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USDB committee forwards several rule and policy changes to the full board, including services rule, immunization, fees and grading
Summary
The Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind committee forwarded multiple USDB rule and policy drafts to the full board for final reading, approving R277‑801 (services), a rewritten immunization policy, a school personnel medical recommendations policy, the FY26‑27 fee schedule, the FY27 deaf enrichment budget, a concussion/traumatic head injury policy (one abstention), and a new LEA grading policy.
The Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind standing committee moved a package of USDB rule and policy updates to the full Utah State Board of Education for final consideration, approving or forwarding the following items on first reading:
- R277‑801 (services for students who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, visually impaired, and deaf‑blind): Jennifer Wadsworth (policy adviser) said amendments reflect the passage of House Bill 448, add audiology services to the rule and require an educational partnership agreement when USDB is designated as the LEA. Member Wood’s amendment to add the partnership language and renumbering passed; the main motion passed unanimously.
- Immunization policy (new draft): Staff described a comprehensive rewrite and recommended the committee forward the new draft as a new policy to replace the earlier version; the committee approved the recommendation unanimously.
- School personnel medical recommendations policy (8.24): Assistant Superintendent Susan Patton and Superintendent Nielsen described standards for staff communications about student health and the primacy of parental authority; the committee approved forwarding the draft with minor technical edits.
- FY26‑27 USDB student fee schedule: Assistant Superintendent Deborah Jacobson said staff recommended no fee increases; athletic fees remain $100 and study‑abroad deposits $500 (refundable), with a $1,000 annual cap. The committee forwarded the schedule with a favorable recommendation.
- Deaf enrichment budget (FY27): Superintendent Nielsen and staff presented an advisory council recommendation to spend approximately $199,500 from permanent trust/enrichment funds on extracurricular expenses for deaf programs through October 2026; members approved forwarding the budget to the full board.
- Concussion and traumatic head injury policy: Staff proposed renaming the policy to match statutory language; the committee adopted the title and related edits. The amendment and final motion passed with one abstention recorded (Member Davis) on the final approval.
- Grading and graduation credit policy: USDB presented a new LEA‑level grading policy to unify practices across schools and align with IDEA requirements; the committee voted to forward the draft on first reading.
Most votes were unanimous voice votes; where recorded, one abstention occurred on the concussion policy final approval (member Davis). Staff will return technical edits and a revised Section 11 for the Bridges policy at the June meeting. The committee’s actions send these drafts to the full board for final reading and adoption or further revision.
