Utah’s largest teachers’ union has canceled its annual convention for 2018 — but don’t worry, schools still get their fall recess

For the first time in its 100-year history, the largest teachers’ union in the state will not hold an annual fall convention.

The Utah Education Association has canceled its traditional two-day gathering — once slated for Oct. 18 and 19 — citing years of declining participation. Less than a quarter of the organization’s 18,000 members attended the event in 2017.

“This was not a quick decision,” said UEA President Heidi Matthews. “But we have decided to take a break from it for now.”

In place of the conference, leaders of the organization plan to use the time to talk to voters about supporting Our Schools Now, the nonbinding question on November’s ballot that would boost school funding with a proposed gas-tax increase.