R277-920-5. Funding

  (1) The Superintendent shall annually designate an amount of funds available for distribution under this section, taking into consideration:

  (a) variability in the number of schools that are identified on an annual basis;

  (b) encumbered funds; and

  (c) other program obligations.

  (2) Subject to availability of funds, on or before January 30 of the school year in which a low performing school is identified, the Superintendent shall distribute at least $240,000 per low performing school to each local education board of a low performing school.

  (3) Subject to availability of funds, in addition to the amount distributed under Subsection (2), the Superintendent shall distribute an amount equal to $30,000 for each of the following criteria that a school meets:

  (a) the school is located in a county with a county seat that is over 100 miles away from Salt Lake City;

  (b) the school is located within San Juan County; or

  (c) the school:

  (i)(A) has over 75 full time equivalent educators; and

  (B) includes grade 12; or

  (ii)(A) has over 37 full time equivalent educators; and

  (B) does not include grade 12.

  (4) The Superintendent shall distribute any funds available for distribution under Subsection (1) after the allocation of funds described in Subsections (2) and (3) to local education boards of low performing schools on a prioritized basis taking need for the funds, as demonstrated by the needs assessment conducted in accordance with Section 53E-5-302, into account.

  (5)(a) The local education board shall use the funding distributed under this section to contract with an independent school turnaround expert, including travel costs, in accordance with Sections 53E-5-303 and 53E-5-304.

  (b) A local education board shall use funding available after the allocation of funds under Subsection (5)(a) only for interventions identified in a school turnaround plan.

  (6) The Superintendent may review uses of funds and contracts with independent school turnaround experts.