The State Charter School Board is the primary authorizer of charter schools in the State. The authorizing board is composed of seven individuals appointed by the governor who represent charter schools, the Utah State Board of Education, and finance or small business. It advocates for charter schools, charter school parents and students, and holds charter schools accountable to their charter agreements.
Funding History
During the 2015 General Session, the Legislature appropriated for Fiscal Year 2016, $3,786,500 from all sources for State Charter School Board. This is an 11.3 percent increase from Fiscal Year 2015 revised estimated amounts from all sources. The total includes $3,835,600 from the General/Education Funds, an increase of 11.1 percent from revised Fiscal Year 2015 estimates.
The following appropriation adjustments were made during the 2015 General Session:
Statute
The following highlights 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-503 et. seq.: Sections 501-15 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.
Created by H.B. 152, Charter School Governance, during the 2004 General Session, the State Charter School Board authorizes and promotes the establishment of charter schools. It also advises the State Board of Education on charter school issues.