February 5, 2010 Meeting

Board Supports Concept Behind Retirement Bills

The Utah State Board of Education voted to support the concept of Senate Bills 43 and 63, both of which would make changes to the Utah Retirement Systems in light of recent market activity. The bills are aimed at shoring up the retirement system following the recent market downturn.

The Board also took the following positions:

• Support SB49-Substitute: Vending Machines in Public Schools
• No position, but work with bill sponsor Sen. Stuart Adams in improving SB55: Authorization of Charter Schools by Higher Education Institutions

The Board also voted to seek to budgetarily protect the regional service centers to the extent possible and to keep losses in the board and voted leeway to no more of a loss than any other part of the budget.The Board also voted to allow Superintendent Larry Shumway to request from the Legislature, that if funding for school transportation is cut, that a like reduction in requirements for school busing be reduced.

For more information contact:

Carol Lear, Law and Legislation Director, (810) 538-7835.

Martell Menlove, Deputy Superintendent, (801) 538-7762.

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Superintendent Issues Ethics Directive

Utah State Superintendent of Public Instruction Larry K. Shumway issued an ethics directive for all employees of the Utah State Office of Education, Utah State Office of Rehabilitation and Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind.

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Board Approves Legislated Change to Charter Rule

The Utah State Board of Education gave preliminary approval to legislatively mandated changes in Rule 277-470 on charter schools. The change deals with no longer requiring a parent to be on the governing board of a charter school. Final approval will likely come during the Board's March meeting.

For more information contact:

Marlies Burns, Charter School Director, (801) 538-7817.

Martell Menlove, Deputy Superintendent, (801) 538-7762.

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Board Approves Charter School Amendments

The Utah State Board of Education granted approval for the following changes in existing charter schools:

• DaVinci Academy of Science and the Arts, incremental increase of 300 students between 2010 and 2013
• Open High School, expand collaborative opportunities with institutions of higher education and other minor changes to the charter
• Thomas Edison Charter School South, addition of ninth grade.

The Board also gave conditional approval to Excelsior Academy to add grades 9-12 and increase students by 347 students. The school will be required to report back by August of this year on its financial and academic progress.

For more information contact:

Marlies Burns, Charter School Director, (801) 538-7817.

Martell Menlove, Deputy Superintendent, (801) 538-7762.

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Board Honors Midvale Middle School Teacher

Midvale Middle School physical education teacher Shelley Allen is the first Utah teacher to be Nationally Board Certified in physical education.

The Utah State Board of Education honored Shelley Allen, physical education instructor at Midvale Middle School and who is also the coordinator of the budding International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme.

"Shelley is a tremendously energetic and bright teacher, as well as a huge asset to Midvale Middle School and Canyons School District," said Associate Superintendent Brenda Hales. "Shelley, who is in her sixth year at Midvale Middle, has taken the lead to bring the prestigious International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme to the school. As the program coordinator, Shelley has been working tirelessly to prepare the school, staff, and faculty to host the academically rigorous program in a community where poverty and English language skills are often key challenges in educating students."

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Board Approves Consent Calendar

The Board approved its consent calendar.

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