House approves bill to make American Indian and Alaska Native teacher pilot permanent

The Utah House on March 10 approved Senate Bill 124, a measure to make permanent a pilot program that helps recruit, retain and train teachers in schools with concentrated American Indian and Alaska Native student populations. The bill passed the House 68-0 and will be returned to the Senate for final signature.

House sponsor Representative Watkins told colleagues the program funds stipends, recruitment, retention incentives and professional development targeted for districts and charter schools with high concentrations of American Indian and Alaska Native students. Watkins cited San Juan County examples: Monument Valley High School reduced new-hire needs from six in 2017-18 to two in 2019-20, and White Horse High Schools need for new teachers dropped markedly after the pilot, he said. "This bill is going to make a pilot program permanent," Watkins said.

Watkins said the fiscal note for the bill is $250,000 and described positive test-score trends: "In the year 2017-18, Monument Valley High School had to hire six new teachers; this last school year they only had to hire two." Representative Lyman and Representative Albrecht rose in support, describing the programs role in preserving language and culture alongside staffing stability.

After brief discussion and a summation from Watkins, the House voted. "Senate Bill 124 passes the House with 68 yes votes and 0 no votes," the floor announced. The bill will be signed by the Speaker and returned to the Senate for the President's signature.

The House record shows the measure was presented with district-level hiring and retention figures and a $250,000 appropriation; no amendments were reported on the floor debate.