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Board approves Primary Class (Odyssey) contract to run scholarship program amid transition questions
Summary
The board approved a contract with Primary Class (doing business as Odyssey) to administer the Universal Family Allowance/ACE scholarship program; trustees debated vendor performance in other states, reimbursement timing, and treatment of interest on transferred funds before passing the contract 12–1.
The Utah State Board of Education approved a contract on Wednesday for Primary Class, doing business as Odyssey, to administer the state’s Universal Family Allowance (ACE) scholarship program. The vote was 12 in favor, 1 opposed (Member Boggess). The contract is a two‑year award with options for renewal; USBE staff described the shorter initial term as appropriate given the program’s complexity and the statutory changes that led to a procurement this year.
Deputy Superintendent Scott Jones told trustees staff conducted due diligence, contacted other states that had used Odyssey and requested clarifications about implementation experiences in Idaho, Iowa and Missouri. Board Member Booth summarized concerns she had heard from Idaho officials — including early implementation challenges — and asked staff to ensure Odyssey and USBE would communicate clearly during the transition and to confirm that the company would assign adequate personnel to Utah’s account.
Trustees also debated operational questions about applicant reimbursements and the handling of interest on previously collected funds. Jones said the contract and state law require returns and accounting for transferred funds and that staff had procedures in place to reconcile transfers from the prior vendor and to ensure funds are used per statute. He told the board that, in practice, the new vendor will be responsible for direct parent communications and for administering reimbursements under the law, with USBE enforcing contract compliance.
Board Member Boggess voted against the contract and raised concerns about implementation experience and unresolved operational questions such as interest accrued on past dollars while funds were held by the previous vendor. Jones said that the law governs the return of interest to the state and that reconciliation processes are being finalized as part of the vendor transition.
Numerous board members emphasized that Odyssey must own parent communication and casework once the transition is complete; several members pressed staff to ensure service levels, timely reimbursements and clear appeals processes for families whose applications were pending.
The board also approved the remainder of the consent calendar, including other procurement items. Staff will proceed to finalize and sign the Odyssey contract and oversee the vendor transition; board members asked for reporting on transition status and outstanding reimbursement cases.
