Did you know that every Minnesota public school student is part of a trust fund?
Minnesota's Permanent School Fund was established when Minnesota became a state in 1858. It was created to support public education through revenues generated from school trust lands and investments held for the benefit of Minnesota students.
The fund has grown to more than $2 billion, prompting discussion about how much to distribute to schools each year.
Because the distribution rules are written into the Minnesota Constitution, any change requires voter approval, so voters will be able to decide the future of this fund through a ballot question in the Nov. 3, 2026 election.
Watch a Video from Minnesota School Boards Association for a Closer Look
Ballot Language
"Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to increase the funding going to all school districts from the permanent school fund, which is a fund that supports school districts without raising individual income or property taxes, effective July 1, 2027?"
What would the amendment change?
If approved, the way that funds are distributed would be updated. Currently, schools receive only the fund's interest and dividends each year, which has worked out to about 2% to 2.5% of the fund's value. If the amendment passes, schools would instead receive a set 4.5% of the fund's average value over the previous three years.
The change would take effect July 1, 2027. The money would go only to public schools, including school districts and charter schools, and would not come from new or increased taxes.