Utah State School Board, District 5 | Educator 👩🏻🏫 | Passion for advocacy and the mountains. Tweets are my own and do not represent the opinion of the USBE.
So… the
#Utleg
is going to call themselves into special session next week to pass a Constitutional Amendment to completely undo the recent Supreme Court decision on districting.
Wow. New low. Do we not care about our Republic? The will of the people? Separation of powers?
Utah is setting itself up for the same headline. Can't say I didn't warn you.
How about no tax cuts this year, we properly fund k12 and higher ed, and stop giving handouts to folks who already send their kids to private schools? Just a thought.
#uted
#utpol
You can’t pretend to be a conservative, someone who believes in fiscal responsibility, and also try to pass school vouchers. They absolutely decimate state budgets by draining education coffers first, and then money from the general fund. It’s a scam and your Rep knows it.
What I wish were the main
#utleg
priorities this session:
▪️Housing
▪️Air quality/Great Salt Lake
▪️Mental Health
▪️Transit
What they are actually prioritizing:
🔻Over-regulating
#UTEd
🔻Untested anti-DEI bills
🔻Bathroom bills
Does anyone find it odd that the legislature is going to have two amendments on the ballot:
1) Let us have free rein of the money and
2) Let us remove the power of the people to have a say in their government.
🤔🤔🤔
#utpol
#utleg
#uted
The
#UTLeg
is gaslighting you, Utah. Look at their explanation of the proposed Amendment. A FEW examples:
1. There is no rush. This isn't a pandemic
2. They are using "foreign entities" as a fear tactic.
3. They are telling the people more power, it does not. Full stop.
Question to all of these Utah elected officials— if you care about women’s sports so much, and protecting women in sports, why don’t I ever see you at any
@UtahRoyalsFC
games?
Practice what you preach. I have plenty of women’s sports for you to support.
No one is lying. It is WILD. There were hardly any big book bans since 1982. “Local school boards may not remove books from school libraries simply because they dislike the ideas contained in those books” It is political culture wars & the GOP pushing unfounded fear in Americans.
1/ The media continues to lie that books are being “banned” in Utah. The
#utleg
has allowed parents to challenge books in school libraries on the basis that they contain sexually explicit material. Students are not prohibited from having or reading these books.
This is why we fought the partisan school board law in court. It was a bad decision by the Utah Legislature and we continue to see the unfortunate consequences today.
#utpol
Just when I don’t think it can get any worse, the
#utleg
passes this bill? Putting RELIGION in PUBLIC SCHOOLS? How on earth did we get here? Do folks not understand Freedom of Religion? Separation of Church and State? This is embarrassing.
#utpol
#uted
I will argue policy with anyone, anytime. But there is a bigger issue of hateful, unnecessary, targeted legislation that isn’t just about policy. It causes cultural and social divides, removes trust, and hurts Utahns. I hope
#utleg
will consider the implications of their bills.
WATCH: Rep. Sandra Hollins (
@SHollinsD21
) speaks against Republicans’ extreme culture war attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion in our state.
“I don’t know what to tell my community anymore. I don’t know how to make them feel safe anymore.”
#utpol
#utleg
After Taylor Swift became the latest victim of pornography generated by artificial intelligence, Utah's Sen. Mike Lee asked her to join with him in promoting a piece of legislation he plans to re-introduce next week.
Link:
VOTE NO.
1⃣Wrong: It takes away power from the people & gives
#UTLeg
more power
2⃣A Trick: No one cares about more time to gather signatures & our threshold is MUCH higher than CA
3⃣LOL: You are using outside entities fund these Amendments
4⃣Not Super Laws: Read the ruling
📣 Vote YES on Constitutional Amendment!
Here is why...
It's false to say SB4003 attempts to end citizen initiatives. It reinforces them!
The truth is it:
1️⃣ Guarentees deference to the will of the peoples initiative
2️⃣ Gives signature gatherers more time to gather
3️⃣ Requires
[My statement on actions by Board Member Natalie Cline. See
@UTPublicEd
for Official Board Statement. These are my opinions only. The board will meet in executive session to discuss any action.]
#utpol
#uted
#utgov
🧵
I want to be very clear, my frustration is not about me as an individual. This is about our role to respect our USBE staff, our obligation to students, educators, and parents—ultimately to me, it is about fairness. This behavior cannot continue without appropriate action.
#uted
I talked to my mom (an educator) about the equity rule today and she said, "How could anyone not want to give every student a chance? I love my students. All of them!"
I agree. Let's keep equity in education. Every kid should get the freedom and opportunity to learn.
#uted
“I don’t have time to play into these made-up culture wars that are just distracting from the real work we need to be doing,” Utah Board of Ed member
@votereale
said of a proposal to do away with the state’s “educational equity” rule.
Dear
#utleg
: STOP 🛑 with the big government—you are over regulating our schools, stop 🛑 removing local control, stop 🛑 taking away parental choice, and stop 🛑 wasting our resources on unnecessary legislation. Want examples of this? Read more:
@KSL5TV
Standing up for teachers this legislative session. As one of Utah’s most educated workforce, they should be trusted—not over regulated with nonsense legislation. Thank you
@myuea
@SaltLakeEdAssoc
@GEA_Utah
and all the folks who show up every day for our students.
#utleg
#uted
As much as I love the thought of more pro sports in Utah, I think
@RyanQualtrics
and
#utleg
missed the mark-- we should be investing in women's sports. Projected $1.3B in revenues, up +300% in 2021. NOW is the time to invest in women's sports. A WNBA team would CRUSH it here.
To everyone screaming about books, falsely claiming teachers are indoctrinating students (like they have ANY time to do such things), and those who in the weirdest, creepiest way obsess over the LGBTQ community… how about you actually take action to save kids?? This is not okay.
#AccidentalShooting
3569 N Thanksgiving Way
#Lehi
.
#LPD
#LFD
responded on an 8 year old male who accidentally shot himself in the head at the
#Maverik
gas station. He was in a vehicle alone when it occurred and possibly got the gun from under the seat. They found him unconscious
Carol Lear is a legend (and 💯 right). After almost 9 weeks working on this rule, I think her quote really sums it up nicely. Great summary of a confusing , complicated, (and unnecessary) law by
@sltrib
.
A year ago I lost my first campaign. I didn't plan to run anytime soon. But I 💙 education. So, losing that race was a tender mercy. If you see my girlfriend, buy her a beer. She has survived 2 FULL YEARS of campaigning with me. And when I got home today this was on the counter.
Dear voters— speak up. They are in full on power grab, “boo hoo I’m a baby, we didn’t get what we wanted for once” mode. Reach out. Tell them how important it is for people to have the voice, and the option for a ballot initiative.
#BREAKING
: There are some serious talks happening on Utah's Capitol Hill about a special session over the Utah Supreme Court ruling on voter-led ballot measures. They center around whether to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot in November.
I just want to have a day when I open this app and Goud isn’t tweeting about me. His obsession with me is truly weird. Just call me if you want to talk policy, dude.
Write your representative and tell them you DO NOT APPROVE and you find it insulting how power hungry and driven they are to take the power away from the people. The people, who have a right in Utah to run a ballot initiative. This is such bad governing.
#utpol
#utleg
#uted
#BREAKING
: Speaker
@mschultz_12
confirms to me that the Utah legislature will call themselves into special session Wednesday to vote to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot in November allowing them the ability to further alter citizen-led ballot measures.
@KSL5TV
So, today I wore my
@S10Bird
shirt and my Jordans to Board meeting as a nod to women’s athletics and as a message of love to this student athlete who was innocently targeted with hate speech.
We must do better, Utah.
Hey Utah, let’s not out-Florida Florida. K? This legislation is just a waste of time. Unnecessary. And doesn’t support our students. Can we go focus on our water or air or housing?
#utpol
This bill is so ridiculous it would almost be laughable if
@johnforutah
wasn’t so serious about it.
DEI is literally written into numerous USHE institutions mission, vision, and values. I hope my higher ed friends show up and speak out on this one.
#utleg
#uted
#utpol
@KeraBirk
So, how would you explain all of the straight non-hormonal taking white men who are the number one mass shooters, murderers, and killers? Let’s talk about data. This is unacceptable, yes. But an outlier. I won’t use an outlier to make policy. I wish you wouldn’t either.
On Feb 23, I made a motion to put a hold on all of the sensitive material bills presented this
#utleg
session. It passed. I hope they will listen to the Utah State Board of Education and our request to be more thoughtful in making policy that will impact our schools.
#uted
#utpol
While I am grateful for the unified support of Utah’s elected officials in condemning her actions, it is hard to not question the rhetoric and targeting of specific populations the last few legislative sessions, and how the impact is revealing itself online.
I came out to my parents by saying, “I’m gay. I’m sorry.” The first thing my Dad (JJRJR) said was, “Don’t you ever apologize for that. I love you.” I’m a lucky kid. Happy Father’s Day, JJRJR. Thank you for loving me unconditionally, and raising four strong daughters.
Lots to say about ding dong proposals to widen our freeway, AZ gov race,
@votesuz
💙, and how badly I’m hoping the remaining votes favor Collard, Weight, and other incredible female candidates I admire v much. But
@nytimes
just called my race. And that’s super cool.
#utpol
Beyond the inappropriateness of bullying a CHILD online as a public official, the way I see women’s sports used as a pawn for hateful rhetoric, how the message is always, “support girls in sports” but I don’t see anyone ACTUALLY supporting women’s sports-- that really gets to me.
We have rule making authority at the State Board. That is our duty in this state. But when we make rules the
#utleg
doesn't like they do this?!? Unbelievable.
They take away our elected duty to make one rule. The Educational Equity rule. New low,
#UTLeg
Lots of discussion about our standards. We'll be voting on them as a board soon. I tried to stop the amendments in committee, and I'll be doing all I can to support our educators & the important, evidence based, accepted scientific facts they are teaching our students. 1/3
Dear Utah Senate—I beg you to not pass this terrible, half-baked, teacher hating bill.
#utpol
#utleg
#uted
Please write your senators…and remind them USBE asked this bill be put on hold.
Thank you Donovan Mitchell and all the fundraising efforts from the Dons of Comedy show which will help students at Kearns High School!
@spidadmitchell
@KearnsHS
NEW: Utah community rallies in support of targeted student-athlete as district calls for state board member Natalie Cline to resign.
The student's mom + dad were also at the meeting and spoke out. "Let’s just love a little bit more," the mom said.
What Member Cline did to one of our students was absolutely disgusting, inappropriate, and unconscionable. When I saw the post, my first action was to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the student.
I honestly don’t care what Shaq & Charles think about my city. I have 6 breweries within a block of my house and I can be on a trail in 15 min.
I do find it annoying we are a state that ❤️s to attract business owners but often forget about the experience of their employees.
Just finished teaching my students about how the framers of the constitution were focused on making sure our government was balanced in power to avoid dictatorship. Guess we’ll have to circle back on that lesson again…. 😩
I just want to take a step back and say that I think the Supreme Court just fundamentally altered the structure and nature of democracy in America. It awards the president the measure of power and immunity that is much, much closer to a king or emperor than an elected official.
Since I keep getting accused of being part of a "Queer Religion" and
@gopTODD
made the comparison of allowing the 10 Commandments since we allow pride flags. Why don't we decide who our prophet will be? A few options:
- Elton John
- Sue Bird
- Jonathan Van Ness
- Billie Jean King
🧵Happy Friday. Here are a list of bills that tell teachers we don't trust them, we don't trust what they are teaching, and create extra regulation and added burdens on our public educators. This weekend is a great time to write your legislators.
#uted
#utpol
@utleg
👇👇
Tell me you don’t understand higher education without telling me you don’t understand higher education.
(We already have student success offices that do exactly that…)
#utpol
#utleg
#uted
First time a softball game has been aired on MLB network and it is the Utes! They are looking great. Nothing makes me happier than turning on the TV on a Saturday to watch women's sports. Pumped for this
@Utah_Softball
season!
Social media can create chaos, spark lies, insight fear, & hurt our students. Randy Boothe is running against Cari. I have never met a man more dedicated to supporting the children of Utah. It would be heartbreaking to see him lose to someone with this type of behavior.
#uted
Media Literacy 101: when someone makes an outrageous claim, who stands to benefit?🧵
In this case Cari Bartholomew. Cari had previously been fired as a substitute at Mt. Nebo Middle school where the walkout occured. Cari's husband is Adam who started the 1/x
Lots of discussion about our standards. We'll be voting on them as a board soon. I tried to stop the amendments in committee, and I'll be doing all I can to support our educators & the important, evidence based, accepted scientific facts they are teaching our students. 1/3
Women are tired. Of being told they can’t run. Being told they are too emotional. Being told they aren’t strong enough. Tired of the rhetoric, the lack of funding for their health. Of getting paid less. Of… everything. I wish the worst menstrual cramps on this man for eternity.
The
@UtahGOP
’s anger is nothing compared to how liberal white ladies (highest incidence of mental illness in the country) respond when they can no longer sterilize and mutilate their own children. 🤷♂️😂
#utpol
@GabiFinlayson
As a kid, I refused to grow out my hair. I will never forget playing sports and someone from the other team yelled, “No fair, they have a boy on their team” after I had made a play. It was traumatizing. And that was an isolated incident in an isolated environment.
Happy
#PrideMonth
! Yesterday in board meeting I shared my coming out story, and talked about the impacts policies and legislation can have on our LGBTQ+ students. I hope you'll take a minute to listen:
#utpol
#uted
LIVE: USBE Standards meeting. I've heard from 100+ science educators (k12, higher ed, & experienced professionals) with concerns about the proposed amendments. I'll be fighting to defend educators, defend science, & ensure our students get a accurate, quality education. Link👇
Voucher programs, even those with the best intentions, are not fiscally responsible--Nationwide there has been little to no evidence they help support student's academic achievement. But here we are!
@tcted
@DeborahGatrell1
💯“Hey voters, I know you voted for an independent committee to draw the boundaries & we totally disregarded the will of the people & did what we wanted, but maybe you should also vote to give us this because we are babies & can’t handle when the people don’t want what we want!”
🧵"The reality of the “parents’ rights” movement is that it is meant to empower a conservative & reactionary minority of parents to dictate education & curriculums to the rest of the community"
#uted
#utpol
@JeffStenquist
This bill is terrible for teachers and completely unnecessary. I really wish you would listen to the pleas and let it die—we are already seeing issues with ambiguous bills regulating classrooms. This is government micromanagement at its best and doesn’t serve our students well.
It passed. To say I am disappointed is an understatement.
Utah teachers—you are loved and appreciated and I will never stop fighting for you. I promise.
#utleg
#uted
HB427 is bad for
#uted
. I'm v concerned about the impacts.
- restricts academic freedom
- will cost A LOT $$ to manage & monitor
- blurred/undefined on what is allowed/not allowed
- insulting to teachers
@KennedyForUtah
please place this bill on hold, as USBE requested.
#utleg
A Utah bill that originally would have required all of the state’s public schools to post the Ten Commandments has passed the House after a change to instead allow the biblical principles to be taught as part of school curricula
#utpol
@JeffStenquist
@Daniel_Zappala
I too wish we didn’t need flags as a sign of safety, but that isn’t the reality of the world we live in. Those flags can save a student from taking their life.
With 95% of the votes in, we’re leading with 61% of the vote. WE DID IT! To the volunteers, donors, supporters, educators, voters, and every last one of you that believed in our message of hope, equity, respect, collaboration—and a brighter future for Utah’s school—THANK YOU!
HB427 is bad for
#uted
. I'm v concerned about the impacts.
- restricts academic freedom
- will cost A LOT $$ to manage & monitor
- blurred/undefined on what is allowed/not allowed
- insulting to teachers
@KennedyForUtah
please place this bill on hold, as USBE requested.
#utleg
This endorsement makes me proud.
@beckyforutah
& I agree-- there is no room for politics on the school board. We need to look for solutions that help, rather than divide us.
Her ability to look beyond party lines to do what is right is one of the many reasons I admire her.
We have sent Natalie Cline our formal request for her resignation, in which we cite the Utah State Board of Education's Member policies and bylaws which she has violated by choosing to publicly cyberbully a high school student.
#utpol
#utleg
One of the many reasons we need R277-328: Educational Equity in Schools-- the board will vote to potentially repeal this rule at our meeting in January. I am adamantly against the repeal.
#uted
Power washers are finishing clean up of hate-filled graffiti tagged on Bonneville Elementary School this weekend.
I'm told
@slcpd
has a video of it. The school's principal says it happened at 7:15 pm on Sat. night and targeted black, Jewish, Asians, LGBTQ+ communities.
@KSL5TV
We need to start trusting our educators. Stop giving them unrealistic expectations. Stop over regulating out of fear, and give them the space to innovate. Education has been thrust into ridiculous culture wars and our educators don’t deserve it.
#uted
America's teacher shortage is leaving schools scrambling.
As the beginning of the new school year nears, some superintendents are considering hiring people who have no teaching experience to fill vacant positions out of desperation.
@JeffStenquist
Can a teacher wear a CTR ring?
What about a hijab?
What if I put a photo of me and my girlfriend on my desk?
What if I hang a USU Aggie flag in my class?
How do I teach about ISIS?
How do I answer student questions about Civil Rights? Or segregation? Or Trail of Tears?
If you know me you know I wasn’t a fan of our presidential options. But, what I’m grateful for, is Biden committing his life to serving the people. And in the end, admitting he wasn’t prepared for another term. That’s a form of humility I’d love to see from a lot of folks.
Right before the stroke of midnight, the State Board of
#UTed
passed an amended version of R277-328 that complies with HB261, & HB427 (from 2023). It isn’t what I wanted but grateful the rule stands. Grateful for my many of my colleagues who worked collaboratively to get it done.
FRIENDS! The 2024
@CityWeekly
Pride Issue is out NOW online and heading to a newsstand near you. This issue features an intro by guest editor
@votereale
, info on this year's *TWO* Pride festivals in SLC, and much more. Check it out!
#utpol
#slc
#pride
@highergroundUT
I hate giving your idiotic, fear mongering, completely out of context propaganda any exposure. But here is my statement on this ridiculous accusation if anyone is interested. Feel free to call me out, but next time at least make it truthful.
@DougWelton4
Wrong. The people ALREADY voted and approved an independent commission to draw the boundaries. That was the will of the people. And the power hungry legislature said “that’s cute, but we’ll do what WE want instead.”
We have seen similar legislation send a message of distrust to our trained educators. We don't need clear guidelines or policies about what can and cannot be taught in the classroom because they already exist through district policies, Board rules, and approved curriculum. 1/2
NEW: Rep
@JeffStenquist
wants to keep sexuality, politics, and religion from being taught in Utah classrooms.
He says a new bill will be different than last year's, which banned discussion/instruction on sexual orientation/gender identity in K-3.
#utpol
THIS! THIS! The arguments about "indoctrination" in schools are conspiracies grown out of lies and anecdotes that lead to SWEEPING laws destroying our classrooms. And yes, SEL is not about sexuality, it is teaching kindness, how to share, how to collaborate, etc.
#uted
#utpol
While serving as chair of
@NatlGovsAssoc
, I met with then-VP Joe Biden. I admire
@POTUS
Biden's courage in announcing today's decision not to continue running. Aging in the public eye is challenging, and I join with all in praying for his health and well-being.
I'll say it again: HB374 is simply bad governing. Waste of precious education resources (time & money), lawmaking for the loud minority, morality legislation, and a perfect example of big government.
#utpol
I have had hundreds of policy disagreements with these Republican incumbents. But they all serve sincerely, focused on supporting the children of Utah and without the conspiracies and culture war rhetoric. That gives them respect from me. I know the voters will do what is right.
Delegates to the Utah Republican Party nominating convention snubbed several incumbents on the state school board Saturday. None of them garnered majority votes in their respective races.
This is the problem with “neutrality” curriculum bills. Posing as a way to keep bias out of the classroom, but rooted in enforcement of certain values.
Educators are focused on getting students to think critically, not brainwash or persuade. Trust our teachers.
#uted
#utleg
MO State Rep. Phil Christofanelli (R) criticizes fellow GOP Rep. Ann Kelley's anti-LGBT school bill.
PC: Who is Martha Washington?
AK: [George Washington's] wife.
PC: With your bill, how could that be mentioned in the classroom?
AK: That's not sexual orientation.
PC: Really?
This behavior is inexcusable. If you believe in freedom and liberties, you don’t attack those who believe differently than you. That isn’t how it works.
I cannot say this strongly enough, EVERYONE belongs in Salt Lake City. The actions today to cause fear at
@KingsEnglish
around a drag story time event are not welcome here.
We’re looking forward to working with King’s English so this event can happen at a future date for all