R277-477-5. Appropriate Use of School LAND Trust Program Funds

(1) A council shall annually review school-wide assessment data to prepare and approve a School LAND Trust plan, including: (a) identifying academic priority areas of greatest need consistent with LEA priorities; (b) establishing student centered academic goal statements; (c) selecting measurement tools and baselines for each academic priority area; and (d) developing action steps and identifying School LAND Trust fund expenditures for data-driven and evidence-based ways to improve educational outcomes. (2) A school plan shall support academic components of the teacher and student success plan under Section 53G-7-1304 and the LEA's governing board priorities. (3) A school's School LAND Trust program expenditures shall have a direct impact on the instruction of students in the particular school's areas of most critical academic need and consistent with the academic priorities of the LEA's governing board: (a) to increase achievement in: (i) English; (ii) language arts; (iii) mathematics; and (iv) science; and (b) for secondary schools to: (i) increase graduation rates; and (ii) promote college and career readiness. (4) A school's LAND Trust plan: (a) may include counselors and educators working with students and families on academic and behavioral issues when a direct impact on academic achievement can be measured; and (b) may include addressing absenteeism when a direct impact on academic achievement can be measured. (5) A school may not use School LAND Trust program funds for the following: (a) costs related to district or school administration, including accreditation; (b) expenses for: (i) construction; (ii) maintenance; (iii) facilities; (iv) overhead; (v) furniture; (vi) storage of personal student property; (vii) security; or (viii) athletics; or (c) expenses for non-academic activities. (6) A school that demonstrates appropriate progress and achievement consistent with the academic priorities of the LEA governing board outlined in Subsection (2) may request local board approval of a plan to address other academic goals if the plan includes: (a) how the goal is in accordance with the core standards established in Rule R277-700; (b) how the action steps for the goal are: (i) data-driven; (ii) evidence-based; and (iii) have a direct impact on the instruction of students consistent with this Section R277-477-5; (c) the data driving the decision to spend School LAND Trust funds for academic needs outlined in this Subsection (4); and (d) the anticipated data source the school will use to measure progress. (7) An LEA governing board may not require a council or school to spend the school's School LAND Trust program funds on a specific use or set of uses. (8)(a) Student incentives implemented as part of an academic goal in the School LAND Trust program may not exceed $4 per student per plan in an academic school year. (b) The limit set forth in Subsection (8)(a) does not apply to expenditures for academic instructional materials for students.