This November’s ballot will include a Minnesota constitutional amendment question on school funding

This fall, Minnesota voters will consider a constitutional amendment regarding school funding via the Minnesota Permanent School Fund (PSF). This fund was created upon Minnesota’s statehood and set aside federal land for public education. Money from this land comes in the form of mining, timber and leases on approximately 2.5 million acres of school trust land, and currently 2-2.5% of the fund’s interest and dividends are paid out to public schools twice per year based on student enrollment. By constitutional design, the principal cannot be spent.

The proposed constitutional amendment asks voters whether to update the distribution formula to 4.5% of the fund’s three-year rolling average market value. Passing this measure would not increase state income taxes or local property taxes. For Osseo Area Schools, this proposed formula change is projected to generate an additional $1 million annually from the PSF.

Distributions from the fund support the full range of educational services provided by Minnesota schools, including instructional materials, curriculum development, teacher salaries, extracurricular activities, and the construction and maintenance of school facilities.

The proposed amendment was recommended by a non-partisan task force, co-sponsored by members of both major parties, and passed on a bi-partisan basis. 

Osseo Area Schools, along with many other school districts across the state, is working to inform constituents about the proposed amendment. Please note that under the Minnesota Constitution, a ballot measure requires a majority of all voters casting a ballot in the election to pass; therefore, leaving the question blank has the same mathematical effect as a 'No' vote.

Here are some resources to learn more about the PSF’s constitutional amendment: 

• Minnesota School Boards Association
• Minnesota Office of School Trust Lands
• Osseo Area Schools website