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Board splits over using IDEIDA funds for online special‑education training; substitute motion fails 8–7
Summary
The Utah State Board of Education debated using IDEIDA funds to subsidize parent scholarships for an eight‑week EPIC IEP advocacy course taught by Karen Cunningham. A substitute motion to allocate $30,000 plus $2,000 for shipping failed 8–7; the transcript ends as the board returned to the committee motion and began another vote (outcome not recorded).
The Utah State Board of Education debated whether to use IDEIDA funds to subsidize parent scholarships for an online EPIC IEP advocacy intensive taught by trainer Karen Cunningham. Member Boggas offered a substitute motion to fund $30,000 from IDEIDA for an online Utah session of the EPIC IEP advocacy intensive and $2,000 in discretionary funds for shipping training materials; that substitute motion failed on a 8–7 vote.
During debate, Member Boggas said the substitute would support roughly 200 scholarships of about $150 each reserved first for family participants who register by July 15, 2026, with registration otherwise open through Aug. 31, 2026. Board members and staff clarified that the board’s share would be roughly $150 toward a stated $300 registration fee and that families could pay the balance to participate if they wished. Member Boggas described the typical full-market cost for this trainer’s offerings as about $1,300 per family and said the scholarship would substantially lower that barrier.
Deputy Superintendent Vorhees told the board that scholarship funds would be paid to the provider for registered participants whether or not registrants ultimately attended. Members asked about program selection, cost breakdowns, continuing-education credit for educators, and whether providing parent professional-development funding fit the state board’s role. Supporters argued precedent existed for statewide special-education trainings and said parent advocacy training could reduce complaints routed to state staff; skeptics said the board should be cautious about funding outside professional-development providers and sought an itemized $30,000 breakdown.
The substitute motion’s roll call named members voting in favor: Earl, Booth, Green, Wood, Davis, Hall and Boggas; Member Brenton was recorded as voting no. After the substitute failed, the chair returned the meeting to the original finance-committee motion to use IDEIDA funds for a virtual intensive special-education training taught by Karen Cunningham and called for a vote, but the provided transcript ends before the final outcome of that committee motion was recorded.
