Internal Audit

Emergency Concerns

• Local Law Enforcement - Immediate threats or emergencies should be reported to local law enforcement or call 911.
• SafeUT Crisis Hotline  - This is a 24/7 crisis hotline designed to provide immediate support for mental health issues and to report tips about potential threats or other concerns.
  • (833) 372-3388
  • safeut.org
• Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS)/Child Protective Services (CPS) - Allegations of alleged abuse or neglect involving a child should immediately be reported to DCFS/CPS or local law enforcement.
  • (855) 323-3237
  • dcfs.utah.gov

Non-emergency Concerns

Please be aware that public education is governed both at the state and local levels (see additional information below), so it is important to try and identify who has authority in the area where you have a question or a concern. Concerns may include non-compliance with regulations, policies or rules; fraud, waste, abuse or unethical behavior; and misuse of assets, funds, or resources. The document below will help you identify options when you have a concern; in most cases the best option is to Start Local.

 

 

 

Utah Schools Directory Includes public (district and charter) and private schools.

Governance of Public Education

The Utah State Board of Education’s (USBE’s) governance of public education is of the public education system as a whole and is not necessarily hierarchical, meaning “[t]he state board may not govern, manage, or operate school districts, institutions, and programs, unless granted that authority by statute” (see Utah Code 53E-3-401(3)). Governance includes, but is not limited to, educator licensing and misconduct, establishing core standards, special education dispute resolution, distribution of appropriated funds to LEAs and other entities, providing technical assistance, and monitoring financial and program performance. 

Local Education Agency (LEA) Boards (i.e., school district and charter schools) governance is specific to the district or charter and the board is responsible for “control and management” (see 53G-4-402(17)(a)). Governance includes, but is not limited to:

• Authority and control over all human resource functions,
• Ensuring compliance with all federal and state rules and regulations,
• Addressing parental and stakeholder concerns,
• Establishing student conduct and discipline policies,
• Managing day-to-day operations, and
• Selecting instructional materials meeting core standards.
  
  

Reporting a Concern

Start Local: As applicable, contact the teacher, principal/school director, district or charter administration, or district or charter governing boards.

If your concern is not a local concern or not resolved locally, and you would like to report the concern please contact the Internal Audit Department in one of the following ways:

1. Fill out the Report a Concern Form (hosted by Qualtrics) by clicking the button below:
   Report a Concern Form
2. Send an email to audit@schools.utah.gov. (For security purposes, size and content restrictions may apply.)
3. Call the dedicated phone number (801) 538-7813 (if we do not answer, please leave a message and we will return your call within 3 business days or as soon as possible depending on hotline volume).
4. Mail a concern to:
   Utah State Board of Education
   Internal Audit Department
   Attention: Debbie Davis
   PO Box 144200
   Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-4200

Using the Report a Concern Form or sending an email directly to the audit@schools.utah.gov email is the most efficient way for the Internal Audit Department to review your concerns. To ensure a timely review please provide as much information and documentation as possible, including:

• A detailed description of the concern, including any relevant laws, regulations, policies, programs, etc., and if applicable, the source of the funds involved (e.g. federal, state, other)
• The names and titles of the:
  • individuals involved with the concern, and
  • individuals the concerns have already been reported to, along with any responses.
• The location and date where the concern occurred
• Additional information (e.g., emails, text messages, recordings, documents, other witnesses)

For each concern received, the Internal Audit Department conducts a high-level screening under R277-123 to consider the individual or entity best situated to review the concern and take necessary action. Because education is governed at the federal, state, and local level, the Internal Audit Department then makes appropriate referrals or provides potential resources depending on the nature of the concerns and authority or jurisdiction of those involved. Often times, this includes a referral to the local education agency given Utah law favors local control and governance. 

For concerns regarding Special Education and/or Alleged Educator Misconduct consider the following USBE resources:

• Dispute Resolution
  Special Education Services - Student and Parent Rights
• Reporting Educator Misconduct/Arrests
  Policy, Law, and Professional Practices - Utah Professional Practices Advisory Commission (UPPAC). 
  

Confidentiality Preference

The Internal Audit Department will accommodate preferences for confidentiality to the extent permitted by law. However, please note that the IAD is required to report applicable allegations to:

• DCFS/CPS or law enforcement (see Utah Code 80-2-602(1)),
• Utah Professional Practices Advisory Commission and local leadership of the applicable school district or charter school (see R277-211-2(5)(a)), and
• State board members (R277-123).

If you have specific questions about whistleblower protections or other privacy concerns, you should consult with legal counsel.

Language Assistance

You may, free of charge, request language assistance services for the Public Education Hotline by e-mailing us at audit@schools.utah.gov.