ALL NEWS

‘We can do it in 5 minutes’: Governor Cox will sign bill giving state’s top leaders final say on schools going remote

Jan 27, 2022, 6:54 AM | Updated: 11:45 am
governor cox remote...
Rachel Perry listens to her teacher on her computer as she and her sister Charlotte Perry, attend school on their computers at home in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 21, 2022. Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

SALT LAKE CITY — Gov. Spencer Cox said he will sign a newly passed bill that lays out how a school can go remote amid omicron.

Cox spoke exclusively to KSL NewsRadio, detailing that he will sign H.B. 183, which also suspends the test-to-stay program in Utah’s schools.

The bill requires that the state’s four top leaders — Cox, the state superintendent, Senate president, and House speaker — all agree on whether schools can go remote after they’ve hit a certain threshold of cases. However, it doesn’t specify how quickly they need to respond to requests from school districts.

Among other requirements, local school boards must also hold a public vote to give their approval before those state leaders weigh in.

When asked how schools can know top leaders will reply quickly to their requests to go remote, Governor said, “We’ve been doing it for a year, they can talk to any district. We can do it in 5 minutes.”

Cox argued that the process set up in H.B. 183 is not new, but some districts worry it’s all too cumbersome with Omicron’s surge. However, the governor said having these four leaders decide on schools going remote is easier than calling the legislature back into session.

Cox added that this bill comes from suggestions of health officials explicitly for the conditions the omicron variant has created.

The governor also says the legislature has the authority to decide how schools go remote, adding it’s “theirs to use.”

Other stories:

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Today’s Top Stories

All News

Utah's unemployment rate remains one of the lowest nationally, according to the Salt Lake Chamber's...
Waverly Golden

Utah’s unemployment rate remains one of the lowest nationally

Utah's unemployment rate remains one of the lowest nationally, according to the Salt Lake Chamber's Roadmap to Prosperity Dashboard.
15 hours ago
cars drive through snow, interlodge is in effect...
Elizabeth Weiler

Full interlodge in effect for Alta and Snowbird ski area

As UDOT works to mitigate the situation, interlodge could range anywhere from an hour to the entire evening until the morning. 
15 hours ago
An attempt to ban books in Utah has been met with someone trying to ban the bible....
Amanda Dickson

Opinion: Would we need to ban books in school if parents just parented?

Are these attempts to ban books about the books or the parenting? Amanda Dickson explores what happens if parents parented.
15 hours ago
AI faces artificial intelligence...
Aubri Wuthrich

Utah is one of the most AI-obsessed states in the nation

A recent study shows us that Utah is in the top 10 states in the U.S. that are obsessed with AI or artificial Intelligence.
15 hours ago
Governor Spencer Cox signed a bill that bans the use of gas chambers for pet euthanasia, the Humane...
Amie Schaeffer

The Humane Society applauds Utah stopping the use of gas chambers

Governor Spencer Cox signed a bill that bans the use of gas chambers for pet euthanasia, the Humane Society weighs in on the bill.
15 hours ago
peopl walk downtown during snow storm, a snow squall hit utah today...
KSL NewsRadio

Another Utah snowstorm has us asking, what is a snow squall?

A snow squall this morning had Utah drivers dealing with white-out conditions. But what exactly is a snow squall and how is it different than a blizzard?
15 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Cheerful young woman writing an assignment while sitting at desk between two classmates during clas...
BYU EMBA at the Marriott School of Business

Hear it Firsthand: 6 Students Share Their Executive MBA Experience at BYU’s Marriott School of Business

The Executive MBA program at BYU offers great opportunities. Hear experiences straight from students enrolled in the program.
Skier being towed by a rider on a horse. Skijoring....
Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking for a new winter activity? Try skijoring in Bear Lake

Skijoring is when someone on skis is pulled by a horse, dog, animal, or motor vehicle. The driver leads the skiers through an obstacle course over jumps, hoops, and gates.
Banner with Cervical Cancer Awareness Realistic Ribbon...
Intermountain Health

Five common causes of Cervical Cancer – and what you can do to lower your risk

January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness month and cancer experts at Intermountain Health are working to educate women about cervical cancer.
Kid holding a cisco fish at winterfest...
Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get ready for fun at the 2023 Bear Lake Monster Winterfest

The Bear Lake Monster Winterfest is an annual weekend event jam-packed full of fun activities the whole family can enjoy.
happy friends with sparklers at christmas dinner...
Macey's

15 easy Christmas dinner ideas

We’ve scoured the web for you and narrowed down a few of our favorite Christmas dinner ideas to make your planning easy.
Spicy Homemade Loaded Taters Tots...
Macey's

5 Game Day Snacks for the Whole Family (with recipes!)

Try these game day snacks to make watching football at home with your family feel like a special occasion. 
‘We can do it in 5 minutes’: Governor Cox will sign bill giving state’s top leaders final say on schools going remote