Board approves 19‑member USDB working group; adds parents after debate

The Utah State Board of Education voted to create a 19‑member working group to study governance, the role and scope of USDB outreach services, and facility needs. Vice Chair Wood moved the original membership makeup, which included USBE board members, superintendents, LEA special education directors, legislative members, USBE and USDB staff, a RISEA representative and other stakeholders.

During debate, Board Member Carrie asked why parents were not explicitly included; members discussed the tradeoffs between a smaller, technical working group and broader parental representation. Board Member Carrie moved an amendment to add two parents — one with a student served through outreach and one with a student on campus. Board Member Earl clarified that the proposed parents should represent the two service models. The amendment passed in a recorded vote; the final approval of the working group, with the two parent seats included, passed on the full board voice and roll‑call vote.

Deputy Superintendent Tanner and Associate Superintendent Coleman explained that the advisory council already includes parent representation and that the working group could solicit broader parental input using surveys or focus groups. Several board members said they preferred a concise working group but that formal and informal mechanisms should ensure parent voices are heard. The final tally on the working‑group motion was recorded in the meeting minutes as 9 in favor, 3 opposed and 1 abstention; earlier roll calls on the amendment showed a closer split during deliberations.

Board members directed staff to return the working‑group charter with finalized member names, a facilitator from USBE and a fall reporting timeline to legislative committees (PEA and EAC). Members asked that the working group use surveys or focus groups to gather broader parental input beyond the two parent seats.