Member Meeting Highlights
Announcements
- Congratulations to Joylin Lincoln, UAPCS Director of Teacher Licensing (APPEL Program)! She was elected to the Alpine School District Board. We appreciate the "cross-pollination" between district and charter schools. (She's one of 4 local district board members across the state that also serve on charter school boards!)
- UAPCS Board Elections: Rabecca Cisneros and Chris Helvey have been elected for 3 year terms. Rabecca works at Itineris High School and Chris works at Freedom Preparatory Academy.
Dan Johnson, Utah House of Representatives, District 4 & Vice Chair House Education Committee
- Rep. Johnson has 40 years of education experience, including as a charter school director. He supports the proposed increase in teacher salaries and benefits from the governor's budget recommendations. He supports funding for mental health services ($52M).
- He recognizes that charter schools need to be funded well. He also received the message from voters for Proposition G that legislators need to fund education well from various sources.
- All day kindergarten funding? The governor's budget has money to fund about 95% of operational all day kindergarten costs ($41M). The USBE has recommended $53M to cover costs.
- There was a recommended increase in the WPU of 5-6% (3.5-4% cost of living, 1.6% above cost of living adjustment). Teacher compensation increase of $6000 ($4600 pay, $1400 benefits) across the board. Funding for this is a separate line item (not in WPU) of $200M of ongoing funds, not just a one-time allotment.
- Rep. Johnson is also working to improve teacher working conditions by looking at ways to provide more compensated time for teacher professional development, especially given additional requirements for LETRS training by K-3 teachers.
Bryan Bowles, State Charter School Board, Chair
- Chair Bowles shared SCSB priorities:
- Supporting schools: What can we do to help you meet your goals?
- Working with legislators
- Evaluating/approving new schools: Will the school be successful? Is it helping to grow choice? Is it located where there is a need?
- School Accountability? The SCSB makes sure that schools follow laws and recommends that schools are familiar with laws and statutes. The SCSB is reticent to close schools. They recognized that all schools have issues and we need to learn from them and move on.
- Stakeholder Survey? Jennifer Lambert, Executive Director, SCSB, will report on the results of their stakeholder survey in an upcoming director's meeting.
- Overall charter school growth? Charter LEAs grew more last year than district LEAs. Projections used to look at new homes being built, but with housing costs on the rise, that is not as accurate a predictor since many family live in rentals. There is growth in diverse populations, including economically disadvantaged. Royce commented that K-12 growth over the next decade is predicted to be flat.
- Chair Bowles stated that we need to do better than district schools at operating schools and identify new areas for charter schools.
- He welcomes your emails: bryan.bowles@schools.utah.gov

Lisa Cluff, Executive Director Artworks for Kids/Friends of BTS Arts, shared a video about the Beverly Taylor Sorensen Arts Learning Program. As a public/private partnership with USBE, they support arts integrated education. They would love more charter schools to participate. Grants cover up to 80% FTE licensed arts education teacher. Many charter schools have 0.5 FTE. Program applications accepted in late January.
Please see the following handouts for more information, including the benefits of arts education:
Contact lisa@thesorensongroup.com with any questions.

Please evaluate your APPEL candidate teachers twice this year (also, all new teachers need 2 evaluations in their first year, APPEL program or not). The PPAT begins in January. We recommend candidates takes PPAT this year because remediation is available if they don't pass the 36 cut score.
Questions? Email Joylin and April at appel@utahcharters.org.

Pre-Operational Training: Construction 101
Lunchtime Administrator Training: Developing Loyalty with Parents and Students
- Wednesday, Dec. 14th, 12 noon on Zoom
- Zoom Link
ACES (Aspiring Charter Executive Seminars) begins January 10, 2023. ACES Registration
Free Registration Open! Monday, January 23, 2023
Come listen to Governor Cox!
11am-2pm
- Capital Tours
- Student Performances
- Talk with Legislators
- Pizza Lunch!
Travel stipends will be available $100-$300/school depending on number of schools participating.
Please register before Winter Break (to help us with planning)! Register Here