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House backs pilot to retain teachers in Native-concentrated schools but funding cut raises concerns
Summary
First substitute SB14 creates a five-year pilot to recruit and retain teachers in schools with significant American Indian/Alaska Native student populations; the bill passed 72-0 despite sponsors warning the Executive Appropriations allocation ($250,000) is far below the original $2 million fiscal note.
The Utah House passed first substitute SB14 on March 9, establishing a five-year pilot aimed at recruiting and retaining teachers in schools with concentrated American Indian and Alaska Native student populations.
Representative Draxler, the floor sponsor, said the bill emerged from a year-long commission studying the achievement gap and that the pilot focuses on stipends, recruitment and retention for teachers in schools with at least 29 percent Native students. Draxler said the original fiscal note called for $2 million, but Executive Appropriations allocated $250,000 ongoing; he and other sponsors warned that the smaller appropriation would likely limit the pilot to one to three schools and make evaluation difficult.
Supporters said the pilot targets teacher effectiveness and parental supports linked to academic outcomes. Representative Brown asked how many schools would qualify; Draxler said approximately 10 schools statewide might meet the 29 percent threshold, with most located on reservations. Sponsors said administration of the program could prioritize higher-concentration schools.
The House passed the bill 72-0 and returned it to the Senate for further consideration. Sponsors said they will continue to press for fuller funding and stressed the bill includes sunset and evaluation provisions to measure effectiveness.
