What We Do

The Minnesota Legislature established the Office of School Trust Lands in 2012 to provide focused, independent attention to the management and financial performance of Minnesota’s school trust lands.

School trust lands are publicly owned, but they are held in trust for a specific constitutional purpose: to generate financial support for Minnesota’s public schools. OSTL works to ensure that decisions affecting these lands and resources remain directed toward that purpose and reflect the interests of both current and future beneficiaries.

The school trust lands director is appointed by the governor and is required by Minnesota law to act in a fiduciary capacity for the trust beneficiaries. OSTL evaluates the school trust land portfolio, provides advice and recommendations to state decision-makers, develops long-term asset-management strategies, and informs beneficiaries, policymakers, and the public about the management and financial performance of the lands.

OSTL’s responsibilities include:

1. Evaluate the school trust land portfolio.
   We assess the financial position of school trust land assets and their current and potential market value.

2. Provide fiduciary advice and recommendations.
   We advise the Governor, Executive Council, Land Exchange Board, and Department of Natural Resources on matters affecting school trust lands and the Permanent School Fund.

3. Advise DNR on land-management decisions.
   Our recommendations to DNR address school trust land management plans, leases, royalty agreements, land sales and exchanges, management-cost certification, and opportunities to generate revenue.

4. Develop long-term strategies.
   In conjunction with DNR, OSTL develops and implements a ten-year strategic plan and a 25-year management framework. These strategies are intended to increase asset value and cash flow, improve portfolio performance, establish management priorities, balance revenue enhancement with resource stewardship, and identify emerging economic opportunities.

5. Recommend legislative and policy changes.
   We work with DNR and the Legislative Permanent School Fund Commission to identify changes in law and policy that can improve management of the portfolio and secure long-term economic return for the Permanent School Fund.

6. Promote transparency and accountability.
   We keep beneficiaries, the governor, the Legislature, and the public informed through public reporting, analysis, and participation in meetings of the Legislative Permanent School Fund Commission. 

These responsibilities are intended to help the state fulfill its obligations to the beneficiaries. The objective is not simply to generate gross revenue, but to improve long-term financial returns while preserving the value and earning capacity of school trust assets for future beneficiaries.

Our Mission
Develop and advocate for sustainable asset-management strategies that maximize long-term financial returns for Minnesota’s public schools.

Our Vision
A financially productive, diversified, and resilient school trust land portfolio that provides increasing support for Minnesota’s public schools.

Stay Connected
Public participation and informed discussion strengthen the management of Minnesota’s school trust lands. You can follow our work, review recommendations, and share your perspective in several ways:

• Attend public meetings of the Legislative Permanent School Fund Commission
• Send us an email
• Subscribe to our e-lists

Through our analysis, recommendations, and long-term planning, OSTL works to ensure that Minnesota's school trust lands remain productive assets that provide lasting financial support for current and future generations of public school students.