Minnesota Voters to Decide School Funding Amendment
A November 3, 2026 ballot measure proposes increasing per-pupil funding from the state permanent school fund.
Updated on Sept. 20, 2026 in Secondary Education
Live Poll
Should Minnesota use the permanent school fund to increase per-pupil funding in local schools?
Minnesota voters will head to the polls on November 3, 2026, to decide on a constitutional amendment that would increase K-12 school funding. If approved, the amendment will raise the annual contribution from the state permanent school fund to every school district.
Why it matters
The measure aims to provide additional financial support for all school districts by increasing the distribution amount per student. The amendment leverages growth from the state permanent school fund, which has expanded significantly in recent years.
The permanent school fund, which originated in 1858, has grown from $1.3 billion in 2017 to at least $2.4 billion currently. The proposed amendment would increase the per-pupil contribution by $33, raising the rate from $68 to $101.
The players
Minnesota State Board of Investment
The state agency responsible for managing the investment of the permanent school fund and other public assets.
The details
The Minnesota State Board of Investment manages the permanent school fund, which generates revenue through timber sales and mining. By voting yes on the November 3 ballot, voters would authorize a larger annual payout to schools without depleting the fund itself. Voters should note that uncounted votes on this constitutional amendment are officially recorded as no votes.
Timeline
1858: Minnesota established the permanent school fund.
2017: The fund reached a value of $1.3 billion.
November 3, 2026: Voters will decide on the constitutional amendment.
The Home Front
This amendment marks a shift in how Minnesota utilizes its long-standing permanent school fund to support K-12 education. It follows a decade of significant growth in the fund's total value since 2017.
Families with students in Minnesota public schools should review their local district budget newsletters to see how this potential funding increase might affect local school programs. Be aware that on the November 3 ballot, leaving the amendment selection blank counts as a no vote.
The takeaway
This amendment provides a mechanism to distribute more resources to classrooms by updating the payout from the state's investment fund. Residents planning to vote should research the specific ballot language before November 3 to understand how the increase affects their local district.
Further reading
Learn more about the state's educational landscape at Minnesota Secondary Education.
Live Poll
Should Minnesota use the permanent school fund to increase per-pupil funding in local schools?
