Voting ‘yes” for Permanent School Fund Amendment is win-win for students, schools
The following column originally in a number of suburban and rural APG of East Central Minnesota newspapers during September, 2026 including the APG Statewide News, ABC papers (Anoka Blaine Coon Rapids), Aitken Independent Age, Dakota Tribune, MilleLacs Messenger, Morrison County Record, Press & News, Sun Current, Sun Post, Sun Sailor, Sun This Week, Union Times, and others.
Voting ‘yes’ for Permanent School Fund Amendment is win-win
for students, schools
It’s rare for an important law to pass the Minnesota House 134-0 and be approved by the Minnesota Senate. But that’s what happened this year with a proposed change in Minnesota’s Permanent School Fund. Without increasing property or income taxes, we can send millions of additional dollars to Minnesota’s district, charter public schools and tribal schools. Sounds too good to be true, right? Fortunately, it’s not.
I strongly support a “yes” vote on this Minnesota State Constitution amendment. Every Minnesota voter can vote this fall. An affirmative vote will allow a slightly higher percentage of funds to be withdrawn from the Permanent School Fund (from about 2.5% to 4.5% of a three-year average of funds in the account). The amendment is based on discussions with financial professionals.
A “yes” vote is especially important. That’s because not voting on this amendment counts as a “no.” For most voters, this means turning the ballot over to vote, since most races will appear on the first page.
The Permanent School Fund was created in 1858 – as Minnesota was becoming a state. It set aside funds generated by the sale of timber and minerals on state land, as well as lease income. The vote this fall slightly increases the percentage of dollars that can be withdrawn from the fund, which now is more than $2 billion. The fund will continue to grow because of revenue and investments. Much more information is available here: mnmsba.org/advocacy/permanent-school-fund
Every Minnesota district and charter public school will receive additional funds if the ballot passes. Money is distributed on a per-pupil formula. The Minnesota School Boards Association has prepared a chart showing how much will be distributed, based on 2025 enrollment.
That chart is found here: voteyesmnstudents.org
Readers of this column know I don’t always agree with groups such as the Minnesota School Boards Association and Minnesota Association of School Administrators. However, in this situation, I strongly support their effort to provide important information to the public about this terrific opportunity. They are joined, by among others, the Minnesota Association of Charter Schools.
It’s encouraging to see legislators of both parties coming together to support something that will benefit young people throughout the state. I hope voters will affirm what legislators have proposed – by voting “YES” on the Permanent School Fund amendment this fall.
Projected increases: (Different papers carried several but not all of these examples)
These examples are approximations based on 2025 enrollment.
Anoka-Hennepin increases from about $2.5 million to about $3.8 million
Bloomington increases from about $691 thousand to $1 million
Burnsville increases from $509,000 to more than $755 thousand
Cambridge-Isanti increases from almost $339,000 to more than $502,000
Columbia Heights increases from about $245,000 to more than $364,000
Delano increases from about $164,000 to more than $244,000
Eden Prairie increases from about $616,000 to almost $915,000
Edina goes from about $582,000 to $864,000
Elk River Area increases from about $959,000 to $1.4 million
Farmington increases from$449,000 to more than $666,000
Fridley increases from $176,000 to $261,000
Hopkins increases from $473,000 to $702,000
Lakeville increases from $812,000 to $1.2 million
Minnetonka increases from $769,000 to $1.1 million
Monticello increases from almost $281,000 to almost $417,000
Orono increases from $199,000 to $295,000
Osseo increases from $1.4 million to $2 million
Princeton increases from $214,000 to $318,000
Richfield increases from $275,000 to $408,000
Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan goes from $1.9 million to $2.8 million
Spring Lake Park goes from $409,000 to $607,000
St. Louis Park goes from $296,000 to $439,000
Waconia increases from about $268,000 to $397,000
Wayzata increases from $852,000 to $1.2 million
Westonka increases from almost $164,000 to $244,000
Joe Nathan taught U.S. history for more than 40 years. He founded and directed the Center for School Change. Reactions welcome, joe@centerforschoolchange.org.