School Learning and Nurturing Development (LAND) Trust Program

Overview

The School LAND Trust program brings tens of millions of dollars annually to meet critical academic needs and enhance and improve academic excellence in Utah public schools. The funds are generated from the earnings on the permanent State School Fund, where revenue from school trust lands is invested. The funds are discretionary for academic instruction and play a vital role in student success.

Each district school in Utah elects a School Community Council (SCC) consisting of parents, teachers, and the principal. Charter Schools have Trust Lands Councils. All councils must have a two-parent member majority.

Each council identifies the focus of the School LAND Trust plan by carefully reviewing school-wide assessment data annually. Plans are developed to improve student academic performance in the identified areas with the annual School LAND Trust program funds. The plans are approved by the council, submitted on this website, and approved by the local school board or chartering entity.

School LAND Trust Program 2019-2020

Utah Leading through Effective, Actionable and Dynamic (ULEAD) Education
Utah State Board of Education

Note: ULEAD provides resources, clearinghouses and ideas to help implement data-driven and research-based programs and interventions for councils to consider.

Appropriate Expenditures

The requirements of the School LAND Trust Program have changed over time as distributions have increased and emerging student needs are identified. We have provided the current Utah State Code and State Board Rule defining appropriate expenditures with funds from the School LAND Trust program. All expenditure discussions should begin by defining a school’s most critical academic need by reviewing school-wide assessment data. The council then makes a goal for measurable student improvement and makes plans to expend funds on allowable research-based programs and interventions to meet the goal.

The School LAND Trust plan must be consistent with the school’s Teacher and Student Success Act Plan. Positive behavioral interventions are no longer limited to $7,000 and must be directly tied to measurable academic goals.

Councils should begin by evaluating student success, and create measurable goals for academic improvement in:

  • English/Language Arts
  • Mathematics
  • Science and
  • Other Local Education Agency (LEA) governing board priorities.

In addition, High Schools can create goals to increase graduation rates and promote college and career readiness.

Governance

School LAND Trust Program - Appropriate Expenditures

Funding Formula

Funding Determination Formula

Charter Schools:

  • Receive a base plus the statewide per pupil average for the students in the school.
  • The base amount is .04% of the total distribution, and provides a basic level of support for schools with smaller enrollments.

District Schools:

  • The first 10% is divided equally between the school districts.
  • The remaining 90% is divided strictly per pupil.
  • For each district the 10% and the total per pupil amount is added together for the district total.
  • The district total is divided by the district student count to determine the district per pupil amount.
  • Each school receives the district per pupil amount based on enrollment.
  • The formula advantages small districts and schools where the 10% is spread across a smaller population.

How to Amend a Plan

Councils are encouraged to regularly review current school plans in comparison to the approved budget to ensure the plan is being implemented as approved. When councils see that the plan will not be implemented as approved, or that budgets will not be spent as planned, the council should consider amending the plan. This will make goals more achievable, ensure that students are having their academic needs met, and prevent excessive carryover from one year to the next.

Steps to Amend a Current School LAND Trust Plan