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August Training Updates

Hello, District Liaisons!

Approaching Due Dates

Please ensure that the following due dates are met:

• October 20
• The following items must be submitted as part of the Fall Requirements Form on the School LAND Trust (SLT) Reporting Website:
• Rules of Order and Procedure
• Council Membership (planned council size and current roster)
• Principal Assurance
• School Website Postings (URL and certification of postings) 
• As Soon As Possible
• Review the board member, district liaison, and principal access assignments on the SLT Reporting Website.
• Keeping these assignments current ensures that users can access required forms before program deadlines and receive important School LAND Trust program information, reminders, and updates. 
• Email the School Children’s Trust (SCT) Team with any necessary personnel changes. Please include:
• email addresses for new or updated users 
• each user’s new role assignments
• school assignment(s), if applicable to the user’s role
• a list of users that need to be removed

Fall Requirements Form

A new Fall Requirements Form has been released to assist principals in submitting their Rules of Order and Procedure, Council Membership, Principal Assurance, and School Website Posting requirements within a single form on the SLT Reporting Website. This update is designed to streamline the monitoring process for district liaisons and ensure each school remains in compliance with program code and rule. 

The resources below are designed to assist with submitting the new Fall Requirements Form and conducting compliance monitoring for these requirements: 

• Fall Requirements User Guide: A step-by-step guide to support principals in the completion of the new Fall Requirements Form
• Fall Requirements Review Guide: This form is designed to support district liaisons in their review of SLT requirements that are submitted with the Fall Requirements Form
• Fall Requirements Review Rubric: A short rubric that provides a checklist to conduct compliance reviews to monitor the completion of each component of the Fall Requirement Form

Procedures for FY27 Compliance Monitoring

The USBE SCT team is implementing an updated compliance monitoring process to strengthen LEA oversight of SLT requirements while maintaining local control. Selected LEAs will submit a description of their oversight process and documentation demonstrating that compliance monitoring activities were completed. SCT will review a random sample of schools to evaluate the effectiveness of each LEA's oversight process.

This year's monitoring may focus on the appropriate use of FY25/FY26 funds or compliance with the new Fall Requirements Form. LEAs are encouraged to establish and document a consistent monitoring process, conduct reviews after both fall and spring requirement submissions, promptly address any issues identified, and maintain organized records to support compliance.

SCC Election Support

Council elections and membership must be in compliance with Utah Code and Rule. The resources below are designed to support the review of council election procedures and to provide guidance on best practices for increasing parental involvement in SCC elections:

• SCC Election Guide
• SCC Election Tips (guidance on increasing parent involvement)
• SCC Parent Involvement Promotional Poster
• PDF
• Google Doc
• Determining Council Membership Type Guide
• Rules of Order and Procedure Requirements

SCC Exemption Requests

Under Utah Administrative Rule R277-491, a school that is a secure facility, juvenile detention facility, hospital program school, or other small or special school may receive School LAND Trust Program funds without having a School Community Council if the school demonstrates and documents a good faith effort to: recruit members, have meetings, and publicize the opportunity to serve on the council.

Schools may not be exempted from the School Community Council requirement or combined with another school simply for convenience. Each school seeking an exemption must qualify under the rule and submit a separate SCC Exemption Form for the 2026–2027 school year. The form may be completed by the district liaison or school principal.

Please review the form before requesting approval from your local school board to ensure the board minutes will include sufficient information to support the exemption request and to determine whether a supplemental letter or other documentation will be needed.

FY26 Financial Reporting Information

LEAs must maintain a separate SLT budget and accounting records for each school. Before submitting FY26 financial records to the state financial system, complete the LEA’s SLT financial review and internal control processes to ensure each school:

• Stayed within its available SLT budget; and
• Used SLT funds consistent with its approved plan

If a financial correction is needed, recode the expenditure from the SLT account to the appropriate funding source rather than adjusting SLT revenue. Revenue from other funding sources may not be transferred into an SLT account to offset or cover expenditures.

After completing this review and any necessary corrections, submit FY26 financial records according to UPEFS and/or USIMS procedures.

NEW: UPEFS will validate each school’s submitted expenditures against the available SLT balance for FY26. If expenditures exceed the available balance, the submission will fail validation and will not upload.