Compendium of Budget Information for the 2009 General Session

Public Education
Appropriations Subcommittee
Subcommittee Table of Contents

Agency: State Board of Education

Line Item: State Charter School Board

Function

The Legislature passed a Charter School Governance bill (H.B. 152, 2004 General Session) that created the State Charter School Board. The board authorizes and promotes the establishment of charter schools and advises the State Board of Education on charter school issues. The State Charter School Board was created as an individual line item during the 2005 General Session.

The State Charter School Board consists of seven members appointed by the Governor. Statute details that Charter School Board members must reflect the following qualifications: two members who have expertise in finance or small business management; three members who are appointed from a slate of at least six candidates nominated by Utah's charter schools; and two members who are appointed from a slate of at least four candidates nominated by the State Board of Education. Board member terms last for four years, however, three initial members were appointed for a two-year term.

Currently, nearly 70 charter schools have opened (or will open in the next year.) In fall 2008, over 28,900 students enrolled in charter schools.

The Board has a total of four full-time staff to support its operations, a staff director and administrative assistant. The State Superintendent appoints the staff director with the consent of the Charter School Board.

Statutory Authority

The following highlight the major statutes dealing with charter schools and the State Charter School Board:

  • UCA 53A-1a-501.5 - Creates the State Charter School Board, defines member qualifications, length of term, appointment process, and compensation.
  • UCA 53A-1a-501.6 - Details the powers and duties of the Charter School Board. Powers include the authorization of charter schools, review and monitoring of charter schools, provision of technical assistance to charter schools, and advising the State Board of Education on charter school issues.
  • UCA 53A-1a-501.7 - Provides the process of appointing a staff director to the Charter School Board. UCA 53A-1a-502 - Details the number of charter schools the Charter School Board may authorize.
  • UCA 53A-1a-503 et. seq. - Sections 501- 515 Details statutory provisions relating to charter schools. These provisions include the purpose of charter schools, application process, requirements for charter schools, provisions for termination of a charter, State Board rule waivers, funding for charter schools, and provisions regulating charter schools approved by local school boards.

Funding Detail

The table below shows the FY 2009 appropriation by the Legislature for the State Charter School Board. Historical funding detail for charter schools dating earlier than FY 2006 can be found as part of the division of Law, Legislation, and Education Services budget detailed earlier.

Sources of Finance
2005
Actual
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Approp
Uniform School Fund $0 $474,300 $384,500 $696,900 $688,300
Uniform School Fund, One-time $0 $2,800,000 $4,099,500 $0 ($538,600)
Federal Funds $0 $7,429,800 $5,692,100 $5,105,500 $5,703,900
Beginning Nonlapsing $0 $0 $135,700 $121,200 $569,900
Closing Nonlapsing $0 ($135,700) ($121,200) ($569,900) $0
Total
$0
$10,568,400
$10,190,600
$5,353,700
$6,423,500
 
Programs:
2005
Actual
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Approp
State Charter School Board $0 $10,568,400 $10,190,600 $5,353,700 $6,423,500
Total
$0
$10,568,400
$10,190,600
$5,353,700
$6,423,500
 
Categories of Expenditure
2005
Actual
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Approp
Personal Services $0 $305,800 $338,300 $517,000 $787,000
In-State Travel $0 $10,800 $19,200 $16,900 $19,300
Out of State Travel $0 $12,600 $13,500 $22,800 $13,500
Current Expense $0 $125,600 $114,100 $58,700 $114,000
DP Current Expense $0 $1,100 $3,800 $9,400 $3,800
Other Charges/Pass Thru $0 $10,112,500 $9,701,700 $4,728,900 $5,485,900
Total
$0
$10,568,400
$10,190,600
$5,353,700
$6,423,500
 
Other Indicators
2005
Actual
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Approp
Budgeted FTE 0.0 3.7 3.8 5.0 6.5






Subcommittee Table of Contents