Board approves school land trust plans and grants Mountain High School exemption from elected council

The Davis School District Board of Education approved the district's school land trust plans for the 2025'26 school year and granted an annual exemption allowing Mountain High School to use an appointed advisory committee rather than an elected school community council to distribute its land trust funds.

"Tonight we hope is a culmination of years worth of work from our councils," assessment director Doctor Greg Wilkie told the board before the vote. Doctor Wilkie answered board questions about the plans and explained the state requirement to vote annually on any exemptions.

Miss Price moved to approve the trust-land plans; Miss Mercer seconded. The board voted in favor by voice vote.

On the Mountain High exemption, Doctor Wilkie explained the school's unique student population and attendance patterns make sustaining an elected council difficult. "Due to the unique nature of Mountain High School... it's very challenging for Mountain High to elect a community council and to also maintain with any sort of regularity those council members," he said. The school instead uses an appointed advisory committee made up of parents and volunteers appointed by the Mountain High administration to advise on objectives and uses of land trust funds.

Miss Mercer moved to grant Mountain High School the exemption under state board rule R277-491-3; Miss Price seconded. The board voted in favor by voice vote.

Board members discussed the state requirement that the board reaffirm exemptions annually and clarified that the advisory committee includes parents and operates similarly to a council but with appointed membership to allow continuity for Mountain High.

The approved land trust plans will be submitted to the state for review as required.