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Show School SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 23, 2000 School Board Corner This article will briefly discuss the connection between quality education and cost and the source of funding for education. The primary funding source to pay the cost of education is the Utah State Legislature. Education funding is one of the most important, but debated issues before the State Legislature. Several proposals are being considered. Most attention has been given to the Governors proposal to increase education spending by delaying extending the road bond repayment schedule and use that money to fund education. Five ether proposals include: 1) Full use of income tax and corporate franchise tax revenue to support public education. This would fully utilize revenue generated for education instead of making tax cuts. 2) Renistate a portion of the property tax and provide for a fixed minimum tax rate. This would increase the yield available and provide a consistent and dependable source of funding for education. 3) Increase corporate franchise tax to provide a good funding source for education. 4) Institute a soft drink tax to increase revenue for education. As an example, a 2 cents per 12 oz. can would raise approximately $32 million. 5) Increase bonding to finance capital projects while preservingcurrent revenue. This would make more money available from the General Fund to fund education. The key difference between the Governors proposal and the other five proposal is longevity. The Governors proposal provides for an immediate short term solution. Where as, the other proposals are new revenue sources that could provide continuous long term funding for education. The better solution is one that will provide secure dependable educational funding. The quality of education and learning opportunities made available to students in our local area of Kane County is directly related to the amount of money we have access to. Money alone is not the answer to a quality education, but it does provide many of the resources important to providing opportunities. The Kane County School District has excellent teachers and adminsters and adequate facili ties. However, course offerings, learning environments, and support materials and equipment and the ability to attract excellent teachers could be enhanced with additional funds. Thus, providing expanded opportunities for quality education. Through good fiscal management the Kane County School District has been able to adequately fund local education and even provide some new facilities, such as the new Kanab Middle School and the Valley High School addition, even with- out raising taxes. But, with declining enrollment and greater demands for limited funds, options are limited. Additional funding through the State Legislature is vital to continue to meet needs and improved education locally. It is important for the community and parents to let the legislatures know how important education is and the lifetime investment that is made through quality education, and that adequate funding is necessary and a priority. Only a few days remain in this legislative session when decisions will be made about education. The action taken this year by the legislature will set a precedent for future support of education in the State of Utah. We encourage you to contact our legislatures and let them know your feelings about education and education funding. During the session legislatures can be contacted at the addresses and telephone numbers listed below. Your letters and calls can make a difference. Contact any member of the School Board or the Superintendent for more detailed information about funding for education. Utah State Senate 319 Capitol Building Salt Lake City, UT 84114-011(801) 538-103- Doyle Swallow of the American Spencer Mosdell won the American Legion Oratorical Contest. Pictured above Legion; KHS teacher Jeff Fleshman, coordinator of the contest; contestant Adam Tebbs; winner Spencer Mosdell; contestant Lisa Baker; and Bob Thompson, American Legion Post 69 Commander. Not pictured: contestant Daniel Giddings. Photo by Barbara Pyles. (l-r- ): Spencer Mosdell represents southern Utah at state American Legion Oratorical Contest By Carol Sullivan The winner of the 1999-200- 0 American Legion Oratory contest is Spencer Mosdell. Cash prizes awarded were $70 for first place, $40 to second place winner Daniel Giddings and $20 each to runners-u- p Lisa Baker and Adam Tebbs. Spencer represented Post 69 and the 7th District of the American legion at the American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest in Salt Lake City on February jectives include the development of leadership qualities, the abil- ity to think and speak clearly and intelligently, and the prepa- ration for acceptance of the du- ties and responsibilities, the rights and privileges of Ameri- can citizenship. On the National level students are competing for an $18,000 scholarship Several local American Legion members who were present to hear the prepared speeches and then the assigned topic oration expressed admiration for all of the contestants. KES PTA Reflections program winners PTA Reflections program win- - VanDyke. ners at Kanab Elementary are Chapman and T.J. Reidhead. y as follows: Visual Carter. McAllister. Kelsey Barber; Cheryl 19. These winning entries were Zachary Carling; Carley Barber, The purpose of the American Alex Ferrand; and Hannah sent on to the Regional level Legions Oratorical Contest is to Zweifel. Literature: Emily where they were judged with develop a deeper knowledge and Downward; Sarah Chapman; other schools within our region. appreciation of the Constitution Kailey Smith;' Suzi Singleton; Congratulations, students, on of the UnitecTStates. Other ob Misty Reidhead; and Kaylee your winning entries! Arts-Garre- tt Music-Mand- Kane County itental Group 1 5 Utah State House of Representatives 318 State Capitol Building Salt Lake City, UT 84114-0116 (801) 538-102- 9 Senator Mike Dmitrich Representative Tom Hatch We are pleased to provide painless dentistry with state of the art equipment! K. John Armstrong DDS Stone Signs - Landscape Rock Sandstone Slab & Willow Tables Sandblasted, Painted Stained & Sculpted Metal, Wood, Stone & Glass Art Photography-Sara- h Robert Gibson DDS Larry Staples DDS Nileen Whitlock RDH Call now for an appointment 435-644-41- 81 355 N. Main Street Kanab, UT 84741 Dance-Alldredg- e; |