This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

For any parent who has ever attended a PTA or after-school meeting, job well done. For you have more experience working to improve the function of public education than does the recently confirmed secretary of the U.S. Department of Education.

For any student, any age, in the public school system, acknowledge your accomplishment. You have a greater skill set in dealing with the realities of the classroom environment than the individual charged with implementing federal decisions on your behalf.

For any first-year teacher who works in a public school, take a bow. While your salary does not reflect it, you have infinitely more training, academic knowledge, teaching and administrative experience in dealing with the challenges and rewards of public education than does the individual now charged with carrying out federally funded research based on educational strategies for the nation.

In 2007, our state Legislature and Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. passed HB148 allowing the use of tax-funded subsidies for private school vouchers. For any Utahn who helped initiate and subsequently approve the School Voucher Referendum, overturning HB148 by a 62.14 percent to 37.86 percent margin: Stand tall. For you demonstrated more backbone than have your senators.

Scott Spendlove

West Valley City