Author: Katie Ieremia

HB396 funding will be available for the 2025-2026 year for both educators and building administrators.  For each qualified individual 1.0 FTE, 25 hours are available. Here are several important reminders and deadlines:

1. HB396 provides SLCSD with funding for educators to complete 25hours of paid professional time at their hourly rate. This includes general education and special education teachers, counselors, school specialists, library technology teachers, school psychologists, speech pathologists, audiologists and building administrators. Hourly teachers are not eligible.
2. Individuals may complete pre-approved district plans, university courses or endorsements without supervisor approval (but the district form must still be submitted). Alternately, an Individual Plan* may be submitted and must be reviewed and approved by the supervisor prior to beginning any work.
3. All educators must submit their plan, on the district form, before the end of the day on September 30, 2025.
4. When all HB396 hours are completed, a timecard and activity log of hours and activities must be reviewed and signed by supervisors no later than May 29, 2026.
5. Professional development work for HB396 may be completed between July 1, 2025, and the last day of the school year, May 29, 2026. All educators must complete their hours outside of contract time.

*Individual Plans should be designed to follow the guidelines of the legislation:

“…(a) provide educators with the knowledge and skills necessary to enable students to succeed in a well-rounded education and to meet the challenging state academic standards; and (b) may include activities that (i) improve and increase an educator's: (A) knowledge of the academic subjects the educator teaches; (B) time to plan and prepare daily lessons based on student needs; (C) understanding of how students learn; and (D) ability to analyze student work and achievement from multiple sources, including how to adjust instructional strategies, assessments, and materials based on the analysis (ii) are an integral part of broad school-wide and LEA-wide educational improvement plans; (iii) allow personalized plans for each educator to address the educator's specific needs identified in observation or other feedback; (iv) advance educator understanding of:  (A) effective and evidence-based instructional strategies; and (B) strategies for improving student academic achievement or substantially increasing the knowledge and teaching skills of educators (v) are aligned with, and directly related to, academic goals of the school or LEA; and (vi) include instruction in the use of data and assessments to inform and instruct classroom practice.” Educator Paid Professional Hours

Summary:

Utah House Bill 233 (HB 233), titled "School Curriculum Amendments," introduces specific limitations on health education in Utah. The legislation prohibits districts from allowing organizations that perform elective abortions, such as Planned Parenthood, to provide health-related instruction or materials in schools receiving state funding.

Key provisions of HB 233 include:

1. Definition of Restricted Entities: The bill defines "elective abortion providers" and their affiliates, encompassing entities with common ownership, management, or control related to abortion services.
2. Prohibition in Educational Settings: LEAs are barred from permitting employees, representatives, or affiliates of such organizations to deliver health instruction or distribute health-related materials in public schools.

As a result of this legislation, certain previously approved providers we have used for years in SLCSD are no longer allowed to help support Health classes and teachers.

We are in the process of adopting new, state-compliant health curriculum resources that align with both legislative requirements and Utah Core Standards. Our goal remains the same: to provide students with high-quality, accurate, and age-appropriate health education that supports their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

An element of our purchasing process is materials review. This is an opportunity for educators, parents, and community members to view the resources under consideration.

Health Curriculum Open House

Wednesday, May 28

3:00 – 7:00PM

Riley Elementary School

Expectations for Implementation:

1. Communication:
   1. Please make sure that your teachers are aware of this opportunity to see the new curriculum. We will also email them directly with this information.
      
       
2. Timeline:
   1. After May 28, the purchasing department will finish the purchasing process. Schools will receive ordering information as soon as possible after the negotiations are completed.