In January, an audit was released that raised questions about whether state officials were doing enough to monitor schools after they opened. State auditors discouraged the approval of more schools until recommendations from their report were implemented.
New funding is expected to help the state provide better training, assistance and oversight of schools through the expansion of the state charter school office staff by the equivalent of up to three more full-time staff.
- Julia Lyon
The Utah State Board of Education has approved seven new charter schools slated to open in the 2008-09 school year. Earlier this year, the Legislature approved a 5,000-student bump to the state's charter school population. The new schools include:
* Emerson Alcott Academy, a 450-student K-8 charter school in Roosevelt;
* Gateway Preparatory Academy, a 675-student K-8 charter school in Cedar City;
* Merit College Preparatory Academy, a 600-student ninth- through 12th-grade charter school in Springville;
* Providence Hall, a 700-student K-6 charter school in Herriman;
* Quest Academy, a 650-student K-9 charter school in west Weber County;
* Rockwell Charter High School, a 600-student ninth- through 12th-grade charter school in Saratoga Springs;
* Venture Academy, a 450-student K-8 charter school in Farr West.
