Board approves extension for Salt Lake Center for Science Education (Slickie); lease alignment requested

The Salt Lake City School District board voted to approve an extension of the Salt Lake Center for Science Education (commonly called "Slickie") charter on May 5, and directed staff to ensure the school’s draft lease aligns with the amendment language.

Board member Ashley moved the approval and the board recorded a roll-call yes vote on the action agenda. The board also asked staff to schedule a follow-up consideration for Slickie’s potential request to add grades six through eight; the charter’s request would be placed on an agenda for April 2027 or sooner if board members request it under applicable policy.

During discussion, several board members noted the charter’s history as a district partner and asked that the lease and charter timelines be synchronized so that any lease renewal and charter extension match in duration and flexibility. Allan (district business staff) briefed the finance committee earlier about options for a revenue-neutral lease structure and asked staff to return with recommendations on how the district might protect capital funds while providing public-charter partners reasonable terms.

What’s next: staff will prepare a draft lease aligned to the charter amendment and return to the board for final review; the board retained discretion to consider any future grade-addition request in 2027.