Utah schools receive over $100 million in land trust funds

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — The Trust Lands Administration (TLA) designated $111 million for Utah schools for 2025-2026. This record-breaking amount reportedly supports technological developments and improving educational outcomes.

According to the Land Trusts Administration, $111 million was distributed to public and charter schools across the state for the upcoming school year. These funds are part of the School LAND Trust Program, and they are raised through revenue from trust lands granted to Utah in order to support public education.

Reportedly, these funds support over 647,000 students and 1,019 schools in Utah. They support multiple initiatives, including reducing class sizes, enhancing access to technology, providing professional development, and delivering early intervention programs for struggling students.

The funds are distributed based on a per pupil basis and based on academic need at different schools, as determined by the School Community Council. The School Community Council is determined by parents, teachers, and each school principal.

Salt Lake City School District Superintendent Elizabeth Grant said, “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. School Community Councils show that education works best when it’s a collaboration between teachers, administrators and families.”

Superintendent Grant joined Dr. Molly Hart, the Utah State Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Marlo Oaks, Utah State Treasurer, on Tuesday to see how those trust funds are actively being used in Utah schools.

Courtesy: Land Trusts Protection & Advocacy Office

Whittier Elementary School, in Salt Lake City, Utah, is one school using LAND trust funds. Their allocated funds are going to help support early intervention programs for Kindergarteners, 1st graders, and 2nd graders.

“It is so important that students access early literacy intervention,” said Whittier Elementary principal, Dr. Vanessa Jordan. “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.”

According to the Utah State Board of Education, the funds average out to about $166 per student across the state. More information on the School LAND Trust Program can be found here.