The Utah State Board of Education finance committee amended Board Policy 2001 (board member compensation) to permit compensation for up to six additional meeting days related to board agenda items, district meetings or board strategic plan work, and to limit compensated legislative meeting attendance. The committee approved the amended draft and forwarded the recommendation to the full board.

Deputy Superintendent Scott Jones and Assistant Superintendent Deborah Jacobson explained the policy framework and how state statutory rates govern daily compensation amounts. Jacobson said the current daily compensation rate is $285 per day and that rate will change to $293.55 (with benefits averaging about $500 per meeting) in January following legislative rate adjustments.

Vice Chair Davis proposed and the committee adopted an amendment to limit compensated legislative meetings to two that a member chooses to attend annually, plus up to five legislative meetings a member may attend or present to on behalf of the board as assigned by the chair. Committee members discussed the need for budgetary safeguards and to avoid an open‑ended compensation exposure; several members said a cap would help ensure public trust and budget control.

“I don't mind going up to admin rules… I would just want to make sure that we're not in a position that we've ignored some of the pretty direct legislative statements,” one committee member said during discussion, urging clarity on consistency with statute. Committee members agreed staff will refine language and the full board will have final review.

The committee voted to approve the amended draft and move the recommendation to the full board for consideration.