Thanks to UAPCS's work, Governor's budget includes startup money for charters

Responding to Utah's failure to receive the federal startup and implementation grant that has helped Utah charter schools open for nearly ten years, UAPCS knew it had a new funding priority.

For years, that priority as been funding parity with school districts. That's still a goal, but charters have learned over time to do more with less.

But without startup funding, charters would have a hard time opening.  New district schools open tens of millions of dollars in debt through the use of district bonds.  Charters don't have that option.  They therefore rely on private investors who pour those millions into Utah's public education system and provide a choice in education to Utah's families.

But without startup dollars, charter schools would open with no desks, computers, or textbooks.

Governor Herbert's budget includes, "funding to start new charter schools" according to the Deseret News, and that's entirely due to the work of Chris Bleak, UAPCS Executive Director, and his work with the Governor's office.