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Show wwirriffrrr iWWi T'nr 'r'n-- ' mnnn iii uii DESERET ffjiirip&'tii),gi ui 3' Saturday, December 7, 1968 NEWS, Utah Legislative Issues: Education Tops The List This is the first in a continuing series of special reports on major issues which will confront the 1969 Utah Legislature. By LAVOR K. Cl I AFFIX' Deseret News Kducation Edito'- - Either on the basis of cost the number of persons will be the most important and difficult issup to face the 1969 Utah Legisl- ate. A 1 though school finance will be the o v e r r i d ing issue, other major con- cerns will be higher education and a proposed statute r covering school board-teache- negotiations (collective gaining). bar- Current requests for increased appropriations for the 1969-7fiscal year for maintenance and operation only-ra- nge 0 upward from mil- $40 lion. Higher education iequesis, currently being reviewed by This is a scene from Utah's biggest business the Coordinating Council of Higher Education, call for an of more than (See accompanying table.) education of 300,000 public school children. Increase adoption of a Siatute on school r negotiations. Gov. Calvin L. Rampton has said he will ask the Legislature to pass such a bill. A negotiations act also is being prepared by the Utah EducaThe Utah tion Association. School Boards Association, once strongly opposed to a negotiations law, is growing steadily more favorable to such an act. board-teache- Public Public school requests, considering state appropriations only, range from increases of Schools-St- Funds Only ate (Maintenance and Operation) with the upward, Utah Education Association proposing an increase in state appropriations of perhaps or more. n The UEA's stated goal" is to bring Utah expenditure per pupil to the level of the top three Mountain States. 'Figures are rounded and computed on the assumption that of the UEAs proposed $61,000,000 increase, approximately 85 per cent would come from state sources. This is about the same proportion stated in the School Boards Program. State and Local Funds The figures listed above do not include requests for additional buildings at either the public school or higher educa- (Maintenance and Operation) tion level. 1968-6- school institutions, including the two technical colleges, have asked for more in new conthan struction for the next biennium. This would be around fisfor the 1969-7Post-hig- h School Boards Program Utah Ed. Assn. Goal n cal year. Other estimates put this requests must go through the State Building Board which is expected to reduce the figure substantially. These by higher, perhaps Even $.Vmillion or so, the disparity between requests and available revenue without a tax increase, is sharply obvious. -- total asked-fo- The Utah ncreases range from to depending on whose figures you use. Total state expenditures for all education this 0 only) for the public schools and for higher education. Next year's total adding requested increases to this could year's expenditures push the an lual education bill to to the level of (in state appro- The revenue requests will be subject to close analysis and much refinement before they reach the legislative n n priations). chambers. . The Coordinating Council of Higher Education currently is analyzing the college and university requests. Most observers expect the council to cut the requests substantially. The State Building Board, which has made an intensive study of space utilization at colleges und universities, is 0 only (8gDTmnnnsn 1969-7- 9 rre oc irnrrirrriniTrrtr s ra Request Increase Per Cent "$138,942,267" $162,846,726" $ 23,904,439 17.2 "138,942,267" 199,942,267 61,000,000 4379 expected to cut building requests, as mentioned above. - - Theater Dune College theater production, St. George, 8 15 pm, "Mata Animal Dec I? through M Be Centered Shell Brigham Young University Arena Theater, 'And They Provo, 8 15 pm, through Dec. 20, except Tuesday and Sundays You II W.th Brigham Young University Pardoe "You Can't Take Theater, Provo, 8 IS p m Dec 7, 9, 11 14, 16, and 18 19, also 3 30 p m , Dec. 10 and 17 Silver Wheel, Park City, T pm, Dec. 7, ln The Hands ol Heaven U and 14 138 Kit 2nd Last, 8 30 pm, Dec 7, 13 and 14. Thtalri luv - other with its traditional emphasis on education makes school finance a difficult chal- Even after all the cutting has been done, the legislators will be left with a formidable task. Some leaders, speaking privately, have stated that in the matter of education Utah this year may reach the moment of truth." It may be impossible, they say, for the state to pay for the education programs even with a tax increase probably the sales tax. legislative The colleges and universities, the public school leaders and the teachers, will point to comparative statistics show- ing Utah spends less per stuat both the public dent school school and than almost any of level t,e 50 stil(,s They also will show Utah teacher salaries compare unfavorably with in those post-hig- h Weekly Calendar Ipm, any the State Board of Eduction, has asked for an approximate overall increase of 15 per cent in public school total support. (See accompanying table.) The Education Committee of the Legislative Council will offer several alternative support levels from which legislators can choose. The taxpuver associations will eile a different set of figllmt I lah ures showing spends more per taxpayer for - than Both groups will be right. U t a hs families States. featuring singer Wmplt Jquar Doc 13. Fret. holiday lights, pnd musical o9anifations, and turning 4, Tabernacle, I pm, Dec Mormon Visitors the end "AitrtitJ Night U, 17. l Free in the TV btoadcast Tabernacle o and CBS rad Mormon Tabernacle Choir f.JO am. Dec 8, reheat sal, 7 JO p m , Dec 12 Free 41 .o Icaiur ng Mien Jolley, The 3 Melve Niles and Robert Rcteison s. The Gents nc the Youngtimer, Valley MustC Hall, North Saif Luke, 8 5 p m , Dec 12, 13 and 14 Brtgi.am Young University de Jong Concert Veronica Tyler, Soprano Hall, 8 p m., Dec 9 University of Utah Choral Concert, Kingsbury Collett Christmas Spvcials Hall, 3 pm., Dec 8; Utah Stale University. Chase Fine Arts Center. Loqa, 8 Dancers, Smith Fieldhouse, PiO'o, 8 pm, Folk BYU 12. International Dec. pm., Dec. 13 and 14 Snow Utah Valley Symphony College auditorium, Ephratm, 6 p m., Dec. 9. education state. The Utah School Boards Asin cooperation with sociation, Fun And Culture: Music And Dance LhnitmM Lights Festival - Songfcst on o 0 Estimate pio-pose- d, In contrast, the Utah Foundation estimates that the combined yield from the free revenue (money which is not earmarked and can be appropriated by the Legislature) in the State General Fund and the Uniform School Fund for fiscal year will the 1969-7- total esti- n appropriated (state year funds amount to about $125-millio-n Foundation mates that available tax revenues (without a tax increase) much will as fall as short of meeting current programs for the 1969-7year. Although this estimate is considered pessimistic by some planners, hardly anyone expects the natural increase in the econ. my to keep pace with education needs. i- r fig- ure The public schools also are asking for an increase of million or more in state building funds. The It is expected that a negotiations law would assure teachers the right to negotiate, set up guidelines for actual negotiations and spell out some avenues for resolving impasses. It is expected a statute would at least provide factfor mediation and finding, if not arbitration. large coupled lenge. Proponents of education will point out that the state and nation is in the midst of a knowledge explosion in which there is less and less room for unschooled and unskilled persons. They will argue that education is an investment which returns fantastic dividends and that r.o people can neglect it and expect to remain strong. They aho will argue that if people want big families they should be willing to pay the added cost of education. Opponents will argue that no matter how good the return, there are limits to public investment. will make decision on grounds somewhere between .the two groups. The Legislature the money as the money matter is, it is by no means the only education problem which will confront the Legislature. The states lawmakers w ill he called upon to take action in several other areas. As difficult First, matters affecting the public schools. Perhaps next to finance, at least in the attention it will demand from A Refund, aerial photo shows University of Utah campus in transition.- - re- cently completed Business Building (1), physical education building (2) and Sports Arena (3) in advanced stage of construction; beginning construcCenter (4) and site where construction soon tion on Fine Behavioral Science Building (5) and facility for will start on Graduate School of Social Work (6). re 14-sto- Higher Education -- State Funds Only (Maintenance and Operation) The LEA also will ask for a Professional Practices Act which would give teachers more authority over setting requirements lor , entry into the profession, teacher discipline and perhaps even state licensing. Observer believe this proposal has less chance of passage than a negotiations ad. The UEA also strongly supports expansion of the states summer school program. The State Board of Education and the Utah School Boards Association, responding to proposals from Dr. T. H. Bell, state superintendent of public instruction, will ask for a number of changes. Some of these are tied to the finance proposal. Most also are supported, in principle, are: by the UEA. Among them Changes in school board election laws which would for local primary provide where necessary, elections, and which, hopefully, would increase voter interest in school elections. Increased emphasis, and financial support, on education for handicapped children. Increased vocational cation opportunity. de-p- Improved libraries. Continued extension of the school year. A start on development Earmarking If of centers. school-communit- y some for research, innovation. and development school funds Continued support of a statewide school data processing system. Establishment of educational service units which would enable several school districts to band together for certain services or activities, sucli as data processing and student guidance. the school formula to transportation reimburse districts for about 80 per cent of their bussing Revision of costs. edu- Providing of funds to pay premium salaries to teachers involved in school leadership activities. (Sucli as leading a teaching team, heading a tment, etc.) is legislator, Recent of Increased school building aid to help districts which are heavily in debt due to school building bond efforts. Higher education also will have some issues which could take a great deal of legislative time. preparing a Master Plan for Utah Higher Education. A key part of the plan is the recommendation for strong central control" of the states two unicolleges versities, two and three junior colleges. Plan committees have recommended that the present independent boards of control .(the University of Utah Regents, et al) be abolished and that a single state board of higher education be established. Master Two Council The Coordinating Itself has recommended that the independent boards be retained and that the council be given additional authority to exercise the central control." The Legislature likely will have to determine the issue. Pn.ibly the most important of these is the matter of governance of Utah's colleges and universities. Whichever course is taken, and the council has declared that one or the other must be taken, the Legislature will have to pass bills to accomplish tlie goal. For moie than two years the Coordinating Council of Higher Education has been The Legislature also will be asked to provide for the establishment of additional Cen ters for Continuing Education" like the one now operating in the Uintah Basin. . It is likely to get requests from persons or interests outside the schools themselves or for the Coordinating the estab'ishment of additional junior colleges. il Many aspecL of the Master Plan would require some legislative enactments. If the Coordinating Council were to be strengthened, for example, it would take legiria'ion giving it such powe. : as authority to assign institutional roles, approve or disprove programs and require uniform reporting and accounting. Most of the school legislation will, however, have some relation to finance. The promise and problem of education is a perennial puzzle in Utah. The Legislature, year after year, will have the ditficult task of trying to resolve the difference between the people's demand for education on the one hand end their ability and w illingness to pay the price on the other. You're Lucky, Very Soon Local president is Frank Fullmct, 7575 S. 9th East. The local chapter usually sponsots a breakfast on Dee. 7 to the occasion. State Chapter is headed by James Lisonbee. 3191 S. 8th East. Can you help get my 1967 state income tax refund? I filed it Anril iJ. I Bled an a life mini return on April 16. The first resulted in me paying them. The second resulted in a refund. They finally asked me In file another one which I did. Last month 1 called and they said theyd act on it right away. I still havent heard. Can you speed them up? R.F.H., Sail Lake City. ?io' bxmq Dont know whether one can call it speeding" or not, but your amended reiurn was processed on Nov. 13. You should receive your refund four to six weeks from that date. If you are lucky, could be before Christmas. ), Haw problem? Dial 6 to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, or write to Box 7757, Salt lake City, Utah 84110. May Have To Wait Till Spring There is a water situation on Stringhuni Ave. and 23rd East which the city has promised to do something about for a long time but nothing has happened. Can you get something done or explain why the delay? Disgusted, Salt Lake City. True, you were promised something would be done winter. But sometimes things go awry. The city has three men who work on such problems. They are the ones who have to repait and maintain mote than 800 miles ol sidewalk. One recently was m an accident. Even so, city says, theyll try to get going on this but if not, itll just have to wait mini spring. br-fo- te Sorry, No Homework Other Events I am doing a special project in my science class at flow 11 Works." I would appre- seleiol. I have chosen ciale any material on it. History, liovv made, effects, danA., Sail I.ale City. gers, etc. "Ireland University of Utah Travel Club turn lecture by Nlcol Smith, Kmgsbury Hall 8 pm, Dec It BY U S "The Afes of Man I. forum lecture by Dr, Louis Leakey, cmpie Sauae. f p m Dec 12 Assembly 4all "The Star el Benehe,?i" Star Chamber program, Harven Planetarium, I State, daily ecfr Monday Free admission to musumind exhibit hall. Cant do liomcwoik, but will get you started on your own Tlietes an authentic pnpoihook out which is very interesting and has a good tc.rieine list of ether material to roseau-hName is: "Datg Abt: Escape to Nuuheie." Send $2.00 to I. . National Education Assn.. Public Sales Dept., N.W., Washington, D.C.. 20036. 1201-10t- East, Why Not Go To Their Breakfast? aboard (lie I.S.S. Tennessee at learl Harbor ar.d a years ago I joined the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, but 1 never received mv card. 1 paid $7 for the memlicr-ship- . Can you tell me the address of litis group? H.P., Sait xhe City. I I was few tfcditoej Note: W.ro Mrry too number ol cut ond tho volum ol mill K putvbte to trwwor vry question. Plooto, ltd medictl or Itqtl oucliont. Don't tqnd ttemot dr telf oddreisod envelope! dt entwert con dnlv t qiven in tnu column. Only ouestieit d tencrei intereit will oo ontwertd ond telephone colli con bo occooted only on 'he Oo It Mon phone ot tht hturo Give yoiu neme. eddrest end tcicplrnd number. prescribed. not no Ittelte It oubhceiion - but to S-- i p Oo It Mon help you.) Wt |