Finance committee unanimously moves to repeal rule R277-708 on first reading

The finance committee of the Utah State Board of Education voted unanimously to repeal board rule R277-708, “Enhancement for At-Risk Students,” on first reading and recommended the board adopt the repeal on second and final reading.

Committee chair Cher Davis opened the agenda item and introduced Ben Rasmussen, director of law and professional practices, who told the committee the program the rule governed had been discontinued and its funding rolled into the Weighted Pupil Unit (WPU) add‑on. Rasmussen asked the committee for a motion to repeal the rule. Member Randy Booth moved to repeal R277‑708 on first reading; the motion carried with a unanimous committee vote recorded by the chair.

The nut graf: staff said the specific funding and program administration had already been consolidated into the WPU mechanism, leaving the standalone board rule redundant.

Rasmussen described the procedural history and staff recommendation. Tanya Albornoz, coordinator for prevention, said, “The funding was taken from the program. It was rolled into the WPU add on. There was no expectations for reporting or any type of data collection. There was no expectations for USBE staff to monitor. So, essentially, the funding was just taken, put into the WPU add on, and the program was discontinued.”

Member Christina Boggess asked whether the program’s language or requirements would appear elsewhere; staff responded that the funding was now part of the WPU add‑on and that the gang prevention and intervention portion is covered under a different rule. After brief discussion the chair called the vote; the meeting transcript records the chair noting the result as unanimous.

The committee took no further action at the meeting; staff will include the committee recommendation when the item goes to the full board for second reading.

Ending: The committee’s recommendation to repeal R277‑708 will be included in the board’s next consideration of rules. No implementation steps or new funding were authorized at the meeting.