Nov 07
As I See It…
2007 at 9:02 pm | posted by Rep. Craig Frank 6 comments
Hindsight is 20/20. And it is. At least…As I See It.
Tuesday something remarkable happened. And, whether or not you believe what I’m about to tell you…well…that’s entirely up to you.
As Election Night drew to a close the “fall” of a great Empire was immenent. The state’s largest school district (about 80,000 students) would be literally torn in two…well, nearly…in half, I mean (41.8% disaffection rate). Still “big” but only “half” as “big.” Cottonwood Heights, Midvale, Sandy, Alta, and Draper would democratically determine to sever themselves from the body…perhaps an inherent survival mechanism…DNA, ya know?!…strong stuff. Fifty-three percent of the voters would cause the masses to seek another path. An article in the D-News mentions the Jordan Board of Education was “opposed (to) the split efforts.” That’s funny, since it appears the Board may have been primarily responsible for providing the necessary internal tension to proverbially break the camel’s back.
What do you mean, Craig?
Rewind.
Jordan School District Board votes to give themselves a bump in pay. Very, shortly following their statutory ability to adjust their compensation schedule (July 1, 2007), Jordan District School Board members voted to bump themselves up a few bucks. Up from $3,000 a year to $12,000 a year PLUS $17,000 in insurance benefits (thanks, but my spouse has insurance covering the family…I’ll take the cash, thanks). $3,000 to $29,000 a year. Big jump. Regrets. Reconsideration. But, maybe, too little, too late. Afterall, they’re a volunteer board. Right?!
Rewind.
2007 General Session of the Utah State Legislature. A simple, relatively benign little bill called HB234. A relatively short bill (three pages…and the last page isn’t very full) sponsored by Rep. John Dougall (R-Highland) and signed (lapsed) into law by Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr. (3/20/2007) provided the framework…and the noose (n. a running loop with a slip knot which binds closer the more it is drawn) for greedy, volunteer school district boards to proverbially hang themselves.
Heck, who needs a proverb?! And, Craig, what the heck are you implying???
Oh, nothing really…As I See It!
(Repeated attempts to contact Rep. Dougall for comment…failed)
November 8th, 2007 at 12:29 am
I just received a call from Rep. Dougall. He says he has some extra rope hanging around his place. Any takers?!
November 9th, 2007 at 6:43 pm
Craig, what you have described is the beginning of the biggest reform in education in 100 years since consolidation started. It far eclipses what HB 148 would have done and yet was not given that much media. That was good. Maybe it passed because vouchers was on the ballot at the same time, and they were too busy to fight it!
November 10th, 2007 at 1:02 pm
Rewind.
Simple-celled organisms crawl from the primeval muck.
Oops. Rewound too far.
November 14th, 2007 at 9:30 am
[...] Those who don’t learn from the past are bound to repeat it! Click HERE and HERE. [...]
November 14th, 2007 at 1:39 pm
And what will you be doing with the recent proposed raise for the Utah Legislature, Rep. Frank?
http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,5143,695226164,00.html
Or for that matter your *lifetime* benefits. My mama always taught me people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.
November 14th, 2007 at 6:35 pm
P.S. Can you pass along the above message from me to Rep. Dougall as well. He might need some of that rope for himself.