This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Viewing expensive technology as the magic bullet for education is a questionable assumption to begin with. But the scale of Speaker Becky Lockhart's $300 million proposal politically distorted the funding and policy-making processes in public education, excluded most stake holders and pointedly ignored various pressing needs that should also be addressed.
Now that her technology initiative mercifully has been put to rest ("With Lockhart ed-tech plan out, lawmakers make budget deal," Tribune, March 10), let's get to work addressing reduced or stagnant salaries of recent years, declining music and art programs, support services and staff for special needs students, issues with class size and long-delayed physical facilities maintenance.
Let's focus on what public education really can be for us in Utah, and not the distractions of the latest shiny techno objects and self-serving corporate lobbying.
Keith Homer
Midvale