Despite wide support for our public schools, some Utah lawmakers use each legislative session to launch unpopular bills designed to undermine schools and diminish their capabilities. Stripping collective bargaining rights from public employee associations is an obvious next step in the privatization playbook.
Following manufactured outrage against a host of nonissues, from critical race theory to indoctrination, the idea of school choice was used to ram through a voucher bill that voters had previously rejected.
Further weakening was attempted with Amendment A, sponsored and supported by state senators, to remove the constitutional earmark for education, despite consistent polling data that voters support increased funding.
The Utah Education Association has been a consistent hurdle to these uncalled-for actions. Their advocacy for quality working conditions is advocacy for quality learning environments. Declawing unions by removing their right to collective bargaining is an unfair play to remove the hurdles.
Many voters aren’t connecting dots between bad legislation and problems in their schools. Class size, teacher retention, school safety and other facets are directly tied to these decisions. Privatization floats as a solution that will benefit all and open up public funds to be used for private ventures within education at the will of the Legislature.
As a stakeholder, I want to know who is offering to fund a robust system of education? In my capitalist experience, private companies expect financial return. While many of us believe that education is an investment in the future, with many tangible and intangible returns, we understand that students don’t turn a profit. Profits, then, will come from cuts and losses. Rather than what is best for learners, decisions will be based on what’s best for shareholders. Look no further than the privatization of prisons for depressing examples.
Students in public schools will be undereducated and underserved by this movement.
Brittinie Gleave, Murray