In a significant boost for public education funding, Utah schools are set to receive a historic distribution of $134 million from state trust land investments for the 2026-2027 school year. This amount marks a substantial 20% increase from the previous record of $111.3 million allocated for the current academic year. The increase underscores the strong financial performance of trust land management and the Permanent State School Fund’s investment portfolio, as stated by officials from the Utah Land Trusts Protection & Advocacy Office in a news release on September 2, 2025. The rise in funding is attributed to the first year of additional distributions following the approval of Amendment B by Utah voters in 2024. This constitutional amendment increased the annual distribution limit from 4% to 5% of the Permanent State School Fund, an endowment established at the state's inception to support public education. Without this amendment, schools would have received approximately $118 million this year, indicating that the new distribution cap has allowed an additional $16 million to be allocated for educational funding. Kim Christy, director of the Land Trusts Protection and Advocacy Office, emphasized the significance of this milestone, stating, "This marks a significant milestone for Utah’s Trust System and the growing impact on all trust beneficiaries. The Trust Lands Administration and the Utah School & Institutional Trust Funds Office are doing great things to uphold trust principles and sustain maximum performance of the trust assets." Utah Treasurer Marlo Oaks, who chairs the board of the Utah School & Institutional Trust Funds Office, echoed Christy’s sentiments, applauding the record-breaking distribution. He remarked, "Utah students benefit from a trust system that delivers strong results and protects both current and future beneficiaries. Careful land management and prudent investment decisions strengthen schools today and preserve the fund for generations to come." The trust funds are generated from the sale, lease, and development of trust lands granted to Utah at its statehood, primarily aimed at supporting public education. While the majority of these funds directly benefit K-12 students, other trust beneficiaries, including higher education institutions, will also see increased allocations as a result of this record distribution. Since 1994, the combined permanent funds for Utah have surged from $50 million to an impressive $4.1 billion, showcasing the effectiveness of the trust management system. Yearly distributions from the School LAND Trust program are allocated to every public school in Utah based on a per-pupil formula. Individual schools will be notified of their specific allocations later this week; however, preliminary data shared by state trust lands officials provides insight into allocations for Salt Lake County school districts. The Jordan School District will receive $10.5 million, the Granite School District $10.2 million, the Canyons School District $6 million, the Salt Lake City School District $3.5 million, and the Murray School District $1.3 million. In total, the Salt Lake County allocations amount to $31.5 million, with the remaining $102.5 million distributed to other public schools across the state based on student population. These funds are crucial for various educational initiatives, including academic intervention, technology access, and professional development for educators. Local school community councils, composed of parents, teachers, and administrators, will decide how best to utilize these funds, ensuring that the needs of each school are addressed in a manner tailored to their unique circumstances. Representative Tracy Miller, R-South Jordan, praised this model of local control, stating, "Utah’s School LAND Trust distributions are the best form of local control. Parents, teachers, and principals work together to decide how to best use these funds to improve student learning and meet the unique needs of every community." The School and Institutional Trust System in Utah is managed by four agencies, including the Trust Lands Administration, which oversees approximately 3.3 million acres of trust lands. These lands were granted by Congress at statehood in 1896, with the stipulation that revenue generated from their sale or lease be allocated to a permanent endowment for public schools. This revenue is derived from various activities, including energy development and real estate leases. The School LAND Trust program, part of the State Board of Education, directly distributes annual investment earnings to local K-12 schools, allowing communities to determine how to best meet their educational needs. The Utah School & Institutional Trust Funds Office, composed of independent investors, is tasked with growing the Permanent State School Fund to ensure long-term sustainability. Additionally, the Utah Land Trusts Protection & Advocacy Office monitors trust lands management to maximize returns while protecting the interests of the fund’s beneficiaries. As Utah schools prepare for the 2026-2027 academic year, this unprecedented funding allocation is set to enhance educational outcomes, reflecting a commitment to investing in the future of the state's students and communities. With the support of the trust system, schools are positioned to address critical academic needs and foster innovative learning environments that benefit all students across Utah.