Agency: State Board of Education

Line Item: USDB - Institutional Council

Function

The USDB-Institutional Council line item was created by the Legislature during the 2003 General Session. The Institutional Council was created in statute to act as an advisory panel to the State Board of Education when considering the educational needs of deaf, blind or deaf-blind students. Council members are appointed by the State Board of Education based on their interest and knowledge of the educational needs of students with sensory impairments.

In addition to the general educational needs of sensory impaired students, the Institutional Council may make recommendations or give advice to the State Superintendent and the State Board of Education with respect to the continued employment of the USDB Superintendent. The Council may also wish to provide input on staff positions, school policy, budget, and operations. The State Board of Education may choose to delegate additional duties to the Institutional Council.

The line item was created by the Legislature at the request of USDB. The purpose was to shift the revenue generated from the interest and dividends derived from the permanent fund created for the Schools for the Deaf and the Blind at statehood. These funds are distributed by the School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration. Utah Code, UCA 53A-25-306, restricts the use of Trust Land funds to the Education Enrichment Program for the Hearing and Visually Impaired.

Statutory Authority

The following statutes detail provisions relating to the Institutional Council:

• UCA 53A-25-301 - Establishes the Council as an advisory panel of the State Board of Education.
• UCA 53A-25-302 - Provides for the appointment and length of term for council members.
• UCA 53A-25-304 - Details the statutory duties of the Council in relation to its function as an advisory to the State Board.
• UCA 53A-25-305 - Directs the State Board to adopt policies and programs for providing appropriate educational services to individuals who have dual sensory impairments and designate an individual within the State Office of Education to act as a resource coordinator for the Board on public education programs designed for individuals who are dual sensory impaired.

Funding Detail

As mentioned at the beginning of the chapter, the USDB-Institutional Council line item was created in the 2003 General Session. The Institutional Council line item is funded entirely through dedicated credits. These dedicated credits are the interest and dividends earned off the investment of the permanent fund created for the education of the hearing and visually impaired.