Combined with new funding for higher education, the Legislature would add nearly half a billion dollars to education coffers, they said.

"This is a great package for education," Senate President John Valentine said. "It is something I thought I'd never see."

The budget package increases per-pupil spending by more than 8 percent. But because other states may also boost school funds this year, fiscal analysts can't yet say whether the new money will move Utah out of last place in the nation in money spent per student.

The package also includes $50 million for classroom computers, $68.7 million to give all teachers a $2,500 raise and $33 million to give them a one-time bonus of $1,000. Another $88 million will go toward boosting the weighted pupil unit 4 percent on top of the additional teacher compensation.

Charter schools and tuition vouchers will receive $15.4 million in ongoing funds, and $60 million in one-time money will go to teacher supplies and school construction projects.

The proposal also includes money to expand all-day kindergarten options for at-risk children throughout the state, an item Christine Kearl, Huntsman's deputy for education, was thrilled to see.

"This budget is a major home run for education," Huntsman spokesman Mike Mower said. "We're very comfortable with the priorities outlined by the Legislature."

Officials at the State Office of Education were only slightly less enthusiastic.

"It may not be an out-of-the-park home run, but it's a solid triple," spokesman Mark Peterson said.

The legislative package falls short of the State Board of Education's ambitious $494.6 million request. Conspicuously absent was the $30 million ProExcel professional development program prioritized by both the board and the joint Education Appropriations Committee.

The state school board had also hoped for more transportation funding but was happy with much of the budget package.

Legislators credited the booming economy with the generous funding.

"When there are resources available, we're willing to appropriate [them for education], and I expect nothing to change [in future years]," Sen. Majority Leader Curt Bramble said. "We've tried to do all we can every year I've been up here."

Bramble said "misinformation spread by groups like the Utah Education Association" has given people the impression that legislators don't prioritize education. He said he expected the union to complain about the current funding package.

The UEA, Utah's largest teachers' union, was still analyzing the budget package "in light of this year's record surplus" Friday afternoon.

UEA President Kim Campbell said the group welcomed the teacher raises but noted that investment in the rest of the school system is also important.

"We appreciate some of the intentions," she said.

nstricker@sltrib.com

Cash for schools

The funding proposal unveiled Friday includes $459.5 million in new funds for schools. Some highlights:

* $88 million to increase the weighted pupil unit 4 percent

* $68.7 million to give all teachers a $2,500 raise

* $50 million for classroom computers and software

* $50 million for school construction and renovation

* $33 million for a one-time $1,000 teacher bonus

* $26.9 million for charter schools and tuition vouchers

* $10 million for teacher materials and supplies