When Minnesota voters head to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, they will decide on a proposed constitutional amendment about the Permanent School Fund, a state fund that provides money to public schools across Minnesota, including ACGC.
What is the Permanent School Fund?
Minnesota created the Permanent School Fund when it became a state in 1858. The fund supports public education using revenue from state school trust lands, such as timber sales, mining, and leases, which is then invested 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.
Timeline
1858: Minnesota establishes the Permanent School Fund at statehood.
By 1900: Many of the original school trust acres in southern Minnesota had been sold. State policy shifted toward preserving the remaining lands for the long-term benefit of Minnesota's public school students.
2024: The Minnesota Legislature creates a task force to study the fund and make recommendations.
January 2026: The task force reports its recommendations to the Legislature.
May 2026: The Minnesota House and Senate pass legislation placing the proposed amendment on the ballot. There is strong bipartisan support.
Nov. 3, 2026: Minnesota voters decide on the amendment.
What would the amendment change?
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. Using a three-year average is intended to make payments more stable from year to year.
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. For ACGC, this is estimated to mean about $23,000 in additional funding per year.
What if it doesn't pass?
The current constitutional language and distribution formula would stay in place.
What would the amendment NOT do?
Approval of the amendment would NOT:
Create a new fund
Change the purpose of the trust
Raise income or property taxes
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?"
Find it on the back of your ballot
The amendment will be the last question on the ballot, so be sure to flip your ballot over. Under Minnesota law, a constitutional amendment must be approved by a majority of all voters who cast a ballot in the election, so leaving the question blank has the same effect as voting "no."
Learn More
Learn more about the amendment