State Board allocates $250,000 from contingency to cover extracurriculars at Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind

The Utah State Board of Education on March 26 approved a $250,000 allocation from its $3 million contingency fund to cover extracurricular activities at the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (USDB) through the end of the 2025–26 school year.

Member Kelly moved the allocation, saying the funds are needed because USDB faced a shortfall that fundraising efforts have not yet closed. "I want to move that we allocate $250,000 for extracurricular activities for the USDB for the remainder of the 2025–26 school year," Kelly said before the motion was seconded. The board voted unanimously, 12 in favor with three members absent.

Nut graf: Board members described the allocation as a stop-gap that will allow USDB to run spring competitions, summer camps and supervised travel for students while the agency and a reconstituted USDB Foundation pursue donations and a longer-term funding plan.

In the discussion leading to the vote, USDB leaders described the programs the money would support. Dr. Tanner, USDB’s associate superintendent for the deaf, said many extracurriculars—including academic bowls, STEM and robotics competitions, summer camps and travel for teams—require airfare, overnight staff and nursing support. “This is the only opportunity they have to talk and interact with other people that have the same language that they have,” Tanner said of the camps and events that bring deaf students together.

Assistant Superintendent Deborah Jacobson demonstrated a new donate button added to the USDB website that lets donors give directly to USDB or to the USDB Foundation and specify a designation. Jacobson said 100% of designated donations go to the stated activity and that donated funds would be spent before drawing on the contingency. Several board members asked for clarifying language on the website so donors understand the difference between giving to USDB and giving to the foundation.

Board members raised legal and prudential questions about using contingency money for extracurriculars, noting the contingency was originally intended to ensure statutory obligations could be met. Deputy Superintendent Jones told the board the funds were unrestricted board dollars set aside as a contingency and that the board has discretion over their use. Several members asked staff to prioritize spending any fundraiser proceeds before the contingency allocation.

Votes at a glance: The board approved the $250,000 release (motion passed 12–0; three absent). The board also approved a second, related measure requesting that the USDB Foundation add a Utah State Board of Education member to the foundation board as a voting member; that request passed unanimously (13–0; two absent).

Next steps: USDB staff and board leadership said they will continue fundraising, prioritize donated funds before contingency dollars and embed the ongoing extracurricular funding question in the fall budget-setting process. The board asked for regular updates on donations and any reimbursement to the contingency if designated gifts arrive for extracurriculars.