What is a School Community Council (SCC)? 

In Utah, every public school has a School Community Council (SCC). An SCC is a group of parents, school staff, and the principal who work together to support student learning and school improvement. SCCs are required by law at each school, and they are an important way for parents to have a voice in addressing academic needs at their child’s school. 

Who’s on the Council, and How do I Become a Member?  

Each SCC includes: 

• The school principal 
• At least one school employee 
• Parents or guardians of current students 

Parents are elected to be part of the SCC. SCC elections are usually held in early fall. If you want to be part of your school’s SCC, talk to your principal about how to get involved! 

What Does the SCC Do? 

SCCs help schools by: 

• reviewing student achievement data, 
• identifying the school’s top academic needs, 
• deciding how the school will spend its allotted LAND Trust funds, 
• creating the School LAND Trust Plan, 
• giving input on the Teacher and Student Success Act (TSSA) Plan, 
• discussing school safety, digital citizenship, and behavior programs, and 
• sharing updates on budgets and plans with the public. 

What Are School LAND Trust Funds? 

These funds come from Utah’s school trust lands and are distributed annually to every public school in the state. Each School Community Council determines how their school's share of these funds is used. Usually, SCCs choose to use their LAND trust funds to support classroom instruction, to pay for academic support programs, or to purchase technology that enhances learning. 

These funds are: 

• Locally controlled by each SCC 
• Dedicated entirely to student academic improvement 
• Often the only flexible funding schools receive 

Why Parent Participation Matters 

When parents are involved in their child’s school: 

• students do better,  
• schools make smarter decisions (because we have your input!), and 
• families and schools work better together 

You don’t need special training; just a willingness to share your perspective, ask questions, and speak up for students. 

Other Ways to Get Involved With Your School’s SCC 

• Attend SCC meetings. These are public meetings, and everyone is welcome to attend.  
• Encourage others get involved with SCC. If you don’t have the bandwidth to run for office, encourage others to run. When you make plans to attend a meeting, bring a fellow parent friend with you.