American Leadership Academy
Land Trust
Current Land Trust council members
Meeting rules of order and procedures
Teacher Student Success Act Framework
Past USBE School Land Trust Reports
Current year Land Trust plan
Meeting dates, agendas, minutes
Land Trust History
Before the first United States Congress ratified the constitution and before the election of George Washington, a process was established by the Continental Congress to ensure children of the new country would be educated. The Land Ordinance of 1785 and the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 set aside lands to support public education as territories and states became part of the Union. The Founding Fathers were concerned about the sporadic establishment of schools and demonstrated their commitment to an educated citizenry and maintaining a democracy as the organized system of land grants was put in place. Utah was granted school trust lands through the Utah Enabling Act and Utah Constitution, a bilateral contract between the Federal Government and the State of Utah.
The State’s School LAND Trust Program brings tens of millions of dollars annually to academic programs in public schools across Utah. The funds are generated from the School LANDS Trust.
Each public school in Utah elects a School Community Council (SCC) consisting of parents, teachers, and the principal. Charter Schools have Trust Land Councils (TLC). All councils have a two-parent member majority. Meetings are open to the public. The Council operates by approved Rules of Order.
Each council carefully reviews student assessments and progress to decide which academic areas they want to focus on. Plans are developed to improve student academic performance in the identified academic areas with the annual School LAND Trust funds. The plans are developed and approved by the School LAND Trust Council, approved by the local school board or chartering entity, and available for public review.
For more information about the School Land Trust program visit the Utah State Board of Education.
To view the School Land Trust Plans for American Leadership Academy please visit the Public Reports Website.
Council Members
Michael C. Johnson
CAO
Dr. Michael C. Johnson and his wife, Kari, have seven children (five daughters and two sons), four who currently attend American Leadership Academy and three who have graduated from ALA. Michael has been an educator for some time. He taught Spanish courses during his early graduate studies and He later taught middle school Spanish for two years in Central Oregon. He also spent over four years in corporate training as an instructional designer and trainer in the financial industry. Michael has completed a Master’s Degree in Instructional Technology (Utah State University, 2003) and a Ph.D. in Instructional Psychology & Technology (BYU, 2009). Michael currently works at Brigham Young University’s Center for Teaching & Learning as a Teaching & Learning Consultant, Instructional Designer, and Adjunct Professor.
Krystin Morley
Vice President
Krystin Morley is the only founding Board Member currently serving on the Board of Trustees. The genesis of American Leadership Academy was formed in her mind in 2004. Krystin has owned and sold 3 different companies in the past 25 years. She currently is the Vice President of MorCor, a construction engineering firm. Krystin was born and raised in Utah County and has been married for 35 years to Mike Morley. Krystin loves to travel and has travelled many places across the world. She is a dedicated wife, mother and grandmother to 9 children and 12 grandchildren. Two of her children have graduated from ALA and 3 children are current students.
Brenda Peterson
Board Member
Brenda Peterson was born in Lakenheath, England and raised in an Air Force family. She graduated from high school in Gilbert, AZ and claims that as her hometown. She and her husband, Joy, have two children who attended ALA since they began school and graduated in 2019 and 2021. Brenda earned her Bachelor’s degree in mathematics from BYU in 1999 and plans to pursue graduate studies in the near future. She also enjoys volunteering as an official at swim meets at the club, high school, NCAA, and Master’s levels. Brenda has served as Elementary 1st Assistant, Elementary Coordinator, Parent Council President, and Treasurer of the Board of Trustees. She loves all of the teachers, parents, and students at ALA and enjoys contributing to the programs and events that make this school unique. She welcomes comments and concerns from all of ALA’s stakeholders.
Katherine O'Donnell
Parent Council President/Board Member
Andrea and her husband Daniel have eight children, 6 of which attend ALA. Her love for education comes from her grandparents who immigrated from Cuba and always pushed her to pursue education and knowledge. This has been a driving force in earning a Masters’s in Education with an emphasis in ELL and a Bachelor’s in Spanish. She has worked at ALA in various capacities and helped with the Dual Immersion Program. As Parent Council President has used her passion for education and her heritage by working with the administration to help showcase the amazing culture and backgrounds of ALA students, families, and staff.
Dr. Eric Hogenson
Emeritus
Dr. Eric Hogenson graduated from the University of Lethbridge with a Bachelorâs of Science in Biology in 1990 and went on to graduate from the University of Calgary with a Doctor of Medicine in 1993. After a 3 year residency at Riverside General Hospital from 1993-1996, he has been working as a physician at the Spanish Fork Clinic. In his spare time he enjoys working on classic cars and is married with 3 sons who have all attended ALA since the beginning. All of his children have graduated from ALA. His wife was a previous coach at ALA coaching the Basketball and Softball teams.