Utah ranks as one of the lowest states in the nation in terms of per pupil spending. Utah parents and voters have repeatedly polled as against various privatization schemes for public schooling, including bills for vouchers in the most recent session of the Utah legislature.

Yet, reactionary and fundamentalist forces continue to assail Utah schools and Utah teachers.

The Sutherland Institute, a "think tank" headquartered in Murray, Utah, recently promoted a document entitled, "Saving Education and Ourselves: the Moral Case for Self-Reliance in Education." This report proposes that the existing public school system in Utah be dismantled in favor of "neighborhood" schools, with curricula and teacher qualifications set by the community. Throughout this document, the public school system is referred to as "coercive government education" and is repeatedly referred to as a "welfare" system.

Sutherland and its president, Paul Mero, might be easy to dismiss as far-right extremists except for their access to statewide media and politicians. Mero is a member of the Salt Lake Tribune's Editorial Board Advisory Committee and is widely recognized for a role in legislation to prevent Utah public employees from voluntarily deducting from their paychecks a contribution to a political action fund.

Mero and his group have close ties to the anti-gay rights group the World Congress of Families, founded by religious right leader Paul Weyrich; they are also allies of the Utah Eagle Forum and the anti-environmental American Legislative Executive Council (ALEC).

Utah education is a good value and a quality product. What Sutherland proposes is a giant step back to 19th century Utah. Sutherland advocates for Christian fundamentalism and irresponsible, corporate interests. And guess what their newest project is? A handbook for "model legislation for a variety of essential family issues." Stay tuned.

--Richard Garrard