Park City School District office. Photo: TownLift // Rayne Moynahan

PARK CITY, Utah — Park City schools will receive nearly $854,000 this year through Utah’s School Land Trust program, part of a record $111 million statewide distribution announced earlier this month.

The estimated fiscal year 2026 distributions break down as follows, according to Park City School District Public Information Officer, Colton Elliott:

Parley’s Park Elementary (PPES): $82,971.04
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McPolin Elementary (MPES): $79,444.77
Jeremy Ranch Elementary (JRES): $81,311.62
Trailside Elementary (TSES): $74,673.93
Ecker Hill Middle School (EHMS): $212,820.08
Park City High School (PCHS): $322,757.98

In total, Park City schools are set to receive $853,979.42.

The funding comes from the $3.7 billion Permanent State School Fund endowment, which has grown from about $50 million in 1994, according to Utah State Treasurer Marlo Oaks, as reported by Utah News Dispatch.

The record distribution follows the passage of Amendment B in November 2024, which raised the cap on annual distributions from 4% to 5% of the endowment. The Utah News Dispatch reported that the amendment means schools will have access to even more resources beginning in fall 2026, while the fund continues to grow for future generations.

The $111.3 million in land trust funds will support more than 647,000 students in 1,019 schools statewide, distributed on a per-pupil basis, according to the Utah Land Trusts Protection & Advocacy Office, as reported by Utah News Dispatch.

“Utah’s School LAND Trust Program is unlike anything else in the nation,” State Superintendent of Public Instruction Molly Hart said, according to Utah News Dispatch. “While other states have school trust lands, Utah has set the gold standard in managing these assets.”

Historical Foundation

The land trust system stems from trust lands granted by Congress when Utah achieved statehood in 1896. Congress required that revenue from sale or lease of the land support public schools. Today, revenue is generated from energy development, real estate and grazing on about 3.3 million acres of trust lands.

Four agencies make up Utah’s School and Institutional Trust System. The Utah School & Institutional Trust Funds Office invests the revenue to grow the endowment, while the Utah Land Trusts Protection & Advocacy Office ensures school children’s interests are protected.

Local Control

Funds are distributed directly to individual schools, where spending decisions are made by school community councils consisting of parents and educators.

Park City School District’s land trust funds are typically allocated toward teacher salaries, educational programming, and classroom supplies. The district’s estimated $853,979 distribution for fiscal year 2026 represents a increase from the $829,749 in new and adjusted funding received in the current 2024-2025 school year, reflecting both enrollment growth and the enhanced funding capacity resulting from Amendment B’s passage.

Park City School District Public Information Officer Colton Elliott said school spending reports will be posted to each school’s website by the end of the week.