Staff: PEA accepted board’s amended budget requests for consideration; full motions to be circulated

Scott Jones, deputy steward of operations, briefed the board on the status of the board’s budget requests in the Public Education Appropriations Committee process. He said staff will distribute two documents: a six-page status summary showing the status of requests and a longer motion sheet that includes the governor’s requests and legislators’ requests. Jones said the board’s amended requests were "received very, very well" by PEA members in a meeting that morning, and that staff will highlight the board’s requests in the materials the board will receive later the same day or early the next morning.

Jones said the packet will mix requests from the governor, legislators and the board, and staff will highlight the board-specific items so members can isolate them for review. He noted PEA motions on Tuesday will be the last PEA actions in the current process before recommendations go to the Executive Appropriations Committee (EAC). Board members were encouraged to review the circulated materials, consult with legislative colleagues if desired, and contact staff with questions ahead of Tuesday’s meeting.

Jones also highlighted specific reallocations and items likely to be recommended for funding, including assistance to the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind and carry-forward support for small rural districts. He said staff will provide a highlighted version of the motion sheet to show which items are USBE-centric. "We'll send this out to you, either later today or tomorrow," Jones said, and invited board members to contact staff with questions before the PEA meeting.

The board did not take a formal action on the appropriation materials during the briefing; Jones said motions will be considered at the PEA meeting on Tuesday and that staff will advise the board of the outcomes.