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Show Parents Could Lose Children Page THE HERALD, Provo. Utah. 14 Tuesday, December 13. 1983 Provo Teacher Salaries Courts Involved in Abuse Cases Editor's Note: This is the last of a three part series on child abuse In Utah Valley. This part will focus on the courts and their role in child abuse. vent this from happening. Hermansen said the child may be removed from his home if all other measures have failed, or the child's safety is in danger. Counsel By GLORIA PEREZ Special to The Herald When a child is removed from the home, a guardian is appointed on behalf of that child. "In Utah, that guardian is a lawver," Hermansen said. "Heme is security no matter what. Because their lives were in danger under the roof of their own home and with their own family, five children were put up for adoption in Utah last Even if they've been abused, children love the abuser if it's their parents." year. And five of the 6,363 Utah child abuse cases reported in 1982 resulted in the death of the child, statistics from the Division of Family Services shows. Child abuse is such a serious problem the courts become involved, although fewer than half of the cases of child abuse reach the courts. Juvenile Court Judge Merrill L. Hermansen explained the courts want to maintain family ties and help the child in his own home. But the attitudes of parents involved vary greatly, ranging from hostility to cooperation once the case reaches the courts. "In most cases there is cooperation with the parents. The parents realize there is a problem and want help." They know the court has the authority to remove the child from the home, and they are willing to do anything to pre custody. Merrill L. Hermansen He will fight for the and therapy will occur before the child is taken from the home in most cases. "Home is security no matter what. Even if they've been abused, the child loves the abuser if it's the parent," he said. A child abuse case reaches the courts when the social worker assigned to that case feels there is a need for supervisory authority. The court then issues an order of cooperation to the parents. It may also reach the court when the child needs to be removed from the home and the court sues for temporary child's rights and represent the child. The child is usually placed in a temporary foster home once he is removed from his own home. The foster home is preselected and has to be approved by the court. The parents are allowed to visit the child on neutral grounds, usually the the Division of Social Services. "I always insist on visitation rights to be allowed. This helps maintain family ties," he said. The best thing is to keep the child at home, when this isn't possible, foster care steps in, with parents keeping contact Hermansen said once the case reaches the courts, there is "outright hostility, making it difficult, tense, and dangerous in the court room. It's a terribly embarrassing thing to be in court in those circumstances. If adoption is being contemplated, the decision can take years to reach, he said. "These cases are the most difficult to decide." Once adoption has been decided, "It's final." All ties between parent and child are severed. In some cases the parents realize adoption is the best thing, when considering what's best for the child, and they may request it. Lynn Jacobson, a social worker for the state of Utah, said while it's true some parents opt for adoption, others will fight it all the way. "It's almost like losing a child to death." Hermansen said the parent's feelings towards the law and the court are those of hate when the court reaches the decision that adoption would be better. The parents feel it's their right to keep their child. Jacobson said often parents will plead and promise to never do it again. But the child's life may be in danger if he's returned to the home. By CLARK CARAS will receive up to $24,635 per year in the Provo district during 1983-8- Provo City School District teachers with experience have had their pay increased by $7,717 during the past On a whole the report indivatcs teacher's salaries in Utah last year were near or slightly above the regional and national average. That is despite the fact at one time teacher salaries in Utah were slightly lower than the Mountain States and U S. average. 4. Herald Staff Writer five-yea- rs take-hom- e five years, according to the Utah Foundation. The 79.9 percent increase was reported by the private foundation in one of its annual reports. The study pointed out that a teacher with a bachelor's degree who began teaching in the Provo District five years ago would have been receiving a starting salary of $9,661. Five years later, that same teacher who now has five years experience will be receiving plus added amounts if the teacher has acquired added academic training. $16,-96- 2, The foundation report shows that during the past five years a new teacher in the Provo District would have received $4,789 in salary schedule boosts plus another $2,512 in annual experience increments. In addition, the report states the required retirement contributions would have added e $416 to the pay. This year's beginning salary for a teacher in Provo School district is $13,462 according to the report. The salary schedule provides regular increases for experience and for added academic training. This would mean that an experienced teacher with a master's degree take-hom- According to figures provided to the foundation by the National Education Association, the averin age salary of Utah teachers 1982-8- 3 was $19,859, compared with $20,468 in the eight Mountain States and $20,603 in the U.S. as a whole. But when an allowance is made for the special retirement contribution made by the state in behalf of the school employee in lieu of a salary increase, the adjusted average Utah salary for teachers is about $20,826 or slightly more than the Mountain States and U.S. averages. most Utah disDuring 1983-8- 4 tricts were not able to provide salary increases for teachers. But the 1983 Utah Legislature did reduce the required retirement contribution of school employees by 2.45 percent. The action, in effect, e pay of increased the most school employees by the 2.45 percent. In addition to that, most teachers who are not at the top of the salary scale also received a normal experience increment averaging 3.9 percent this year. take-hom- Ci 7 Christmas Calendar with their child. Once the child is removed, the Social Services will monitor the home for a couple of years. The parents may still be involved with counseling. Increase 79.9 Percent During Past Five Years Christmas Choir Festival Editor's note: As a public service, The Herald will publish locations of unique Christmas decorations, lights and programs. To give tips on Utah Valley locations, call 373-505- hours. 0 during business As part of the Provo Excelsior Hotel's first Christmas, Utah Valley school choirs will be performing in a Christmas Choir Festival at various times throughout the week in the poinsettia-line- Dec. 14: Dixon Junior High, 11 p.m.; Springville High School, pm ; Spanish Fork High School, p.m.; Springville High School, 7 p.m. Dec. Giant Gingerbread Hoaie Santa Claus will greet guests at the Provo Excelsior Hotel in a giant gingerbread house made of 550 pounds of gingerbread mix, 400 eggs, 400 pounds of powdered sugar, 500 candy canes and 6,000 gum drops. The house is in the hotel lobby, facing the east entrance. The hotel is at 101 W. 100 North, Provo. Toys aid Joys of Christmas Me Curdy Doll Museum is sponsoring a Christmas fantasy with a house full of antique toy and holiday decorations. The nostalgic look at Christmas seasons of yesteryear can be viewed nightly from 4 to 9 p.m. at 135 E. 200 N., Provo. lobby. The schedule follows: d Pleasant 15: a.m.-12:3- 0 5:30-- Grove Junior High School. 11 a m. 12:30 p.m.; Pleasant Grove 30 p.m. ; Or em High School, High School, 5:30-6:3p.m.; Payson High School, p.m. Dec. 16: Payson Junior High School, p.m. 12:30-- Temple Square "Mr. Krueger's Christmas," a film starring Jimmy Stewart, will show continuously each day of December in the North Visitors' Center at Temple Square in Salt Lake City The renowned Temple Square lights were of November, and will shine each evening throughout the Christmas sea- lit at the end son. A p.m. Outdoor Lights Dec. 18: Or em North Stake Young Adults will conduct a Christmas Fireside al 1050 N. 400 East, Or em (72nd Ward Chapel). It begins at 8 p.m. Beulah Oayspn will present "The Christmas Story." There will be musical numbers. Young adults are invited. St. p A buildup of a Christmas scene through the years is found at the home of Jim Ogren, 1160 North 850 W.. Provo. Peter's Events Dance Dec. 17: St. Peter's at the Eagles Lodge in Pleasant Grove. $10 per couple Music will be by the HeartBeaU. Campbell Birthday Saturday Margaret Pope Campbell will be honored Saturday at an open house from 1:30-- 3 p.m. in the Senior Citizens Center, 73 E. 200 S., Springville. All friends and relatives are invited to attend. She will also be honored with a family dinner. Mrs. Campbell was born Dec. 19, 1903 in Vernal, Utah, a daughter of Don C. and Margaret Pope. She married J. Larvin Campbell from Widtsoe, Utah, Sept. 6, 1922 in the Manti LDS Temple. He died Sept. 1953. They were the parents of six boys and one girl; two sons have passed Sou-tha- m away. She has 30 grandchildren six and 53 n, half-brother- s, three half-siste- rs and two foster sisters. She is an active member of the LDS Church and has worked in many organizations both church and civic. She worked 15 Va years at Barbizon Inc. after losing her husband. At present she is Special Interest Representative of the Ladies over 40 in the 9th Ward also active in DUP, a Ladies Home evening group, Relief Society, American Legion Auxiliary and Senior Citizens. The family requests no gifts. X J T&ffiff ST ' A JW MP;, i 1 $' &SB Christmas Fireside tree decked with scale model bulldozers, trucks, cranes and tractors can be found at Western Utility Contractors, 8)0 S. Main, Pleasant Grove. .Office hours are h; .e31Pr ftoMf Unique Tree iKkre's interesting reading forall those interested v RiI6l&i - mm lip M T 4 J 1 r mm In our December 14th "Great To Give" advertisement, we are in very short supply of 5 Texas Instrument toys, due to firm's inability to ship. Texas Instrument is no longer shipping these products this year and we regret we are unable to issue ralnchecks for the following items: SP5AK N SPELL SPEAK BOOKS N MATH SPEAK N READ MAGIC WAND MAGIC WAND We regret any Incovenlence this may have causea our cusiornor. figr ii Has our separation from AT&T got you wondering? You're not alone. In the past year many of our customers have raised questions and concerns about what's happening and what we'll be doing in the future. In fact there's been so much interest we've decided to mail you some interesting reading about it all - our Customer Services Handbook. This handy booklet is just the thing to satisfy your curiosity. Inside, you'll find the latest word on changes in the phone company and all the services you'll receive from us once these changes have taken ft place. It's all tucked away in fifteen easy- pages. We could tell you more, but that would only spoil it for you. So look for your copy of the Customer Services Handbook in the mail; then, read it and keep it on hand for quick reference. And if you still have ' Let's Talk any questions, call our toll-fre- e number. Find out how our commitment to quality, reliable service will continue in the future. to-re- aa Let's Talk about change: T frmmmmmmKmmmmmmmimk, mi ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Mountain Bell 1 800555-500- 0. v x 4 1 n t J r l |