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Participate in the Process

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Many citizens don't realize how easy it is to participate in the process and make a difference in our education system.

Many venues are available for citizen participation at every level in our education system.  Use the links below or scroll down to learn more.

In this section...
	Find a Public Meeting				District Level
	>	Utah Public Meetings Website			>	Local School Board
	Volunteer				School Level
	>	Become a Delegate			>	School Community Councils
	State Level
	>	The State Legislature
	>	Utah State Board of Education

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Utah Public Meetings Website

It's been said that 80% of success is showing up. The Utah Public Meeting Notice website allows you to do just that.

Created by the state, the website lists every public meeting being held by any government entity in the state, from local school boards to state agencies.  You can search for meetings by entity, keywords, or dates.

• Look up a public meeting>>

Become a Delegate

Utah's political candidates and party officers are chosen by volunteer delegates.  It's easy to become a delegate and only requires a few hours of your time over a one year period.  And yet, as a delegate, you'll have a major influence on Utah's political landscape.

• WHAT DO DELEGATES DO?
  Delegates choose the candidates and officers for Utah's political parties.  County delegates attend a convention in even-numbered years to choose their party's candidates for political positions within their county's boundaries (state legislators, county council, etc).  They also meet in a convention in odd-numbered years to vote on their county party's officers (county chair, county vice-chair, etc).  State delegates meet on a similar convention schedule except that they vote on their party's candidates for statewide political positions (governor, U.S. Senator, etc.) as well as their state party's officers (state chair, state vice-chair, etc).

In some cases, candidates for the State Legislature will be chosen by as few as 30 delegates.  This gives delegates a lot of influence on who will represent their district in the Legislature where important K-12 policy is created.

• HOW ARE DELEGATES CHOSEN?
  Voters gather according to party in neighborhood meetings called "Caucuses" to elect their precinct's state and county delegates. These meetings are all held in even-numbered years on the same evening in March (In 2008, party caucuses were held on March 25).  The meetings are usually hosted at a local school or in one of your neighbor's homes.  Attendance varies from 2 people to over 100 depending on your neighborhood (Most caucuses have about 25 people). 
  
  Whether you decide to run as a delegate or note, you should be sure to attend your precinct's caucus to make sure your voice is heard.

To learn more about being delegate, contact your county or state party.

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The State Legislature

Some of the most important decisions affecting our education system are made by the Utah State Legislature, the highest law-making authority in the state.

• @ the Legislature>> Use this page to find out what's going on at the Legislature and how you can easily be engaged.

The State Legislature has created an award-winning website to let citizens easily be involved in the legislative process. Use the links below to learn more:

• A Citizen's Guide to the Legislature>>  This is an online resource that explains and links you to everything you'll need to get involved in the legislative process.
• Contact/Find Your Legislators>>
• Participate in Legislative Elections - Both of these sites are hosted by the Utah Elections Office to inform voters about election issues.
  • Utah Elections Office>>
  • Vote: Leave Your Print>>

• Visit the State Legislature Website>>
  

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Utah State Board of Education

The Utah State Board of Education is composed of 15 elected members who oversee Utah's public education system under the laws passed by the State Legislature. The Utah State Board of Education creates rules that public schools and programs must abide by.

Use the links below to learn how you can easily participate in the process at the Utah State Board of Education.

• Watch or Attend a Board Meeting>>
• Look Up Rules proposed or passed by the Board>>
• Contact/Find Your Board Member>>
• Participate in Board Elections - Both of these sites are hosted by the Utah Elections Office to inform voters about election issues.
  • Utah Elections Office>>
  • Vote: Leave Your Print>>

• Visit the Utah State Board of Education's website>>

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Local School Boards

Local school boards are composed of 5 to 7 elected members who oversee a public school district and make key decisions affecting how the public schools in their district are run.

Use the links below to learn how you can easily participate in the process at the school district level.

• Attend a Board Meeting - Local school boards meet regularly throughout the year.  At most of these meetings, time is allotted for citizens to provide input or address concerns.  To find when your local school board meets, contact the school district or visit their website.
  • Find your school board's contact info/website>>
• Find out who your school board member is:
  
  • Contact your County Clerk's office>>

• Visit the websites of Local School Boards>>

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School Community Councils

Every public school in Utah has a School Community Council formed of parents and school employees.  The School Community Council acts as a liaison between parents and the school, and develops plans for improving the school using funds from the School LAND Trust Plan (the amount varies but is usually  between $20,000 and $50,000 per year).

• Learn how you can participate in your School's Community Council>> 

• Find contact info and statistics for local schools>>