I always enjoy this time of year, and I sincerely hope that it is a wonderful season for all of you.
Susan joins me in sending our best wishes.
It is also a good time to think about what will happen in the coming year.
I did that, and below you will find a few of my hopes for the coming year:
- More national political leaders will value solutions over political posturing, even if it requires compromise.
- The Utah Legislature and the Governor will take more than miniscule steps to increase educational financial support.
- The Utah State Legislature will use the current “surplus” to start moving aggressively to address those education funding needs.
- We will learn from the Swallow debacle: just trusting political leaders is naiveté. Strong ethical requirements in Utah (and elsewhere) must be instituted.
- The “Count My Vote” initiative will achieve the required number of signatures and be accepted by Utah citizens.
- Utah students will continue the improvement demonstrated in recent improved graduation rates.
- Educators will feel appreciated for their daily service to Utah children!
I recognize it is an optimistic list. If only a few of these see progress, it will be a success.
If all bear fruit, it would be a miracle. If none of them see significant inroads, I will be disappointed.
But Christmas is a time of hope, and I am hopeful!
