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Senate approves $650,000 pilot for alternative schools with sunset amendment
Summary
Senate passed SB 223 establishing a four-school pilot alternative-education program funded at about $650,000 and carrying a sunset date (June 30, 1995). Supporters said it will identify effective practices; critics argued the state superintendent should not hold unchecked discretion over funds.
The Utah Senate passed SB 223 on Feb. 16, approving a $650,000 pilot program to support up to four alternative schools for students at risk and adding a sunset date of June 30, 1995.
Senator Leray McAllister, sponsor of the bill, said the funds would be used for counseling, temporary staff and administration to evaluate several alternative education approaches. “They’re going to need to have additional counseling for these students,” McAllister said, describing the superintendent’s role in coordinating participating schools.
Senator Stevenson voiced concern over giving the state superintendent discretion to allocate the funds and questioned the $500-per-student basis used in the proposal. “Giving it to the state office of education and have them decide who’s going to get it … has me trouble,” Stevenson said. Supporters countered that the pilot is designed to identify what works so that funding can later be directed to district programs that adopt proven practices.
A sunset amendment establishing a June 30, 1995, termination of the pilot was adopted to ensure the program remains time-limited and evaluative. Sponsors also said the pilot would be run through an RFP process and that the superintendent’s office would select participating schools using established criteria.
The Senate recorded a final vote showing SB 223 passed with 26 ayes, 1 nay and 2 absences. The bill will be transmitted to the House for consideration.
The vote and the debate suggest legislators want more oversight and clarity on distribution and measurable outcomes before committing to a larger, permanent appropriation.
