EDUCATION + SCHOOLS

Lawmakers approve a bonus for teachers, but may exclude Salt Lake City School District

Dec 16, 2020, 7:21 PM

Utah legislative session domestic violence legislation...

(Utah State Capitol Complex. Credit: Paul Nelson, file)

(Utah State Capitol Complex. Credit: Paul Nelson, file)

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The state legislature is one step closer to approving a big bonus for teachers, but the Salt Lake City School District may be left out. Lawmakers say that’s because the district isn’t offering in-person learning. 

The bonuses come from the $121 million “COVID-19 Educator Assistance Stipend,” and it would give teachers an additional $1,500 as a thank you for their hard work during the disruptive pandemic. Lawmakers gave bipartisan praise to the stipend during the first part of their discussion, saying it would keep many frustrated teachers from leaving the profession. Others say the bonuses were less than teachers deserved, but they feel it was a step in the right direction.

Governor-Elect Spencer Cox said the heroic work school workers have done during the pandemic deserves not only respect but tangible rewards too. Cox said he and Lt. Governor-Elect Diedre Henderson have been working on this budget proposal to include the bonuses.
 
Cox noted legislative leadership had already been working on a similar idea. He said he’s grateful to Utah’s House and Senate for the extra payments and thanked school personnel for all they’ve done during a difficult time.

However, Speaker Brad Wilson then added a motion that surprised many Democratic lawmakers.  His motion added language that would send the money only to certain schools.

“All of our educators have worked hard, but this motion on the intent language basically says we’re going to funnel this money to those [schools] that have had their students in a classroom,” he said.

Currently, the Salt Lake City School District has provided online learning, exclusively, and district officials say they intended to start 2021 with online classes until the spread of COVID-19 had diminished to the point where students could return to the classroom, safely.  However, Wilson believes students are suffering and grades are falling when kids can’t return to school.

“I think all of us saw the news article about the Salt Lake School District a few days ago, and how far behind those students are falling relative to their peers,” Wilson said.

Wilson says his goal isn’t to prevent teachers and other school employees from getting the bonuses.  He says he would love to give the district that money as long as they offer in-person learning by January 19th.  He says his motion was his way to balance the needs of the students with those of faculty and staff.

This motion did not sit well with lawmakers like Representative Angela Romero.  She says there are special needs students being taught in-person, and this motion focuses solely on one particular school district.

“Our school district would, from my perspective, be targeted because they’re complying with health guidelines,” Romero said.

Representative Carol Spackman Moss the motion would punish the wrong group of people, and that it’s not the teachers’ fault the district only offered online classes.

She said, “The teachers didn’t make the decision.  I feel like they’d be punished for something the school board decided to do.”

This motion came as a complete surprise to officials with the Salt Lake City School District.

Spokesperson Yándary Chatwin tells KSL, “That is the absolute last thing that I want educators in the Salt Lake City School District to think that the work that they have undertaken during the pandemic is not valued and not worthy of recognition because that is certainly not the case.”

Chatwin says the school board has always intended to bring children back to the classroom as soon as possible.  However, she says there are specific health guidelines they’re following to ensure everyone is safe when the doors open again.  The recent news that teachers would be vaccinated ahead of the general public already had board members looking into whether or not they could bring students back sooner than expected.

“When [the board] saw that COVID-19 data in our county indicated a lower risk for elementary students, they voted to offer that option starting next month,” she said.

The board will meet again January 5th.  Chatwin says they expect to talk about the vaccination rollout and the possible loss of bonuses then.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Education + Schools

A n3-year degree may be an option...

Amie Schaeffer

Utah students could soon earn bachelor’s degrees in 3 years

College students may be able to graduate with a bachelors degree in three years in some industries.

7 hours ago

The Powder Baby Dry Shampoo team poses with its check after winning the 2024 Utah Entrepreneur Chal...

Logan Stefanich, KSL.COM

BYU student startup wins $30K at Utah Entrepreneur Challenge

BYU entrepreneur Kylee Black, who founded Powder Baby, said the cash prize will be instrumental in advancing her business.

9 hours ago

Outside of the Yale University Law School is pictured on September 27, 2018 in New Haven, Connectic...

Zenebou Sylla, CNN

Some New England universities, including Yale, break $90,000 barrier for total tuition cost in upcoming school year

(CNN) — Several New England universities and colleges, including Yale, have reached a pinnacle of at least $90,000 for undergraduate tuition and costs starting this fall. Yale University, Tufts University, Boston University (BU), and Wellesley College are among a few private institutions that will top this year’s costs for tuition, housing and other expenses, according to […]

19 hours ago

FILE: Cedar High School in Cedar City is pictured on Wednesday April 7, 2021....

Tammy Kikuchi and Emma Keddington

Cedar High School grapples with mascot name, five years after it was changed

The Iron School District Board of Education is grappling with changing the Cedar High School mascot back from "Reds" to "Redmen." 

20 hours ago

A green and brown sign hangs on a brick wall. It reads "The future of the world is in this classroo...

Mariah Maynes

Study looks into Utah voters’ opinions on curriculum transparency in schools

A Sutherland Institute study found that a majority of Utah voters support curriculum transparency. However, fewer of them support mandating it with legislation. 

1 day ago

Utah Utes players circle up before the women’s college basketball game against Weber State Univer...

Aimee Cobabe and Emma Keddington

FBI now involved in Utah Women’s Basketball racism investigation

Police in Idaho are working with the FBI to investigate an incident where racial slurs were yelled at the Utah Women's basketball team.

2 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Mother and cute toddler child in a little fancy wooden cottage, reading a book, drinking tea and en...

Visit Bear Lake

How to find the best winter lodging in Bear Lake, Utah

Winter lodging in Bear Lake can be more limited than in the summer, but with some careful planning you can easily book your next winter trip.

Happy family in winter clothing at the ski resort, winter time, watching at mountains in front of t...

Visit Bear Lake

Ski more for less: Affordable ski resorts near Bear Lake, Utah

Plan your perfect ski getaway in Bear Lake this winter, with pristine slopes, affordable tickets, and breathtaking scenery.

front of the Butch Cassidy museum with a man in a cowboy hat standing in the doorway...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking Back: The History of Bear Lake

The history of Bear Lake is full of fascinating stories. At over 250,000 years old, the lake has seen generations of people visit its shores.

silhouette of a family looking over a lake with a bird in the top corner flying...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

8 Fun Activities To Do in Bear Lake Without Getting in the Water

Bear Lake offers plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy without having to get in the water. Catch 8 of our favorite activities.

Wellsville Mountains in the spring with a pond in the foreground...

Wasatch Property Management

Advantages of Renting Over Owning a Home

Renting allows you to enjoy luxury amenities and low maintenance without the long-term commitment and responsibilities of owning a home.

Clouds over a red rock vista in Hurricane, Utah...

Wasatch Property Management

Why Southern Utah is a Retirement Paradise

Retirement in southern Utah offers plenty of cultural and recreational opportunities. Find out all that this region has to offer.

Lawmakers approve a bonus for teachers, but may exclude Salt Lake City School District