The board, responding to Gov. Jon Huntsman's optimistic predictions that a cut of at least $70 million in state income taxes will actually mean more long-term money for education, has come up with a well-thought-out plan for spending the additional money.

The "wish list" is also a response to a Utah Foundation report that shows Utah not only continues to be dead last among the states in per-pupil funding but has dropped from fifth to 27th in the percentage of its residents' income that goes to fund education. The foundation is asking stakeholders to suggest what should be done to stop the decline in education funding that has resulted from actions of the Legislature over the past decade.

In the basic "four tires" category, the state board will ask legislators for $47 million for additional students expected to arrive in the coming year. Additionally, the board wants programs that may sound like "bells and whistles" but would only address some desperate needs of Utah students.

These include full-day kindergarten, preschool programs, a slight reduction in class sizes (Utah schools have the largest classes in the nation), initiatives to better train and keep teachers, restored funding for early-grade reading, more counselors and programs to help children learn English. Another intriguing idea is for an education rainy-day fund into which "surplus" revenue could be stored against inevitable economic downturns.

If the Legislature were to grant all these, Utah education would be a no-frills sedan that could take the state well along the road to economic well-being with an educated population needing fewer welfare programs and a pared-down correctional system and enticing businesses with a quality workforce.

If legislators fail to more fully fund education, Utah schools will sputter, repelling desirable companies that consider quality of life when they look for places to locate.