If you would like to stay updated on current legislative issues concerning your children and their education, e-mail Amy Baldwin at yamabeth@yahoo.com to be placed on a Deerfield PTA legislative e-mail list. Opinions expressed are those of the Deerfield PTA.

The Legislature is meeting for the next several months to adopt new bills. Please be aware of the following bills relating to education and visit the following site to learn more about them: www.le.state.ut.us. If you do not agree with some of the bills, please contact your legislators and voice your concerns. Their information is located on the same site.

• HB 81--Study ways to tie financial incentives to teacher performances.
• HB 88--Put two certified teachers in elementary classrooms.
• HB 254--Add a non-voting Member-at-Large to School Community Council (SCC).
• SB 35--Require schools to pay Science, Math and Special Ed. Teachers $5000 more.
• SB 37--Allow home-schooled children to participate in extra-curricular activities at district schools.
• SB 39--Create a task force to study ways to change/improve Math, Science, and Technology areas of the State Core.
• SB 41--Provide/solicit grants to districts to extend the school year and use buildings year-round. Example: Have a three-semester school year and assign students to two of the three.

Only a title and idea, but no bill written yet:

• Credit allowed in teacher transfer: Standardize the amount of years a teacher can transfer between districts. (Rep. Dougall)
• Modifications to the State Board of Education Membership: Make members declare a party and choose a candidate.
• Resolution Amending Appointment of State Superintendent: The Governor would appoint the State Superintendent and have him/her a member of his Cabinet. (Sen. Stephenson)
• School Community Councils: Make the SCC more beholden to the Legislature and less Parental Control of the SCC. (Rep. Bigelow)

CONTACT THE UTAH SENATE AND HOUSE
The Utah Senate and House can be contacted directly by calling:

Senate 538-1035
House 538-1029

To visit the Utah State Legislature website, click here
For Senator's email addresses click here.
For Representative's email addresses click here.

NATIONAL PTA MEMBER-TO-MEMBER NETWORK
To join the National PTA Member-to-Member Network, click here.

UTAH PTA MEMBER TO MEMBER INFORMATION
Join the Utah PTA Member-to-Member Network Today! You will enjoy the benefits of regular updates on all legislative matters during the session and during the interim meetings. There is no cost to join, just email: ronda@utahpta.org