(KNOX) –Minnesota voters will decide on one ballot measure this November, and it will ask if school districts should receive a larger payout from Minnesota’s Permanent School Fund.
The fund was created when the state was formed in 1858. This was made as a way of financially supporting school districts through leases, timber harvesting and by mining on state owned land. Every public, charter and tribal school receives payments annually.
The fund’s payout is up to 2.5 percent of its total value. The average fund value over a three year period would increase to 4.5 percent if the ballot measure passes.
The Minnesota School Boards Association says the fund has increased from $675 million in 2010 to $2.3 billion in 2026.
East Grand Forks Public Schools receives $68 per student from the fund, and it would increase to $101, making it a total increase of $63,000.
A simple majority is needed for it to pass, and leaving the question with no response will count as a no vote.
This comes as the East Grand Forks School District is asking voters within the district to approve three referendums on November 3rd.
The first referendum will ask voters to approve a $600,000 per year operations levy that will be for a decade. The levy would start in the 2027-2028 academic year and it cost roughly $300 per student. The levy would also allow the district to keep its school resource officer.
The second referendum would fund $26.4 million that would be used for maintenance projects. The school district would use the funds to create more secure entryways at New Heights Elementary, South Point Elementary and Central Middle School. They would also use the money for repairing HVAC, electrical and lighting systems. The district might possibly upgrade fire alarms, PA and phone systems as well.
The third referendum is a $10.9 million proposal that would build an addition to have the district’s preschool program at the New Heights Elementary School. This referendum relies on whether the second one gets approved.
The second proposal fails, but the third one passes and no tax revenue would be collected for either project. If the second referendum passes but the third does not, the district would still plan to go through with the $26.4 million projects.
Superintendent Kevin Grover says the funds are necessary so the district can maintain its class sizes, as well as so the district can avoid laying off teachers and to no longer delay maintenance projects.
The district is creating a website where residents can see how their property taxes would increase if the referendums pass. The website is EGF.ReferendumFacts.org
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