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.

Currently, nearly 80 charter schools have opened (or will open in the next year.) In fall 2009, 34,166 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 budget information for the State Charter School Board comprised of Uniform School Funds and federal funds. 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.