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UTAH

STATE CHARTER SCHOOL BOARD

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OUR MISSION

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STRATEGIC PLAN

The Utah State Charter School Board (SCSB) is a state agency responsible for the authorization and oversight of public charter schools. As the largest charter authorizer in Utah, the State Charter School Board (SCSB) operates under the core values of choice, innovation, academic excellence, autonomy and accountability. Charter school authorizers act as the primary gatekeepers and oversight bodies for high-quality public education alternatives. They manage the entire lifecycle of a charter school—from evaluating and approving new applications to ensuring ongoing legal compliance and organizational success through rigorous accountability.

Beyond administrative duties, authorizers champion the sector by promoting school growth and advocating for legislative improvements that support student achievement. We are committed to building and maintaining positive relationships with our schools through improved communication, functionality and transparency.

MEET THE BOARD

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SCSB PORTFOLIO

Image of quote saying WE AUTHORIZE HIGH QUALITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS THAT PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL CHOICES TO UTAH PARENTS AND STUDENTS.

UTAH CHARTER ANNOUNCEMENTS

Stay Informed! Here is the SCSB Board Meeting Schedules

OCT 3, 2025

Want to keep up with the SCSB Board? We've finalized the board meeting dates for the upcoming months! Mark your calendars for the 2025-2026 Board Meetings: 2026: April 9, May 14, June 18 Getting the Details: You can always find the agenda posted using UCAP on the Friday before each meeting. Can't make it live? No problem! All meetings will be available to watch at your leisure on our YouTube channel.

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UAPCS Charter School Conference

JUN 10, 2026

Annual Charter School Conference featuring dozens of breakout sessions, a keynote speaker, Circle of Excellence Awards dinner, and a vendor hall full of companies that can help you and your school be its best!

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What Utah can learn from its high-performing charter schools

MAY 12, 2026

Two recent reports highlight fascinating results in Utah’s district and charter schools. Taken together, the University of Utah’s Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute’s report on schools in Salt Lake County’s northwest quadrant and the latest U.S. News and World Report ranking of Utah’s top high schools should prompt serious thinking on how we approach education policy.

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May 2026 Charter Newsletter

MAY 18, 2026

Dear School Leaders, As the 2025-2026 school year comes to a close, the Utah State Charter School Board extends a heartfelt thank you to our incredible community. Thank you for your vision, leadership, and tireless stewardship that ensure our schools remain centers of excellence. We hope you all have a safe and rejuvenating summer break! The May 2026 Issue of the SCSB Newsletter is now available. In this month's issue: • A farewell message to Director Marie Steffensen. • Key updates from our May 14th Board Meeting. • Important action items and compliance tips—including a critical ...

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WHAT WE DO

School Performance

School Remediation

School Support

SCSB MEDIA

Target: ≤ %

Transfer Rate = Number of transfered students / Total students

Definition: The percentage of students who leave the school during the year to go to another private or public school in the state, to go to home school, or who dropped out. Excluded are non-residents, students whose school of record is another school, students who attended the school for less than 10 days, and students in kindergarten.

Data Source: Enrollment and exit data reported to UTREx.

Target: ≥ %

Retention Rate = Students enrolled at end of previous year and still enrolled on October 1st / Students enrolled at end of previous year

Definition: Percentage of students enrolled at year-end who returned to a school within the LEA by October 1st of the following school year.

Data Source: Enrollment and exit data reported to UTREx.

Target: ≥ % of prior year October 1st enrollment count

Enrollment Trends = Current year October 1st count / Prior year October 1st count

Definition: A trajectory of October 1st enrollment and Average Daily Membership (ADM) derived from enrollment data reported to UTREx.

Data Source: Enrollment data reported to UTREx.

Definition: A comparison of a school’s end of year ADM to that school year’s October 1 counts. A significantly lower ADM compared to October 1 enrollment may negatively affect funding and could signal problems for a school to retain enrollment levels.

Data Source: Enrollment data reported to UTREx.

Unrestricted Days Cash on Hand = (Cash + Cash Equivalent - Total Funds in Restricted Programs) x 365 / (Total Operating Expenses - Annual Depreciation Expense)

Target:

UDCOH ≥ 60 days

OR UDCOH is between 30 and 60 days with a positive increase from previous year

New LEAs: This will not be used in the Financial Framework Report for LEAs in their first two years of operations.

Does the LEA have the cash to pay bills?

Definition: How long, in days, the LEA could meet their operating expenses without receiving new cash inflow.

Data Source:
Cash and Cash Equivalents: statement of net position
Restricted Cash: statement of net position
Total Operating Expenses: statement of activities
Annual Depreciation: notes to financial statements

Total Funds in Restricted Programs are restricted funds that are entered in to reflect the decrease in cash.

Facility Ratio = (Operation and Maintenance of Facilities + Lease Payment + Debt Service) / Total Revenue

Debt Service = Annual Principal + Interest

Target: ≤ 20%

Definition: Total operation and maintenance of facility.

Data Source:
Statement of Revenue, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balance – Governmental Funds.
Notes Section of the Audited Financials.

Salaries and Benefits Ratio = (Total Salaries + Total Benefits) / Total Revenue

Target: ≤ 60%

Definition: The total salaries and benefits to the total revenue.

Data Source:
Summary - All Funds

Debt Service Coverage Ratio = (Change in Net Position + Depreciation + Interest + Lease Payment) / (Annual Principal + Interest + Lease Payment)

Target: ≥ 1.1

Is an LEA able to cover its debt obligations?

Definition: The ratio indicates a LEA's ability to cover its debt obligations in a current year.

Data Source:
AFS of public financial reporting download in October, Government wide

Debt to Asset = Total Liabilities / Total Assets

Target: ≤ 0.9

To what extent does an LEA rely on borrowed funds to finance its operations?

Definition: The amount of liabilities a LEA owes versus the assets they own.

Data Source: AFS or public financial reporting download in October, Government wide

Current Ratio = Current Assets / Current Liabilities

Target: Current ratio ≥ 1

Does the LEA have enough assets to meet its financial obligations over the next year?

Definition: Measures the LEA's ability to pay its obligations over the next 12 months. It shows how quickly short-term assets can be converted into cash to pay short-term liabilities.

Data Source: Statement of net position

Cash Flow = Current year cash balance - last year cash balance

Target: Cash Flow > $0

Does the LEA have a positive cash flow year over year?

Definition: The LEA's cash generated over a period of time indicating long-term financial stability.

Data Source: AFS or public financial reporting download in October, General Fund

Total Margin = Change in Net Position/Total Revenue

3 year aggregated = Sum of 3 years' Change in Net Position/Sum of 3 years' Total Revenue

2 year aggregated = Sum of 2 years' Change in Net Position/Sum of 2 years' Total Revenue

Target:

most recent Total Margin > 0% and 3 year aggregated is positive

OR 3 year aggregated > -1.5% and the previous year is positive and most recent year is positive

Is the LEA living within its means?

Definition: Measures an LEA's deficit or surplus out of total revenues

Data Source: The Statement of Activities.

Deficit/Surplus (i.e. Change In Net Position) = Revenue - Expenses

Target: Surplus/Revenue > $0

Is the LEA living within its available resources?

Definition: Measures an LEA's deficit or surplus out of total revenues

Data Source: Statement of Activities.

Enrollment Variance = Current year enrollment/budgeted enrollment

Target: Enrollment variance >= 95%

Is the enrollment sufficient to cover expenses?

Definition: Measures an LEA's student enrollment to their budgeted (projected) enrollment.

Data Source: UCAP, OCT 1 student enrollment, projections

Target: The LEA has not defaulted on loan covenant(s) or is not delinquent with debt service payments

Has the LEA defaulted on loan covenant(s) or is it delinquent with debt service payments?

Definition: Checks the LEA's responisibility towards loan covenants and debt service payments.

Data Source: AFS unless LEAs self reported

Material Audit Findings: PASSED

Is the LEAs audit satisfactory?

Definition: Auditor finds the financial statements to be accurate and complete, without material weakness, significant deficiency, or other matters.

Data Source: AFS