K-12 EDUCATION

Utah lawmakers pass over 100 education-related bills, USBE member says it’s ‘too many’

Mar 9, 2023, 8:00 PM | Updated: Mar 10, 2023, 9:51 am

The Utah State Board of Education says students around the state are showing signs of academic reco...

The Utah State Board of Education building in Salt Lake City is pictured on Tuesday, March 31, 2020. Some members of the Utah State Board of Education are not happy about how many education-related bills were passed during the 2023 legislative session. (Kristin Murphy/Deseret News)

(Kristin Murphy/Deseret News)

SALT LAKE CITY — Some members of the Utah State Board of Education aren’t happy about how many education-related bills were passed during the 2023 legislative session.

During a recap discussion of the session during Thursday’s month meeting, board member Cindy Davis criticized the numbers.

“299 bill files introduced this year that all would impact education, they all didn’t pass, but over 100 passed. It’s too many,” she said.

The exact number is 116. That number includes resolutions, bills that would impact board members, retirement systems, education funding, and curriculum bills.

“We could maybe look in the interim at asking for a bill to limit education bills,” Davis suggested.

In a quick summary presented to the Board, some of those bills were highlighted.

Individual members pushing for bills

Carol Lear took issue with some of those bills being generated from individual members of the board, instead of coming from board leadership.

“I thought that’s what the board leadership were doing, only to find out that individual board members were working on maybe even initiating bills that confused lawmakers I talked to,” she said. 

Board Chairman, Jim Moss said members can act alone. Lear wanted the board to be on the same page.

“I think that if it’s going to be a free for all, then let’s just do it,” Lear responded. “If we’re going to work as a body, and keep the numbers down, let’s do that.”

Lear also said she was concerned about many of the bills creating rules the board has already made. 

Board member Sarah Reale said she felt lawmakers weren’t consulting with locally elected education reps.

“It’s wild to me to see legislators not talking to their local school boards, not talking to their state board of education rep, and without any consultation running these bills,” she said.

But board Vice Chair Jenny Earl suggested that maybe the issues that did bubble up were because constituents didn’t get sufficient answers from their local officials. 

“I think for (this board) there is an element of what did come to the surface and (we should) say ‘why is that surfacing?’ Why were there so many sensitive materials issues coming up?”

The whole discussion was about a half-hour of their all day meeting. Members also expressed their concerns over specific bills. 

Legislature receptive to board input

Moss pointed out that he has had conversations with legislative leadership about the Board being involved sooner in the legislative process, and said they were receptive. 

“[I’ve had discussions about] the State Board convening some meetings…that we might take the driver’s seat and figure out what’s out there, what’s already in place, what’s the problem, what do we know about the problem, and who’s lane is it to solve the problem,” he said. “I think they’re supportive of that.” 

We want to hear from you.

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

K-12 Education

west high school clinic...

Heather Peterson

West High School opens on-campus clinic for students

The West High School clinic is the first of its kind will provide students with mental health resources and preventative healthcare at school.

7 days ago

Image of an empty locker room. The Utah High School Activities Association is investigating how int...

Amy Donaldson

LISTEN: Utah high school sports group investigating ‘scholarships’ for international students

One student's struggles highlight lack of scrutiny, oversight and accountability on the part of private schools and prep academies.

15 days ago

An 18-year-old male has been arrested for his alleged involvement in a fight at Ben Lomond High Sch...

Eliza Pace, KSL TV

Ben Lomond High School employee arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing student

A woman has been arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing a minor she met at the high school where she was employed.

15 days ago

FILE: Students work on a computerize map at Hillsdale Elementary. There is intense interest in the ...

Peter Johnston

Utah’s school choice scholarship attracts more homeschoolers

Homeschooled make up over half of the applicants for the Utah Fits All scholarship program according to data.

15 days ago

The purple Alpine School District logo is projected onto a white background...

Adam Small

First public meeting held on potential Alpine School District split

A Florida-based consulting group held its first public meeting regarding six proposals, some of which would split Alpine School District. 

15 days ago

Image of the Alpine School District's Board of Education building. The Alpine School District is lo...

Adam Small

First Alpine School District split meeting happening tonight

Tonight, Alpine School District and MGT Consulting will hold the first meeting to present potential ways to split the district up. 

16 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Mother and cute toddler child in a little fancy wooden cottage, reading a book, drinking tea and en...

Visit Bear Lake

How to find the best winter lodging in Bear Lake, Utah

Winter lodging in Bear Lake can be more limited than in the summer, but with some careful planning you can easily book your next winter trip.

Happy family in winter clothing at the ski resort, winter time, watching at mountains in front of t...

Visit Bear Lake

Ski more for less: Affordable ski resorts near Bear Lake, Utah

Plan your perfect ski getaway in Bear Lake this winter, with pristine slopes, affordable tickets, and breathtaking scenery.

front of the Butch Cassidy museum with a man in a cowboy hat standing in the doorway...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking Back: The History of Bear Lake

The history of Bear Lake is full of fascinating stories. At over 250,000 years old, the lake has seen generations of people visit its shores.

silhouette of a family looking over a lake with a bird in the top corner flying...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

8 Fun Activities To Do in Bear Lake Without Getting in the Water

Bear Lake offers plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy without having to get in the water. Catch 8 of our favorite activities.

Wellsville Mountains in the spring with a pond in the foreground...

Wasatch Property Management

Advantages of Renting Over Owning a Home

Renting allows you to enjoy luxury amenities and low maintenance without the long-term commitment and responsibilities of owning a home.

Clouds over a red rock vista in Hurricane, Utah...

Wasatch Property Management

Why Southern Utah is a Retirement Paradise

Retirement in southern Utah offers plenty of cultural and recreational opportunities. Find out all that this region has to offer.

Utah lawmakers pass over 100 education-related bills, USBE member says it’s ‘too many’