An alarming surge in teacher misconduct cases in Utah has overwhelmed investigative systems, resulting in a backlog that may take years to resolve.
Reported incidents have skyrocketed from roughly a dozen each month to almost 60, as revealed by the Utah Professional Practices Advisory Commission. This year has already seen over 93 complaints lodged, nearly twice the number recorded in the same period just a few years back.
Investigations into each case stretch nearly 11 months, leading to a backlog of complaints. Educators find themselves in the spotlight, while parents are left seeking answers.
“That is definitely a severe increase,” said parent Andria Stubbs. She’s weighing where to send her daughter to school.
“If it’s happening, it’s not happening in our schools. But it wouldn’t surprise me if it is,” added parent Dylan Rodgers, who has four school-aged children.
Chair of the Education Interim Committee, Representative Candice Pierucci, expressed significant concern over the troubling trend.
“These are pretty egregious crimes, so to see those increasing, I don’t know if some would make the argument these are increasing across society, so it is going to spill over into the teaching profession, but it is definitely something we want to get a handle on,” she said.
In a continuing saga, UPPAC’s calls for increased resources, particularly for funding to expand their team of investigators, remain unanswered as lawmakers stall on providing the necessary support. A proposal from last year aimed at tackling the backlog failed to secure funding.
Pierucci announced her intention to present a fresh funding proposal in the upcoming legislative session set for January.
“I think we should put a chunk of one-time money toward hiring temporary investigators and staff so they can get the backlog to a manageable level,” she said. “If we need to consider adding full-time positions, I’m open to that. For now, I will be putting in a funding request so that they can actually do that.”
However, even with funding greenlit, it may be a while before assistance is felt.
Parents such as Rodgers are fully supportive of the extra assistance.
“I say the more resources, the better,” he said.
Pierucci announced that the committee will dedicate the time leading up to the next session to investigating the factors contributing to the increase in misconduct reports. Education officials are scrambling to stay ahead, all while prioritizing the safety of students.
