NEWS RELEASE
Idaho’s Endowment Lands Contribute
$762,246 to Twin Falls School District
Twin Falls, Idaho – On behalf of the Idaho Board of Land Commissioners, State Controller Donna Jones presented a ceremonial check for $762,246 to the Twin Falls School District’s superintendent Dr. Wiley Dobbs. This check represented the district’s trust disbursement for 2009, and has already been included in its annual appropriation.
“For 2009, our Endowment Lands contributed more than $34 million to public education across Idaho, $400,000 to our state Veterans’ Homes, and more than $90,000 to the State School for the Deaf and Blind,” said Jones. “Every nickel of this money was generated directly from our Endowment Lands and investments.”
“The revenue Endowment Lands generate helps offset funding that would otherwise have to come from taxes,” remarked Jones. “By keeping Idaho’s endowment forests and rangeland healthy and productive, we are keeping your tax bill lower.”
The State Board of Land Commissioners oversees the management of almost 2.5 million acres of endowment lands for the long-term benefit of our public schools and other beneficiaries. Revenue earned from logging, mining, grazing leases, and cottage site rentals is invested in the Endowment Fund and helps support nine beneficiaries including our public schools, universities, and other charitable institutions.
The Endowment Fund started with $77 million in 1969, and today is worth more than $880 million.
The Land Board is comprised of State Controller Jones, the Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, and Superintendent of Public Instruction.
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