School Land Trust

Trust Lands and Funds

In 1894, before Utah became a state, Congress created a land trust, including one-ninth of the land of the state, to support our public schools. Other trusts were created, including a trust for a school for the deaf and a trust for a school for the blind. The lands are managed by the School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration (SITLA). All net revenue from the granted land is saved in the permanent fund. The School and Institutional Trust Fund Office invests the funds in a diversified portfolio. A formula in Utah code determines the annual distribution to the beneficiaries of each trust.

School LAND Trust Program

The annual distribution from the public school trust providing funds for the School Land Trust Program. Councils at each public school determine how the funds will be spent to improve academic success for their students. District schools elect a school community council consisting of parents, teachers, and the principal. The School for the Deaf and Blind (USDB) uses the Advisory Council as its School Community Council. Councils review student data and determine how they can best address the academic needs of their students with the funds. Plans to address the academic needs are prepared and approved by the local school board. The State Board of Education approves the plan for the Schools for the Deaf and Blind. Funds are distributed before the school year begins for schools with approved plans

School for the Deaf and School for the Blind Enrichment Funds

The annual distribution from the School for the Deaf funds programs and support services for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. The School for the Blind's trust funds programs support for blind and visually impaired students. Utah code has directed that the funds are ‘Enrichment Funds’ and the Advisory Council makes recommendations to the State Board of Education on how the Enrichment Funds are to be spent.