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Category: Business Admin

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Dear Team,

As the Superintendent has regularly shared, we are building a district where there is a foundation of similarity among schools. Individual school variations will exist and flourish on that coherent district-wide foundation. With this move towards greater equity, consistency, and transparency in our decision-making process and work, we would like to describe an important shift in our approach. 

As an organization, we must consciously base decisions on policy. We must also clearly document our systems and processes so they are accessible and easily understandable. Moving forward, we will all be adopting a policy-driven model that provides consistency for all situations rather than one that relies on personal knowledge or advocacy.  School administrators will be supported in making decisions that align with operational processes and can be easily communicated, supported, and defended to our stakeholders.

This approach will:

  • Build Trust: As we focus on objective, policy-based decisions, stakeholders will have greater confidence in the fairness and impartiality of our actions.
  • Enhance Transparency: A policy-driven model provides clear guidelines that everyone can follow, ensuring that decisions are open and easily understood by all.
  • Promote Consistency: By adhering to established policies, we reduce variability in decision-making and ensure that similar situations are handled in a uniform manner across the district.
  • Foster Accountability: A reliance on policies ensures that decisions are not based on personal biases or relationships, making the rationale behind each decision clear and defensible.

The rationale behind this shift is rooted in our commitment to creating an environment that is fair and consistent. By focusing on policies rather than individual relationships, we can ensure that decisions are aligned with our broader goals and values, and that staff, students, and stakeholders are treated equitably. It enables us to make decisions that are aligned with the best interests of the entire community, ensuring that our actions are guided by fairness and clarity.

Personal relationships will always remain valuable in building strong teams and fostering collaboration. However, an organization as complex as SLCSD needs a structure that ensures that all students, teachers, and administrators are represented in a consistent way. This shift to policy-driven administration creates a robust framework for addressing the district’s complex needs and supports a shared foundation of similarity and cohesiveness.

The core documents that guide this work are our board policies and administrative procedures, administrative memos, and employee handbook. Additional documents outlining timelines and processes are in the district document center. As we continue to record our procedures, itis critical to look to these documents to guide our daily practices.

These practices will support our long-term success and strengthen our collective efforts to provide the best possible educational experience for our students.

Thank you for your ongoing dedication and support as we move forward with this shift. Please reach out with your questions or thoughts.

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Dear Salt Lake School District Team,

We hope this message finds you well. We are writing to provide guidance regarding HB 77 – Flag Display Amendments, which was recently passed by the Utah Legislature and will take effect May 7, 2025. This legislation outlines specific regulations regarding which flags may be displayed on or within government property, including public school campuses.

For years, Salt Lake City School District has been known for our commitment to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all students and staff, and we remain committed to this goal and the values underlying that commitment. We also appreciate the pride and passion many of our students and staff feel in their beliefs and causes. While this law imposes certain limitations, we will continue to foster school environments where all students feel seen, supported, and valued.  In order to understand and implement this legislation, we are providing the following protocols for our schools.

Key Provisions of HB 77

HB 77 defines “display” as placing a flag in a prominent location where the flag is easily visible. A “flag” is defined as a usually rectangular piece of fabric with a specific design that symbolizes a location, government entity, or cause.

To ensure district-wide compliance, please note the following flags are permitted for display:

  • The official United States Flag
  • The official Utah State Flag
  • The current and official flag of another country, state, or political subdivision (e.g., another school district or city)
  • A flag that represents a city, municipality, county, or other political subdivision within Utah
  • A flag representing a branch, unit, or division of the U.S. military
  • The National League of Families POW/MIA flag
  • A flag that represents a recognized Indian tribe
  • An officially licensed college or university flag
  • A historic version of the U.S., Utah, or other state/national flags
  • An official public school flag
  • An official flag of the U.S. Olympic/Paralympic Committee, International Olympic/Paralympic Committee, or a specific Olympiad/Paralympiad that occurred or will occur
  • A flag of an organization authorized to use space within a public school, during the time they are using the space

We understand that some of you may feel inclined to demonstrate your support for various causes, groups, and beliefs by displaying items that do not meet the definition of flag and thus do not violate the new law. While we support you in your goal of signaling a welcome environment, there is additional information that you should consider in displaying items. In addition to HB 77, the Utah State Board of Education (“USBE”) issued a letter on April 10,2025, reminding educators of Utah Admin. Code R277-217(25), Educator Standards, that states that an educator may not “through instruction, materials, or symbols . . . endorse promote, or disparage” a particular viewpoint. The letter also indicated how the public may report violations of this section. We are providing you with this information not as a threat of district action, but as an awareness that USBE, as the licensing authority for Utah educators, has indicated that compliance with these rules and laws is not only expected but vital.  

Action Steps for Schools

  • Review all flags currently displayed in your school or on your school property, including in classrooms, hallways, and offices.
  • Remove any flags that do not fall within the categories listed above by the end of school onMay 6, 2025, to ensure full compliance with the law upon its effective date.
  • When in doubt, please consult with the General Counsel before displaying a new flag to confirm it meets the legal criteria.
  • Ensure that flags displayed during temporary use by authorized organizations are removed promptly after their use of the space ends. 

The Office of the State Auditor is tasked with overseeing compliance with this legislation and may impose fines for violations. As such, we must be diligent and proactive to ensure our flag displays align with this new legislation.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter and for your continued leadership in ensuring our schools remain compliant, welcoming, and student-centered.

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Dear Principals,

As we continue to prioritize student safety and manage risk responsibly across our district, we want to clarify our position regarding the use of inflatables and requests for field trips to trampoline parks.

Due to risk management and liability concerns, Salt Lake City School District does not permit the use of inflatable structures (such as bounce houses, inflatable slides, etc.) for school-sponsored events. Similarly, field trips to trampoline parks will not be approved and will be denied upon submission.

While we understand the desire to provide engaging and enjoyable experiences for students, we must ensure all activities align with district safety protocols and minimize unnecessary risk.

Thank you for your understanding and for your ongoing commitment to providing safe, enriching opportunities for our students. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need assistance identifying alternative options for student activities.

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Dear Principals,

As part of our continued commitment to student safety and in alignment with Utah State Board of Education and the Utah
Division of Risk Management, please be advised of the following updates regarding field and activity trip scheduling:

  1. No field or activity trips shall begin between the hours of 11:00pm and 4:30am.
  2. All field or activity trips must conclude (school bus returned to transportation) by 1:30 am.
  3. If a trip cannot be completed by 1:30am, an overnight stay is required.

These time restrictions are effective immediately and must be adhered to for all current and future trip planning. Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring the safety and well-being of our students and staff. I would also like to direct your attention to the attachment addressing general trip procedures and specific time restrictions for areas out of the Salt Lake Valley. 

If you have any questions or need further clarification, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.

Thank you


Ken Martinez

Transportation Director

Previous Guidelines

School bus drivers and schools are expected to adhere to the following procedures:

  1. Departure Times: School bus must leave at the scheduled time.
  2. Bus Loading: Ensure the school bus is fully loaded and prepared for departure at least 5 minutes in advance of scheduled departure.
  3. Communication: Maintain regular communication with coaches/leaders regarding departure schedules and any potential delays related to events or weather.

School bus drivers must complete:

  1. Pre-Trip Inspection: Conduct a thorough pre-trip inspection one hour before departure. Should any issues arise, promptly contact Ashley or the service team for assistance.

Adhering to these procedures ensures smooth operations and safety for all involved.

 The following areas have specific guidelines:  Departure times. No later than. 

  1. Logan Area
    1. 10pm
  2. St. George Area
    1. 7pm
  3. Moab Area
    1. 7pm
  4. Vernal Area
    1. 8pm 

If a bus is unable to leave by the designated time, students, leaders, and school bus driver will have to spend the night and return home next day.

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Access to Server/Networking Rooms

Prior to spring break, we had some individuals who were not district employees try to access a server/networking room at Washington Elementary.  We have had this occur in the past at Rose Park Elementary as well. 

The only persons who are authorized to access a server/networking room in the district office or school building are the individuals listed on these websites:

https://www.slcschools.org/departments/information-technology

https://www.slcschools.org/departments/technical-services

If the individual requesting access is not pictured on these websites, they must be accompanied by an individual whose picture is on these websites.  Otherwise, no one should be permitted access to the server/networking rooms.  If someone not listed on these websites tries to access one of these rooms, please contact Sam Quantz.

Thank you,

Sam Quantz 

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Dear Team,

As we approach the summer months, we want to share some important information about our summer work schedule. During this period, our workweek will shift to four 10-hour days. This schedule provides a great opportunity for extended weekends while maintaining productivity.

Please keep in mind that if you need to take time off, PTO must be used for any hours not worked. Working only five hours in a day will not be considered a full workday. If you need to adjust your schedule, please coordinate with your supervisor to ensure coverage and compliance with our policy.

We appreciate your dedication and commitment, and we hope this schedule allows you to enjoy a bit more flexibility during the summer months. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Thank you for all that you do!

Published on

Dear Team,

I hope this message finds you well. As we work together to ensure the smooth operation and continued improvement of our school system, I would like to remind everyone of the importance of adhering to the proper leadership channels when corresponding on district matters.

Lines of Authority and Responsibility
The lines of direct authority are those approved by the Board of Education and are reflected in our district organization charts. These lines represent not only a clear direction of authority and responsibility but also serve as important pathways for communication and collaboration within the district. By following these established structures, we ensure that all staff members are informed and that matters are addressed at the appropriate levels.

Referral of Matters
When an issue or matter requires administrative action, personnel should refer it to the administrator to whom they are directly responsible. If needed, the matter can then be referred to the next higher administrator. It is essential that all personnel keep their immediate administrator informed of their activities, as transparency and communication help us maintain a cohesive and efficient district.

Complaint Resolution Process
It is also important to note that School Board Policy G-18 outlines how we resolve complaints here in SLCSD.  This ensures that all staff members have access to a fair process in case they wish to challenge a decision, while also respecting the established leadership channels. The district highly encourages individuals to try to resolve their concerns at the lowest level. To that end, the district suggests that the individual making a complaint discuss the relevant issues with the person about whom s/he is complaining if the complainant feels s/he cannot approach the person with whom s/he has a concern, s/he can fill out the G-18: Complaint Resolution Request Form and submit it to Respondent’s supervisor.

Two-Way Flow of Communication
While the lines of authority represent direction, they also serve as avenues for the two-way flow of ideas and feedback. Collaboration and open communication are key to continuously improving the programs and operations of our school system. I encourage everyone to use these channels not only to report issues but also to share ideas and suggestions that can benefit our students and staff.

Thank you for your continued dedication to maintaining clear and respectful communication, and for your commitment to supporting the success of our students and schools. Together, we can ensure that our leadership processes function smoothly and that we work collaboratively toward our shared goals.

If you would like a refresher for which area director is responsible for which school, it can be found here.

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