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Committee advances bill to separate private/home school online program administration
Summary
SB 137 would bifurcate administration of the statewide online education program (SOEP) so private and homeschool students have a separately administered program manager; committee approved 5–1 amid debate over scholarship parity and fiscal details.
The committee voted 5–1 to send SB 137, Course Choice Empowerment, to the full Senate after a sponsor presentation and public comment. The bill instructs the state office to contract for a program manager to administer online course options for private-school and homeschool students separately from public-education administration while leaving existing funding line items unchanged.
Senator Cullimore, the bill sponsor, said the statewide online education program (SOEP) already serves public, private and homeschool students and that SB 137 "maintains that program" while creating separate administration for the private/home-school side so rules and procurement can be tailored to those students. Cullimore said funding would come from existing line items and that private/home-school students would still access courses that may not be available locally.
Committee members questioned whether students receiving the Utah Fits All scholarship (also described in testimony as an ESA/scholarship program currently in litigation) could access SOEP courses and whether caps apply. The sponsor and witnesses stated students can take SOEP courses in parity with other students; committee testimony stated students are capped at "up to six courses a year." Senator Riebe voiced concern that proceeding while litigation over the Utah Fits All program is unresolved was premature; she opposed the bill on that basis.
Public witnesses included Katie Colosimo, director of the Utah Private Schools Association and principal of Juan Diego Catholic High School, who described private-school use of SOEP and urged passage; Jonathan Bejarano, a Highland resident, questioned administrative fees and an 8% program fee referenced in the fiscal note; and Monica Wilbur said the program duplicates school-choice features and risked "double dipping" for scholarship recipients. Sponsor Cullimore replied that the bill preserves parental choice and was consistent with how scholarship recipients were contemplated under Utah Fits All.
The motion to favorably recommend SB 137 carried 5–1, with Senator Riebe recorded in opposition. The bill will proceed to the full Senate for additional debate and possible amendment.
