Internal Audit

Emergency Concerns:

• SafeUT Crisis Hotline (833) 372-3388 (safeut.org)
• Local Law Enforcement
• Division of Child and Family Services (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; many times, 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 the schools they operate comply with all federal and state rules and regulations, addressing parental and stakeholder concerns, establishing student conduct and discipline policies, 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. 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).
3. Send an email to audit@schools.utah.gov. (For security purposes, size and content restrictions may apply.)
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
5. Schedule an appointment to share your concern in person by emailing audit@schools.utah.gov.

To expedite a preliminary analysis of reported items, when you report a concern please provide as much information and documentation as possible. This could include:

• Your name, e-mail, and phone number (reports of concerns may be anonymous to the extent allowed by law)
• 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
• The location and date where the concern occurred
• Additional information such as: other witnesses, supporting documents, evidence, etc.

For each concern received the Internal Audit Department will conduct a preliminary analysis as directed by R277-123. The analysis includes consideration of relevant laws and rules, and entities with authority to review the concern and take necessary action. This means a concern may be referred to one or more entity; if referred, consideration of the concern will be according to the policies and procedures of that entity.

Please be aware that we are required to refer concerns related to alleged child abuse/neglect to DCFS or law enforcement (see Utah Code 80-2-602 (1)); and concerns related to violations of R277-217 Educator Standards, or Utah law, to UPPAC and the related LEA (see R277-211-2(5)(a)).

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). 
  
  

Protection for Individuals Reporting Concerns?

The USBE and the Internal Audit Department are committed to protecting individuals who report concerns. As requested, and to the extent allowed by law, we maintain the confidentiality of anyone providing information. Utah law prohibits discharging, threatening, or otherwise bringing a personal action against an employee who reports a violation of law or waste of public funds, property, or manpower unless the employee knows the report is malicious, false, or frivolous. Please see the Utah State Legislature Title 63G-2-305: Protected Records Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA) concerning protected information, including information for audit purposes, and Title 67-21: Utah Protection of Public Employees Act concerning the whistleblower protections.

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.