The Utah Education Association reveals key priorities for the upcoming legislative session, focusing on funding and support for educators.
Salt Lake City: Utah lawmakers are gearing up for their annual legislative session, and education is a hot topic again this year.
Chelsie Acosta, a veteran teacher, thinks it would be great if legislators spent some time in a classroom. She teaches at Glendale Middle School and wants them to see firsthand the challenges like language barriers, trauma, and poverty.
During a press conference, Acosta and the Utah Education Association (UEA) shared their priorities for the 2025 session. They also discussed the results of a recent survey that highlighted the main concerns of K-12 educators in the state.
The UEA, which represents about 18,000 public educators, surveyed 1,400 members to find out what they care about most. UEA President Renée Pinkney said the message is clear: educators want lawmakers to focus on funding for staffing, reducing burnout, and providing mental health resources.
Pinkney stood with other educators to share key findings from the survey. Nearly all respondents, about 93%, opposed private religious vouchers, which they believe take away vital resources from public schools. They also want smaller class sizes, more funding for school meals, and better support for student well-being.
Pinkney emphasized that working together with lawmakers can lead to policies that help students succeed and support teachers. She believes investing in public schools is crucial for a brighter future.
When asked about the opposition to vouchers, Pinkney explained that the UEA has been against them for years. She pointed out that vouchers can harm students by diverting funds from public education, which still has fixed costs even when students leave for private schools.
Teachers at the press conference also talked about the stress and burnout they face. Colette Memmott from Sunset Ridge Middle School mentioned the exhaustion from managing large class sizes and the extra work that comes with it.
Janet Sanders from Mountain Ridge High School added that many teachers feel pressured to be cautious about what they say in class due to a growing anti-public education sentiment. They worry about the impact on their students if privatization continues.
