Iron County Schools to Receive $2.7 Million in School LAND Trust Funds

The Iron County School District is set to receive a substantial boost in funding, with an allocation of $2.7 million from the School LAND Trust for the 2026–27 academic year.

 

This marks an increase of $416,400 compared to the previous year, providing significant resources to enhance educational programs and infrastructure.

 

The increase is part of a statewide distribution totaling a record-breaking $134 million, a 20% rise from last year's $111 million.

 

This growth is attributed to strong financial performance from trust land management and the Permanent School Fund investment portfolio, as well as the first-year impact of Amendment B, which raised the annual distribution cap from 4% to 5%.

 

Without this amendment, schools would have received an estimated $118 million instead of $134 million.

 

For the Iron County School District, the additional funds are earmarked to support academic interventions, reduce class sizes, expand access to technology, and enhance professional development for educators.

 

These allocations are determined based on a per-pupil formula, ensuring equitable distribution across the state.

 

It's important to note that School LAND Trust funds are designed to supplement, not replace, traditional school funding sources.

 

This approach provides flexibility for local decision-making, recognizing that the needs of each school may differ.

 

“Utah students benefit from a trust system that delivers strong results and protects both current and future beneficiaries,” said Treasurer Marlo Oaks, who chairs the SITFO Board.

 

“Careful land management and prudent investment decisions strengthen schools today and preserve the fund for generations to come.”

 

These funds are generated from trust lands granted at statehood to support public education and other state institutions.

 

Revenue from leases, sales, and development is deposited into the Permanent Funds and invested to provide ongoing support.

 

In addition to public schools, other trust beneficiaries, including higher education institutions, are also receiving increased distributions through their respective permanent funds.

 

Since 1994, the combined permanent funds have grown from $50 million to $4.1 billion, underscoring the effectiveness of Utah's trust system in supporting education.

 

“This marks a significant milestone for Utah’s Trust System and the growing impact on all trust beneficiaries,” said Kim Christy, Director of the Land Trusts Protection and Advocacy Office.

 

“The Trust Lands Administration and SITFO are doing great things to uphold trust principles and sustain maximum performance of the trust assets.”

 

The Trust Lands Administration (TLA) manages 3.3 million acres of Trust Lands in Utah, specifically allocated to generate revenue to support designated state institutions, primarily public schools.

 

Land revenue produced by TLA is invested by the School and Institutional Trust Funds Office (SITFO).

 

The School LAND Trust Office at the Utah State Board of Education distributes Trust Funds to K-12 schools, while the Land Trusts Protection and Advocacy Office ensures beneficiary interests are maximized by monitoring Trust Land management and Trust Fund investment and distribution administration.

 

As the Iron County School District prepares to utilize these increased funds, the focus remains on enhancing educational outcomes and providing students with the resources they need to succeed.

 

Community members are encouraged to engage with local school councils to understand how these funds will be allocated and to provide input on future educational initiatives.