Minnetonka Public Schools — Transcript
Thursday, August 14, 2025
Story
Minnetonka Schools approves new literacy curriculum, bonds for facility repairs
Annual Parent Survey Report
Votes (4)
Approval of Curriculum Resources
Moved by Board Member Chris [Timestamp] · Seconded by Board Member Sally [Timestamp]
Superintendent Law introduced the item as key to the board's literacy goal, transitioning from teacher training to resource implementation. Dr. Leoo detailed the extensive work of the English language arts committee, emphasizing alignment with state standards and the Minnesota Read Act. Specific resources recommended included core English language arts materials, functional phonics and morphology, and 'Arts and Letters' from Great Minds. An IB global politics course companion was also recommended. No public comments were received on the materials.
Approval of District Language Access Plan
Moved by Board Member Marie [Timestamp] · Seconded by Board Member Mike [Timestamp]
Superintendent Law explained that approving the district's language access plan is an annual requirement from the Minnesota legislature, effective for the 2025-2026 school year. Dr. Leoo outlined the plan's purpose: ensuring all non-English speaking students and families can access critical information about academic outcomes, progress, and specialized programs. The plan's details will be available on the district website's English learner page and integrated into student and parent handbooks.
Approval of Sale of 2025D Long-Term Facilities Maintenance Bonds
Moved by Board Member Dan [Timestamp] · Seconded by Unknown [Timestamp]
Paul Bourgeois, Executive Director of Finance and Operations, reported a successful sale of the 2025D general obligation long-term facility maintenance bonds. The district's AAA bond rating contributed to high demand (oversubscribed 2-4 times), resulting in a lower actual interest rate (4.46%) than anticipated (4.64%). The bond proceeds, totaling millions, will fund essential projects in summer 2026, including roofs, paving, boiler and mechanical room updates, window replacements, and interior renovations. Bourgeois emphasized the necessity of continuous investment due to approximately two-thirds of the district's 1.9 million square feet of space being over 60 years old.
Consent Agenda
Moved by Board Member Camarie [Timestamp] · Seconded by Board Member Chris [Timestamp]
The Consent Agenda, a collection of routine items, was presented for approval without individual discussion.
Notable Quotes (8)
This year we're going to give them the stuff to work with.
to provide aligned resources both to state standards and to the Minnesota Read Act for our elementary teachers to implement in our English classrooms this fall as we uh move forward and move all of that professional learning into day-to-day practice in our classrooms.
So, tonight we're asking for you to approve um core English language arts resources, functional phonics and morphology uh for the word recognition component of our English language arts program and arts and letters um from great minds as the language comprehension component of our ELA district curriculum.
the Minnesota legislature has put forward a requirement that on an annual basis, all school boards approve the district's language access plan.
plans must outline the district processes and procedures to ensure all students and families who communicate in a language other than English can access information related to their child's academic outcomes, progress, and any determinations or placements of students in specialized programs and services.
We sold our uh 2025D general obligation long-term facility maintenance bonds. Uh that's a a big mouthful. So for the public, it's what we use to maintain our buildings for the long term.
Our our our bond rating is AAA. There's only about five or six dozen school districts out of about 13,000 in the country that have that rating.
we have almost twothirds of our space is actually over 60 years old. So it's really important for it to have steady tenderloving care so to speak to keep it going uh and have it be in good shape.
Ordinances & Resolutions (5)
State legislation guiding literacy curriculum alignment.
Resource recommended for the IB global politics course for the 25-26 school year.
Annual plan required by Minnesota legislature to ensure non-English speaking families can access information.
Bonds used to finance long-term maintenance projects for school district facilities.
Resolution approving the sale of the 2025D long-term facilities maintenance bonds.