Science outreach funding reviewed after Leonardo Museum closure; IC Collective urges reallocation
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Summary
USBE and IC Collective representatives told the committee that the Leonardo Museum closure justifies a proposed reduction (~$598,100) to the science outreach line item, while IC partners asked that Leonardo's allocation be redistributed to remaining statewide providers to maintain program reach.
Kiki Hudson presented the science outreach line item (ISEE and the provisional program), noting $6.2 million in ongoing income-tax funding that is distributed by the State Board of Education to participating nonprofits. Because the Leonardo Museum has closed, the LFA recommended an ongoing reduction of about $598,100 tied to Leonardo's prior allocation.
Scott Jones confirmed USBE's understanding that the Leonardo is closed and said the proposal follows the LFA recommendation. Representatives from the ISEE/IC Collective — including Duke Johnson of the Clark Planetarium, Nick Hoffman (Red Butte Garden), and Chris Haught (SEDC) — urged the committee to preserve overall funding for the collective and, if Leonardo's line were reduced, to redistribute those funds among remaining providers. IC leaders emphasized the program's statewide reach (they reported more than 12 million student and teacher experiences over 17 years) and a reported private matching average of $1.35 for every $1 of state funding.
IC partners described rising costs (transportation, staff retention, program delivery) and asked the committee to avoid reductions that would degrade statewide services, particularly for rural and underserved schools. USBE and LFA agreed to include appropriate technical changes and consider redistribution options on the motion sheet.