News

Understanding Minnesota’s Permanent School Fund Ballot Question

By Liam Dawson, Superintendent, St. James Public Schools

By Karla Beck, Superintendent, Madelia Public Schools

By Dan Blankenship, Superintendent, Butterfield Public Schools

Minnesota voters will see a proposed constitutional amendment related to the Permanent School Fund on the November 3, 2026, general election ballot. Here are the key points voters should know.

What is the Permanent School Fund?

The Permanent School Fund is one of Minnesota’s oldest sources of public school funding. Established when Minnesota became a state in 1858, it was built from public lands set aside to benefit public education.

Today, the trust includes approximately 2.5 million acres of land and mineral rights on approximately 1 million additional acres. Revenue from timber sales, mining, leases and other activities is deposited into the fund and invested by the Minnesota State Board of Investment.

The fund already exists.

The Permanent School Fund is currently valued at approximately $2.3 billion. It has distributed approximately $388 million to Minnesota schools over the past 10 years.

What would change?

Currently, annual distributions are primarily based on the fund’s interest and dividend earnings.

The amendment would establish an annual distribution equal to 4.5% of the fund’s average net asset value over the previous three fiscal years. Using a three-year average is intended to provide greater stability and predictability from year to year.

What would not change?

• The Permanent School Fund would remain in place.
• School trust lands would remain in place.
• The fund would continue to support Minnesota public school students.
• The fund would continue to be managed as a resource for current and future generations.
• The amendment would not create or increase an individual income or property tax.

What could it mean for schools?

Based on 2025 figures, the average distribution was approximately $68 per student. Materials developed about the proposal estimate a potential distribution of approximately $91 per student under the new formula.

The estimated annual funding increases for the three public school districts within Watonwan County are:

• St. James Public Schools: $31,084.85
• Madelia Public Schools: $17,123.75
• Butterfield-Odin Public Schools: $6,091.23

Together, these estimates represent a potential increase of approximately $54,299.83 annually for Watonwan County’s three public school districts.

These figures are estimates, not guaranteed amounts. Future distributions would depend on the fund’s average market value, student enrollment and the distribution calculations established under state law.

When would the change begin?

If approved by voters, the new distribution formula would take effect July 1, 2027, for aid payable in fiscal year 2028.

What will appear on the ballot?

The ballot title will be “Increasing funding to school districts.”

The question will ask:

“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?”

An important voting rule

A constitutional amendment must receive “yes” votes from a majority of all voters participating in the election. If a voter casts a ballot but leaves the amendment question blank, the blank response does not count as a “yes” vote and has the same practical effect on the passage calculation as a “no” vote.

The Minnesota Legislature approved placing this question before voters during the 2026 session. The amendment will take effect only if approved by Minnesota voters.  This article is intended to provide information and does not recommend how residents should vote. Additional information is available at www.mnpsfamendment.org. The enacted legislation, 2026 Minnesota Laws, Chapter 114, is available through the Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes.

Madelia Public Schools Receives Exemption to Continue Blackhawks Mascot

 Madelia, MN (June 23, 2026) – Madelia Independent School District 837 has been granted an exemption by the Lower Sioux Indian Community Tribal Council in the State of Minnesota to continue using the Blackhawks as its school mascot. The decision, communicated in a letter dated June 23, 2026, from Lower Sioux Indian Community President Joseph O’Brien, follows a formal review of the district’s exemption request.

The Minnesota Legislature passed a law to end the use of Native mascots and other imagery in Minnesota public schools in 2023. Schools are allowed to apply for an exemption from the nearest federally recognized tribe.

The Lower Sioux Indian Community, headquartered in Morton, Minnesota, reviewed the information submitted by the district and determined the exemption was warranted. President O’Brien’s letter confirmed the Community’s decision, stating: “After careful review of the information submitted, the Community grants the requested exemption.”

“We are grateful for the thoughtful review conducted by the Lower Sioux Indian Community,” said Superintendent Shelly Bauer. “We remain committed to honoring the Blackhawks name with the dignity and pride it deserves and will continue to only use the image of the hawk as our mascot as we have done since 1993.”

The district’s pursuit of the formal exemption process demonstrates its commitment to engaging respectfully with Indigenous communities on matters of cultural significance. Superintendent Bauer submitted a formal exemption request to the Lower Sioux Indian Community Tribal Council, the closest neighboring federally recognized Tribal Nation. The request included required district information as outlined by the Minnesota Department of Education and an open invitation for the Tribal Council to ask questions or seek additional information. 

Madelia Public Schools Board of Education Selects Lowry as New High School Principal

The Madelia Independent School District 837 Board of Education has named Paul Lowry as the district’s new High School Principal. The appointment, approved at a Special Board meeting on June 4, 2026, takes effect July 1, 2026. 

Lowry brings 27 years of experience in education to the role, having served Lac qui Parle Valley Schools in Madison, Minnesota as a social studies teacher, coach, and as lead school counselor for grades 7–12. He holds degrees in Social Studies Education from Concordia College, a Master’s in Counseling and Human Resource Development from South Dakota State University, and a specialist degree in Education Leadership from Minnesota State University Moorhead, completed in 2025.

During his tenure at Lac qui Parle Valley, Lowry led several innovative programming initiatives, including the creation of a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Licensure course, a modified block schedule, and a construction trades course funded through grant dollars. He also served as President of the LQPV Teacher’s Union and chaired the district’s student scholarship program.

“We are pleased to welcome Paul Lowry to Madelia Public Schools,” said Steve Sorenson, Chair of the Madelia ISD 837 Board of Education. “Paul has a proven ability to build trust with students, staff, and families, and his collaborative leadership style is exactly what our school community needs.” 

Congratulations to our No. 1 seeded baseball team who will play their first ever Class A Championship game at Target Field on Monday, June 15.  They are playing the No. 2 seeded Red Lake County Rebels who are the defending Class A Champions.