Minnesota schools will receive more money from the state's Permanent School Fund after voters approved a statewide constitutional amendment.
The amendment asked voters to increase the yearly distribution from the Permanent School Fund from 2.5% to 4.5%.
The Permanent School Fund is a Minnesota education fund that comes from school trust lands. The fund provides money to Minnesota public and charter schools on a per pupil basis across the state.
The measure will increase funding by about $33 per student.
The state constitution requires the state to hold the trust in perpetuity, which means it cannot be distributed in an unsustainable way without incurring legal action.
Supporters of the amendment report the fund is growing by an average of 8% annually, and they say the adjustment to 4.5% would bring the trust in line with modern management standards.
The increase will not affect income or property taxes, and the state does not impose limitations on how schools may use the funds.
State Rep. Spencer Igo, R-Wabana Township, and state Sen. Mary Kunesh, DFL-New Brighton led the bipartisan ballot measure through the legislature earlier this year.
Since then, a state group of advocates have undertaken a massive education campaign to inform voters about the measure.
A majority of Minnesotans voted "yes" on the measure, as a blank ballot was counted as a "no" vote.
The next Permanent School Fund distribution with the increased amounts will be paid out in July of 2027.
