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House approves $500,000-per-year grant program to recruit and retain Native American teachers
Summary
The House passed HB 43 to fund a four-year grant program ($500,000 annually) to recruit, retain and develop teachers in American Indian and Alaska Native concentrated schools; the bill passed 73–1 after sponsors said funding comes from the Uniform School Fund.
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah House on Monday approved HB 43, the American Indian and Alaska Native Education Amendments, which extends a pilot grant program to recruit and retain Native teachers and provides targeted professional development funding for schools with concentrated Native student populations.
Representative Noel, the bill sponsor, said the program would run for four years at $500,000 per year and is intended to improve retention of Native teachers — particularly on remote reservations in southern Utah and San Juan County — where turnover and recruitment are persistent problems. "What we found is that Native American teachers who stay provide role models and improve student success," Noel said.
Members questioned the sponsor about details, including the program’s funding source and whether the same schools already receive federal or other funding. Noel said the source is the Uniform School Fund and that he was not aware of any dedicated funding specifically targeted to this problem beyond the pilot. Representatives from affected districts and a member who previously worked in San Juan County spoke in favor, citing housing and retention challenges in remote areas.
After discussion and questions about administration and local implementation, HB 43 passed the House 73–1 and will be transmitted to the Senate.
What happens next: If the Senate approves the bill and it is signed by the governor, eligible school districts and charter schools wholly within a county with concentrated Native student populations would be able to apply for the grant funds for recruitment, retention and professional development.
