Gov. Spencer Cox visits Manti Elementary for special bill signing
MANTI—Gov. Spencer Cox visited Manti Elementary School on Monday for a ceremony where House Bill 396, a measure earmarking $16 million in ongoing funding for rural schools across Utah, was signed into law.
The governor said he chose Manti as the site for signing the measure because the bill is vital for smaller districts that operate on limited local tax bases.
Standing before a group of enthusiastic students, Cox recalled his upbringing in Fairview and the family roots he has in nearby Manti.
“My ancestors settled here,” he said, “and this area feels like home to us. Rural schools hold a special place in my heart.”
During the visit, Cox chatted with students about the importance of reading, sharing that he is currently studying texts about the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and a book on Abraham Lincoln called “Team of Rivals.”
“Promise me you’ll keep reading,” he told the students. “It’s incredibly important.”
Cox noted that the Legislature passed 582 bills this year and that he has only 20 days to sign or veto. He explained why House Bill 396 rose to the top of his agenda: It addresses what he believes is a “longstanding challenge” for rural schools.
“It’s easier in the big cities, where you have more businesses and tax revenue,” he said. “Sometimes, we need a little help in communities like this, and that’s what this bill is about.”
Rep. Karen M. Peterson, R-Davis County, the legislation sponsor, shared her ties to Manti as well. She noted her father attended Manti Elementary, Ephraim Junior High and Manti High. She spoke about how important individual teachers were to his formative years—a sentiment that informed her work on House Bill 396.
“To hire good teachers, principals, school counselors, bus drivers, custodians and everyone else who makes schools run smoothly, you need stable, reliable funding,” Peterson said. “It can’t just come in bits and pieces. This bill commits resources now and in the future, so every student in every corner of Utah has educators who truly understand them.”
House Bill 396 establishes a new formula for “necessarily existent small schools,” adjusting funding to reflect the relatively higher costs of functioning in less-populated regions. Once the bill takes effect on July 1, it will secure $16 million for rural districts beyond regular funding.
“The superintendents in our rural districts were the driving force,” Peterson said. “They brought us clear data, real stories and persuasive testimony about the urgent need to strengthen these schools. Their leadership pushed this bill forward.”
After brief remarks, Cox sat down to sign both the official enrolled copy of the bill and multiple ceremonial copies.
“We often do ceremonial signings later on,” Cox said, “but this one is too important to wait. Our rural communities deserve to see, in real time, that they have the support of state leaders.”
Before concluding the event, Peterson underscored the importance of financial decision-making at the district level. “Our local administrators know best what they need,” she said. “They’ll be able to use this funding to hire the teachers, counselors and other professionals who will make a difference for students right now and for the next generation.”