Decision on Real Estate Investments
November 18, 2011
COMMITTEE ON SCHOOL FINANCE/PERMANENT SCHOOL FUND: ACTION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: CONSENT
SUMMARY: This item provides an opportunity for the committee and board to review and consider possible real estate investments.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Texas Constitution, Article VII, §5(f).
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION: At the July 2011 meeting, the board approved the execution of an agreement with The Blackstone Group necessary to make an investment commitment of up to $50 million in Blackstone Real Estate Partners Fund VII, subject to continued due diligence and negotiation of fund terms.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND SIGNIFICANT ISSUES: At the July 2006 meeting, the board set a strategic asset allocation which included a 6% allocation to real estate. At the May 2008 meeting, the board selected Courtland Partners as the Permanent School Fund’s real estate counsel to provide the expertise and advice related to the investment strategy of the real estate portfolio for the Permanent School Fund.
FISCAL IMPACT: The distribution of the Permanent School Fund is projected to be $1.9 billion during the 2012-2013 biennium.
PROCEDURAL AND REPORTING IMPLICATIONS: Not applicable.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None.
ALTERNATIVES: None.
OTHER COMMENTS AND RELATED ISSUES: None.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert Scott
Commissioner of Education
Staff Member Responsible:
Holland Timmins, Executive Administrator
and Chief Investment Officer of the
Texas Permanent School Fund