About SCSB - Utah Charter Access Point

About The SCSB

The Utah State Charter School Board (SCSB) is a state agency responsible for the authorization and oversight of public charter schools. As the largest authorizer in Utah, SCSB operates under the core values of choice, innovation, academic excellence, autonomy and accountability.

MEET THE BOARD

MEET THE STAFF

Art work completed by Esther Haworth - Lion

Art work completed by a Utah Charter student - Flowers

WHAT DO CHARTER AUTHORIZERS DO?

Set application processes.
Promote the establishment of charter schools.
Approve or deny charter school applications.
Provide oversight and organizational viability of charters.
Ensure compliance with federal and state laws, rules and regulations.
Recommend legislation, rules, and funding pertaining to charter schools.

Art work completed by a student of Utah Arts Academy.

Art work completed by Emma Briggs - Impala 69 Car

MISSION

Advancing quality choice, innovation, and student success through rigorous authorizing and supportive oversight.

VISION

Every student has access to an excellent education that meets their unique learning needs.

THE SCSB VALUES...

EXCELLENCE

We continue to be the best charter authorizer in the state and a model to authorizers across the country. We do not settle for average and celebrate high achievements. We learn and grow from mistakes and adjust when necessary. What we do, we do well.

TRUST

We are accountable to the people of Utah to authorize and oversee good schools. Great trust is placed in us to hold schools accountable. At times this means making hard decisions, which cannot be passed to any other entity. To quote President Truman, “The buck stops here.”

IMPACT

The work of an authorizer is far more than bureaucratic regulation. We oversee compliance and performance in order to provide guardrails for authorized schools and pathways to success.

AUTHENTICITY

We stay true to our mission and vision regardless of pressures to act otherwise. We are transparent and honest to our stakeholders. We do what we say we are going to do and be what we commit to be.

COMPASSION

We show kindness and respect while holding schools accountable. Compassion does not change the actions we take but the way we take those actions.

SCSB GOALS

COMMUNICATE

By January 2022, one or more Utah State Charter School board members or SCSB staff members will have met with 100% of schools.

INNOVATION AND SUPPORT

By June 30, 2023, the SCSB will launch a micro-credential system that provides access to all charter school governing board members within its portfolio. At launch, at least ten micro-credentials will exist. Twenty additional micro-credentials will be developed by June 30, 2024.

MONITOR

By the end of SY 2023, all charter LEAs authorized by the SCSB will have

all required policies publicly available (refer to LEA Governing Polices)
and have posted their meetings, minutes, and recordings as required by the Open and Public Meetings Act.

Briggs, Emma. Impalla 69 2023. American Leadership Academy, Utah.

Haworth, Esther. African Animals. 2023. American Preparatory Academy - Draper 1 Campus, Utah.

Quevedo, Augusto Perera. Flowers. 2023, brush markers. North Star Academy, Utah.

Unknown artist. Woman profile. 2023. Utah Arts Academy, Utah.

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

Target: ≥ 30 days

Definition: How long, in days, the school could meet their operating expenses without receiving new income.

Data Source:
Cash and Cash Equivalents: statement of net position
Cash Equivalent: 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 Cost = (Operation and Maintenance of Facilities + Lease Payment + Debt Service) / Total Revenue

Debt Service = Annual Principal + Interest

Target: ≤ 24%

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.

Debt Service Coverage Ratio = (Net income + Depreciation + Interest Expense) / (Annual Principal + Interest + Lease Payment)

Target: ≥ 1.1

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

Data Source:
Statement of Revenue, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Balance - Governmental Funds.
Statement of Activities.
Statement of Net Position.
Notes to Financial Statements.
Notes Section of the Audited Financials.

Debt to Asset Ratio = Total Liabilities / Total Assets

Target: ≤ 1

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

Data Source: Statement of net position

Current Ratio = Current Assets / Current Liabilities

Target: ≥ 1

Definition: Measures the school'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

Annual Cash Flow = Sum of the annual change in cash

Target: > $0

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

Data Source: Statement of net positions of current and prior years.

Total Margin = Change in Net Position/Revenue

Target: > 0

Definition: Measures an LEA's deficit or surplus out of total revenues (Includes change in temporary restricted net assets)

Data Source: Statement of Activities.

Change In Net Position = Revenue - Expenses

Target: > $0

Definition: Measures an LEA's deficit or surplus out of total revenues (Does not include temporary restricted net assets)

Data Source: Statement of Activities.

Audit Findings: Clean Audit = YES

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

Data Source: Notes to financial statements, report on internal control over financial reporting and on compliance, and letter to management.