Priority 1

WPU Value Increase

This funding request would increase the WPU value by 5% in addition to H.B. 357 and Amendment G requirements (Legislative Session 2020). The Board is requesting $186 million, ongoing.

Priority 2

At-Risk WPU Add-On

This funding would be used to increase the weights for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and students learning English. While needs existed prior to the pandemic, COVID-19 has widened opportunity and learning gaps. Short-term, one-time funds were expended from the federal government to help mitigate the virus physically and provide additional learning support. We know that the effects of the pandemic will last beyond the federal funding, and there is an urgency in ensuring that all students come to school ready to learn and have opportunities to succeed and lead. The Board is requesting $55 million, ongoing.

Priority 3

Full-Day Kindergarten

This request would allow for full-day kindergarten to become a choice, regardless of location. The funding that scales up over three years allows for the recruitment of educators, improving the quality of instruction, and increasing space for classrooms. The Board is requesting $23 million, ongoing.

Priority 4

Reduce Curricular and Co-curricular Fees

This funding would reduce the amount of curricular and co-curricular fees LEAs can charge for FY2023 and beyond. The funding would provide LEAs ongoing funding to offset reductions in revenues. The Board is requesting $55 million, ongoing.

Priority 5

State-Supported Pupil Transportation

This request would increase the funding level to near the 85% statutory contribution level to support school districts with addressing rising fuel costs and bus driver shortages. The Board is requesting $5 million, ongoing.

Priority 6

Beverly Taylor Sorenson Arts in All Schools

This request would expand the program to all Utah elementary school students. The expansion would address the 50+ schools with active applications, in addition to schools that are new to the program. The Board is requesting $12.5 million, ongoing.

Priority 7

Small District and Charter School Base Funding

This request would maintain the FY2022 funding levels for FY2023 for small districts and charters, while developing and implementing economies of scale formulas to go into effect on July 1, 2023. The Board is requesting $8.6 million one-time funding.

Priority 8

USBE Market Rate Adjustments

This request would increase the salary ranges for key positions, for Educational Coordinators, Educational Specialists, and Information Technology across USBE to make the agency more competitive in attracting and retaining talent. The Board is requesting $6 million, ongoing.

Priority 9

Critical USBE FTEs

This request would provide funding for 11 positions to support essential K-12 programs, including: 4 Educator Licensing positions, 3 Fiscal Monitor positions, 2 School Leadership Initiative positions, 1 Prevention Specialist position, and 1 Library Specialist position. The Board is requesting $1.6 million, ongoing.

Priority 10

Development of the Center for Continuous School Improvement

This request would provide ongoing funding for the establishment of the Center for Continuous School Improvement to support schools and bring coherence and alignment to the agency’s multiple school improvement efforts. The Board is requesting $1.7 million, ongoing.

Priority 11

Educator-Directed Preparation and Collaboration Time

The request would restore student instructional days by creating time for educators to build skills to interpret data and provide feedback to improve student learning. This two-year program would require LEAs to match state funds to provide educators with this time block. The Board is requesting $30 million one-time funding.