Senate committee unanimously recommends Susan Pulsipher for Utah State Charter Board

A Senate committee on Monday unanimously voted to favorably recommend Susan Pulsipher to the full Senate for confirmation to the Utah State Charter Board.

Pulsipher, a former member of the Utah House of Representatives who said she served there for at least 10 years, told the committee she has two degrees in education, including a degree in educational leadership with an emphasis in policy, and previously served on the Jordan School Board. "I've kinda been involved with public education for my whole life ... I care passionately about ... creating opportunities for kids," Pulsipher said.

The committee chair opened the appointment discussion by noting Pulsipher's legislative and school-board experience and asked her to describe why she wanted the charter-board post. Pulsipher said she has worked on charter authorization at the district level, helped organize a charter school's founding board and recently attended charter-site meetings looking at expansion. "They kept talking about the secret sauce. We need to make the secret sauce available," she said, arguing that sharing successful practices could help other public schools adopt innovations.

Committee members pressed Pulsipher on accountability and transparency in the charter sector. "How can we rely on you to bring more transparency and accountability to the charter school network?" Senator Riebe asked, citing public concerns about how the system is perceived and managed. Pulsipher replied that accountability often depends on identifying the underlying problem — whether financial, staffing or other issues — and that she intended to examine the specifics before proposing particular remedies. "I don't know that I have, like, one solution at this moment in time, but definitely an interest in looking to try to find things that we can do to help," she said.

Senator Escamilla, who said she has served on charter boards and acknowledged both successes and challenges in the sector, asked whether the committee should do anything different for schools that are failing. Pulsipher reiterated the need to diagnose problems first and tailor accountability accordingly.

After brief remarks from several senators praising Pulsipher's experience, Senator Mckell moved to favorably recommend her to the full Senate. "You were always level headed when I worked with you ... you always cared about the kids and education, for the right reasons," Mckell said. The committee approved the recommendation by voice vote; the chair announced the recommendation was unanimous.

Earlier in the session the committee also approved minutes from its Oct. 11, 2024 meeting by voice vote. The committee adjourned following the recommendation vote.

The committee's favorable recommendation sends Pulsipher's nomination to the full Senate, which must vote to confirm appointments to the Utah State Charter Board. The transcript did not specify a confirmation hearing date or the full Senate's scheduled consideration.