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Category: Superintendent

Published on

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 PointWho to contact if you have questions about accuracy or need additional clarity
Academic PerformanceDr. Patrick Jefferies, Supervisor, Data & Assessment or Dr. Christine Marriott, Director of Title I and School Improvement
Behavior TrendsDr. Allison Martin, Director of SEL & Preventive Services
Enrollment PatternsSam Quartz, Chief Information Officer
Staffing RatiosLogan Hall, Executive Director, Human Resources or his designee
Facility NeedsIsaac 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):

FactorWeightDescription
Student Enrollment and Demographics25 pointsProportion of high-need students (e.g., FRL, ELL, SPED)
Academic & Behavioral Data20 pointsEvidence of gaps in achievement, chronic absenteeism, or behavior challenges
Access Impact20 pointsDegree to which resource addresses disparities or underserved student groups
Alignment with Strategic Goals15 pointsHow well the request aligns with district/school improvement priorities
Stakeholder Engagement10 pointsInvolvement of parents, staff, and community in needs assessment and planning
Feasibility & Sustainability10 pointsPracticality 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

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.

Published on

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.

Published on

Dear Team, 

I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to take a moment to highlight our district’s strong commitment to afterschool programming, which is pivotal in supporting the academic, social, and emotional development of our students. 

Afterschool programs offer students the chance to explore interests outside the classroom, engage in enrichment activities, and receive academic support in a safe, structured environment. These programs are vital in creating a sense of belonging, improving academic outcomes, and developing life skills that benefit students well beyond the school day. 

In our district, school administrators play a key role in supervising afterschool programs. Their involvement helps create a secure and nurturing environment for students, strengthening their connections with staff outside of regular school hours. This approach elevates the quality of our afterschool programs and promotes stronger collaboration between classroom learning and extended opportunities for growth. 

At the Salt Lake City School District, we are fully committed to ensuring our afterschool programs: 

  • Remain accessible to all students, regardless of background or circumstances. 
  • Have ample space across all sites. 
  • Offer a variety of activities that meet the diverse interests and needs of our students. 
  • Provide academic support and enrichment that aligns with our instructional goals. 
  • Inspire student engagement, creativity, and personal growth. 

We encourage all staff to actively support and promote these programs, whether through direct involvement, communicating with families, or helping students access these valuable opportunities. Your contributions are critical in ensuring the ongoing success and positive impact of afterschool programming throughout our district. 

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or suggestions on how we can further enhance our afterschool initiatives. 

Thank you for your continued dedication to our students and for helping ensure the success of the Salt Lake City School District. 

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