Goals & Action

Child Advocacy Statement

The members of the Utah School Boards Association are advocates for all children in Utah’s public schools. As advocates, we will ensure that:  very child has access to the education needed to become a contributing, productive member of society.

  We are leaders in educating the citizens of Utah on the issues facing public education

  We actively engage all contributing partners:

                       ~Students

                       ~Parents

                       ~Educators

                       ~Community

                       ~Business

                       ~Government

Advocacy for Children

As school board members we must be effective advocates for all children.

Action Plan 1

Board Members

  • Emphasize the value of public education in Utah
  • Improve student achievement
  • Strengthen public communication

Action Plan 2

Community Engagement:

  • Facilitate multiple education, business, and community organizations in advocacy efforts
  • Develop a public relations campaign on the role of school boards
  • Develop next steps to “What Counts”

Action Plan 3

Legislative Services:

  • Identify needs
    • Coordinate our efforts with those of USSA and USABO
    • Create legislation
      • Establish a task force to study public education funding and initiate legislation to regain local board autonomy
      • Strengthen the Constitutional provisions requiring each bill to stand on its own merits
  • Legislative contacts:
    • Attend local caucuses and mass meetings
    • Initiate year-round communication with all legislators
    • Involve legislators in local school events
  • Local board involvement:
    • Educate boards on the legislative process
    • Continue email updates, calls-to-action, etc.

Board Development

Our goal is to provide leadership training for local board members to meet the needs of every child in every district.

Action Plan 1

We Focus on:

  • Student achievement
  • Community involvement
  • Values and goals

Action Plan 2

We believe in Collaboration with:

  • Other districts and other states
  • Other organizations such as PTA, UEA, cities, counties, businesses
  • Students, parents, teachers, school staff, and patrons, etc.

Action Plan 3

We use Training as a model for local boards for:

  • Unity among members of the board
  • “Coming to Order”
  • Professionalism
    • Civility
    • Code of Conduct—dress, speech, preparation, timeliness
    • Confidentiality
  • Member services
  • Legislative process
    • Delegate assembly process and position
    • Rapport and help during the legislative session

Action Plan 4

We stress Communication in an environment of trust through:

  • USBA web site
  • Other districts and local board members
  • New board members
  • Media
  • Students, Parents, Educators, Community, Business, and Government

Member Services

To offer maximum support to our school districts, USBA will:

Action Plan 1

Continue to offer free and subsidized services to districts such as:

  • Superintendent and business administrator services
  • Board goal settings
  • Board, superintendent, and business administrator evaluations
  • Policy consultation services
  • Collaboration among districts

Action Plan 2

Publicize services available to districts by:

  • Producing media and marketing material as needed.
  • Utilize USBA’s web site as a source for current information and resources

Action Plan 3

Research and develop new programs that will provide revenue to allow USBA to continue to provide services to districts.