Dear Principals,
In our ongoing effort to ensure all students receive the support they need to thrive, we are pleased to introduce a clear and supportive procedure for requesting additional resources that will govern all future requests for additional resources. This process is grounded in the principles of equity, student-centered decision-making, and shared accountability. Your voice and leadership are essential in helping us meet the diverse and evolving needs of our school communities.
Purpose of the Process
To establish a transparent, data-informed, and equity-driven system through which school leaders may formally request additional resources based on identified student needs and strategic priorities.
Guiding Principles
- Alignment with district priorities: SLCSD Priorities 2025-26 - Our top priorities highlighted from our strategic plan for student success.
- Equity over equality: Resources are allocated based on student need rather than equal distribution (Gorski, 2013).
- Student-centered decision-making: Requests should reflect actual enrollment, demographic shifts, and the academic or behavioral needs of students (Leithwood, 2010).
- Support for diverse learners: Prioritization is given to schools serving high numbers of multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and those in under-resourced communities.
- Transparency and accountability: A collaborative process with stakeholder involvement and clear communication throughout.
Petition Submission Process
Step 1: Review school data that serves as the basis for request
- Review current school-level data with your area director:
- Academic performance
- Behavior trends
- Enrollment patterns
- Staffing ratios
- Facility needs
| School Data Point | Who to contact if you have questions about accuracy or need additional clarity |
| Academic Performance | Dr. Patrick Jefferies, Supervisor, Data & Assessment or Dr. Christine Marriott, Director of Title I and School Improvement |
| Behavior Trends | Dr. Allison Martin, Director of SEL & Preventive Services |
| Enrollment Patterns | Sam Quartz, Chief Information Officer |
| Staffing Ratios | Logan Hall, Executive Director, Human Resources or his designee |
| Facility Needs | Isaac Astill, Executive Director, Auxiliary Services |
Step 2: Draft a resource petition
- Complete the District Resource Petition, which includes:
- Description of the requested resource(s)
- Supporting data (quantitative and/or qualitative)
- Expected impact on student outcomes
- Explanation of alignment with school and district strategic goals
Step 3: Area Director review
- Schedule a consultation to review your petition with your Area Director.
- Revisions or recommendations may be made to strengthen alignment or clarify outcomes.
- Once approved by the Area Director, it will proceed to the District Review Process,
District Review Process
Step 4: Cabinet-Level review
After the deadline, a cross-functional Cabinet committee will evaluate requests using the Weighted Resource Allocation Formula (see below) and determine feasibility and alignment with district-wide initiatives.
Step 5: Communication of decision
- A formal written response will be provided in accordance with the annual timeline.
- If approved, a deployment timeline and point-of-contact will be shared.
- If declined, the rationale will be explained and next steps will be offered for support and/or resubmission.
Weighted Resource Allocation formula
To ensure fairness and transparency, each petition will be evaluated using the following scoring system (Total Possible: 100 points):
| Factor | Weight | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment and Demographics | 25 points | Proportion of high-need students (e.g., FRL, ELL, SPED) |
| Academic & Behavioral Data | 20 points | Evidence of gaps in achievement, chronic absenteeism, or behavior challenges |
| Access Impact | 20 points | Degree to which resource addresses disparities or underserved student groups |
| Alignment with Strategic Goals | 15 points | How well the request aligns with district/school improvement priorities |
| Stakeholder Engagement | 10 points | Involvement of parents, staff, and community in needs assessment and planning |
| Feasibility & Sustainability | 10 points | Practicality of implementation and potential for sustained impact |
Minimum threshold for consideration: 65 points
Implementation & Monitoring
Step 6: Review & Feedback
Relevant staff will review resource allocation with building staff.
Step 6: Resource deployment
Work collaboratively with the assigned district departments (e.g., HR, Finance, Facilities, SPED) to implement the resource as planned.
Step 7: Evaluation & reporting
- Monitor effectiveness using outcome data and feedback tools.
- Submit a mid-year and end-of-year report summarizing impact.
- Adjustments may be made as necessary for sustainability.
Ongoing support and improvement
- School Leadership & Support will maintain a log of all approved petitions for transparency.
- Annual reviews of the process will be conducted by Cabinet to assess equity and efficiency.
- Principal feedback will directly inform system refinements.
Supporting Tools
- District Resource Petition
- Annual timeline will be distributed by School Leadership & Support by September 15th of each year.
Final Note
We thank you for your dedication to equity, excellence, and innovation. This process is not simply about resource distribution—it is about recognizing the unique stories of your schools and responding with meaningful support. Together, we will ensure every student in Salt Lake City School District receives the opportunities they deserve to learn, grow, and succeed.
For questions or additional support with your resource petition, please contact your Area Director or the Office of School Leadership & Support.
