Solving classroom problems: top education issues to watch during the 2017 legislature.

• Author: Francom, Sarah Ryther
• Position: SPECIAL REPORT: LEGISLATIVE PREVIEW

When Utahns were polled last November asking them to rank their legislative priorities, education came out on top. But the results were nothing new or surprising--polls taken over the years have consistently reported that Utahns want education to be a top legislative priority. Yet the state's education-related troubles persist. From worrisome teacher retention rates to crowded classrooms to low (lowest in the country, actually) per-pupil funding, Utah's education industry is not a bright spot in the state's otherwise very robust economy.

Each legislative session, Utah's 104 legislators have an opportunity to enhance the state's K-12 and higher education classrooms, but the task is easier said than done. Similar questions remain year after year: Will education receive a financial boost? How can we attract and retain more teachers? How can technology be appropriately used in the classroom, and can we find the budget for it? The list goes on and on.

As Utah's 45-day legislative session opens on Monday, Jan. 23, there's a lot for the state's legislators to consider, and education is just one of many pressing issues to debate--but it's an important one. Here Sen. Ann Millner, R-Ogden, former Weber State University president and member of the senate education committee, shares what she thinks will be the top five education issues up for discussion during this year's session.

Property tax distribution

Funding Utah's classrooms is far and away the most highly discussed education issue during each legislative session, and this year is no different. Utah's students fared relatively well during last year's session, as education received a financial boost of $440 million in new spending, which increased per-pupil spending by 3.75 percent. But Utah still ranks dead last in per pupil funding, a sobering statistic with no easy solution in sight. And with more than 10,000 new students expected to enroll next year, Utah needs to come up with an additional $115 million just to keep current funding even, according to Ben Leishman, legislative fiscal analyst.

During this year's session, Millner anticipates funding discussions to center on property tax allocation. According to Millner, school districts with lower property values collect less revenues, leading to classroom resource disparities throughout the state.

"We're going to focus on trying to provide a more equitable allocation of property taxes to try to create more equitable educational opportunities on...