9-22-104.  STEM Action Center Board — Duties.

(1)  The STEM board shall:

Terms Used In Utah Code 9-22-104

  • Advice and consent: Under the Constitution, presidential nominations for executive and judicial posts take effect only when confirmed by the Senate, and international treaties become effective only when the Senate approves them by a two-thirds vote.
  • Amendment: A proposal to alter the text of a pending bill or other measure by striking out some of it, by inserting new language, or both. Before an amendment becomes part of the measure, thelegislature must agree to it.
  • Director: means the director appointed by the STEM board to oversee the administration of the STEM Action Center. See Utah Code 9-22-102
  • Foundation: means a foundation established as described in Subsections 9-22-104(3) and (4). See Utah Code 9-22-102
  • High quality professional development: means professional development that meets high quality standards developed by the State Board of Education. See Utah Code 9-22-102
  • Liabilities: The aggregate of all debts and other legal obligations of a particular person or legal entity.
  • Process: means a writ or summons issued in the course of a judicial proceeding. See Utah Code 68-3-12.5
  • State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes a state, district, or territory of the United States. See Utah Code 68-3-12.5
  • STEM: means science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. See Utah Code 9-22-102
  • STEM Action Center: means the center described in Section 9-22-106. See Utah Code 9-22-102
  • STEM board: means the STEM Action Center Board created in Section 9-22-103. See Utah Code 9-22-102
(a)  establish a STEM Action Center to:

(i)  coordinate STEM activities in the state among the following stakeholders:

(A)  the State Board of Education;

(B)  school districts and charter schools;

(C)  the Utah Board of Higher Education;

(D)  institutions of higher education;

(E)  parents of home-schooled students;

(F)  other state agencies; and

(G)  business and industry representatives;

(ii)  align public education STEM activities with higher education STEM activities; and

(iii)  create and coordinate best practices among public education and higher education;

(b)  with the advice and consent of the Senate, appoint a director to oversee the administration of the STEM Action Center;

(c)  select a physical location for the STEM Action Center;

(d)  strategically engage industry and business entities to cooperate with the STEM board:

(i)  to support high quality professional development and provide other assistance for educators and students; and

(ii)  to provide private funding and support for the STEM Action Center;

(e)  give direction to the STEM Action Center and the providers selected through a request for proposals process pursuant to this part; and

(f)  work to meet the following expectations:

(i)  that at least 50 educators are implementing best practice learning tools in classrooms;

(ii)  performance change in student achievement in each classroom participating in a STEM Action Center project; and

(iii)  that students from at least 50 schools in the state participate in the STEM competitions, fairs, and camps described in Subsection 9-22-106(2)(d).

(2)  The STEM board may:

(a)  enter into contracts for the purposes of this part;

(b)  apply for, receive, and disburse funds, contributions, or grants from any source for the purposes set forth in this part;

(c)  employ, compensate, and prescribe the duties and powers of individuals necessary to execute the duties and powers of the STEM board;

(d)  prescribe the duties and powers of the STEM Action Center providers; and

(e)  in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, make rules to administer this part.

(3)  The STEM board may establish a foundation to assist in:

(a)  the development and implementation of the programs authorized under this part to promote STEM education; and

(b)  implementation of other STEM education objectives described in this part.

(4)  A foundation established by the STEM board under Subsection (3):

(a)  may solicit and receive contributions from a private organization for STEM education objectives described in this part;

(b)  shall comply with the requirements described in Section 9-22-105;

(c)  does not have power or authority to incur contractual obligations or liabilities that constitute a claim against public funds;

(d)  may not exercise executive or administrative authority over the programs or other activities described in this part, except to the extent specifically authorized by the STEM board;

(e)  shall provide the STEM board with information detailing transactions and balances associated with the foundation; and

(f)  may not:

(i)  engage in lobbying activities;

(ii)  attempt to influence legislation; or

(iii)  participate in any campaign activity for or against:

(A)  a political candidate; or

(B)  an initiative, referendum, proposed constitutional amendment, bond, or any other ballot proposition submitted to the voters.

Amended by Chapter 352, 2020 General Session
Amended by Chapter 365, 2020 General Session

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