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Hot-button education topics

Megan Yeiter , The Park Record

Utah State Representative Kraig Powell (R-Heber), currently representing Duchesne, Uintah and Wasatch counties, is planning to be in Park City next week for an education issues forum. Park City School Board President Moe Hickey is also planning to attend the forum to talk about education bills up for discussion during the state Legislature’s General Session.

Park City School District Budget Advisory committee member Henry Glasheen said the forum will mostly focus on statewide school funding and not the Park City School District.

"I think it’s going to be more of addressing the issues," Glasheen said, adding that Powell is an advocate for funding for local schools.

Powell, who also serves on the State School Board committee, said he is willing to address any hot-button education subjects.

"We’ll highlight some topics we think are interesting and then the rest of the time is just questions. I’m willing to address whatever the public wants to talk about," Powell said, adding that education funding equity across the districts is always a concern in Summit and Wasatch counties.

"When you have people in the state who want to equal out the districts, I think it becomes inequitable not equitable," he said. "I just have to continue to fight for preservation for local control over education funds. Park City is a huge contributor for tax. We are a net contributor rather than a beneficiary."

SB62 is one of Powell’s bills that passed, which will allow elementary school teachers to suggest a list of school supplies to parents. Buying school supplies will be voluntary, according to Powell, who said that supplies will also be available for students at the school.

"I think it will make a significant difference in how people will think about that and parents will be able to participate more and be responsible for their student’s supplies," he said.

The education issues forum is scheduled Tuesday, Feb. 28, at 7 p.m. at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church on Silver Springs Drive, past the Blue Roof gas station. The event is open to the public.


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