Utah Governor Gary Herbert and his top education advisor, Tami Pyfer, are traveling the state to meet with public educators and administrators prior to the beginning of the 2015-16 school year.
On Wednesday they met with administrators and teachers in the Box Elder School District where they discussed the need for qualified teachers to help educate Utah’s youth. Pyfer said the teacher shortage is real and is having an impact on Utah schools.
The U.S. Department of Education has released a list outlining a state-by-state rundown of teacher shortages. In Utah, Foreign Language educators are included on the list along with a need for teachers in mathematics, physics, special education and speech language pathology.
Funding for charter schools is another topic school district officials are wanting to discuss. State law prevents charter schools from seeking bonds for construction or calling for a tax increase to fund programs. Instead, each district must share a percentage of funds to help operate area charter schools.
“There has been concern, by almost everywhere we visit, with the amount of legislation that is passed every year regarding education,” Pyfer said. “We have new regulations, new requirements or new computer programs we are asking them to adopt. They want some consistency.”
During the past legislative session there were 160 education related bills introduced by lawmakers. Pyfer said there has been a sentiment of appreciation by educators for the increase in per-pupil funding Utah lawmakers approved in March. However, she said many public education employees reminded her and the governor that their needs go beyond funding.
“They need time with their students and they need time to collaborate with other teachers in the school,” Pyfer said.
Most schools have Professional Learning Communities that allow time for educators to collaborate with one another. Teachers are also stating they would like the option of having students leave early once a week so they can continue to hold PLC meetings.
Next week Pyfer and Governor Herbert will visit schools in the Davis School District.
