Wasatch County School Board reviewed the 2019-20 Budget proposal on Thursday, June 20th presented by Business Administrator Keith Johansen. The budget for teachers and support staff came in at over $68 million dollars, an increase of $4 million from the previous year and 91% of the total general fund expenditures. Which also include $2.9 million for food services staff and $328,000 for the Soldier Hollow Charter School Tax Increment. The board reviewed the financial presentation and approved the budget as recommended, with a 6% increase for teachers and administrators across the district. This is the third year the teachers salaries have received an increase, totally a 17% increase in the last three years. The district anticipates student enrollment for the coming 2019-20 school year to include 7,404 students based on last year’s enrollment and growth projections. The budget includes a spend per pupil at $9,234.
Piper Riddle, principal for Heber Valley Elementary expressed her appreciation for the work and support of the school board, “Teacher recruitment and how important it is that we continue to strive to be competitive with neighboring districts. So there is that recruitment piece, but I want to speak to the retention piece as well. I lost three teachers from my building this year, who have been commuting from the valley. They could never afford to live here, one of them for example, has been a teacher for five years, an outstanding educator.”
Ryan Brown, principal for JR Smith Elementary discussed the need for teachers, and teacher shortage, “Last year for an opening I had, I was elated to have thirty applicants to sift through. This year for an opening I had, I’m happy that I have six applicants. We are talking about a teacher shortage, and the need to attract and retain quality teachers, and maintain the level of education that we expect for every student in Wasatch County School District. This teacher shortage is a real thing that we’re dealing with in the system and as a community, and that our students are dealing with. So when I see this and I see the increases, and see that as a result of what’s been done I want to express gratitude for that. And being able to talk with these six applicants that I have, I can tell them why Wasatch is the best, and why they want to come work here.”
Citizens will have an opportunity to learn more about the increase in the school board’s budget during a truth in taxation meeting that will be scheduled for August.
