A bill that would prohibit school districts from paying teachers who leave the classroom for union duties passed the Senate on Tuesday.

Several Utah school districts now pay a portion of their local union presidents' salaries even though they no longer teach, and the union pays the rest of their salaries according to contract agreements. Sen. Margaret Dayton's bill, SB77, would prohibit that and require that if a teacher or employee goes on leave for association duties for more than 10 days, the employee, union or association must reimburse the district for that time if their duties do not directly benefit the district.

The bill's proponents say it will keep education dollars where they belong -- in the classroom. Opponents, however, say it should be up to local school districts, and some districts pay those on union leave because their work still greatly benefits the districts.

Senators passed SB77 on a vote of 17-11. It now moves to the House.

-- Lisa Schencker