Help stop private school vouchers by contacting your legislator today!
​
Private school vouchers divert money that could otherwise be used for our public school children to privately run, for-profit institutions where there is no taxpayer accountability. Schemes like this have been tried in other states with no measurable increase in student achievement.

Please follow this link to send a message to your legislator >> www.myuea.org/stopvouchers

The last two years have disrupted life for all Utahns. But our public school educators have remained on the front lines, embracing their role as critical support resources for students, families, and communities. They have met historic challenges head-on to ensure that all students receive an excellent, well-rounded, and honest education.
Publicly, our lawmakers have joined with parents, community members, and others in their praise for our teachers – for the difference they make in the lives of Utah's students. But in private, some of those same lawmakers are seriously considering proposals that will burden our teachers with new and unneeded responsibilities on top of their already untenable workload. Some Utah lawmakers even plan to take resources away from our trusted public schools – and the broad range of students they serve – by creating an outrageous voucher scheme that funnels funds to private schools that have zero accountability to taxpayers.

Tell lawmakers their actions must match their words and that our public schools, our educators, and our students need genuine support – not dubious schemes.

Time to mobilize against SB 134 (Special Education Amendments).  The easiest way to do it is to use your phone. An easy way to contact your legislators is through the RESISTBOT service. Our students need our help to stop the legislature from diluting services and redirecting funds away from student with disabilities! 

​Please follow the directions below to contact your legislators ASAP—it really only takes about 2 minutes…it is worth your time to protect our students!
 
Text “RESIST” to 50409
Next reply to the prompt in the following order:
PETITION
WRITE
STATE
Your first name
Your last name
Your street address and zipcode
LEGISLATURE
 
Next cut and paste this message into your text box:

As a constituent in your district I am writing to you in opposition to SB 134 Sub 2 (Special Education Amendments), and ask that you vote against it.  As a special educator, I oppose any attempt to allow already inadequate resources to be redirected away from our most vulnerable students.  Special Education funding is to be used to support the excess costs for students with disabilities, not to pay for the cost of providing general education. 

This bill does not: 1. Create a path for students to be educated in the LRE—it is already required by Federal Regulation and State Special Education Rule; 2. Create flexibility for funding services—monies would no longer be able to be co-mingled and braided for projects, but would need to be separated, there would be two different standards for allowable costs (one more restrictive than the other); 3. It misuses and attempts to redefine already well understood language in Special Education in misleading and incorrect ways.
​
This bill is opposed by Utah Board of Education, Utah School Superintendents Association, Utah School Boards Association, Joint Legislative Committee, Utah Education Association, Utah Parent Center, Center for Persons with Disabilities, Utah Council for Exceptional Children, Utah Developmental Disabilities Council, Legislative Coalition for People with Disabilities, Utah Parent Teacher Association, Utah Council of Administrators of Special Education, Local Education Agency Districts, Charter School Special Education Directors.  We are united in our opposition to this bill.  Please hear our voices and vote NO on SB 134.

It is early enrollment time for GEA (EEL):  this program runs April 1- July 15. Any current potential member can fill out an application and have the benefits of representation from GEA. Representation is available for a job-related grievance, parent or student complaint, or any disciplinary action.  Support for our members is just a phone call or email away.   Access to publications, local member benefits and related services are also guaranteed during EEL.

How does this benefit you as a current member? 

We are only as strong as our membership, and our strength lies in our ability to advocate and negotiate for our members.  Are you wanting more?  There is a monetary incentive for any GEA member who brings in an EEL member.  UEA will pay $50.00 and GEA will pay $10.00 to you, just make sure you print your name in the referred by portion on the membership application then get the application to the GEA office either through District mail or dropping it by. We are asking all of you who have potential members on your team/grade level/department to extend an invitation to join us in keeping our profession strong.  You are the ones who have the relationships with these people and could help us to become even stronger in our profession.  It is always good to let everyone know what the Association does for them and that we are here to help.

Thank you for your help in this endeavor. ​