Huntsman Makes Teacher Bonuses and All-Day K Official

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) Utah's Governor worked a crowd of grade-schoolers at Beehive Elementary School in Kearns today to draw attention to new funding for education and all-day kindergarten:

"We're gonna sign legislation that will provide more funding for field trips, lots of field trips," Governor Jon Huntsman Junior told the students. "And more support for teachers - does everbody love their teachers?"

The students cheered Huntsman and eagerly volunteered to help him sign a suite of education bills.

This year, Huntsman succeeded in getting funding for optional all-day kindergarten in low-income schools. He hopes more time at school will improve achievement scores among struggling students. Huntsman also signed a bill giving teachers big raises. Beehive Elementary sixth grade teacher Martha Cooper says the money makes her feel more valued:

"I hope it's going to help some of our new teachers decide it can be a profession where they can make a substantial living and stay in it and not have to have two or three jobs to be bread winners," says Cooper.

The Legislature approved a $2,500 increase for all teacher salary ranges, plus a $1,000 bonus across the board. Non-teaching staff will also get raises in the funding package signed today by Huntsman.

Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom, Legislative Coverage, and 2007 Legislative Coverage. Copyright 2008 KCPW