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State Charter School Board authorizes staff to pursue independent office; seeks relief on indirect costs
Summary
The Utah State Charter School Board voted June 13 to authorize staff to find and secure independent operational office space (target: Cottonwood Heights) and asked staff to pursue relief from the Utah State Board of Education on indirect-cost charges tied to services the SCSB currently receives.
The Utah State Charter School Board on June 13 authorized its executive committee and staff to identify and execute terms for an independent operational office, with staff describing a preferred Cottonwood Heights location and a plan to start occupancy as soon as July 1, 2024.
Board members discussed the optics and financial tradeoffs of moving out of the Utah State Board of Education (USBE) building. Director Kramer and Associate Executive Director Steffenson told the board that a leased office in Cottonwood Heights would be centrally accessible, offer meeting and board-room space, and increase the board’s operational independence.
Member Smith moved the authorization; Vice Chair Phillips seconded. Member Smith framed the motion as giving the executive committee authority “to identify and execute all details relating to obtaining our own operational space to occur as soon as 07/01/2024 consistent with today's discussion.” The board recorded an affirmative roll-call vote and approved the motion.
Separately, the board voted to direct staff to continue seeking relief from USBE for redundant indirect costs the SCSB pays as part of the USBE indirect-cost pool. Staff presented an estimate that SCSB’s allocation of USBE indirect costs is about $214,300 in the budget, with the largest share tied to information-technology services. Board members highlighted two commonly redundant items—mailroom and front-desk support—that could be negotiated out if SCSB moves, but staff cautioned that disentangling all indirect-cost elements will require more analysis and USBE coordination.
AAG and risk-office input influenced the discussion about legal and contractual steps the SCSB would take while negotiating a lease and any changed service arrangements with USBE. The board’s motions instruct staff to continue operational-space negotiations and to work with USBE and the Division of Facilities and Construction Management (DFCM) to clarify approvals and any accounting implications for the FY25 budget.
Next steps include completing lease negotiations, confirming any additional indirect-cost adjustments with USBE finance, and returning with further analysis and draft lease terms for board review.
