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As Minnesotans begin voting in the Nov. 3 general election, there is one question on every ballot that directly relates to public schools across our state.
It concerns Minnesota's Permanent School Fund -- a resource that has been supporting public education for generations.
The Permanent School Fund is not a new program or a new source of taxation. Its roots go back to Minnesota's earliest days as a state, when land was set aside for the benefit of public education.
Today, Minnesota maintains approximately 2.5 million acres of school trust land and mineral rights on approximately 1 million additional acres. Revenue from mining, timber, leases, land transactions and other activities flows into the Permanent School Fund and is invested for the benefit of Minnesota public schools.
Over time, that resource has grown considerably. At the end of fiscal year 2025, the Permanent School Fund had a market value of approximately $2.3 billion. The fund has grown from approximately $675 million at the end of fiscal year 2010.
What voters are being asked to decide is how distributions from that existing fund should be calculated.
Under the current constitutional structure, distributions are based primarily on the net interest and dividends generated by the fund. The proposed amendment would allow annual distributions equal to 4.5% of the fund's average net asset value over the previous three fiscal years. The legislation also directs that the fund continue to be managed as a perpetual resource while balancing the needs of current and future generations of students.
For New Ulm Public Schools, estimates associated with the proposal indicate approximately $67,000 in additional annual revenue. That amount is an estimate, not a guarantee. Future distributions would depend on factors including the market value of the fund and student enrollment.
It is also important to understand what the amendment does not do. It does not establish a new Permanent School Fund -- the fund already exists. It does not eliminate Minnesota's school trust lands. And the ballot proposal does not create or increase an individual income or property tax. Rather, voters are being asked whether Minnesota should change the constitutional framework governing distributions from an existing state asset.
If approved, the new distribution formula would take effect July 1, 2027, for aid payable in fiscal year 2028.
There is one other piece of information every voter should know. Constitutional amendments in Minnesota are different from candidate races and many other ballot questions. To pass, an amendment must receive "yes" votes from a majority of all voters participating in the election.
As the Secretary of State explains on its official ballot information, failure to vote on a constitutional amendment has the same effect as voting no on the amendment.
The question voters will see is titled "Increasing funding to school districts" and reads:
"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?"
Voting for the Nov. 3 election begins Sept. 18 through Minnesota's absentee voting process, either by mail or in person.
As superintendent, I believe part of our responsibility is making sure our community understands issues that directly affect our public schools. The Permanent School Fund has been part of Minnesota public education for generations, and this November voters will determine how distributions from that fund will be calculated going forward.
Regardless of how you choose to vote, I encourage you to learn about the proposal, understand the question, and make sure you cast a vote on the constitutional amendment rather than unintentionally leaving it blank.
Additional information about the Permanent School Fund and the constitutional amendment is available through the Minnesota Secretary of State, Minnesota Office of School Trust Lands and the Minnesota Legislature.
-- Sean Koster is superintendent of the New Ulm Public Schools District