The Law & Licensing Committee voted unanimously to approve a waiver request from Uinta River High School permitting the school to operate on a four‑day week and forward the waiver to the full board.

USBE staff member Ashley Beal presented the waiver application, explaining the waiver was filed under R277‑121 and requests relief from R277‑419‑4 (the rule that requires a minimum of 180 days of attendance). Beal told the committee the school is a charter operating with partial funding and governance by the Ute Indian Tribe; many students’ parents are tribal members who work a four‑day work week and rely on tribal transportation. The local charter board approved the request on Aug. 22, 2023, and the state charter school board’s signed approval was received last month.

Alejandro Vasquez, an administrative assistant for the school (appearing in person), described local practices: the school offers a Friday option where students can come in from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for makeup work and individualized instruction; school hours on the four scheduled days extend the instructional day so staff estimate the school exceeds state minimums by roughly 87 instructional hours.

Board members praised the school’s parent outreach and Friday options, noting surveys indicated parents preferred the four‑day schedule. After discussion, a committee member moved to approve Uinta River High School’s waiver from R277‑419‑4 and forward the request to the full board; the motion passed unanimously.

The committee’s action will be transmitted to the full Utah State Board of Education for final approval. USBE staff noted the waiver had been operating in practice and the committee’s vote formalizes the exemption now that approvals from the state charter board were complete.