Among the 38 people who have filed as candidates for the 15-member Utah Board of Education are two from Parents for Choice in Education, the most vocal pro-voucher organization. The list also includes at least six candidates who have been involved in or are heavily involved in charter schools. Another candidate is a trustee for Children First Utah, which gives disadvantaged children private-school scholarships.
Candidates include former state Sen. Dave Thomas and Parents for Choice in Education spokeswoman Leah Barker.
Several candidates said Tuesday they're not running because of vouchers despite their positions on the matter.
"I do think school choice is a good idea, but I don't think the voters are so enthusiastic about it, so I think one needs to take a lesson from voters and move forward," said candidate Roberta Herzberg, a Utah State University professor who co-authored a study about tuition tax credits.
Candidate Lincoln Fillmore, who works with Parents for Choice in Education and is a business officer for several charter schools, said the voucher issue isn't the reason he's running.
"Vouchers are not a concern," Fillmore said. "That really seems to me a legislative issue." He's running because he'd like to see the state board focus more on administrative matters and less on school-level issues.
Barker, who was the main voice of the pro-voucher campaign last year, said she's not running just because of vouchers. She said she wants to focus on improving open enrollment and merit and differential pay for teachers.
"The most amazing thing that happened as a result of Referendum 1 was the highlight on public education," Barker said. "There are just amazing people out there, like me, perhaps, who just want to create positive change and be part of the solution."
Vik Arnold, with the Utah Education Association, which opposed vouchers, said Monday it was too early to say who the UEA supports for election to the board, which oversees Utah schools and helps to shape state education policy.
''We've been trying to identify people who will be supportive of making an increased investment in our public schools,'' he said.
is elected
Although 38 people have filed to run for state school board, not all of them will make it to the ballot.
A nominating committee appointed by Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. will choose three to five of the candidates for each district to forward to the governor. Huntsman then will choose two candidates from each district for the November ballot.
