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Show A4 The Salt Lake Tribune UTAH Strike Decision Prompts Some Strong Reactions Utah Teachersto Stage a Walkout On Tuesday “Who are [teachers] really affecting, them or us? We’ve gotto payfor day care so we can go to work. We're paying them $28,000 to $30,000 a year. What. more do théy want with a four-yearcollege degree?” @ Continued from A-1 “Tm puzzled sometimes why our commitment to public education is constantly questioned,” Rep. Kevin Garn, R-Layton and cochairman of the task force, told committee members. “Noone seems to be happy. The teachers aren't happy — they're threatening a job action today. The lawmakers aren't happy because no matter whatwedo,it seems like it’s never enough.” The task force was created last year amid rumblings of a possible teacher strike. Teachers were promised the legislators would formulate a financial plan for Utah's future, Sorensensaid. InStead, teachers were left with “a handful of promises.” Sorensen acknowledged the task force made “small steps in the right direction,” but said the pro- posals will help a limited number ofdistricts and fall short of a longterm plan. Such a plan is needed, she said, because Utah schools can expect Clark Gaudette ian Ryan Galbraith/TheSalt Lake Tribune UEA PresidentPhyllis Sorensen speaks at a Thursday news confrence to The UEA action angered some teachers who wanted the union to call a strike lasting more than a day, saying they are willing to stay out of classrooms until the situation improves. Teachers in somedistricts that won't participate in the walkout still plan a show of solidarity. In Duchesne, teachers will wear black on Tuesday, said Superintendent John Aland. Aland said teachers there also voted against participating because of a feeling the time is not right. In addition, one-third of Utah’s lature doesn’t do anything punitive, but there's definitely that next 10 years, she said. Gov. Mike Leavitt said he understood the message teachers wantto send, but added, “I wish the UEAhad chosenotherwise.” “This. may turn on the teachers,” Alandsaid.“I hope the Legisrisk.” In South Summit, teachers will “work to contract” from Tuesday until the Christmas holiday begins, meaningthey will do no work and improveteachersalaries,” he said. outside of their contracted hours, said Alene Bushell, president of the South Summit Education Association. Teachers there won't walk out, she said, because the district told them it would hold school that day and it could dock teachers’pay. Arakaki said Granite teachers Leavitt said his budget proposal to the Legislature would demonstrate a commitmentto education. “I feel optimistic and heartened that we will reduce class sizes, provide textbooks, improveliteracy rates, enhance accountability punishthe district by cutting its funding for oneday. “It’s hard to know if [a one-day walkout] does any good atall,” Arakakisaid. The American Federation of Teachers said it disagrees with the action. The group 'ericouraged its 1,000 members to abide by their contracts, but not to cross any picketlines. “A strike is a pretty seriouscall. It's not a threat we would everuse. Asaunion, you only have somany arrowsin your quiver, anda strike is one of themthatusesupa lot of arrows,” said Paul Henderson, AFT executivedirector. There will not be picketlines at schools or district offices, Sorensen said. Teachers will gather at local education associations, then spread throughout communi- ties to educate parents and others about education’s funding woes, shesaid. will proceed,” she said. Shenoted the UEA gave parents and districts the notice it had tic support in somedistricts. When Sorensen acknowledged that promised, and that teachers’ greatest concern is student safety. members of the Jordan Education Association tooka vote on whether to support the walkout, “that entire. room was on its feet,” said Wendy Bromley, association pres- legislators might attempt to be “vindictive,” but said eventually The last statewide teacher walkout occurred in 1989, when a they will “do what'sright.” wildcat strike —.a spontaneous Granite’s one-day walkout earlier this year caused a backlash among someparents who balked at requiring students to make up the missed time. In addition, one legislator tried unsuccessfully to walkout — in the Davis School District spread to 39 of Utah’s 40 districts, affecting 435,000 students: e-mail: hmay@sitrib.com or aestes@sltrib.com Travis or Billy for iust ——_—— “They're setting a terrible examplefor the children they teach. I think there are better ways ofmaking their point.” == “It’s a good ideafor the teachers. They deserve better.” Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper Karen Johnson Shelly Harris Third-grade teacher, Columbia Elementary School in West Jordan Parent, Salt Lake City Memberof the Education Interim Committee =a a are SEMI-ANNUAL SALE Buren a ANC semi antique and new handmade rugs & Kelims from Iran, Pakistan, India, Turkey, China, Afghanistan, Prt kentestre Nelcomertariiettbac eg Parente Cntrache We also offer hand cleaning, restoration, appraisal, high quality rug pad, free pick-up and delivery. Buy/trade old rugs. Adib’s Rug Gallery Catch our lowest price ever! y Parent,Salt Lake City to see how thelegislative session what the full Legislature recom- year. “We're strikingfor more money, butit’s like many ofmy colleagues have said — ifthey would get class sizes down to 20 and do nothingelsefor me, I would be happy.” Sorensen refused comment on members would ratherwait to see sehedule a make-up day later this Parent, Orem == Sande Krieger the possibility teachers may take additional action after the legislative session. “We're going to have will stay in school because its ident. Most participating districts said they would close schools and Pete Peterson year.” walkout will not be paid, but they But manyteacherssay suchtalk sion begins in January. bugs me terribly. Ijust think the teachers are going about it all wrong. I can’t believe teachers, who are the most educated people in the whole world, would do something so stupid. It has no class.” will likely receive pay for ee make-up day. is no longer enough and they are mendsfor education after the ses- “The whole thingjust “T have to say thatI side with the teachers. I’m a littlefrustrated that our legislators don’t put more effort into compensating teachers, because that’s the most impertantjob out there. Ijust thinkit’s ridiculous that the teachers have to go throughthis, year after Teachers who participate in the willing to walk out to make their point. The move garnered enthusias- Parent, North Ogden ES call on educators to participate in a one-day statewide walkout Tuesday. more than 100,000 new students by 2010, prompting a need for 4,000 new teachers and 172 new schools. currentteachers will retire in the Friday, December1, 2000 es Direct Importer of the World's Finest Rugs 3142 SOUTH HIGHLAND DRIVE (ABOUT 1400 BAST) SALTLAKECITY HRS. 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