Raises for teachers and money to cover growing school enrollment are among items legislators approved Friday as part of the education base budget bill, which outlines the basics of how the state will fund schools. Base budgets for education and other state programs passed both the House and Senate, accounting for about 90 percent of the approximately $12 billion budget. New programs will eventually be added to a final budget before the Legislature's March 5 end.

The base education budget includes about $90 million to give teachers $2,500 raises again this year. It also includes $22.3 million to make good on raises and bonuses promised, but not always delivered, last year.

"We've funded all the growth anticipated in education, and the $2,500 salary increase for teachers will be ongoing," said Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper. "A lot of school boards were nervous. They can rest easy now that the money's there."

Also, school enrollment is projected to increase 2.4 percent - by about 12,880 students - from this school year to next. An additional $34.1 million is included to pay for the growth. - Lisa Schencker and Cathy McKitrick