School LAND Trust

The School LAND Trust (LAND stands for Learning And Nurturing Development) program brings tens of millions of dollars annually to academic programs in public schools across Utah. The funds are generated from school trust lands. These funds are the only discretionary funds many schools receive. The program runs entirely from this web site. Each public school in Utah elects a school community council consisting of parents, teachers, and the principal. Charter Schools have Trust Lands Councils. All councils have a two parent member majority. Each council carefully reviews student assessments and progress to decide which academic areas they want to focus on. Plans are developed to improve student academic performance in the identified academic areas with the annual School LAND Trust funds. The plans are approved by the council, submitted on this website, and approved by the local school board or chartering entity.

Average Distributions for the 2015-2016 School Year:

$83,824

Amount an average high school received.

$53,896

Amount an average charter school received.

$98

Amount of the average per-pupil distribution.

Parent Involvement

top view of seven individuals in a meeting

Parents act as the primary advocates for all children.

By working as a group and understanding the legal responsibilities that lie with the principal, parents ensure the representation of various viewpoints and values within the community. Parent engagement is a key element to student achievement and student progress. Parents have at least a two-member majority of a school community council, and are often the driving force. Parents will serve as chair and may serve as vice-chair. It is important that parents on the council understand the responsibilities of the School LAND Trust council, and are able to collaborate well with the other members of the council to effect meaningful school improvement for all children.

School LAND Trust Parent Responsibilities

A Checklist for Parent Members of a School LAND Trust

Understand the roles and responsibilities of School LAND Trust Councils and the importance of participation as an elected parent member. Recognize that the primary responsibility of the School LAND Trust Councils is to improve student academic performance.
Understand how to be elected a member of the School LAND Trust Council to represent the parents of students at the school.
Participate in training about School LAND Trust Council responsibilities, collaboration, student and school assessments, how to participate in preparing and editing school action plans, school trust lands that provide revenue to schools to implement the School LAND Trust Plan, and the law that directs the money to be spent on the greatest academic need
Know where to find additional help and clarification, as needed.
Attend School LAND Trust Council meetings and actively participate.
Serve as an officer on the School LAND Trust Council, or nominate good candidates to fill those roles.
Provide support and encourage ongoing training for newly elected parent members.

Represent the needs of all students at the school and promote goals and activities of school parent groups and families in the school community.
Encourage parent input into School LAND Trust Councils issues and decisions and encourage parent involvement in task forces and sub/committees, including requests made of councils by the local school district.
Collaborate with the School LAND Trust Council and sub-committees and/or task forces, utilizing the skills and expertise each individual can offer, to bring about the best result for the students.
Be well informed and seek answers to questions and concerns before a vote is called for
Encourage the School LAND Trust Council to establish written procedures for parent notifications, elections and other School LAND Trust Council tasks and responsibilities, including rules outlining parliamentary order and procedure, ethical behavior and civil discourse
Celebrate successes towards achieving School LAND Trust Council goals with the parents. Be forthcoming about issues of concern and plans to make improvements. Actively promote school priorities in the community

More Information by School

Each campus has its own School LAND Trust Council with different members and different policies. See each campus's School LAND Trust page to find members, meeting minutes and policies.

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