Minnetonka Public Schools — Transcript
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Student & Staff Recognitions Program
Preview of Celebration of Excellence Event
Minnetonka Community Education Volunteer Opportunities
Teaching and Learning Committee Report
Superintendent's End-of-Year Updates and Celebrations
Votes (5)
Approval of Fiscal Year 2027 Fees
Dissent: None
Moved by Tanya [00:00:00] · Seconded by Mike [00:00:00]
The board considered and approved fee increases for the upcoming fiscal year, previously discussed at a study session and presented at a public hearing. Changes included a $2 increase for a middle school Family and Consumer Sciences class, a $7 increase for high school activity participation, a $30 increase for co-curricular activities, a new $50 uniform fee for cheerleading, a new $50 fee for Youth and Government, and incremental increases for Tonka Dome reservations to keep pace with inflation. It was confirmed that scholarships are available for students unable to afford the fees.
Approval of Long-Term Facilities Maintenance 10-Year Plan
Dissent: None
Moved by Karen [00:00:00] · Seconded by Sally [00:00:00]
The board approved the rolling 10-year plan for long-term facilities maintenance, a statutory requirement. The plan covers projects through 2036, totaling $66 million for the next decade, with an overall investment of $222 million since 2004. The discussion highlighted the importance of proactive maintenance for aging buildings, with many over 27 years old, to prevent system failures and ensure longevity without impacting local taxpayers.
Authorization of Sale of 2026E General Obligation School Building Bonds
Dissent: None
Moved by Mike [00:00:00] · Seconded by Karen [00:00:00]
The board authorized the sale of $30 million in school building bonds, the second tranche from a voter-approved referendum. This sale was moved up from 2027 to 2026 due to significant increases in district property valuation and new construction, allowing for earlier construction on remaining projects (summer 2027 completion) and avoiding an estimated $2.3-$2.5 million in construction inflation, all while maintaining no property tax impact for taxpayers.
Authorization of Sale of 2026F General Obligation Long-Term Facilities Maintenance Bonds
Dissent: None
Moved by Tanya [00:00:00] · Seconded by Dan [00:00:00]
The board authorized the sale of $13.565 million in general obligation bonds to fund long-term facilities maintenance projects scheduled for Fiscal Year 2028 (summer 2027). The sale aims to align this work with other construction projects to achieve economies of scale and better bid prices. The bonds are estimated to sell at a 4.49% interest rate, with the resolution drafted by Dorsy and Whitney.
Approval of Bid for Phase One Site Work at Minnetonka Middle School East (MME)
Dissent: None
Moved by Karen [00:00:00] · Seconded by Mike [00:00:00]
The board approved the low bid from Urban Companies LLC for $393,000 for phase one site work at Minnetonka Middle School East. This project, which aligns with a budget estimate of $400,000, involves reconfiguring the parking lot and extending the drop-off/pickup zone at the front of the building, including adding two outbound lanes. The goal is to improve traffic flow, reduce neighborhood parking, and enhance safety, with work expected to be completed by September for the upcoming school year. The design was developed in collaboration with the City of Minnetonka and WSB engineers.
Notable Quotes (8)
these increases per uh activities director Ted Schultz would keep us just above the bottom of our our peers in the lake conference uh we would just we'd be about $4 above on average Buffalo but we'd be a minimum of 10% but more over like about 30% to in fact almost over double for a couple of the other districts so uh still very competitive in terms of our fees and on the on the low end of the scale.
If someone with these new fees, if someone's not able to afford these fees, we do offer scholarships and it's they're readily available and it's >> Yes, that is correct.
It's really important for us to keep these up. Uh our buildings all have good bones. They are uh built to last. And so uh by maintaining them, we're also paying it forward for future generations.
Mr. Baja, I just want to thank you um and your team for keeping up on the maintenance. I know that that is what's kept our buildings in the good shape and been very fiscally responsible.
So we can spread these we can sell the bonds sooner but yet still maintain that no tax impact from these referendum bonds. The advantage of selling that $30 million trunch uh this year is that uh we will be able to start construction on the all the remaining projects uh earlier. We'll be able to start actually in by the time we design them, it'll be summer of 2027, but they'll these are smaller projects and they'll finish by December of 2027. And uh we will basically avoid about 5% annual construction inflation on them.
Again, a shout out to Paul and the finance department for their diligence and staying on top of changing economic factors in the district. were able to save money and pull construction forward. So, that's a win-win for everybody.
The idea being that we will get better traffic flow, have a longer queue because we'll send cars all the way to the back of the site, but then bring them back around to the front. So, more cars moved off the road, and then that coupled with our our eventually with our bus corral, uh moving them out of the equation. Hopefully, we'll speed things up, and hopefully this will do two things. a speed things up, but b um if it's easier to get on site uh and and move through faster, we're hoping that more parents will not park in the neighborhoods and be able to come on site and pick up their students.
Um, while I was campaigning this fall, this is a problem I heard a lot about and um, I'm sure uh, Megan and Karen did as well. So, I'm happy to hear that we have a solution in the works.
Ordinances & Resolutions (8)
Proposed changes to various school and activity fees for the upcoming school year.
A rolling plan outlining proposed maintenance projects for district buildings over the next decade.
Bonds authorized for sale, representing the second tranche of a voter-approved building bond referendum.
Voter-approved measure supporting district building projects, from which the 2026E bonds are issued.
Bonds authorized for sale to fund long-term facilities maintenance projects scheduled for Fiscal Year 2028.
Legal requirement for public school districts to preview 10 years of proposed maintenance.
Legal firm that drafted the bond resolutions for both 2026E and 2026F bonds.
Engineering firm that assisted with design options for the MME site work.