The finance committee, addressing item R277‑801 and related USDB funding concerns, directed staff to provide $300,000 to support services identified for Tooele School District delivered by the Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind (USDB). The committee also directed staff to work with board members and legislators to request temporary funding for FTE needs next year while staff and stakeholders develop a long‑term funding formula.

Vice Chair Davis moved the motion, explaining the two parts: (1) a near‑term $300,000 allocation so Tooele students can receive necessary services and to keep the state in compliance with the board rule’s obligations for students in the bottom 3 enrollment percentile; and (2) staff engagement with board members and the legislature to secure temporary FTE funding while a new formula is developed. Deputy Superintendent Scott Jones told the committee staff would identify and report the funding source to the full board when the item moves to the December board meeting.

The motion passed with four committee votes in favor and one abstention (Board member Christina Boggess). Committee members discussed the legal obligation tied to the bottom‑3 percent requirement and the special funding treatment of USDB programs; staff and members sought to balance immediate service needs with work to redesign a formula to address long‑term USDB FTE funding and LEA impacts.

“Staff recommends that we don't identify specifically where the funds will come from. We will identify the source to the full board,” staff said in explanation; the committee accepted that approach and asked staff to coordinate the $300,000 allocation and the temporary FTE request with legislative partners.

The committee moved the item forward to the full board; staff will provide the final funding source and more complete cost estimates as the motion proceeds to the December board meeting.