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Senate approves HB215, pairing teacher pay increase with new "Utah Fits All" scholarship after heated debate
Summary
The Utah Senate passed Third Substitute House Bill 215 on Jan. 25, 2024, approving a direct teacher compensation increase and creating a $42 million scholarship program intended for up to roughly 5,000 students; the measure passed the Senate on third reading, 20–8–1, after extended debate and several failed substitutes and amendments.
Senator Cullimore moved and the Utah Senate passed Third Substitute House Bill 215 on Jan. 25, approving two linked education initiatives: a direct compensation supplement for classroom teachers and the Utah Fits All Scholarship Program. The bill passed third reading in the Senate by a 20–8–1 vote.
Supporters said the bill addresses teacher retention and expands options for families. “First, it gives $6,000 directly to teachers in a compensation increase,” sponsor Senator Cullimore said, and the bill also creates a scholarship fund of $42,000,000 intended to deliver scholarships valued at $8,000 each. Cullimore told colleagues the $8,000 scholarship amount and the appropriation would not quite fund 5,000 students.
Opponents and skeptical…
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