac-tion and entertainment." After all, learning doesnt need to stop with a diploma or degree. "It s use it or lose it, it really is, McCloy said. "Learning is.. .a great way to stay alive." The "non-credit classes for inquisitive adults" all meet at the Park City Library and Education Center, located at 1255 Park Ave. In addition to the lighter fare, Lifelong Learning classes cover the gamut of traditional academics - foreign languages, art, and business busi-ness and economics, to name a few. The majority of the 100-plus classes offered in the spring are taught by Summit County locals, keeping in line with what McCloy said is one of Lifelong Learning missions. "We really, truly want to serve the people in the Park City area... we want to serve the community com-munity in whatever way we can," she said. "We try to choose instructors who live and work and teach in the Park City community." Financial aid is not available to LK3DKE EXPERTS IN REPAIRING LEAKS AND REMOVING ICE DAMS AND SNOW BUILD UP 24 HOUR EMERGENCY LEAK REPAIR SERVICE Ice Dam Removal is typically not a job for the inexperienced. Improper removal can actually result in additional damage and increased repair costs. Avoid future problems by installing Raychem Self-Regulating heat cable -ON TOP ROOFERS uses Raychem exclusively ft? VISA 1 l, H-" ' j J 1 1 1111 lnn ill 11 , mm iim J PHOTO BY MICHAEL SCOENFELD Writer Jenny Bosworth will teach a new Lifelong Learning course entitled "Horror, Fantasy, and Sci-Fi." The class is a crash course on writing speculative fiction - a.k.a. horror, fantasy, fan-tasy, and science-fiction. Bosworth's fascination with the genre reportedly started as a child "under the cover of darkness," dark-ness," when her father would tell her stories at bedtime. Flashlights are optional. subsidize students' registration fees, but McCloy said the costs are minimal, averaging between "$10 and $15 per week." Classes are scheduled to suit students' work and home schedules, sched-ules, are usually held during evenings. For more information on Park City Lifelong Learning classes, or to register, call 645-UOFU (8638), or visit www.lifelong.utah.edu. Students are asked to register at least one week prior to the first class date. Doing so helps ensure classes will run. Courses starting soon include: "Getting Started in Creative Writing" (March 12 to 16), n wt 1 iv. m v 1 i 1 1 Inn ? Ti A ROO F I e Contractor License 4726504-5501 Insured Financing Available Insurance Work "Designing Fresh Flowers" (March 13 to 17), "Guitar: Beginner I" (March 6 to April 10), "Horror, Fantasy, and Sci-Fi Writing" (March 6 to April 10), "Collecting Country Antiques" (March 11 to 25), "How to Write a Business Plan" (March 11 to April 8), "Introduction to Shamanism " (March 11 to April 15), "Intro to Digital Cameras" (March 12 to 14), "American Sign Language" (March 12 to 28), "Cooking 101" (March 12 to April 2), "Beginning Drawing" (March 12 to April 11), "Growing Plants from Seeds" (March 16), and "Debt Free: How to Get Out and Stay Out of Debt" (March 16 to 23). ji . NG Oil np hzD ill 0GR |