NOTICE OF SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE
1. Agency Information
Education, Administration
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-4200
2. Contact Persons
Elisse.newey@schools.utah.gov
Please address questions regarding information on this notice to the persons listed above.
3. General Information
A. Rule or section catchline:
R277-917. Gold Medal Schools Pilot Program
B. Purpose of the new rule or reason for the change:
This new rule is created as a result of HB 36 passed during the 2026 General Session.
C. Summary of the new rule or change:
This rule establishes procedures and requirements for the administration of the Gold Medal Schools Pilot Program, including eligibility, application, selection, funding, and reporting.
This new rule establishes definitions consistent with statute, creates an application and selection process for eligible schools, establishes criteria for participation and for earning a gold medal recognition award, defines allowable uses and distribution of program funds including administrative cost limitations, establishes reporting, monitoring, and accountability requirements for participating schools, and specifies that program implementation is contingent upon the receipt of sufficient federal funding by the Department of Health and Human Services.
4. Legislative Action Information
A. Are any changes in this filing
because of state legislative action?
Changes are because of legislative action.
B. If yes, any bill number and
session:
HB 36 (2026 General Session)
5. Fiscal Information
Provide an estimate and written explanation of the aggregate anticipated cost or savings to:
This new rule is not expected to have fiscal impact on state government revenues or expenditures.
This new rule is created due to the passage of HB 36 (2026).
The Utah State Board of Education (USBE) believes any fiscal impacts were captured in the fiscal note to HB 36 (2026).
This rule change is not expected to have fiscal impact on local governments' revenues or expenditures.
This new rule is created due to the passage of HB 36 (2026).
The USBE believes any fiscal impacts were captured in the fiscal note to HB 36 (2026).
C. Small businesses ("small business" means a business employing 1-49 persons):
This rule change is not expected to have fiscal impact on small businesses' revenues or expenditures.
This new rule is created due to the passage of HB 36 (2026).
The USBE believes any fiscal impacts were captured in the fiscal note to HB 36 (2026).
D. Non-small businesses ("non-small business" means a business employing 50 or more persons):
There are no non-small businesses in the industry in question, Elementary and Secondary Schools (North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 611110). Because there are no non-small businesses, they do not account for any service delivery for Elementary and Secondary Schools. Therefore, non-small businesses are not expected to receive increased or decreased revenues per year. This proposed rule change is not expected to have any fiscal impact on non-small businesses' revenues or expenditures because there are no applicable non-small businesses, and it does not require any expenditures of, or generate revenue for non-small businesses.
E. Persons other than small businesses, non-small businesses, state, or local government entities ("person" means any individual, partnership, corporation, association, governmental entity, or public or private organization of any character other than an agency):
This rule change is not expected to have fiscal impact on revenues or expenditures for persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local government entities.
This new rule is created due to the passage of HB 36 (2026).
The USBE believes any fiscal impacts were captured in the fiscal note to HB 36 (2026).
F. Compliance costs for affected persons:
There are no compliance costs for affected persons.
This new rule is created due to the passage of HB 36 (2026).
The USBE believes any fiscal impacts were captured in the fiscal note to HB 36 (2026).
6. Regulatory Impact Summary Table
Enter the cost or savings in the relevant cell. If there is no cost or savings, enter, "$0." If a cost or savings is inestimable, enter, "inestimable."
7. Regulatory Impact Analysis Approval
The State Superintendent of the Utah State Board of Education, Molly Hart, has reviewed and approved this regulatory impact analysis.
8. Family Impact Information
A. The agency has considered this rule's impact on family health, stability, and formation:
9. Citation Information
Provide citations to the statutory authority for the rule. If there is also a federal requirement for the rule, provide a citation to that requirement:
Utah Constitution, Article X, Section 3
11. Public Notice Information
The public may submit written or oral comments to the agency identified in box 1.
A. Comments will be accepted until:
12. Effective Date Information
This rule change MAY become effective on:
(NOTE: This is the date the agency anticipates making the filing effective. It is NOT the effective date)
13. Agency Authorization Information
Agency head or
designee and title:
Elisse Newey, Deputy Superintendent of Policy
R277. Education, Administration.
R277-917 . Gold Medal Schools Pilot Program. R277-917-1. Authority and Purpose. (1) This rule is authorized by: (a) Utah Constitution Article X, Section 3, which vests general control and supervision over public education in the Board; (b) Subsection 53E-3-401(4), which authorizes the Board to make rules to execute the Board's duties and responsibilities; (c) Subsection 53F-5-224(3), which directs the Board to make rules to administer the Gold Medal Schools Pilot Program; and (d) Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act. (2)(a) The purpose of this rule is to establish standards and procedures for the administration of the Gold Medal Schools Pilot Program. (b) The standards in this rule apply to an eligible school seeking to participate in or receiving funding under the program. (1) "Eligible school" means a district or charter elementary school that: (a) provides instruction to students in kindergarten or grade 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6; (i) is located in a county of the third, fourth, fifth, or sixth class as described in Section 17-60-104. (2) "Gold medal recognition award" means recognition through a certificate the state board awards to an eligible school that meets the physical education criteria the state board establishes as described in Section 53F-5-224. (3) "Participating school" means an eligible school selected by the Board to participate in the program. (4) "Physical education criteria" means measurable Core Standards established by the Board. (5) "Program" means the Gold Medal Schools Pilot Program established in Section 53F-5-224. R277-917-3. Program Administration and General Requirements. (1) The Board shall administer the program in accordance with Section 53F-5-224 and this rule. (2) In accordance with Subsection 53F-5-224(3), implementation of the program is contingent upon the Department of Health and Human Services receiving federal funding sufficient to support the program. (3) The Superintendent shall: (a) develop and publish application procedures, timelines, and evaluation criteria; (b) create an application process; (c) establish funding distribution and allowable use requirements; and (d) adopt procedures to monitor program implementation and outcomes. R277-917-4. Application Requirements and Selection Criteria. (1) An eligible school seeking participation shall submit an application in a form approved by the Superintendent. (2) An application shall include: (a) a detailed implementation plan in alignment with the Rural Health Transformation Program describing how the school will: (i) increase student physical activity and fitness assessments; (ii) improve student nutrition education; and (iii) implement a local school wellness policy focusing on the areas of physical fitness and nutrition; (b) measurable, time-bound goals aligned with the purposes of the program; (c) evidence-based strategies supporting the proposed goals; (d) baseline data related to student health or wellness indicators, if available and as determined by the Board; (e) a plan for family engagement within the program goals; and (f) a description of partnerships with local entities, including health organizations, community groups, or local governments, if applicable. (3) The Superintendent may prioritize an eligible school that: (a) is located in a community with limited access to health or wellness resources; or (b) demonstrates a higher prevalence of risk factors related to student health. R277-917-5. Physical Education Criteria and Gold Medal Recognition. (1) The Board shall establish physical education criteria that require a participating school to demonstrate implementation of: (a) regular opportunities for student physical activity throughout the school day; (b) resources for encouraging physical activity at home; (c) standards-based physical education instruction; (d) nutrition education or programs promoting healthy eating habits; and (e) school policies or practices that support student nutritional health and physical activity. 
