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Member Meetings

Meeting Schedule, 2021-2022

Our 2022-2023 schedule will be held virtually at 11am. (click "+" below for meeting details)    

 

  • Welcome Back to School! We can't wait to see the great things you have planned for this school year!


  • Utah House of Representatives District 74 (replacing Lowry Snow) 
  • Neil Walter         
    1. Mr. Walter has a professional background in real estate, rural issues (including water rights), and energy-related issues. 
    2. He has been involved in politics for the last 10 years, running for congress and state treasurer.
    3. He is the board chair at St. George Academy (6 years) and Vista School (6 years on board, 4 years as chair).
    4. His wife is on the board at Vista School and he has children homeschooling, in charter school, in district school, and in higher education.
    5. Mr. Walter shared that in Washington County there are issues surrounding race and CRT that surround much of the political discussion. He supports inclusion and diversity but does not support divisiveness or labeling children by historic events of which they did not participate.
    6. Mr. Walter also would like to look at the 2019 restructuring of sales/income tax around the education fund. He believes that education funding should remain as defined in the Utah constitution.
    7. Mr. Walter is interested in investigating the possibility of an intermediate maturity fund through the public treasurer’s fund that will allow schools to get a higher rate of return on money held in reserve.
    8. Mr. Walter is also interested in determining the actual value of SITLA (school land trust) lands, including oil, gas, natural resources on the land. This will aid in understanding if the fund is performing well and money allotted to schools is appropriate.
    9. Mr. Walter doesn’t plan on entering the legislature in January with a set agenda, but is interested to listen and focus on the most pertinent topics that need to be addressed.


 

  • Legislative Updates – Royce Van Tassell
    • Paid Professional Development Funding (HB 396)
      • Educators need to put together a plan for professional development up to 32 hours outside contract hours before your school year begins.
        1. Flexibility built in to program. No set format to use for plan. Plan definitions on Lines 77-96.
        2. Must be approved by principal.
        3. Educators need plan to use paid professional hours at beginning of year and written statement at end of year to the principal how they used paid professional hours. (lines 97-103 in bill)
        4. Summer PD should be in the fiscal year: July 1, 2022 forward.
      • Staff that is included in the paid professional hours (from the bill):
        1.  (1) Subject to legislative appropriations, the state board shall provide funding to each
           62     LEA to provide additional paid professional hours to the following educators in accordance
           63     with this section:
           64          (a) general education and special education teachers;
           65          (b) counselors;
           66          (c) school administration;
           67          (d) school specialists;
           68          (e) student support;
           69          (f) school psychologists;
           70          (g) speech language pathologists; and
           71          (h) audiologists. 
      • Funding: 80% money that has been sent to the school is based on estimates. The remaining 20% will be sent to schools after final November 15 educator counts. Money can be distributed to employees based on hourly rate for up to 32 hours outside their normal contract hours.
      • Funding may be available in next fiscal year; we will watch for legislation.
    • Library Policy update


  • ETS – Meeting Sponsor  
    • Curtis Barrett, CEO, The mission of ETS is to solve the problems technology creates to reap the benefits that technology offers.
    • ETS has been a business partner to charter schools offering the following services: IT management, software development, web design, push notifications, security, classroom projectors, and electrical work (low and high voltage).


  • Next Meeting
    • Monday, September 12th at 11am - Online
  • Announcements and Upcoming Events
    • School Spotlights-
      1. Valerie Loredo, kindergarten teacher, Athlos Academy, was awarded Teacher of the Year by the Southwest Valley Chamber of Commerce.
      2. Top 6/10 schools named by US News & World Report are Utah charter schools:
        • #1- Beehive Science and Technology Academy
        • #2 InTech Collegiate High School
        • #3 Northern Utah Academy for Math Engineering and Science (NUAMES)
        • #4 Academy for Math Engineering and Science (AMES)
        • #5 Itineris Early College High School
        • #6 Karl G Maeser Preparatory Academy
    • National Charter Schools Week – May 8th – 14th
      • Celebrate with Toolkit from the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools
    • Trainings
      • May 25th, How to Plan a Board Retreat, Zoom meeting
      • New Administrator BootCamp, June 7th, 9am-12pm, Davis Conference Center, Layton, UT
    • UAPCS Conference – June 7th – 8th
    • National Conference – June 19th – 22nd
      • State Night! We’ll be heading to Camden Yards for a baseball game. 
      • Watch for email for RSVP or contact debby@utahcharters.org if your school is attending.
  • Busy Bee Therapy Services – Meeting Sponsor
    • Stormy Hill-Stormy shared the services offered by Busy Bee. The offer direct and indirect Occupational Therapy services depending on your school’s service delivery model and the needs of your students. They offer on-site and Zoom consultations to discuss your school’s needs. Call (801) BUSY-BEE. You can contact Stormy at stormy@busybeetherapy.org or Emily Colby, Outreach Specialist & Account Manager at emily@busybeetherapy.org. 
  • Utah State Board of Education District 12, james.moss@schools.utah.gov
    1. Jim Moss- Jim discussed the happenings of the Board of Education and his philosophy of the relationship between the USBE and local schools.
    2. Funding WPU: WPU increased 6%
    3. ULEAD: This is a legislatively established clearinghouse that identifies innovative, effective, and efficient programs to improve practices in public schools across the state. Schools are encouraged to share programs with ULEAD director, MiKell Withers at mckell.withers@schools.utah.gov. Jim is the USBE liaison with ULEAD, so please cc him at  james.moss@schools.utah.gov.
    4. Parent Engagement: This has been a hot button topic for the USBE. Jim believes that as parents engage at the local level the better. The USBE can help parents understand this and how to be involved on community councils, local school boards, etc.
    5. Funding: Priorities for USBE funding include getting money to the field for fees, transportation, etc. USBE is looking at the best use of staff to support LEAs.
    6. Licensing: It is the best interest to stop the constant change in licensing requirement and make the process predictable to teachers. With the teacher shortage, it is important to open the teaching profession to qualified talent and help them through alternate pathways of licensure.
    7. Strategic Plan Update: The strategic plan is 5 years old and needs to be reviewed. The pandemic provided opportunities to identify innovative ways to approach education.
    8. District Community Councils: Jim spoke about his experience on his local community council. When parents and school representatives can speak face to face about issues directly relating to their schools, discourse is productive because misunderstandings are resolved. The “lowest level”-the level closest to the classroom-is where discussions can be specific, detailed, and produce results. 

Utah House of Representatives District 2, jeffersonmoss@le.utah.gov

  1. Jefferson Moss: Jefferson appreciates the role that charter schools play in education. His wife is a teacher and he acknowledged the additional work that educators have dealt with through the pandemic. At the legislative session, while there were some bills to deal with “bad apples” in the profession that were overstepping bounds of classroom instruction. The bills did not pass but did convey a message that there needs to be oversight.
  2. ULEAD: This program can help reduce criticism of school choice/charter schools by showing the results from innovative programs. When we identify and share the things we’ve learned, we strengthen all schools.
  3. Education Funding and Education Innovation: Always a priority. With Education Innovation the intention is to provide autonomy to LEAs. He sponsored many education bills including innovation, paid professional hours and funding.
  4. Licensing: Licensing is not the same as employment. There needs to be baseline criteria. Talented people can be brought into the teaching profession through alternate pathways.
  5. Accountability Framework: A task force is being set up to be sure that accountability is student-based rather than aggregate-based, and is competency-focused. Chair Huntsman and Senator Ann Millner are part of this task force.
  • Discussion:
    • A director shared concern about how the “general supervision” role of the USBE/legislature has not seemed “general” but more prescriptive and “in the weeds” in schools. Rep. Jefferson Moss said that his philosophy is that educational vision, standards, and access are responsibilities of the USBE and legislature, while curriculum and pedagogy are at the local level. Implementation is local and the state supports these efforts. Rep. Moss stated that legislators need to hear directly from constituents. He suggested meeting with and building a relationship with your local legislator so they can understand your specific issues.  FIND MY LEGISLATOR
    • Board Member Jim Moss stated that the finance committee is working on consolidating legal and financial reporting to increase efficiency. He is advocating for autonomy at the local level. Member Moss requests specific examples from school leaders about what autonomy they would like to see. He would like to hear examples of what works in your schools. 
  •  Next Meeting- Monday, June 13th at 11:00am - Online

Announcements and Upcoming Events

  • School Spotlights-
    1. InTech High School FBLA results including 1st place 
    2. Deborah Swenson, Hawthorn Academy, retiring at the end of the school year after 
  • Trainings: 
    1. Spring Convening, March 24th, 9am-1pm in South Salt Lake see link HERE (for administrators, counselors, business managers, board members)
    2. Policy Training
    3. Fee Board Meetings-make sure you have 2 opportunities for public comment about school fees before April 1st.
  • UAPCS Conference – June 7th – 8th / National Conference 
    1. Registration is OPEN!
    2. Circle of Excellence Award Nominations due April 1, 2022
    3. Call for Presenters due April 1, 2022
  • UAPCS Board:  Lynne Herring has stepped down from the board. The board has nominated Stephanie Schmidt and she was ratified in our member meeting.  

Utah State Charter School Board: Cindy Phillips

  • Shared a powerpoint with summary of legislative session.

 School Board Debates: Morgan Lyon Cotti with Hinckley Institute

  • The Utah Education Debate Coalition will be hosting a series of pre-convention debates for State School Board Districts 2, 4, 6 (both Republican and Democrat), 8, 11, and 14 over the next few weeks. We encourage you to watch the debates on our site or visit the coalition’s Facebook page.

Utah House of Representatives, District 59: Val Peterson

  • Shared that total appropriations for education were $383M, which is a 9% increase of overall education funding and a 6% increase in the WPU. $10M will go to teacher bonuses. $64M to additional teacher professional development days.
  • Notable education bills:
    • School fees did not pass. Bill sponsor Robertson will continue to seek the 0.5% WPU increase (about $65-125/student) that is required to fund no curricular fees.
    • HB 374-Sensitive materials provides a process to review appropriateness of materials.
    • Hope Scholarship failed.
    • HB 162-Period products passed.
    • All day kindergarten was funded at $12.2M and continues as an optional program.
    • HB 428-Bullying/hazing reporting to USBE will be required.

 Zions Bank – Meeting Sponsor: Jim Vosburgh

  • Zions Bank has been a partner with charter schools for lending and banking services. They are the biggest sponsor of the UAPCS Charter School Conference and Charter School University.
  • Please reach out to Jim at jim.vosburgh@zionsbank.com or (801) 844-7154.

 Legislative Update: Royce Van Tassell

  • Our guests covered the final legislative appropriations and highlighted pertinent bills, so Royce opened up for questions.
  • There was a discussion about the “sensitive materials” issue and what materials would be considered inappropriate or pornography.
    • HB 374 The rule was changed significantly from its introduction and provides guidance with regards to “sensitive materials” as defined as “an instructional material that is pornographic or indecent material as that term is defined in Section 76-10-1235.”
    • Rule 76-10-S1235 Definition of pornography in Utah Code.
  • $10M “teacher bonus” mentioned by Rep. Peterson is distributed as follows: "(1) Subject to legislative appropriations for this purpose, the state board shall provide grants to LEAs to compensate a teacher who accepted an additional work assignment to substitute for another teacher between December 2021, and May 2022.”

 Next Meeting

  • Monday, April 11th at 11:00am - Online

February 14th Member Meeting

  • Welcome-We're glad you could join us! (or read this later!)
  • Utah House of Representatives, District 10, Public Education Appropriations Sub-Committee Co-chair Senator Lincoln Fillmore
    • The Public Education Appropriations Sub-Committee made recommendations on the final budget. Recommendations include:
      • $80M for 2.4% increase in WPU (total 5% increase this year)
      • $30M for teacher preparation days
      • $8M for all day kindergarten
      • Additional money for Special Education 
      • Asked additional revenue be distributed through WPU for maximum flexibility
    • School fees (HB 211)-recommendation for understanding what fees are affected by bill is to read definitions of curricular and co-curricular in the bill HERE
    • Curriculum transparency (SB 114)-applies to curriculum or “instructional material” “that a local board adopts” according to definitions in the bill. Other items used in education may fall under the definition of “supplemental materials.”  See bill HERE.
  • Announcements and Upcoming Events
    • School Highlights
      • WSS 9 graduates are Olympic athletes-ski freestyle moguls, ski halfpipe, and more!
      • Donors Choose programs from USBE Covid funding, 13,039 funded projects, 1,018 schools served, 13,038 teachers supported (2/11/22) $11,993,561--$12 M allocated; only $6,439 left
      • Mountainville Academy had 45 teachers choose projects worth $40K. STEM, reading support materials, math manipulatives, technology
      • 4/15 Student USBE Advisory Committee from charter schools: InTech, Summit, Maeser, and Success Academy
    • Podcasts!!!! Climbing the Hill and Charter School Conversations: find them on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or on our website.
    • Trainings
      • Save the Date: March 22nd Spring Convening in Salt Lake City in person. Focusing on Social Emotional Health for students, teachers, and administrators.
      • APPEL Program & Teacher Licenses
      • Job Fair – February 26th - Registration Open
  • UAPCS Conference – June 7th – 8th / National Conference
  • Mindfully U – Meeting Sponsor 
  • Utah State Board of Education Scott Hansen
    • Member Hansen is a general attorney from Weber county and represents the Ogden and Weber School districts and charters in the area. A member for 4 years, he has been the Chair of the Standards & Assessment Committee for 1.5 years.
      • S&A Comm. has dealt with challenging topics including education equity, CRT, and gender-identity.
      • Staff at USBE is getting a lot of questions about gender identity in school and how to address.   
      • Committee tasked with drafting a gender identity guidance document for consistency
      • Discussion about if schools are dealing with issues regarding gender identity and if a guidance document is needed: yes.
      • Member Hansen hopes to develop good solutions, working together with civility.
      • Please email him with comments/concerns/recommendations at scott.hansen@schools.utah.gov.
  • Utah Restaurant Association-Melva Sine
    • The Utah Pro-Start Program is a school to career path for culinary arts offered 11-12 grades. If your school is interested if offering this program, please contact Melva at info@utahrestaurantassociation.org
    • Two charter schools use the program. Meets concurrent enrollment qualifications, but can also be great for work skills straight out of high school. Program is 2 years.
  • Legislative Update Royce Van Tassell
  • Next Meeting
    • Monday, February 14th at 11:00am - Online

 

Announcements and Upcoming Events

  • School Highlights: Edith Bowen Charter School and Soldier Hollow Charter School
  • Charter Day on the Hill – Due to high covid-19 transmission, we have reluctantly decided to cancel the January 18th event.
  • Charter School Expo-In conjunction with National School Choice Week, there will be an Expo at the Utah Valley Convention Center on Saturday, January 22, 2022 from 10:30am-1:30pm. The event is free to schools and free to the public. Please see https://utahschoolexpo.weebly.com/ for more information.
  • APPEL Program & Teacher Licenses-Teachers seeking licensure this year (and beyond) need to take the PPAT (Praxis Performance Assessment for Teachers). This is a several month long assessment that begins in January. This year only there is a zero cut score, so encourage your candidate teachers to get this done this year. For more information, contact Joylin Lincoln at appel@utahcharters.org
  • Upcoming Training:
    • 1/18/22, 11am-1pm, Administrator Training, Student Recruitment, Zoom
    • 1/19/22, Noon, Policy Series, General Policy Overview, Zoom
    • 1/26/22, Noon, Policy Series, Results/Goal Policies, Zoom
    • 1/27/22, 7pm, New Board Member Boot Camp, Endeavor Hall, In person and Zoom
    • Register HERE for all training options and to receive the Zoom links
  • Job Fair – February 26, 2022, Summit Academy High School in Bluffdale. Partnered with Frontline Education. Registration Open-HERE for schools and HERE for job seekers. 
  • SAVE THE DATE: Utah Charter School Conference, June 7-8, 2022 at the Davis Conference Center in Layton, UT. Gerry Brooks will be our keynote speaker.  
    • If you are interested in presenting, Application to Present is open on our website HERE.

 

HUB International Benefits - Meeting Sponsor


State Attorney General’s Office

  • Ciara Gregovich
    • Ciara shared slides about the Child ID program. The AG’s office has purchased 750,000 ID kits so that every Utah child can have them. Distribution will be through local Sheriff’s departments.
    • If you are interested in more information, receiving kits for your students, please contact cgregovich@agutah.gov.
    • Ciara also works closely with substance abuse issues in the state and can be a resource if you have any questions about substance abuse.

 

Legislative Update – District 8 House of Representatives

  • Steve Waldrip
    • Rep. Waldrip believes the job of legislators are to make sure those in education have the resources they need to do their job in educating students.
    • This session look for the following:
      • Healthy increase in the WPU
      • Legislation moving forward:
        • Senator Milner seeking funding for early learning initiative (K-3 reading) and all-day kindergarten
        • Senator Pulsipher-streamlining reporting
    • Rep. Waldrip supports charter schools as labs for achievement. Charter schools can be used to model new pathways for better academic performance. Charter schools can do this by pivoting faster than large school districts to address teacher and student needs.
    • Rep. Waldrip recognized there are systemic issues that need to be addressed in education, including with the number of strings attached to funding. He believes that we should look at the results and not the inputs; “don’t pull up the flower to see how the roots are growing.”
    • He believes that decisions should be collaborative and is happy to engage with educators. He and other legislators receive summary information with which to make decisions, but he would like to meet with educators directly and get their input about how decisions impact them.

Legislative Notes

  • Royce Van Tassell
    • The base budget to be passed next week should include an 7% increase in the LRF for a value of $199/student more. The Executive Appropriations Committee also approved a 3.5% increase in the WPU. Both these funds are unrestricted.
    • We are working to determine how well restricted funding moves the needle for the student recipients of the funding. Most research says that it does not. Research from 2013 identified 1-64 different funding line items across the country. Utah has 60 line item funding streams currently. The amount of time spent to justify each line item is burdensome and we hope to change that. We will be working on the Hill and in media to make sure that money spent in specific programs accomplishes what is intended, and to request unrestricting that money if it doesn’t.
    • It is anticipated the legislature will continue the use of up to 35% of state restricted funds in an unrestricted way to meet student needs, as it did last year. Please identify the best way to use that funding.

 

Next Meeting- Monday, Feburary 14th at 11:00am - Online

 Announcements and Upcoming Events

  • School Highlights: Career Path High and Beehive Academy of Science & Technology
  • Charter Day on the Hill – January 18th-sign up HERE
  • APPEL Program & Teacher Licenses-Teachers seeking licensure this year (and beyond) need to take the PPAT (Praxis Performance Assessment for Teachers). This is a several month long assessment that begins in January. This year only there is a zero cut score, so encourage your candidate teachers to get this done this year. For more information, contact Joylin Lincoln at appel@utahcharters.org
  • Upcoming Training:
    • 12/15/21, 9am, Administrators Supporting New Teachers taking PPAT, Zoom
    • 1/4/22, 11am-1pm, Administrator Training: Student Recruitment, Retention and Growth, Zoom and In Person
    • 1/5/22, 8am-4pm, Crucial Conversations, George Washington Academy, St. George, UT, In person only
    • 1/8/22, 9am-2pm, PPAT Boot Camp for Teachers, Zoom
    • 1/19/22, Noon, Wednesdays, 10 Week Policy Series, For board members and administration, Zoom
    • 1/27/22, 7pm, New Board Member Boot Camp, Endeavor Hall, In person and Zoom
    • Register HERE for all training options
  • Job Fair – February 26, 2022, Summit Academy High School in Bluffdale. Partnered with Frontline Education. Registration Opens in January
  • UAPCS Board Election Results: Congratulations to Lynne Herring and Stacee Phillips! We look forward to working with you! Thank you to all board members for your service! 
  • SAVE THE DATE: Utah Charter School Conference, June 7-8, 2022 at the Davis Conference Center in Layton, UT. Gerry Brooks will be our keynote speaker.  
    • If you are interested in presenting, Application to Present is open on our website HERE.

Reading Horizons – Meeting Sponsor 

  • Based in Utah, the Reading Horizons account manager, Steffani Clark, spoke about the success and “science of reading” based Reading Horizons program. Find out more about Reading Horizons HERE. Steffani can be reached at 801-232-7809, steff.clark@readinghorizons.com.

Legislative Update – District 45 House of Representatives

  • Steve Eliason
    • Representative Eliason has been in the legislature for 11 years representing Sandy, Cottonwood Heights and White City area. He is the Co-Chair of the House Education Appropriations Committee with Lincoln Fillmore. His work in the legislature includes the following:
      • Student Support Amendments: Funding to schools to pay for a student support position (nurse, counselor, etc.) of their choice.
      • Suicide Prevention Program: Funding for schools to run the suicide prevention program of their choice. Suicide is the leading cause of death among 10-24 year olds in Utah. Schools are putting the money into good use with HOPE squads and other support services.
      • SafeUT App: He was a sponsor of this program. He encourages all charter schools to participate.
      • Mental Health Screening Bill: A program to allow parents to opt-in to mental health screening for their student. Most mental illness is diagnosed during the teenage years. There are better outcomes for people with this early detection and treatment.
    • The Executive Appropriations Committee (EAC) met last week and took most of the Governor’s recommendations. There will be about a 5% total increase to the overall education budget. They will fund growth, increase the WPU and give special attention to certain components of the WPU, including extra funding for at-risk students.
    • As new money comes to the state this year, the legislature typically puts 40% away for Rainy Day funding to cover the peaks and valleys in the economy over several years. 
    • Discussion about how the legislature determines budget request priorities from the USBE and other entities: The committee meetings are “fast and furious” so it is challenging to develop detailed proposals like the ones submitted. The legislators will look at the line item requests as well as the overall budget requests from the USBE. They also compare to the expected budget amounts and then speak to constituents, partners (USBE, etc.), and other interested parties (associations, lobbyists, etc.) to determine the greatest priorities. Legislators appreciate a realistic budget. Legislators seek input from the governor’s proposal. Aligning all the groups’ requests to see the common denominators is the most helpful to what is best for students. They can simplify the budget by funding growth and the WPU up front.

State Board of Education-District 5

  • Laura Belnap
    • USBE priorities include working to resolve issues addressed by the Performance Audit of the Utah’s Charter School Governance Structure. The USBE and SCSB are working together to determine best policies and procedures. They are working to make sure training of governing boards is clear.
    • USBE also has their top 10 priorities for legislative funding out: USBE FY 2023 Financial Priorities. 
    • Laura appreciates the charter school voices that contribute in the meetings, namely Royce, but also encourages you to reach out directly to her to share your opinions as well. 
    • She can be reached at (801) 699-7588 or lbelnap@utahonline.org.

  Legislative Notes

  • Royce Van Tassell
    • The Executive Appropriations Committee took many of the recommendations of the governor. (We sent out his budget in a previous email: One Utah FY 2023 Recommended Budget. There will be about $400M new education spending, which may result in a 4% WPU increase. 
    • It is notable that the budgets are being discussed and resolved early in the legislative season, typically the budget is not resolved until February.

Next Meeting- Monday, January 10th at 11:00am - Online


1. Welcome from Royce Van Tassell

2.  State Board of Education – District 1 Jennie Earl

Ms. Earl updated the group on the following items:

  • Funding
    1. The board will vote in December about making ESSER funding for digital teaching and learning more accessible, especially for charter school that may not have taken advantage of this funding.
    2. The board is considering how to make full funding for economies of scale (formerly the administrative funding) viable. Funding will continue for at least one more year until permanent solution can be found.
    3. If you have ideas to implement regarding funding, please pass along to her.
  • Social Emotional Learning: Ms. Earl believes the value of some aspect of SEL, but has issues with topics that address personal beliefs, dispositions, and attitudes. Watch for further discussion.
  • Davis School District has had additional attention due to the Department of Justice finding regarding racism. Not all people in DSD are culprits. We need to be careful not to overcompensate with rule/legislation for issues that arise. The board does have an Equity Rule R277-328.
  • Civics Standards: Up for review. There are many opportunities for public comment throughout the state.
  • Ms. Earl wants to be sure that charter schools have the things they need to meet their purpose. She asked for input on any policy or issue that is crowding out the uniqueness of charters.

3. Legislative Update – District 25 House of Representatives Joel Briscoe

After an introductions, including his experience as a teacher for 33 years, Representative Briscoe addressed the following items:

  • Public Education Appropriations report of the State Charter School Board expenditures:
    1. $206K carry forward to provide national/state training
    2. $3.8M startup grants carry forward to increase grantees $400K for new schools and $300K for satellite schools
    3. $138K regional seminars carry forward to use for targeted mentoring
    4. $1.3M carry forward to use on fiscal monitors and temporary hires to carry out monitoring
    5. SCSB will also provide targeted campaigns with money to help schools with Open Public Meetings Act compliance, trainings support, and marketing
  • WPU Add-on for Students at Risk (see supporting proposal & Full Implementation Estimates)
    1. 2 new WPU add-ons replace 4-5 add-ons (not specified). These add-ons are for English Language Learners (ELL) and Low Income Students (qualified for free or reduced lunches).
    2. There will be a “hold harmless” period until 2024 so schools can adjust for funding differences, some school will get more, some less.
    3. There will be a 10 year phase in period to pay for the program as tax revenues increase.
    4. It is proposed add-on 0.05 WPU for Low Income and 0.025 for ELL. 
    5. It is expected that both add-ons could be used for a single student.
  • CRT Legislation: Not sure, but anticipates someone will run a bill about this.
  • Public School Curriculum: Senator Fillmore proposing curriculum reviews and approval legislation. 

4. Verapath – Meeting Sponsor Greg Misener

Mr. Misener said that Verapath values what teachers and charter schools do to take care of children, so Verapath works to take care of them. Through 401K services of a multiple employer plan Verapath is able to 1) save money 2) improve service offering and 3) reduce fiduciary risk. They provide customer service through a fall enrollment meeting and a spring investors meeting. They regularly share videos to update enrollees on the plan success. The annual required audit of the plan is an added benefit of belonging to a multiple employer plan. UAPCS member schools are eligible to participate.

5. Announcements and Upcoming Events

  • Charter Day on the Hill – January 18th   (Gina James)      
    1. First day of legislative session
    2. Watch for email with sign-up Google form coming soon!
    3. Student performances, school tours, etc.
    4. Email gina@utahcharters.org with questions
  • APPEL Program & Teacher Licenses (Joylin Lincoln)
    1. Use email appel@utahcharters.org for any questions about the APPEL program.
    2. Teachers with LEA-specific licenses or associates license seeking professional licensure MUST take the PPAT (Pedagogical Practice Assessment Test). 
    3. THIS YEAR ONLY-there is a ZERO cut score! Next year, teachers will need to make a certain score to pass.
    4. Teachers need to sign up by JANUARY!! This test takes 4 months to complete. There are four “tasks” to submit. Test is administered by ETS. Find more information here.
    5. UAPCS offers a 4 week preparation course. Salt Lake Community College also offers a preparation course.
    6. IF YOU HAVE A TEACHER IN THIS CATEGORY AND THEY NEED A PROFESSIONAL LICENSE YOU MUST START THIS PROCESS NOW!
    7. If your teachers have a professional license or are not seeking a professional license (will remain with LEA-specific license, etc.) then they do not need to take the PPAT. This includes teachers going from elementary to secondary license-if they already have a professional license.
    8. Contact appel@utahcharters.org for additional information and training course schedule.
  • Book Club (Joylin Lincoln)
    1. Our book club will run January-April with 1 book/month and 1-2/discussions about the book.
    2. Book suggestions (we'll pick from these and let you know!):
      • Why Kids Don’t Like School by Daniel Willingham
      •  Uncommon Sense Teaching: Practical Insights in Brain Science to Help Students Learn by Barbara Oakley, Beth Rogowsky, and Terrance Sejnowski
      • The Together Leader: Get Organized for Your Success – and Sanity by Maia Heyck-Merlin
      • How to Talk so Kids can Learn by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish
      • Equity-Centered Trauma-Informed Education (Equity and Social Justice in Education) by Alex Shevrin Venet
      • Language at the Speed of Sight: How We Read, Why So Many Can’t, and What Can Be Done About It by Mark Seidenberg
      • Heart! Fully Forming Your Professional Life as a Teacher and Leader by Timothy D. Kanold
      • Smart Moves: Why Learning Is Not All in Your Head by Carla Hannaford
  • We’ll choose 4 books. Those that sign-up will need to purchase their own books. If you participate in the discussions, we will reimburse you with a gift card for the purchase price on Amazon of the book.
  • We will send out notices in the UAPCS email and will book book discussion dates on our event calendar.

6.  Legislative Updates Royce Van Tassell

  • Due to Covid-19, the legislature unrestricted 35% of state restricted funding last year. One quarter of the $5 billion dollars in public education funding has restrictions, so this opportunity to use 35% of that money how you choose is significant.
  • That 35% of restricted state funding is available to you again this year! Please discuss with your local board and business administrator how you can use 35% on focused programs, curriculum, and other identified needs to move the goals of your charter forward. 
  • The long-term goal is to reduce restricted line items significantly by indicating that unrestricted use of funds serves students best.

7. Next Meeting ONLINE Only

  • Monday, December 13th at 11:00am - Online

 

Thanks for joining us!

Annoucements:

  • Teachers need to be updated in CACTUS by October 15, 2021
  • Training: Fall Convening will be held on October 20, 2021 from 9am to 1pm at the Fairfield Inn & Suites, 7141 FLSmidth Drive (yes, that's the real street!), Midvale, UT 84047.  We will have two presentations: Creating a Trauma Sensitive School Community with Tyler Bastian and A Radical Idea: Developing Teachers on a Daily Basis with Anthony Sudweeks. A discussion and networking lunch will round out the day. Please register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSccK-T_3sWK8Xy3Q3YuLqVMkNhyOnhKN4fl2z6H51XsQZcoEw/viewform?usp=sf_link

UAPCS Board Elections:

  • A link to election ballots will be emailed 10/12/21 to directors. Member schools will have one vote.
  • There are 2 open positions.
  • The four candidates are: Lynne Herring (incumbent), Stacee Phillips, Stephanie Schmidt (incumbent), and David Sharette. Candidate information was sent in previous emails.

Meeting Sponsor: American Insurance & Investment: Jeff Hirst

  • Jeff shared information about American Insurance & Investment and how they help schools identify, manage, and control risk through their products and services. Please reach out to Jeff for more information at 801-364-3434.

Legislative Update: Royce Van Tassell

  • The WPU will be increased a minimum of 2.5% in the base budget for the upcoming legislative session. The State Board recommended to the Governor's office an additional 4% increase. The Governor's office is expected to recommend a total increase in the WPU of 6.5%. (The 2.5% base budget increase is a result of the response of the legislature to the passage of Amendment G, and HB 357 passage to adjust the WPU annually for cost of living.)
  • Recommendations for equity of funding from the West Ed study.
    • The study just looked at small districts, but we are confident that the final solutions will include charter schools. The structure of funding equity to reduce burden on smaller LEAs is unknown at this time.
    • Local replacement funds (LRF) still have a 2 year lag. We anticipate that an additional $50-100/student will work to close this gap, but are not sure if that will be the final amount allocated.
  • We are not sure how grants will work into school budgets, but there will still be below the line funding.
  • Last year (FY 2021) schools were allowed to take up to 35% restricted state funding to use in an unrestricted way. Some LEAs used this flexibility and some did not. On Tuesday, October 19th, LEAs will meet with the education appropriations committee to discuss the use of this flexibility and seek to have a similar flexibility request for this financial year. We are hoping to demonstrate to the legislature that funding flexibility works to meet students' needs.

Juul Class Action Lawsuit

Utah State Representative: Lowry Snow

  • Representative Snow spoke about upcoming legislation. He is aware of legislation aimed to increase the WPU for full-day kindergarten to 1.0 from 0.55. Currently, extended day kindergarten funding is a band-aid. As more kindergarten programs move to full-day, clearing up funding for that is needed.
  • Critical Race Theory has been a current topic. There may or may not be specific legislation on CRT, but he appreciates the State Board putting out a policy.
  • There will be a bill regarding educational transparency, sponsored by Lincoln Fillmore. Rep. Snow has taken a deep look into civics education and has identified that it is important to parents, teachers, and students that there is transparency in what is being taught in the schools. Communication of classroom discussions and topics to parents is important given Utah's law stating that parents have the primary responsibility in educating their children. A bill defining and encouraging transparency will bridge the gap from classroom to home to be sure that current issues/topics are discussed at home.

Next Month

  • Join us In-person (with Zoom component too!) at the USBE Office Basement West on Monday, November 8th at 11am.

 

Announcements

  • Training Opportunities register here
    • Administrative Training: September 21st, 11am-1pm, School Culture: Teacher Student Relationships, Staybridge Suites, 3038 South Decker Drive, West Valley City
    • Board Training: September 21st, 7-9pm, Successful Governance Seminar: Governance & Management, Location TBD, Zoom will be available
    • Board Lunchtime Seminar, 12pm, Board Calendar & Structure, Zoom link here
    • Administrative Training: October 4th, 11am-1pm, Collaboration to Support Teachers-PLCs, George Washington Academy, St. George, Zoom will be available
    • Board Training: October 4th, 7-9pm, Board Committees, St. George, Zoom will be available
    • Fall Convening, October 20th, 9am-1pm, Gathering for administration, board members, business managers, and counselors for training, meaningful discussion, and networking.

Utah State Charter School Board

  • Vice-Chair Bryan Bowles shared his background and educational experience with us. He was the Davis School District superintendent for 14 years following work as a high school teacher, principal, and Vice-President at the Polynesian Cultural Center at BYU-Hawaii. He is currently an associate clinical professor at BYU-Provo in the McKay School of Education. He would like to duplicate the great things happening in charters. He believes the State Charter School Board (SCSB) needs to promote innovation and provide communication of the good things happening in charter schools and the variety of opportunities they provide to students. He sees the SCSB portfolio managers as intending to be helpful to schools and communicate well to help them do more.

Meeting Sponsor

  • Academica West- Kim Dohrer shared that Academica West provides management services so that charter school administrators can focus on the academics of the school. They have a staff to provide service in the following areas: accounting, legal, human resources, education specialties, reporting & compliance, board support, and facilities. They have worked with many of their schools since opening, but also work with existing schools. They seek to provide services that administrators and boards request. Contact Kim for more information.

Utah State Board of Education

  • Janet Cannon shared with us her background and discussed current issues before the Board. Member Cannon has been on the state school board since 1995 minus a 4 year hiatus. She was a speech language pathologist and has been involved in schools at all levels. She was a liaison between the State Board and the Charter School Board when charter schools were established in the state and read many applications for new charter schools. She promoted that every charter school be accredited. She is the president-elect of the National State Boards of Education. Current issues facing the State Board include being sure to provide equity of resources to the lowest performing students including low income, minority, disabled, and English language learners. She hopes the rule R277-328 addressing Educational Equality will do that while not overstepping bounds. She stated that the Board is asking the Legislature for a 4% increase in the WPU for 2022. The Board builds its budget around the Strategic Plan which includes the following priorities: 1) Early Learning 2) Personalized Teaching & Learning 3) Safe & Healthy Schools and 4) Effective Educators & Leaders. When asked an issue of concern, Member Cannon responded that the Standards & Assessments committee is looking at state and federal laws in regards to gender identity. The intent is support students and to check the rights of parents, students, and FERPA requirements to provide a guidance document for teachers when a gender identity issue arises. She shared the the US Department of Education is looking at Utah about making sure the rights of disabled children are being met when attending school while there is no masking mandate in the state. The Board takes the recommendations of local health departments and districts when determining masking in schools. This, and vaccinations, are ongoing issues. She said that we all have the goal of doing what's best for kids and keeping them safe and healthy.



Announcements

  • Administrator Training, August 25th, Effective Time Management taught by J. Lynn Jones. Location TBD
  • APPEL Meeting, August 31st, Zoom, 10-11am for all administrators over APPEL candidates. 11am-12pm for all mentors of APPEL candidates. Zoom details will be sent out.
  • Book Group-would love any suggestions of academics-focused books for discussion this year. Book groups are held over the lunch hour .

Meeting Sponsor

  • Red Apple Finance. Jeff Beisinger spoke about the financial services that Red Apple provides. 

Utah Board of Education

  • Jim Moss, District 12, introduced himself and his background. He understands the value of charter schools as part of a larger educational system to show flexibility and innovation. He has been on the USBE for 6 months and the board discussions have focused primarily on Covid-19 related issues and racial issues.  He shared that what is needed is to empower the people closest to students to decide what's best to support students. He welcomes input.

Utah Department of Health


Zoom Details

 Meeting details will be send via Campaigner email prior to each meeting. 

Please provide your email to gina@utahcharters.org if you are not receiving updates from UAPCS.