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House approves $1.11 billion minimum school program; increases WPU, class-size and technology funding
Summary
On Feb. 28 the Utah House passed Senate Bill 2 15, a package that raises the weighted pupil unit, adds funding for class-size reduction, bilingual and adult education, and technology. The final roll call was 64–9.
The Utah House of Representatives on Feb. 28 approved Senate Bill 2 15, the minimum school program amendment that increases base education funding and directs new money to class-size, bilingual education and technology.
"Representatives, we are about to debate 47% of the budget," Representative Jeff Alexander said on the floor as he outlined the bill's major funding shifts and intent language. The bill raises the value of the weighted pupil unit (WPU) from $1,608 to $1,672 — roughly a 4% increase — and adds targeted appropriations for several priorities the House cited as shortfalls.
Advocates said the measure includes both ongoing and one-time funding: an ongoing increase for instructional and operational needs and one-time lump sums for textbooks and technology. The bill adds roughly $1.6 million for bilingual education, expanded funding for in-service teacher training and an ongoing technology fund ($9.3 million) plus a one-time technology allocation ($4.2 million). Class-size funding for fourth grade received additional dollars, bringing total class-size funding to the range reported by the committee.
Supporters framed the bill as a meaningful investment after multi‑committee negotiations. "We have funded this very well this year," Alexander said in summation, thanking members of the education committee and legislative staff for their work. Opponents and some members urged caution that one-time textbook money and other temporary allocations would not address recurring needs.
Representative Wattles moved an amendment to add legislative intent that newly appropriated money be used to ensure all students have schoolbooks; the motion to adopt that intent language failed on a close division (37–38). Supporters of the amendment argued districts have repeatedly reported shortages of textbooks and needed a clearer statutory signal.
The House voted to pass SB 2 15 (the minimum school program amendment) by a vote of 64 yes to 9 no. The bill will be transmitted to the Senate (and the record shows the House completed the public reading and entry on the journal for Feb. 28, 1995).
