State Board of Ed Chair Deflects Criticism

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) The Utah State School Board - and it's chair Kim Burningham, in particular - came under fire for opposing school vouchers. In the wake of defeat, some pro-voucher Republican legislators are complaining the State Board is offering no constructive alternatives.

"For someone to say that we have made no suggestions is blatantly and absolutely false," says Burningham. "I ask the critics to join with us together and examine seriously the recommendations we have made time after time, and the new ones we don't even know of that we ought to be considering."

Burningham points to the Board's previous requests for funding to improve teacher mentoring, recruitment and pay through incentives. He says the Board has also called for more assistance for English-language learners and guidance counselors to improve graduation rates.

Burningham also announced Friday that he will step down as chair of the board next year, citing exhaustion from the voucher campaign and his wife's health issues.

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