[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6350975,"mediaKeyId","2231255-8226c6166d2df8eb25f82f8895458fe9","parentId",2231255,"title","USBE, task force present $100 million school safety request; task force says LEA assessments returned 100% compliance","audioSeconds",99,"startMs",768000,"endMs",867000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2231255-8226c6166d2df8eb25f82f8895458fe9&start=768&end=867","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2231255-8226c6166d2df8eb25f82f8895458fe9/thumbnail_768000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6350975/Utah/USBE-task-force-present-100-million-school-safety-request-task-force-says-LEA-assessments-returned-100-compliance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6350975-2e9f2bb5757490991c13e63d10f70387/orig.mp4?Expires=1770535106&Signature=lxnta1P80xtvde7LrFaYtRmv~Vhw3nXOhdLcG3wWJhUQV~auH6Yw1lJ5GH9icHzGUg18KepKSnRheY3HXbRL6LRRLCOqsaIiAVE5lOY1cgYa2xQ~ureLXGpJCqGTBe7bqzq3h-h17rkH2Nl9JhKBpNv96fcaQAia9lkaT-LT4OPfZZ3NAibxCG~W3z5TcPwp2WHzbszVdZTR2Q7XqFoSBKQuMRqQ2HsHeS~roZx9DCZkVF-rqiCrto4LQMMJG~JfWzSpNEO3uigzWQ9lKsFfC6xe0-Dpi51r1PoJYxm0HIc35IPwTIZCacxiAn3GvEbSDeiKj3bTuKIl2o-g3fRIAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Utah State Legislature","date","2025-02-05T00:00:00Z","article","A $100 million funding request to address school safety needs across Utah was presented to the Public Education Subcommittee by Joe Carey, a Utah State Board of Education member and liaison to the school safety task force.

Carey said the request preceded some final assessment data required by statute and that LEAs had a 12/31/2024 deadline to submit assessments. He reported “100% compliance” from districts and charter LEAs with the assessment deadline and said state staff have aggregated the itemized, school‑level requests. \"We received those assessments, and I would like to recognize that all of our district schools and all of our LEAs, we had 100% compliance with that request for those school safety assessments,\" Carey said.

Representative Wilcox, who co‑chairs the task force with Senator Milner, said the group had moved to purchase wearable panic alert buttons and bleed‑control/first‑aid kits with a separate $50 million set aside, and that those two items were marked in the request as already designated. \"The school safety task force had voted to purchase the wearable panic alert buttons as well as the bleed control kits and first aid kits with that $50,000,000,\" Wilcox said.

Committee members asked for district‑by‑district breakdowns to identify rural districts that lack capacity to meet compliance costs locally. Senator Johnson urged the committee to prioritize minimum standards for districts that cannot fund them locally and requested funding detail by district. Carey and Wilcox said the major rural prioritization steps in prior legislation (Hospital 61 and 84, cited by the task force) had intentionally prioritized rural districts in past appropriations.

Representatives and task force members described planned training tied to bleed‑control kits and other equipment. Wilcox said the task force envisions annual training integrated into staff safety training so that school employees would be taught to use an AED, perform CPR and apply bleed kits. \"The idea is just to make everyone literate in how to use an AED, how to do initial CPR, and how to use a bleed kit so that every single staffer in that place can do that and then teach,\" Wilcox said.

Nut graf: The task force presented a consolidated, itemized estimate of school safety needs tied to statutory minimums in HB 84, reported full LEA participation in the assessment process, and recommended purchases and training; lawmakers asked for district‑level cost breakdowns and flagged the need to avoid unfunded mandates for small rural districts.

Carey said some of the assessment data arrived to the Board late but would be distributed to the committee. Committee members also expressed interest in how funds would support ongoing maintenance and training rather than one‑time equipment purchases. No appropriation vote was taken at the hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee - February 05, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Joe Carey, a Utah State Board of Education member and task force liaison, presented an initial $100 million school safety funding request and reported 100% LEA participation in statutorily required assessments.","taxTitle","2025 Utah Legislature, Utah Legislature, Utah Legislative Branch, Utah","taxId",78171,"location","Utah","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6350962,"Committee hears multiple funding requests: scholarships, classroom software, arts and career‑tech proposals",2661,7483000,10144000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2231255-8226c6166d2df8eb25f82f8895458fe9&start=7483&end=10144","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2231255-8226c6166d2df8eb25f82f8895458fe9/thumbnail_7483000.jpg","/articles/6350962/Utah/Committee-hears-multiple-funding-requests-scholarships-classroom-software-arts-and-careertech-proposals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6350962-674e3690db41d3201986520a786446d8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770535106&Signature=UlQxGbruGuZYHnzOgBNXmJVBt1jPaOY-d~akzEhXIqqKX4AH~0T9j-Dxckbnqbm1FcekK10yzrq3N2JGuE4y5DmcPnab2rSALHKHqw3Y~-3dIYgYBxlN6aWFLi0N13ka3cgfe513LVZ-yDJK5kQ41C1mIIKoUQYAV1l6iVVXaw6jjExzBqlPJVlpmFoxE3ggYnCMM1bDwVBRKwGIkFBrT35Vij~F8ZSAgMfK~v4Rry-e4kLuFF~UlKQzuFpXZ7fT4Iw8swz~el4UkrK5YOEnqMF0B3DBj6PdN3DBIvvhc4qnng4hF1uaUwCQR~CXs4sCpwofsJOeo4sAYnBJHXNitA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Public Education Subcommittee heard a series of requests for appropriation (RFAs) from lawmakers and program representatives. The committee did not vote on these requests during the hearing; presenters described program goals, amounts requested and intended uses.

Key requests presented:

- Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship — Senator Fillmore asked for $4,000,000 ongoing to address a waiting list created after Carson Smith funding was combined with the Special Needs Opportunity Scholarship. \"This is a simple ask,\" Fillmore said, describing the program’s 20‑year history and the current waiting list.

- Scribble statewide license (writing and research platform) — Senator Fillmore and school librarians described a statewide Scribble license purchased with ESSER funds that has supported student research and allowed teachers to \"see the work\" behind writing assignments. Student Melissa Young described the platform as “absolutely vital” to her high‑school research success. The state board previously obtained a contract; the current request is to continue access as ESSER funds phase out. Presenters asked the committee to consider one‑time continuation funding if ongoing funding is not available.

- Beverly Taylor Sorensen (BTS) Arts Learning Program — Board members and program leaders requested $3,000,000 ongoing to place arts educators in elementary schools to teach state standards through visual and performing arts; presenters said the program helps kinesthetic and other learners and has broad board support.

- Utah Fits All Scholarship — Senator Colomore described the program’s first year serving about 10,000 students and said about 27,000 students applied. The request before the legislature would add additional slots; Colomore said an $80,000,000 request would fund roughly another 10,000 students and that full funding of the initial legislative intent would be about $120,000,000. He emphasized the program’s modest scale relative to total K–12 enrollment.

- Rural Utah Student Initiative (digital/engagement program) — proponents described strong adoption among targeted rural districts and service centers and asked for ongoing support to sustain teacher professional development and district implementation; presenters said adoption now exists in every county and that sustained funding would keep momentum.

- Catalyst Center / Career‑Tech grant program — Speaker Schultz asked the committee to consider a $65,000,000 request (proposed stabilization‑account capital grants) to accelerate construction and equipment for regional career and technical education centers modeled on the Catalyst Center in Davis School District. Schultz described industry partnership, student project work, and local philanthropy in launch sites and said grants would be competitive with district matching and program criteria.

Nut graf: The RFAs span scholarships, classroom software and materials, arts educators, rural engagement programs and a major CTE capital grant proposal; most presenters framed their requests as investments in student engagement, skill development or continuity of an existing state contract while acknowledging limited budget capacity.

Committee members asked about accountability, permissible uses of scholarship dollars, program audits and whether statewide purchasing of tools yields price savings. Representative Moss and others asked about outcome reporting and the relative oversight compared with public school reporting; committee members were told the scholarship program is subject to annual and spot audits and that a cleanup bill is planned to tighten allowable expenses and reporting.

Votes at a glance: The committee approved minutes for the February 2025 meeting by voice vote (Senator Hinkins moved the motion); no RFAs were approved or rejected during the hearing.","Lawmakers presented a package of requests for appropriation: scholarship increases, continuation of a statewide writing/research license, an arts educator expansion, rural engagement supports and a $65 million CTE capital grant proposal.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6350964,"State treasurer and auditor brief committee on rising PTIF balances and why local reserves are high",662,6528000,7190000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2231255-8226c6166d2df8eb25f82f8895458fe9&start=6528&end=7190","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2231255-8226c6166d2df8eb25f82f8895458fe9/thumbnail_6528000.jpg","/articles/6350964/Utah/State-treasurer-and-auditor-brief-committee-on-rising-PTIF-balances-and-why-local-reserves-are-high","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6350964-581b79bdc1d7ec0bdaae7d06c34aed41/orig.mp4?Expires=1770535106&Signature=TrA6wHIIIjtgJ7OdmqhEBOHWk2YcrvPThd3WlHwouXshhbD~rjWx4ooGe6I4uEH~~oathiArNso~53MPYC1Ty9yOdsOUMIeAXpmAmocDHxqmGkfQh9OGFJSLd81UbmV5tWOu-t7tyZR4a1wuTNlstH4PMOzy9lo9fH36HdtV-D4TekHkRQtjVsI8IjjJ0Zu3Y3PYWQFj6nG5FZ9Hrmi3BUMIB-cFckauhlj~MJsXBcXQSC29veP2E95EOs-g9AXc8p0ZRChCNK87HVGMHIaU9xeie4lskL9muJHfVG8G4SM2Pa0AimTec9h6DodFFbCIK-l4yuzizE86Tqw3Go92Lw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Marlo Oakes, Utah State Treasurer, and Jason Allen, financial audit director for the State Auditor’s office, briefed the Public Education Subcommittee on why local education agency (LEA) reserves and balances in the Public Treasurers’ Investment Fund (PTIF) have risen sharply.

Oakes said the PTIF functions as a short‑term money market vehicle used by the state and more than 700 local entities. She noted overall fund growth tied to pandemic‑era federal inflows and that many entities choose PTIF because it charges low fees compared with private managers: “The advantage of putting it in our fund is that we charge a half a basis point. Other outside entities may charge up to 10 basis points,” Oakes said.

Allen (State Auditor) explained that fund balances reflect a mix of good‑faith local policy decisions and statutory restrictions: districts hold property‑tax receipts (collected in November–December) that must fund operations through the next fiscal year, districts may self‑fund capital projects and thus accumulate bond or capital reserves, and some balances are held to meet bond rating and debt‑service coverage rules. The auditor’s office also noted that restricted or committed fund balances are disclosed in audited financial statements and that detailed reasons for balances appear in footnotes for each LEA’s financial report.

Committee members raised concerns about districts holding large unrestricted balances despite perceived local needs. Allen and Oakes urged that any policy changes should be targeted and that the auditor’s office and treasurer can provide audited footnote detail for specific entities. Senator Stratton indicated he is considering running an interim study bill to evaluate reserve practices across local governments.

Nut graf: PTIF and LEA cash balances have increased statewide for multiple legitimate reasons — federal stimulus and holdbacks, tax‑timing, bond proceeds, statutory or board rules to preserve reserve levels for debt and OPEB — and lawmakers asked for targeted study and more granular audited disclosures before proposing broad policy changes.

The committee did not take appropriation action during this briefing; staff offered to return district‑level audited footnote detail on request.","Utah State Treasurer Marlo Oakes and the State Auditor’s financial audit director, Jason Allen, told the Public Education Subcommittee that rising PTIF and LEA balances reflect federal inflows, tax timing, bond proceeds and local policy decisions, and urged a targeted study before policy changes.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6350971,"Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind seeks staffing, transportation and classroom funding; LFA recommends returning $29.3M capital balance",3114,2106000,5220000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2231255-8226c6166d2df8eb25f82f8895458fe9&start=2106&end=5220","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2231255-8226c6166d2df8eb25f82f8895458fe9/thumbnail_2106000.jpg","/articles/6350971/Utah/Utah-Schools-for-the-Deaf-and-Blind-seeks-staffing-transportation-and-classroom-funding-LFA-recommends-returning-293M-capital-balance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6350971-7c0954bba4faa5f61bb5f865a637ac08/orig.mp4?Expires=1770535106&Signature=fvZePXYN93oryikhRUoABjziS0DZDvw0CePcNu59jjRry7em01qx0Zf04YhjaEpjtkcaWdggZw-ZYz-ufjtDXW4HgXVhas1ewlE6YKwq9kMtLH7vHVZ7IdocpLJWXsv5aX22lktwGqu5xj93jb3icdDoHohMGgd40BVhPQrfrs8bFZWrKN6dDG1nJSUa4dxarYUXgMUfO2Jx0d9C4r6lNj8SrYe5BQQP8hd~Fh3MTlk2WHOpwYJ~rWP9qspgUD0KINOUGVz1nu-oZ6fbn31y~EE6R7iWaoutSH1nEjXEaKDeE2d6xMC9sX9y2EpFLnOd4lBSUlz2eBl0Jcv5lxyn5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Joel Coleman, superintendent of the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (USDB), told the Public Education Subcommittee that USDB’s student population and service needs have risen sharply and that the agency has exhausted one‑time reserves used to meet ongoing requirements.

Coleman said USDB served 2,662 students in the previous fiscal year and that campus students rose about 29% since 2017 while outreach students rose about 59% over the same period. He highlighted steep increases in interpreting and audiological services and said USDB must transport campus students curb‑to‑curb, a federal requirement that drives transportation costs.

Ben Leishman (LFA) recommended returning $29.3 million appropriated one‑time in 2023 for USDB capital facilities back to the public education stabilization account so the legislature could reallocate the funds after clarifying operational and facility requirements. Leishman noted several studies and a legislative audit that raised questions about scope, cost per student, student counts and whether a multi‑campus model is the most cost‑effective approach.

USDB officials urged the committee to retain the 2022 capital appropriation and to advance planning and construction for additional classroom space. Joel Coleman described inadequate campus facilities — a flooded house used as temporary space, mold, HVAC failures and insufficient restroom capacity — and said local contingency reserves were exhausted after several years of using carryforward dollars to meet ongoing staffing needs. Leanne Wood, vice chair of the State Board of Education, described a board decision to form a USDB standing committee to dig into finances, transportation and outreach.

USDB and the board presented legislative requests the board approved: $1,130,000 to maintain current staffing levels; $685,000 for partial paraprofessional benefits to recruit and retain staff; $2,120,000 for campus and outreach growth; $2,000,000 ongoing for transportation; and the board asked the legislature to retain the 2022 capital appropriation to begin planning, design and construction for classroom space.

Nut graf: USDB officials said sustained enrollment and increased service complexity (multiple disabilities, audiology and interpreting needs) are creating structural operating and facilities shortfalls; the LFA advised returning the one‑time capital balance until scope and alternatives are clarified, while USDB and the State Board urged retaining funds to begin construction planning and to meet immediate service needs.

Committee members asked about per‑student cost comparisons, the charter origins of some programs (Jean Mathieu School) and the role of local LEAs in funding services. Leishman flagged the board’s 3% rule (districts enrolling more than 3% of statewide students pay for USDB services) as unresolved policy that affects cost allocation. The committee requested further analysis on operational models, student funding and oversight before final appropriation action.","Joel Coleman, superintendent of the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, told the Public Education Subcommittee that USDB has exhausted reserves after several years of enrollment and service growth and that it seeks ongoing operating increases plus authorization to proceed with classroom planning.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6350980,"Legislative analysts recommend cuts, transfers in $140 million education contracted-initiatives line item",0,3545000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2231255-8226c6166d2df8eb25f82f8895458fe9&start=3545&end=3545","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2231255-8226c6166d2df8eb25f82f8895458fe9/thumbnail_3545000.jpg","/articles/6350980/Utah/Legislative-analysts-recommend-cuts-transfers-in-140-million-education-contracted-initiatives-line-item","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6350980-688374e013907f40438a4c20f0104c7b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770535106&Signature=R9ME9jenkvrWhhBmIJWrfzfibtRqXKNrliYeQknKsb4hvv4SKCwggWPMygPBVWcPflsdIHwvh6O7ftsOxlz38Y6ZTlsgFSh2TbqSPlVMlgSN51I4qziTkF7LhhlNABCAkSxw3Qe7NNgD3GmkYySHX1T-AGe3QywfcVZlJc8MfBgKg9u8FPb6asgwdKx6OmybsCs3kgUvh24mjNUNxjeMtNPQuNHDgMzRdzJprK2C27UNlv4zzi~zJC8ZZupuQyaRAqVxUrAGoNDxPnpwtNpqtjW~DPK8kaBk-6vmh9RYbRaaYhDzSKoVnVyUQl~KZjq~6VgsJILOjBK873cTbkdSsQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kiki Hudson, an analyst with the Legislative Fiscal Analyst’s office, told the Public Education Subcommittee that the contracted initiatives and grants line item has a funding base “around a hundred and $40,000,000” for fiscal 2026 and 27 active programs.

Hudson said the line item allocates grants and contracts to school districts, charters and private entities and that recent changes included large one‑time allocations from the public education stabilization restricted account and increases from the income tax fund for ongoing programs.

The LFA recommended several adjustments: rescinding $50,700 in appropriations tied to an autism awareness account because revenues and transfers are now managed by the Tax Commission and the DMV; transferring $126,200 from a hospitality and tourism education account into the ProStart culinary arts program; returning unspent balances for several programs (including computer science and two early‑literacy software contracts) to the income tax fund; and reducing ongoing funding in programs with growing balances. Hudson listed larger programs in the line item, including a “school safety and support grant program that received a hundred million dollars 1 time,” the Utah Fits All scholarship (described as receiving about $82.6 million), software licenses for early literacy (about $12.7 million) and the Carson Smith scholarships (about $10.9 million).

Scott Jones, Deputy Superintendent of Operations at the Utah State Board of Education, urged the committee to review program outcomes before making reductions and recommended sustaining ongoing funding for the elementary reading assessment software tools and early literacy licenses. \"USB staff recommendation to our board is that we sustain the ongoing funding portion of the elementary reading assessment software tools,\" Jones said.

Committee members asked clarifying questions about the Carson Smith program and the Opportunity Scholarship consolidation. Representative Perucci noted families’ concerns and emphasized that “we aren't dissolving that program.” Ben Leishman, who addressed statutory language around the old Carson Smith statute, said the LFA's recommendation targeted automatic annual increases in the legacy statute rather than eliminating services.

Nut graf: The discussion framed two competing priorities: the LFA’s recommendations to return or reallocate one‑time balances and to reduce funds where programs have underspent versus USBE’s request to preserve ongoing program funding based on outcome measures. The committee did not vote on these budget recommendations at the hearing; staff and board leaders were asked to provide additional information as the session continues.

Among clarifying details presented: the LFA identified specific one‑time appropriations from the stabilization account (e.g., $100,000,000 for school safety, $5,000,000 for assessment‑to‑achievement, and $6,000,000 for K–12 computer science from the 2024 session) and proposed targeted transfers and small rescissions. USBE staff described distribution methods for software licenses and reading assessment tools and said statewide distribution to K–3 students was a program strength.

The subcommittee took no formal vote on LFA’s recommendations during the session. The matter remained under review and staff were asked to provide additional detail on program performance and statutory language before any appropriation action.","Legislative Fiscal Analyst staff reviewed the contracted initiatives and grants line item — about $140 million for FY2026 — and recommended returning or transferring several one-time balances and reducing ongoing funding for programs they say have growing unspent balances or underperformance.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

USBE, task force present $100 million school safety request; task force says LEA assessments returned 100% compliance

Committee hears multiple funding requests: scholarships, classroom software, arts and career‑tech proposals

State treasurer and auditor brief committee on rising PTIF balances and why local reserves are high

Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind seeks staffing, transportation and classroom funding; LFA recommends returning $29.3M capital balance

Legislative analysts recommend cuts, transfers in $140 million education contracted-initiatives line item