Utah Education

State lawmakers are requiring Utah Tech University reallocate over $2.55 million in its budget, which means cutting certain programs. Every public college and university in the state has been tasked with a similar challenge.

The Ogden-based university will cut 17 majors, 8 minors and 7 certificates. It joins Utah State University as the first pair of schools to announce major changes following the Legislature’s academic overhaul.

Utah’s new law bans students from using cellphones in the classroom unless a school sets its own phone policy.

Utah State University is navigating legislative budget cuts, budget reallocations and an overhaul of its general education budget.

The bill that creates a new Center for Civic Excellence at Utah State University quickly moved through the Legislature, leaving the school with “a non-ideal timeline” to be involved in it.

Lawmakers have clearly told Utah universities and colleges that they need to decide which of their educational programs get more money and which will get less. If they don’t, they could lose millions.

Sen. John Johnson’s proposed curriculum would be “rooted in the foundational text and traditions of Western civilization.” It would start at USU but could be expanded statewide.

Unlike previous years, lawmakers seem to be steering clear of pushing through some of the most controversial bills within the first two weeks.

Teachers want more per-pupil funding to better meet the needs of students and educators. Reducing high levels of stress and burnout is another priority.

“It's important to have people in positions of power who have the lived experiences of a lot of these students in the district,” said 20-year-old Jackson Lewis, who is one of the newest members of the Canyons School District Board of Education.

Roessel, a former director of the federal Bureau of Indian Education and president of the first tribal college to be established in the U.S., has died. He was 63.

“Just the sheer number of bills that have created new rules, programs and reports for districts, it’s become overwhelming, especially in the last few years,” said Utah School Boards Association President Teri Rhodes.