SCHOOL TRUST LANDS: A CALL TO ACTION

2010-03-18T12:41:00.000-07:00

Many Minnesotans have never heard of School Trust Lands. We know our income taxes pay for the state’s education system, and people have a keen sensitivity to property tax statements and local school levies. But few of us know anything about the lands set aside in the state constitution that deliver tens of millions of dollars to our schools every year.

Because few people know about this important resource, we aren’t getting as much out of the lands as we should. Less public scrutiny over School Trust Lands means less oversight and less revenue for our students. That’s why, on behalf of our students, the Minnesota House of Representatives is encouraging the state’s education community to get informed.

What Are School Trust Lands?

More than 2.5 million acres of land and an additional 1 million acres of mineral rights were set aside when Minnesota became a state. Today School Trust Lands are managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Revenues earned from those lands are invested by the State Board of Investment and are constitutionally dedicated to be used for schools. Tens of millions of dollars earned on those lands are spent in classrooms every year, in every corner of Minnesota.

How Do the Lands Earn Money?

The interest and dividends from the Permanent School Trust Fund generated $27 million in 2009. Revenue is generated from many activities, including sale of timber, wild rice leases, mining leases, state forest campground fees, lakeshore leases, easements across state trust land, utility licenses, the sale of a few parcels of land, and several other types of surface use. In addition, revenue is generated from rents and royalties on taconite iron ore removed from the land.

How Does This Benefit Students?

Revenues from Minnesota’s School Trust Lands are deposited into the Permanent School Trust Fund. Interest and earnings from the Permanent School Trust Fund are distributed directly to Minnesota school districts. Those funds provide resources for learning supplies, teacher salaries, building maintenance, school curricula, and everything that makes Minnesota’s schools among the top- performing, most rigorous schools in the country.

What Can You Do To Help?

Efforts are already underway to improve management of our School Trust Lands. Legislation passed in 2008 improved oversight of the Permanent School Trust Fund and resulted in an additional $33 in new ongoing funding for every student in Minnesota.

Working together, for the sake of our students, we can and must do more. I strongly encourage you to keep asking questions, and learn more about our School Trust Lands. But more importantly, I urge you to engage your friends, neighbors, teachers, and local school boards in conversation about what we can do together to more effectively manage this important asset for years to come.

Minnesota School Trust Lands

SCHOOL TRUST LANDS: A CALL TO ACTION