The Chalkboard

Apparently, several parents and advocacy groups are suing the Florida State Board of Education, the state's education commissioner and several legislative leaders for not providing a good enough education to Florida children.  

From an Associated Press story:

"The suit contends the state isn't spending enough money on public schools, but it asks only that the court order legislative leaders and education officials to come up with a plan to meet the high quality requirement."

Read the full story here.

- Lisa Schencker

It's Friday! And here's what's going on in your Utah schools:  

— Ridgecrest Elementary School is one of 18 schools nationwide that has been chosen by the Security and Exchange Commission to take part in a new financial literacy outreach program for elementary school students. Today at 11 a.m. officials from the SEC and other organizations will teach a financial literacy at the school and give the kids some financial goodies.

— In the Davis School District, Orchard Elementary School fifth-graders today will host a colonial fair complete with witch trials, food and games.

If something is going on at your school that you'd like to see included here, e-mail lschencker@sltrib.com.

- Lisa Schencker

There's a lot going on in Utah schools this Thursday:

— Meg Johnson, a motivational speaker and quadriplegic who founded Ms. Wheelchair Utah will speak at Layton High School's National Honor Society induction ceremony tonight at 7 p.m.     

— Tonight at 6 p.m., students and staff will celebrate Granite School District's new school building Diamond Ridge Elementary School. Students from the school's French dual-immersion program will perform a song and people can tour the building.

— A third grade class at Mountain View Elementary will perform Native American pieces for the community council at 3:45 p.m.

— Lawmakers gave initial approval yesterday to a bill that would allow school districts to lengthen teachers' provisional status by two years.

— Pitch for year-round schools in Utah fails ... for now.

— New Century Scholarships might soon become more difficult to earn.

— Students decorate gingerbread house at Montessori Community School.

— A profile of what school psychologists do in the Jordan District.

— Want to volunteer at a new, free center opening in Park City? Based on the model of author Dave Eggers 826 Valencia program in San Francisco, the Mega Genius Supply Store and IQ HQ will open their own literacy center later this month with free tutoring in the back of the store. The next training session for volutneers is tonight from 5:30 to 6:30 in the Mega Genius Supply Store. Call 435-655-8252 to learn more.

- Lisa Schencker

Tuesday night, Canyons School District hosted a one-of-a-kind board meeting. They invited students from the district's Standing Tall program to be honored as part of Native American Heritage Month. But it was much more than just handing out certificates.

Prominent American Indian leaders, including Forrest Cuch and Howard Rainer, were in attendance. Administrators and school counselors spoke one-by-one about the Standing Tall program, through which American Indian students are mentored to succeed in school. One administrator even sang.

District officials and American Indian leaders say it was the first time a Wasatch Front School District has honored American Indian students in such a way.

Throughout the event, speakers kept returning to one main point: students who have pride in themselves and their heritage do better in school. Several counselors said they've even seen GPAs rise since implementing the program.

"What we're trying to do is encourage our Native American youth to stand tall for their  ancestors, for who they are, for their culture, for their district," said Joyce Guenon, a Native American education specialist in the district. "We're trying to teach the kids how to stand on their own two feet."

"Every single person needs to feel hope at some point in their life," she said.

- Lisa Schencker

As the Jordan School board resumes talk of budget cuts they'll, no doubt, weigh different scenarios based on their costs and benefits.

The board needs to come up with $29 million next year. A few options being explored:

Dock employee pay 3 percent - Pro: would yield $4.8 million. Con: could hurt already low employee morale, make it hard for district to compete for best and brightest teachers and invite lawsuits over teacher contracts.

Increase average class size by 4 students - Pro: would yield $12.5 million. Con: 240 teachers would lose their jobs.

Three-day furlough - Pro: would yield $2.7 million. Con: equates to a 1.4 percent pay cut for employees, reduced seat time for students and complicates child care arrangements for working parents.

Raise taxes by $56 on $100,000 of property value - Pro: would yield $14 million. Con: money is restricted and district patrons have voiced strong opposition to tax hikes

Or Jordan could cobble together a bunch of incremental budget transfers and cuts. Click here to see options the board is exploring.

- Kirsten Stewart