OCR Text |
Show i 2 I TheSalina Sun Wednesday. March 2Q;:::ta&t Mayor's Corner Rankings of Utah School District Test Scores & Spending per Student Salina Mayor, Nyals Andreason The in Utah is to assist in creating wealth for the citizens of Utah. To accom- plish this mission, we will implement three basic strategies: Target business retention and expansion. Focus on business creation and expansion; Recruit business to Utah. Governor Bangerter has already indicates success with global tours and the interest of corporations in Europe and the Far East in establishing business relations with the stale. The creation of wealth will improve the qualify of life in Utah. Greater employment opportunities will be available, unemployment will be reduced and the wealth created will provide funds for education and other important services spokesman Howard Headlee. There is no significant relationship between how much districts are spending, and how well they are educating Utah children. This confirms our belief that more spending is not necessarily the answer to Utahs education problems. 10. II 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. The Utah Taxpayers Association worked last year to establish statewide standardized testing as a tool of accountability. The tests will continue to be given every year to all 5th, 8th, and 1 1th graders. The Fall 1990 test results by school and district are now available at local district offices. Despite strong resistance from some educators, Utahns now can evaluate their school districts performance and determine if they are getting their moneys worth. Test results are not the only measure of a schools effectiveness, but it is one very important measure that has been unavailable until now, Headlee said. Some education officials say the test results should only be used to conduct long term performance evaluations within each district, and not as a tool to compare districts against each other. We feel there is much to be learned from these first year test results. BY comparing similar districts, ineffective districts can be identified and motivated to pursue new and creative The largest district. Granite, ranked 26th both in spending and test scores; Sevier district ranked 22nd in expenditures per student, and ranked 28th in test scores. South Sanpete was 29th in available money, but its students scored 23rd of the 40 schools in its test scores. .Alpine district received less money than any other district, ranking 40th in money received, but its students ranked 5 th in their test scores. San Juan ranks 3rd in money expended, but its students placed 40th in test scores. The report shows that the average test scores for 40 of Utahs school districts, fall below the national average. These initial results show the high achievements of several districts, but indicate a clear need to improve on the part of other districts. We are excited about Utahs new system of accountability for education. This should lead to much needed improvements in our childrens education, without further depleting Utahs stretched tax base, Headlee concluded. Rich Jordan 1 was because there is a ruling that two parallel routes cannot be maintained. One or the other would have to be taken off the state list. However, if traffic usage continues or increases, it might possibly be a reason to keep the road going. "It is definitely too nairow for safety now," Davis added. Residents were concerned about the increased traffic and the excessive speed through town. Davis said that UDOT doesnt set uniform speed limits throughout the state. A study of existing needs is made, and then speed limits are set according to local driving conditions. He noted that a few years ago the town of Centerfield faced a similar decision. Residents there wanted a 30 MPH speed limit UDOT agreed. However, the residents had only had the 30 mph limit for two weeks, when they were clamoring to have it raised. 30 was just too slow, he added. Mayor Cosby said that if the state does take over the road, the city would be eligible for a grantor loan to begin installing sidewalks. On this program, we can only qualify for a certain amount each year, he said, but possibly it could be completed block by block over a period of years. Davis said that there would be both good and bad in the state takeover of the road. The road would be much better maintained, widened for safety, and snow removal would be taken care of. But as much control, he said. If all goes well, the deal should take place this summer. UDOT would immediately begin sealing cracks, painting lines, and other needed maintenance. Widening the county sections of the road another 18 feet is a different story, Davis noted, as this will depend on the availability of funds. For fiscal 1991, our rehabilitation budget dropped from $20 million to $4.9 million. No one knows what can be financed. Were not sure how to raise the funds we need. Does this mean a hike in the gas tax? Councilman Terry Heath said that it would cost the city $200,000 just to do the chipping necessary on Main Street, he said. I feel it would be a real advantage to the city to have the state taking care of these needed repairs and mainte- nance. Davis noted that the main reason the road would be eligible for UDOT takeover is the amount of traffic using it. Remember, that traffic will continue going through town whether we take it over or not, Davis warned. The city residents were dismissed at this time, and the county property owners along the roadway discussed their concerns and views. Mayor Cosby said that if was felt that the value of the property which would be needed should be i. the value as appraised by the county We want all for tax purposes. be equal, to property purchases not having one perCosby said, son getting a high price for his 14. Grand Duchesne 15. Salt Lake 16. Davis, Box Elder . Salt Lake, S. Summit. Duchesne Millard. Weber. S. Sanpete. Beaver Iron Granite, Wasatch Carbon 17. Kane Provo Beaver Uintah Sevier Tooele Morgan N. Sanpete 18 19. 20. 21. Sevier, 29. Garfield. 30. Emery. 31. Carbon. S. Editor 21 Its that time of year now, where 23. things come to an end for our Drill Team. The Uniques this year worked very hard in practices, competitions, and spirit boosters. Everything we have earned was deserved and well worth it. The Uniques would like to say thanks to the community for their support this year. They would most of all like to thank Lynda Whitlock 24. 25. Murray 28 Sanpete 29. Iron 30. Wasatch 31. 31 Tooele )x Elder 31 Logan 33. Juab. Tintic 34. 35. Davis 36. Granite Sincerely, Denise Nielson Oak City, Utah for all the hard work and long hours she has put in for the drill team., Lynda has been a true inspiration to us, and there could never be enough words to explain the appreciation felt for her. She has truly been a help to us and we want her to know we love and appreciate her very much. Thanks for a Wonderful Year! The Uniques of 1991. Ultimate Golf Vacation Jordan 37. Washington 38 JNebo Alpine A reader has informed us of an Ultimate Golf Vacation they heard about the other day. This wonderful vacation included the following: Resourceful Resorts is now offering a fabulous Golf Vacation to the Middle East. Trip includes: Roundtrip air fare on a U.S. Air Force transport aircraft. Seven days and six nights at Iraqs sole remaining hotel. Unlimited admission to Iraqs newly constructed 270,000 hole golf 39. 40. Utah State Office of Education America's Telefund set March 17 - 23 Tell Freeway lighting may be approved soon Freeway interchange lighting in Sevier County will be considered by the Utah Transportation Commission at its March 22 meeting. The first project considered is a $600,000 interstate lighting proj5 and in central Utah. ect for Under the scope of this project, lighting would be installed at six freeway interchanges in Sevier county and one interchange in Irort County. Also considered will be a $104,000 land acquisition project for the B landing airport. The project would serve as a safety buffer and to protect against non aviation related development which might affect airport operation. Meetings are open to the public. 1- -1 Letter to the Editor thanks to a man and his son from Salina who rescued us at Gooseberry exit when we ran out of gas on our way home from a trip to Pennsylvania. They actually cut the gas line on their truck and drained out a couple of gallons of fuel for us, and refused any compensation. According to the news media, an honest, decent person seems to be a rare commodity these days, but Salina seems to be full of them ! Thanks, Jason, for being one of ' them. jCache Grand . Uintah Ogden . 38 N. Sanpete. 39. Daggett 40. San Juan r ) Thanks for great season Juab 26. Weber 27. i The Salina Sun welcomes let- - J ters to the Editor. All letters must I be signed. Names can be withheld I I on request, but the letter must con-- 1 tain your signature. We reserve the right to edit for length if necessary, and all letters will be considered as to whether or not content would be J I of interest to our readers. J J Take over of Aurora Road by state Continued from Page in Delta to watch a ballgame, found the money, told the operator about jt, an d later his mother, Teresa, sent it back to us upon verification of the amount. Needless to say, we deeply appreciated this, because that was grocery money for our seven children! A few years ago I wrote to say Ogden 13. 28 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. citizens. A week ago my husband lost a in Delta. $50 bill in the Jason Sperry, who happened to be Millard 11 Washington Murray Kane, 21 Nebo. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. Once again I write to express public admiration for one of your Wayne Rich fork City Garfield N. Summit 10. Emery 11. II. Morgan, ways to improve the performance of their students. Not all districts can be fairly compared to each other, but taxpayers can get an idea how their districts are doing by comparing them with other districts similar in size and social and economic background. It is interesting to note that Dagget school district gets more money than any other district in the state -however, it ranked 39th out of the 40 districts in test scores. Piute, ranked 4th in spending, but earned 2nd place ranking in jest scores. Jmtic 8. Cache 9. Dear Editor an Juan Piute 8 Summit 7. Wayne, scores are not related to spending . Expenditures Daggett . I Test ' Per Student I. Park City Piute . 3. Provo, 4. Logan, 5. Alpine, 6. N. Summit, SAYS UTAH TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION Utah Taxpayers Association Some of Utahs school districts that are spending the most money per pupil are reporting the worst test scores, while other districts that spend the least show the best student performance, according to UTA 1989-9-0 Average Student Scores to the citizens of Utah. The trend of people leaving Utah and especially our young people, has been reversed. Many former Utahns are now returning to live in our beautiful state. If these goals are to be realized, as citizens we will need to upgrade our educational opportunities, continue to develop technology and research, work as a team for community and state improvement and provide volunteer services in our neighborhoods. As we evaluate the present Fiscal status of Utah, we can look with pride to the stability here compared with rest of the states in our country. Recent surveys indicate the high level of quality of health in Utah. We are characterized as one of the most desirable places in the U.S. to live. We are blessed to live in Utah. We seem to have a very bright future. Governors Blueprint for Utahs Economic Future gives the following mission statement; The mission of economic development ( Letters to the Editor Honest people in Salina property while the next guy gets a lower rate. We dont want any donations - would rather have everything the same. Asked about fencing property along the roadway, Davis said, If property is taken and a fence has to come down, we will put in a new fence. We want that property to remain operable - but we wont be making any improvements to the land. If its not fenced, we wont fence it Davis added that if the land in question was being farmed at the time of takeover, it could continue to be used until the actual widening project began. Generally a 3 to 6 month notification is given before j the work begins, to give time to make necessary arrangements. Water shares would not be affected. The Irrigation company had been contacted, and their main concern was to keep the flow of water undisturbed. The State would work with them to see that any necessary changes did not interfere with the canals delivery of water. Davis added that it was likely that state takeover would mean new ' road construction in the county area of the project, and it would cost about $300,000 per mile, or more than $1.5 million to bring that part of the roadway up to par. Some BLM land is involved, however, it was expected that this could be worked out satisfactorily. All involved will be contacted individually for completing sale of the needed lands to the city of Aurora which will then be trans-fere- d to UDOT. C-1- Senator Jake Gam has agreed to serve as honorary chairman for the local Tell America Telefund, during the week of American Diabetes Alert (March ). Senator Gam s daughter, S usan, has had diabetes since she was ten years old. In 1986, the Senator donated a kidney to Susan which was necessary because of complications arising from her diabetes. Volunteers will call their fellow Utahns to tell them the warning signs of diabetes and ask for contributions supporting the Utah Affiliates programs, services and research. course which features 1) A beginners course with holes up to 30 feet in diameter. 2) A 3000 square mile sand trap. 3) A never ending challenge with newly courses being constructed hourly. Night time camel rides for two, past romantic Arabian oil fires is available at discounted rates. (Preferred basement accommodations are limited to availability). From $2,150 - double occupancy. , 17-23- Were Making a Difference. American Heart Association Funds available for senior vans and buses Approximately $217,000 to assist private organizations in purchasing specialized vans or buses to transport the elderly or handicapped is available through the Utah Department of Transportation. For application forms or for more information about the program, contact the following representative in your area: Ross Bumgardner, Six County Association of Governments, 250 North Main, PO Box 820, Richfield, Utah 84701. Phone: non-prof- it, 896-922- 2. Federal funds will contribute to 80 of the purchase price of the vehicle, with the remaining 20 coming from the applying organization. Deadline for completed applications is Friday, APril 26. Chamber of Commerce sets Egg Hunt Salina Chamber of Commerce holding its annual Easter Hunt at the Salina City Park, Egg Saturday, March 30, beginningat 9 a.m. Various categories will be held for the youngsters, will be Leaders 4-- H Training The theory behind the new Workshops The Sevier County sory Council 4-- H Advi- is sponsoring a Leaders Training Workshop Thursday, March 2 1 , at 4 p.m . Theme for the event is 'Just For the Fun of It! It will be held in the Extension conference room in the basement of the Courthouse. A1 leaders and prospective leaders are invited to attend. The workshop is free, John DeereTricycler Mower. a Mulching Mower that chews grass lawn as fertilizer, a Rear Bagger that them into your into tiny bits and recycles and a Side Discunger that sends barber, downtown a as as neat picks up grass the side faster than you can say Honey cut the lawn and convince clippings-ou- t mower. them all to live together in the new John DeereTricycler Three mowers in one. Take these three distinctly different mowers 4-- H and no is M NOTHING RUNS LIKE A DEERE Gunnison Implement - Main Street Gunnison 4 |