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True to his promise, Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. made education a priority in his budget request for the 2008 fiscal year.

The budget he announced Tuesday would set aside $4.6 billion, or 43 percent of the total budget, for public and higher education. His request includes $453.5 million in new money and the largest per-pupil spending increase in 17 years. It would boost the weighted pupil unit by 7 percent and includes new funds for the state's skyrocketing K-12 enrollment, class-size reduction, classroom technology and optional all-day kindergarten.

"There's only one lobbyist for 2.7 million people in this state and that's me," Huntsman said. "I hope this is a signal of hope [that tells educators] we really do care about teachers."

The proposal gives teachers three nods: a one-time bonus of more than $1,000 each; $22 million for ProExcel, a program that aims to attract, train, keep and reward high-quality teachers; and the boost in per-pupil funding, which could bolster salaries by increasing school budgets.

"Overall, we're very pleased," said Kim Campbell, president of the Utah Education Association, the state's largest teachers union. "His budget addresses many of the things we've been talking about."

At least one teacher was less impressed.

"I have to admit I was disappointed," said Robin Frodge, who represents Jordan School District teachers as Jordan Education Association president. He was hoping for an 8 percent increase in per-pupil spending rather than a one-time bonus. "We need bigger salaries to address our teacher shortage."

Utah is losing teachers to neighboring states and currently spends less per student than any state in the nation. Huntsman's budget would increase how much the state gives schools from $2,417 per pupil to $2,586, but the boost wouldn't affect Utah's rank.

"It's not going to move us out of position," said Patrick Ogden, associate state schools superintendent. "We are significantly behind the penultimate state."

Huntsman will try again to win funding for optional all-day kindergarten for kids at risk of falling behind. The measure failed last year, but Huntsman hopes to sell lawmakers on the program's success using experts and data from a handful of federally funded pilot programs.

Huntsman's public education requests fell in line with those submitted by the Utah State Board of Education, Ogden said. State education officials were "very pleased" with the governor's budget.

Utah's higher education leaders also like the governor's proposed budget, spokeswoman Amanda Covington said.

The proposal includes $3.6 million for need-based financial aid for students who can't afford college.

"We have many first-generation students who are looking for this one advantage in order to succeed," she said.

Huntsman also allotted the equivalent of a 3.5 percent raise for professors and staff, and proposed $13.2 million for retention of key faculty members, generally top-end researchers who are heavily recruited.

The only Board of Regents priority left off Huntsman's list was $10 million in annual funding to convert Utah Valley State College to a university. Some Utah county legislators support the funding, and Covington said the Utah State Board of Regents will wait to see what the Legislature does.

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* Tribune reporters JULIA LYON and SHEENA MCFARLAND contributed to this story.