Utah Schools Secure Record $111 Million in Land Trust Funds
SALT LAKE CITY — The Trust Lands Administration has allocated a historic sum of $111 million for Utah schools for the 2025-2026 academic year. This unprecedented funding is designed to enhance educational outcomes and support technological advancements across the state’s public and charter schools.
These funds are generated through revenues from trust lands granted to Utah with the specific purpose of bolstering public education. The School LAND Trust Program distributes the funds based on a per pupil basis, tailored to meet the academic needs identified by the respective schools’ School Community Councils. This collaborative body comprises parents, teachers, and school principals who make decisions about fund allocation.
The impact of this funding is significant, as it supports over 647,000 students across 1,019 schools in Utah. The funds facilitate various initiatives, including reducing class sizes, improving access to technology, providing professional development for educators, and implementing early intervention programs for students in need.
Community Involvement and Educational Improvement
Salt Lake City School District Superintendent Elizabeth Grant emphasized the importance of parental involvement in these councils. “Parent involvement is critical to our school community councils. That is where they have a voice on how we spend [School LAND Trust] funding to better serve our kids,” she stated. Superintendent Grant believes that effective education relies on collaboration among teachers, administrators, and families.
On Tuesday, Superintendent Grant, alongside Dr. Molly Hart, the Utah State Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Marlo Oaks, Utah State Treasurer, visited schools to observe how the trust funds are being utilized. Their tour highlighted the ongoing commitment to enhancing educational resources throughout the state.
One notable example of the funds at work is at Whittier Elementary School in Salt Lake City. There, the allocated funds are directed towards early intervention programs aimed at Kindergarten to 2nd-grade students. Principal Dr. Vanessa Jordan remarked, “It is so important that students access early literacy intervention. We know that early intervention in reading allows students entry to the skills needed to have choice and agency in their lives with careers and continued access to engaging curriculum.”
The Utah State Board of Education reports that the average funding from the School LAND Trust Program equates to approximately $166 per student across the state. These funds are a vital resource for schools striving to provide quality education and support for their students.
For further details about the School LAND Trust Program and its initiatives, more information is available through the relevant educational channels in Utah.
