Merit-pay plans OK'd for districts, schools

Several Utah school districts and charter schools are a step closer to receiving one-time funding for teacher merit pay.

The State Board of Education on Friday approved performance-based compensation plans for two school districts and five charter schools.

The board also gave provisional approval to two charter schools pending approval of their local school boards.

In June, the board approved 79 of 88 submitted plans. It deemed the plans of eight districts and charter schools too vague and asked for them to be rewritten. One school, Monticello Academy, had an acceptable plan but was accidentally left out of the vote.

On Friday, the board approved plans for Kane and Weber School districts, Monticello Academy, Legacy Preparatory Academy, Noah Webster Academy, Providence Hall, Venture Academy, Odyssey Charter School and Paradigm High School.

The Legislature earmarked $20 million last spring in one-time funding for the compensation plans. The money will be doled out according to enrollment.