1. (1) An LEA governing board may grant a full council exemption or a partial council exemption to a school, enabling the school to receive School LAND Trust program funds consistent with Subsection 53G-7-1202(e) if the requirements of Subsections (2) through (4) are met, and the school faces participation barriers due to:

   1. (a) low enrollment;
   2. (b) local board-approved consolidation with another school;
   3. (c) challenges with ongoing parent involvement; or

   4. (d) the school's status as a:

      1. (i) secure facility;
      2. (ii) juvenile detention facility;
      3. (iii) hospital program school; or
      4. (iv) other special program school.

2. (2) Before requesting a full council exemption or partial council exemption, the principal and existing council members shall:

   1. (a) provide notice of the council election to all eligible parents consistent with Section 53G-7-1202;
   2. (b) provide information to eligible parents of the important responsibilities of a school community council;
   3. (c) encourage eligible parents to file for election to the school community council in the upcoming election consistent with this rule;
   4. (d) identify the current school community council meeting time and, if necessary, reschedule the meeting to facilitate attendance by parents;
   5. (e) offer an electronic meeting option in accordance with Section 53G-7-1203; and
   6. (f) provide support for parents needing translation services.
3. (3) Following an election, the principal and council members shall encourage eligible parents to accept appointment to fill vacant seats on the school community council consistent with this rule and Section 53G-7-1202.

4. (4) If the school has met the requirements of Subsections (2) and (3) and the school has not filled its school community council consistent with Section 53G-7-1202, the principal and school community council members shall encourage the following individuals to fill parent positions as part of a request for a full council exemption or partial council exemption:

   1. (a) grandparents or step parents who live in the same household as a student in the school; and
   2. (b) a parent who teaches at the school and has a student attending the school.

5. (5) A school may request a council exemption by submitting a form prepared by the Superintendent to the local governing board that includes:

   1. (a) the name of the LEA;
   2. (b) the name of the school;
   3. (c) whether the school seeks a full council exemption or a partial council exemption; and
   4. (d) the rationale for the exemption.
6. (6) A local school board may grant a full council exemption or a partial council exemption.
7. (7) A school granted a full council exemption by its local governing board is not required to hold school community council meetings in public.

8. (8) A school granted a full council exemption by its local governing board shall:

   1. (a) include the principal on the school community council; and

   2. (b) comply with all other requirements in rule and code, except:

      1. (i) the following website posting requirements of this rule:

         1. (A) means for contacting council members;
         2. (B) proposed council meeting schedule for the coming year;
         3. (C) one year of approved meeting minutes;
         4. (D) notice of the council's next meeting;
         5. (E) notice of the council's next meeting agenda; and
         6. (F) draft minutes of the council's prior meeting; and
      2. (ii) council signature form requirements.

9. (9) A school granted a partial council exemption by its local governing board shall:

   1. (a) include, at a minimum, one parent member and the school principal;
   2. (b) continue to include stakeholder input in decision-making related to the School LAND Trust plan through accessible means; and
   3. (c) meet all other requirements of code and rule.

10. (10)(a) An exemption granted under this section is valid for one school year.

    1. (b) An LEA governing board may renew an exemption following the procedures outlined in the section each year.

11. (11) For each exemption granted, an LEA governing board shall provide to the Superintendent:

    1. (a) the form submitted under Subsection (5); and
    2. (b) the board meeting minutes for the meeting where the local governing board approved the exemption.

KEY: school community councils

Date of Last Change: February 9, 2026

Notice of Continuation: November 5, 2021

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: Art X Sec 3; 53E-3-401(4); Title 53G, Chapter 7, Part 12