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About Utahns for Public Schools

Utahns for Public Schools is a coalition of parents, teachers, and others interested in the quality of education provided to Utah children.

The Utahns for Public Schools coalition was formed in response to the Utah Legislature's narrow passage of a private school voucher proposal during the 2007 General Session. UTPS members organized an unprecedented petition drive to put the proposal on the ballot, so that Utah voters would have a say in whether the program would be implemented. Following the petition drive, UTPS led the campaign against the voucher proposal, titled Referendum 1, and educated Utah voters about its flaws and the potential consequences of its implementation.  Since that time, UTPS has been working to advance the quality of public education through improved education policymaking.

Utahns for Public Schools Mission

In order to advance the quality of public education through improved state and local policymaking, UTPS will prepare and disseminate accurate, timely information; support well-informed public engagement; and advocate for ethical and transparent governance.

Utahns for Public Schools Community
In addition to thousands of individuals, the following organizations pledged their support to Utahns for Public Schools' campaign against Referendum 1 voucher proposal:

• Utah State Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
• Utah School Boards Association (USBA)
• Utah School Superintendents Association (USSA)
• Utah School Employees Association (USEA)
• Utah Education Association (UEA)
• NAACP - Salt Lake Chapter
• League of Women Voters
• Utah Association of Elementary School Principals (UAESP)
• Utah Association of Secondary School Principals (UASSP)
• Voices for Utah Children
• Legislative Coalition for People with Disabilities
• Communities for Quality Education (CQE)
• American Association of University Women
• American Civil Liberties Union
• Utah Family Partnership Network
• National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) - Utah Section
• Utah School Counselor Association (USCA)
• Americans United for Separation of Church and State
• Utah Consortium of Educational Leaders (UCEL)

 

Utahns for Public Schools Executive Committee

• Bonnie Palmer, Chair
• Ilene Mecham
• Vik Arnold, Treasurer
• Sheryl Allen
• Kim Burningham
• Kim Campbell
• Charlene Lui
• Steve Peterson
• Cheryl Phipps
• Alan Smith

 

For more information about UTPS, or to volunteer, please call: 801-971-9200
or email us at info@utahnsforpublicschools.org

All correspondence can be mailed to:
Utahns for Public Schools, P.O. Box 57395, Salt Lake City, UT 84157-0395

Holly Langton

Executive Director